Exploration Station: Log Round Necklaces
2025-07-19 10:30 - 12:00 (America/Chicago)
Drop by for hands-on fun at the museum’s favorite maker station! Each session features a new activity designed to spark curiosity and creativity—ranging from art projects and nature crafts to beginner-friendly STEM explorations.Perfect for ages 3–12, with plenty of room for grown-ups to join in. No two visits are the same!

Kamishibai & Play: Japanese Storytime
2025-07-20 10:30 - 11:30, 2025-07-27 10:30 - 11:30
Step into the world of kamishibai—a traditional form of Japanese picture storytelling! Enjoy lively tales, sing along to simple songs, and play group games that bring the stories to life.Join us for a magical cultural experience perfect for young learners and curious imaginations. Included with museum admission.

Tuesday Member Morning
2025-07-22 09:00 - 12:00, 2025-07-29 09:00 - 12:00
Enjoy exclusive, members-only time in the museum each Tuesday in July for Member Appreciation Month! There’s no better way to play at MCM, especially for our young visitors who are easily overwhelmed by crowds. Stretch out, enjoy the exhibits at your own pace, and enjoy a chilled-out morning together in the museum.
Not a member yet? Become one today! Membership starts immediately, so you can visit for free on Member Morning or any other time the museum is open. Learn more about membership.

Let's Move! with Abby
2025-07-23 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-07-24 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-07-25 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-07-30 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-07-31 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-08-01 10:00 - 11:30
Join us for movement games and activities! From obstacle courses to dances, group games and balance activities, we’ll enjoy different opportunities to move our bodies every day. Program location is subject to change, depending on the weather. Please check our Welcome Wall for the most up-to-date location information.This event is free with general museum admission.

Music Time with Tim
2025-07-23 11:00 - 11:30, 2025-07-30 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.

Fiber Arts Adventure
2025-07-23 13:00 - 15:00, 2025-07-30 13:00 - 15:00
Fabric, yarn, and imagination unite! Join Laurie from 1–3 pm for a drop-in workshop full of fiber arts projects like sewing, weaving, and more. Perfect for curious creators of all ages—make something delightful to take home.

Grand Tiny Parade!
2025-07-24 13:30 - 14:30, 2025-07-31 13:30 - 14:30
Join the tiniest parade with the biggest heart! Kids and grown-ups alike can grab a shaker or drum and jump into the rhythm as we parade through the Wonderground’s Down Under.
Every Thursday, Junko and friends lead the fun in this playful, musical celebration.

Free Thursday Evenings
2025-07-24 16:00 - 20:00, 2025-07-31 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.

Gadget Gurus: 1-Day Rube Goldberg Workshop
2025-07-25 09:00 - 15:00 | Madison Children’s Museum, 100 N. Hamilton Street, Madison, WI, 53704, United States
Does your kiddo like to create, invent or tinker? Join us for this one-day workshop where we’ll explore the ins and outs of Rube Goldberg machines. Learning the basic principles of chain reactions, we’ll work as a group to build one giant Rube Goldberg machine to achieve a shared goal. Join us at 2:30 for a run through of our creation! This is a drop-off workshop for kids who have completed grades 1-4. Price includes admission for enrolled child.

Price & Logistics

$70/child, MCM member discount is 10% Participants should bring a sack lunch and water bottle.

Register Now

Be sure to read our refund and cancellation policy.

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Related Events

Imagination Station with Abby

Wednesday, February 11 @ 10:00 am – 11:30 am

Music Time with Tim

Wednesday, February 11 @ 11:00 am – 11:30 am

Messy Art with Laurie

Thursday, February 12 @ 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Music with Junebug
2025-07-25 10:30 - 11:00
Join us for Music with Junebug, led by Junko Yamauchi!
This program gives toddlers and preschoolers the opportunity to sing, dance, explore instruments, and engage with interactive storytelling. 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 admissions desk or check the Welcome Wall in our lobby. This event is free with general museum admission.

July Sensory-Friendly Night
2025-07-25 16:30 - 19:00 | Madison Children’s Museum, 100 N. Hamilton Street, Madison, WI, 53704, United States
Madison Children’s Museum welcomes children and families with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and sensory challenges to experience the museum during sensory-friendly hours, free of charge. This program aims to bring families together to learn through play in an environment that supports the unique needs of children with ASD.

This program is free to all attendees! Pre-registration for the event is recommended, but not required.

Register Now

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Early Explorers Playgroup (Saturday special)
2025-07-26 09:30 - 10:30
Join us for a special summer Saturday edition of our Early Explorers playgroup.
Get out of the house, play with some different toys, see new faces and meet new people! Best for ages under 2.

Exploration Station: Clothespin Butterflies
2025-07-26 10:30 - 12:00
Drop by for hands-on fun at the museum’s favorite maker station! Each session features a new activity designed to spark curiosity and creativity—ranging from art projects and nature crafts to beginner-friendly STEM explorations.
Perfect for ages 3–12, with plenty of room for grown-ups to join in. No two visits are the same!

Cabin Fever Games
2025-07-30 14:00 - 15:00
No screens, no batteries — just classic fun! Today’s program relocates from the Log Cabin to the Celebrations Room due to weather. Try out classic games from many time periods and cultures.
Families are welcome to join in. Ideal for kids ages 3–12.

Tales with Teresa
2025-07-31 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.

Urb Garden Sensory Station
2025-08-01 10:00 - 11:00
Scoop, sprinkle, and sift! In the Urb Garden, children discover earthy textures, soft petals, and fragrant plants from our Rooftop Ramble. These sensory garden bins invite open-ended play, giving little hands a chance to explore nature’s shapes, colors, and scents up close. It’s a calm, tactile experience that builds observation skills and introduces the joy of nature.

MCM Roadshow: Butterfly Action Day
2025-08-01 10:00 - 14:00
MCM Roadshow will be featured at Butterfly Action Day at Olbrich Garden: https://isthmus.com/events/butterfly-action-day/?occ_dtstart=2025-08-01T10:00

Music with Junebug
2025-08-01 10:30 - 11:00
Sing, stomp, and hop to the beat with Junko “Junebug” Yamauchi. These energetic, interactive sessions blend lively music, playful rhythms, and storytelling elements that spark imagination. Junko’s joyful energy builds connection, confidence, and community—all through the magic of music and movement. Perfect for toddlers and preschoolers.

STEAM Time: Catapults
2025-08-01 11:00
This STEM program helps visitors build a catapult and test force and motion as they see how far different weight objects can fly.
