Music Sprouts with Junko: Free session
2026-01-22 13:30 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | Madison Children’s Museum, 100 N. Hamilton Street, Madison, WI, 53704, United States
Music and movement for preschoolers!

Is your 3–5 year old ready to jam? Join Junko for a dynamic weekly class designed especially for preschool-aged kids.

In this class, your child will experience storytelling through songs and actions, practice responding to what they hear, and discover how their body naturally reacts to music. Over the weeks, they’ll begin to develop body control through large movements such as hopping and stopping on cue. They’ll practice using their singing voices and sharpen their listening skills through ear training and call-and-response. As they learn to feel the beat in their bodies, they’ll also explore instruments like hand drums and rhythm sticks.Caregivers must stay on site and may relax in the cafe during the session, or enjoy the museum with siblings.

Music Sprouts is a joyful journey into rhythm, movement, and self-expression guided by Junko Yamauchi Stewart, a multitalented musician and educator, and founder of BENI Daiko Taiko Ensemble.

Dates: Thursdays, Jan 29–Mar 7, 1:30-2:00 PM, plus a free session on Jan 22.

Price: $30 for 6 sessions

For Ages: 3-5

Class fee does not include museum admission (required—free for members; non-members see admission prices and/or membership rates). If the class has sold out, you can join the waitlist.

Register Now

Be sure to read our cancellation and refund policies.

Li'l Music with Junko: Free session
2026-01-22 11:00 - 11:30 | Madison Children’s Museum, 100 N. Hamilton Street, Madison, WI, 53704, United States
Get moving and grooving with your li’l one!

Do you have a dancing baby? Discover Junko’s weekly music class where babies and toddlers can explore their natural love of rhythm. Together, you and your tiny dancer will bounce, sway, and rock with the music while learning simple rhythm patterns. They’ll build critical social skills over the weeks as they interact with new faces and watch the other babies in the room, and strengthen their bond with you through lap songs and movement activities.

It’s a wonderful way to get out of the house and connect with your child through music and movement!Class leader Junko Yamauchi Stewart is a multitalented musician and educator, and founder of BENI Daiko Taiko Ensemble.

Dates: Thursdays, Jan 29–Mar 7, 11–11:30 AM, plus a free session on Jan 22.

Price: $30 for 6 sessions

For Ages: 0-2

Class fee does not include museum admission (required—free for members; non-members see admission prices and/or membership rates). If the class has sold out, you can join the waitlist.

Register Now

Be sure to read our cancellation and refund policies.

Tales with Teresa
2026-01-22 09:30 - 10:00, 2025-12-18 09:30 - 10:00, 2025-12-11 09:30 - 10:00, 2025-12-04 09:30 - 10:00, 2025-11-20 09:30 - 10:00, 2025-11-13 09:30 - 10:00
Join us for story time and hear Teresa read some of her favorite books using her DynaVox. With this speech-generating device, Teresa shares stories that help us build listening skills, develop early literacy, and celebrate each other’s differences.
This event is free with general museum admission.

Holiday Concert with McFarland High BlueNotes Choir
2025-12-19 11:30 - 12:00
What’s better than holiday melodies floating through the museum on a chilly Friday morning? Enjoy a seasonal choir performance with students from McFarland High School’s BlueNotes Choir.

Early Explorers Playgroup
2025-12-19 09:30 - 10:30, 2025-12-12 09:30 - 10:30, 2025-12-05 09:30 - 10:30, 2025-11-21 09:30 - 10:30, 2025-11-14 09:30 - 10:30, 2025-11-07 09:30 - 10:30
This playgroup is expertly designed for our earliest visitors. We will provide a space for infants and toddlers (2 years and under) and their caregivers to explore and play together, and engage in unstructured play that supports various aspects of child development. Parents and caregivers will have the opportunity to connect with one another over a variety of topics. Come meet other families and make new friends!

Free Thursday Evenings
2025-12-18 16:00 - 20:00, 2025-12-11 16:00 - 20:00, 2025-12-04 16:00 - 20:00, 2025-11-20 16:00 - 20:00, 2025-11-13 16:00 - 20:00, 2025-11-06 16:00 - 20:00 | Madison Children’s Museum, 100 N. Hamilton Street, Madison, WI, 53704, United States
Visit MCM for free every Thursday evening, 4–8 pm!

