Madison Children's Museum

Lexie's Idea Lab
2024-11-14 17:00 - 19:00, 2024-11-07 17:00 - 19:00 (America/Chicago) | Madison Children’s Museum, 100 N. Hamilton Street, Madison, WI, 53704, United States
Get your creativity flowing with Lexie in the Idea Lab! Practice different methods for generating new art projects and storytelling concepts with guidance from the Idea Machine.

This event is part of our free admission Thursday evenings, 4 pm-8 pm every week.

Free Thursday Evenings
2024-11-14 16:00 - 20:00, 2024-11-07 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.

Messy Art with Laurie
2024-11-14 11:00 - 12:00 | Madison Children’s Museum, 100 N. Hamilton Street, Madison, WI, 53704, United States
Join Ms. 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!

This event is free with general museum admission.

Let's Move! in the Wonderground
2024-11-14 10:00 - 11:30, 2024-11-13 10:00 - 11:30, 2024-11-09 10:00 - 11:30, 2024-11-08 10:00 - 11:30, 2024-11-07 10:00 - 11:30, 2024-11-06 10:00 - 11:30 | Madison Children’s Museum, 100 N. Hamilton Street, Madison, WI, 53704, United States
Join us for movement games in the Wonderground! From obstacle courses to dances, group games, balance activities, and yoga, we’ll enjoy different opportunities to move our bodies every day.

This event is free with general museum admission.

Music Time with Tim
2024-11-13 11:00 - 11:30, 2024-11-06 11:00 - 11:30
Explore the world of music and rhythm! Join Tim each week to enjoy play-based songs, games, and stories.

This event is free with general museum admission.

Co-op Kids: Mac & Cheese with Chef Mike
2024-11-13 10:00 - 11:00 | Madison Children’s Museum, 100 N. Hamilton Street, Madison, WI, 53704, United States
Join MCM staff and friends from Willy Street Co-op to get creative with food in the Lunchbox cafe!

Today, we’ll see how Chef Mike puts together our creamy, dreamy mac & cheese entrees. This event is free with general admission.

Early Explorers Playgroup
2024-11-13 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-11-06 10:00 - 11:00 | Madison Children’s Museum, 100 N. Hamilton Street, Madison, WI, 53704, United States
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 to connect with one another over a variety of topics. Come meet other families and make new friends!

This event will be held in the Celebrations Room and is free with general museum admission.

Nice Age Tales
2024-11-13 10:00 - 10:30 | Madison Children’s Museum, 100 N. Hamilton Street, Madison, WI, 53704, United States
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.

Let's Make! with Lexie
2024-11-10 13:00 - 15:00
Explore new materials and creative techniques through facilitated art activities and bring home hand-made treasures. Projects vary each week and may include sculpture, painting, comics, printmaking, and more!

This event is free with general museum admission.

Exploration Station: Bottle Cap Nature Magnets
2024-11-10 10:30 - 12:00 | Madison Children’s Museum, 100 N. Hamilton Street, Madison, WI, 53704, United States
Create a miniature nature scene and make it into a recycled bottle cap magnet!

This event is free with general museum admission.

Saturday Art Adventures: Crayon Recycling
2024-11-09 13:00 - 15:00 | Madison Children’s Museum, 100 N. Hamilton Street, Madison, WI, 53704, United States
Dive into an exciting drop-in art experience each week with Laurie and our art studio team. We will offer projects in a wide variety of art media and art processes for all ages and abilities. All materials are included and we do all the cleanup! Today, we’ll make colorful no-waste creations with recycled crayons.

This event is free with general museum admission.

Sensory Worlds with Junko: Scents & Smells
2024-11-08 13:30 - 14:30 | Madison Children’s Museum, 100 N. Hamilton Street, Madison, WI, 53704, United States
Join Junko in the Celebrations Room 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.

Clay Day: Ceramic Pinch Pots
2024-11-08 13:00 - 15:00 | Madison Children’s Museum, 100 N. Hamilton Street, Madison, WI, 53704, United States
Explore the squishy, smudgy, sculptable world of clay! Today we’ll “clay it forward” with ceramic clay pinch pots.

Each Friday, join us for a different drop-in clay experience in the Art Studio. We’ll work with a variety of media–ceramic clay, dough, paper clay, polymer clay, and more. This event is free with general museum admission.

Music with Junebug
2024-11-08 10:30 - 11:00 | Madison Children’s Museum, 100 N. Hamilton Street, Madison, WI, 53704, United States
Join us for Music with Junebug, led by Junko Yamauchi!

This program gives toddlers and preschoolers the opportunity to sing, dance, explore instruments, and play. Music and movement activities promote brain development and connect us to our family and community.

For today’s Music with Junebug location, please ask at the desk! This event is free with general museum admission.

Braaains! with UW Neuroscience Outreach
2024-11-07 17:00 - 19:45 | Madison Children’s Museum, 100 N. Hamilton Street, Madison, WI, 53704, United States
Join our friends from UW Neuroscience for brain-building activities and interact with REAL neurological specimens. Come learn how we think!

Wild Wonders: Whimsical Windchimes
2024-11-07 17:00 - 19:00 | Madison Children’s Museum, 100 N. Hamilton Street, Madison, WI, 53704, United States
Deisgn your own windchime using sticks, string, beads, and other found materials! Hang your creation outside to sway and make music in the wind.

This event is part of our free admission Thursday evenings, 4 pm-8 pm.

Messy Art with Laurie: Gelli Prints
2024-11-07 11:00 - 12:00 | Madison Children’s Museum, 100 N. Hamilton Street, Madison, WI, 53704, United States
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 create colorful custom prints.

This event is free with general museum admission.

Jump 'n Jive with Junko and Abby
2024-11-06 13:00 - 14:30
Join Junko and Abby in the Wonderground each Wednesday for movement and music games!

This event is free with general museum admission.

Exploration Station: Yarn-Wrapped Sticks
2024-11-03 10:30 - 12:00 | Madison Children’s Museum, 100 N. Hamilton Street, Madison, WI, 53704, United States
Create colorful, organic art with yarn-wrapped sticks. This tactile activity is a perfect for little ones practicing fine motor control and hand-eye coordination!

This event is free with general museum admission. Image credit: Ana Ziengel

MCM Roadshow: G-SAFE Safe Schools, Safe Communities Conference
2024-11-02 13:30 - 14:45 | MYArts, 1055 E Mifflin St, Madison, WI 53703, Madison
Meet up with MCM Roadshow at G-SAFE’s Statewide Conference on LGBTQ+ youth for educators, community leaders, youth workers, and families.

Madison Children’s Museum Roadshow brings mobile exhibits and maker activities to community events in Madison and the surrounding area.

Saturday Art Adventures: Mini Paintings
2024-11-02 13:00 - 15:00 | Madison Children’s Museum, 100 N. Hamilton Street, Madison, WI, 53704, United States
Dive into an exciting drop-in art experience each week with Laurie and our Art Studio team. Embark on projects with a wide variety of art media and processes for all ages and abilities. Materials are included—and the best part? We take care of cleanup! Today, we’ll create mini works of art: a bite-sized creative challenge for little hands and still-developing motor skills.

This event is free with general museum admission.
