Madison Children's Museum

Social time for babies and their grown-ups! This playgroup is thoughtfully 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 activities that support various aspects of child development. Parents and caregivers will have the opportunity […]

Join us for a story and circle time that connects children to kindness and nature. Sing songs, interact with puppets, listen to a story, and move your body in this interactive weekly program. This event will be held in the Nice Age Trail exhibit and is free with general museum admission.

Join us for story time and hear Teresa read some of her favorite books using her DynaVox. With this speech-generating device, Teresa will share stories and help build listening skills, develop early literacy, and celebrate each other’s differences. This event is free with general museum admission.

Get moving and grooving with your li'l one! Does your baby or toddler love to move and groove? Join Junko for a free class designed especially for littles! We'll focus on singing together, feeling rhythm and music in our bodies, and exploring instruments. It's a wonderful way to get out of the house and connect […]

Join Laurie and our Art Studio staff for a weekly drop-in art experience designed for MCM's youngest visitors and their caregivers. Through open-ended & process-based projects, empower your little artist to freely explore materials and art-making with their senses. And the best part? We take care of cleanup! Today we'll paint with jangly, joyful jingle […]

Music and movement for preschoolers! Join Junko learn and experience to trial for registered class designed especially for 3-5.  We'll focus on singing together, feeling rhythm and music in our bodies, and exploring instruments. It's a wonderful way to get out of the house and connect with your child through music and movement.  This event is free with general museum […]

Celebrate 50 years of public art and community art-making made possible by the Madison Arts Commission. Join us for a FREE celebration including performances by Madison Circus Space performers and hands-on art-making with artists TetraPAKMAN, Lesley Anne Numbers, Angelica Contreras, and Djam Vivie. Bring your dancing shoes--Madison-based band V05 will transport you back to MAC's […]

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 […]

Flex your fine motor skills and creativity to decoupage a wood slice ornament for the holidays. While you're crafting, count the rings and see how old your tree limb is! This event is part of our Free Thursday Evenings, 4 pm–8 pm.

Learn how to care for plants and what they need to survive. Decorate a piece of pottery from our clay program and adopt a succulent to bring home. Join us each week for new STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) activities. These hands-on programs foster creativity, ignite curiosity, encourage divergent thinking, build problem-solving skills, […]

 Join Junko as we explore different sensory materials every week!Please note, this program location may vary. Check at the admissions desk for the most up-to-date information. This event is free with general museum admission.

Enjoy exclusive, members-only playtime in the museum before things get busy! Enjoy complimentary coffee and free treats to accompany the chilly 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.

Decorate a cheery, wintry mini house and decorated yard to celebrate the season! Use your imagination and the materials provided to make a festive scene that lights up. This event is free with general museum admission. Image credit: Leslie Manlapig