Enjoy extended hours each Thursday, completely free of charge. Please check in at the admissions desk when you visit during free hours.

Looking for more affordable ways to visit? During the rest of the week, MCM offers reduced cost admission and memberships every day to families who qualify through our Access for Everyone initiative.

Nice Age Tales
2025-12-17 10:30 - 11:00, 2025-12-10 10:30 - 11:00, 2025-12-03 10:30 - 11:00, 2025-11-19 10:30 - 11:00, 2025-11-12 10:30 - 11:00
Snuggle in for a delightful mix of stories, puppets, and songs! This trail-side program invites young children to explore emotions, rhythm, and imagination through movement and mindful moments. Grown-ups welcome, too—this is a peaceful pause for the whole family.

December Member Morning
2025-12-06 08:00 - 09:00 | Madison Children’s Museum, 100 N. Hamilton Street, Madison, WI, 53704, United States
Enjoy exclusive, members-only playtime in the museum before things get busy! Enjoy complimentary coffee to accompany the calm, crisp morning (while supplies last.)

Not a member yet? Become one today! Membership starts immediately, so you can visit for free anytime the museum is open. Learn more about membership.

Games and Movement Challenges
2025-11-28 10:30 - 12:00
Through fun, movement-based games and challenges, children strengthen hand-eye coordination, balance, and core muscles without even noticing—they’re too busy playing! With new activities each session, this playful program supports physical development and joyful learning through active exploration. Let’s get moving!

Gallery Night: Free Admission
2025-11-07 17:00 - 20:00
Join us for Madison’s fall Gallery Night! Enjoy an evening of creativity for adults and kids alike, featuring a new Sidewalk Surprise installation by Michelle Martin; Up-Sky Down, a new interactive sculpture by the MCM exhibits team; artwork by MCM staff and community members; and hands-on crafting.
Cash bar and light refreshments available.

Indigenous Heritage Celebration
2025-11-06 17:00 - 20:00
Join us for a FREE celebration with our Indigenous community, featuring food, music, art, and dance representing Indigenous traditions across the world.
Featured Guests:
EVAN “BLUE SKY” LOGAN & Group:A tribal Bear/Thunder (Warrior) clan member of the Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin. Through his lifetime he was raised and taught by some of the most key influential people not only within the Ho-Chunk Nation, but throughout Native America. Logan grew up hands on learning the Native way of life. Evan is the 3rd generation out of his family who continues to share and spread awareness of the Native American World and their cultures, along with his family. Today, he continues to be a performer, artist, craftsman, teacher, speaker, activist, entertainer, and singer.
SHAYA SCHREIBER:
A member of the Marten Falls Band of Ojibwe, a First Nation community in Ontario, Canada. She was raised and currently resides in Madison, Wisconsin. At the age of 8 years old, Shaya learned her skills from a family friend and began making regalia, beadwork and moccasins. Today, Shaya has over 16 years of practice and considers her art to be both traditional and contemporary. Growing up, she didn’t get the opportunity to be surrounded by her Ojibwe culture however, as Shaya learned more about her heritage and traditional Art over time, it helped her create connections with other native Artists which gave her the opportunity to pass her knowledge down to the next generation. As a Social worker at an Elementary school, Shaya is able to share Native American art, culture and experiences with her students.

Performance:

Evan “Blue Sky” Logan and group, storytelling and traditional songs, 6:00pm to 7:00 pm, Wildernest

Activities:

Indigenous Stamps with Shaya, carved stamps and printmaking, 5:30pm to 7:30pm, Art Studio, 2nd floor
Coloring Wall, Art Studio
Madison Reading Project, 5:00pm to 8:00pm, 2nd floor
Scavenger Hunt, 1st floor
Voter Registration, 1st floor
Children’s voting station, 1st floor
Three Sisters Garden – Rooftop, 5pm to 7 pm
Animal Game Matching, Wildernest, 5pm to 8pm

Food:
Samples by Mama Krissy’s in Celebrations (Frybread creations)

Support for Cultural Heritage Celebrations is provided by

Madison Gas and Electric Company
