Tales with Teresa
2025-11-20 09:30 - 10:00, 2025-12-04 09:30 - 10:00 (America/Chicago)
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.

Let's Move! with Abby
2025-11-20 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-11-21 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-11-22 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-12-04 10:15 - 11:45
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.

Messy Art with Laurie
2025-11-20 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-12-04 11:00 - 12:00
Join MCM art educator Ms. Laurie for a weekly burst of color, texture, and joyful experimentation. Young children can freely explore art materials in a welcoming space designed especially for our youngest artists. It’s creativity without limits—or cleanup. Come make a beautiful mess with us! Free with general admission.

Free Thursday Evenings
2025-11-20 16:00 - 20:00, 2025-12-04 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.

Braaains! with UW Neuroscience Outreach
2025-11-20 17:00 - 19:00, 2025-12-04 17:00 - 19:00 | Madison Children’s Museum, 100 N. Hamilton Street, Madison, WI, 53704, United States
Join our friends from the UW Neuroscience Training Program outreach team for brain-building activities and interact with REAL neurological specimens. Come learn how we think!This program is part of our Free Thursday Evenings, 4 pm to 8 pm each week.

Cereal for Dinner
2025-11-20 17:00 - 19:00
As voted by visitors in our kids-only election: the Lunchbox will offer a Cereal-for-Dinner service every third Thursday of the month! Cereals featured will be Frosted Flakes, Cheerios, and granola. Cow’s milk and oat milk will also be provided. Crunch to your heart’s content, as long as supplies last!

Early Explorers Playgroup
2025-11-21 09:30 - 10:30, 2025-12-05 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!

Music with Junebug
2025-11-21 10:30 - 11:00, 2025-11-28 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: Wheatgrass—From Seed to Smoothie
2025-11-21 11:00 - 12:00
Get your hands dirty as we plant wheatgrass and learn about how plants grow. Kids will explore the magic of roots, soil, and sprouts, then take their wheatgrass home to watch it grow tall. Once it’s ready, blend it into a smoothie or share with your favorite furry friend!

Clay Day
2025-11-21 13:00 - 15:00, 2025-11-28 13:00 - 15:00
Roll, shape, and sculpt with us on Friday afternoons! Join Art Studio staff to explore the magic of clay while creating pots, tiles, and shapes that will find a home here in the museum. It’s a hands-on way to leave your creative mark while learning the basics of ceramic art.

Girl Scouts Night at the Museum
2025-11-21 17:00 - 20:00
When the doors close to the public, the Girl Scouts’ fun begins! Spend an exclusive evening exploring every corner of the Madison Children’s Museum—from the underground wonders of Down Under to the fresh-air views atop the Rooftop Ramble.
Get hands-on in favorite exhibits like the Wildernest, Possible-opolis, the Art Studio, Wonderground, and the icy-cool Nice Age Trail.
Then dive into special activity stations for all ages, featuring Wind Tunnel Engineering, Printmaking, and crafting Nature Miniatures. Whether you’re a Daisy, Brownie, Junior, or beyond, this night is all about discovery, creativity, and making memories with fellow Girl Scouts.
Read more and register at the Girl Scouts site.

Exploration Station: Yarn People, Fiber Friends
2025-11-22 10:30 - 12:00
Transform a simple stick into a one-of-a-kind yarn-wrapped figure. Choose your colors and personality—will your figure be a superhero, a sprite, or a stylish nature explorer? This creative challenge builds fine motor skills while sparking storytelling and imaginative play.

Saturday Art Adventures: Sculpt your Dream House
2025-11-22 13:00 - 15:00
Turn imagination into architecture! Use wood blocks, fabric, buttons, beads, and more to build your own whimsical, mixed-media house sculpture. Whether it’s a fairy cottage, robot apartment, or treehouse with a twist, this open-ended art adventure encourages creativity through construction and storytelling.

Kamishibai & Play: Japanese Storytime and Games
2025-11-23 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.

Music Time with Tim
2025-11-26 11:00 - 11:30, 2025-12-03 11:00 - 11:30
Explore the world of music and rhythm! Each week, Tim leads children in singing, rhythm games, and musical stories that inspire creativity and connection. It’s an engaging experience for kids and families—free with admission.

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!

Saturday Art Adventures: Marbled Ink Tiles
2025-11-29 13:00 - 15:00
Watch ink swirl and dance as you create a mini tile masterpiece using vibrant alcohol inks. With a few drops and a swirl, you’ll reveal mesmerizing patterns that are totally your own. It’s color-mixing meets chemistry, with results that are part science, part magic, and all you!

Open 10 am Sunday
2025-11-30 10:00 - 16:00
The museum will open at 10 am Sunday to allow for snow removal and staff travel delays. Thank you for your understanding.

Nice Age Tales
2025-12-03 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.
