Open Wed–Sun, 9 am–4 pm • Free Thur nights, 4 pm–8 pm • Get museum tickets
Open Wed–Sun, 9 am–4 pm • Free Thur nights, 4 pm–8 pm • Get museum tickets
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.
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.
How much water can a “thirsty” powder drink? Make your prediction, then put it to the test! In this hands-on STEM experiment, kids will measure, pour, and observe as powders absorb surprising amounts of liquid. It’s messy, magical, and packed with real science about absorption and materials.
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.
Join the women from the Four Lakes Chapter of Women in Aviation International as they bring the excitement of flight to the Madison Children’s Museum! They will be here with flight simulators and other activities such as paper airplanes and learning the phonetic alphabet. Kids will learn what it takes to fly a plane, how […]
Children will explore how the human respiratory system works by building a simple model of lungs using household materials. Through hands-on construction and observation, participants will learn how the diaphragm helps move air into and out of the lungs. This activity encourages curiosity, problem-solving, and an understanding of basic human physiology.
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 […]
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.
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.
Celebrate warmer days with a joyful music gathering led by Junko “Junebug” Yamauchi and special musical guests from our MCM team. This interactive spring concert blends singing, movement, and community spirit in a way that’s perfect for young children and families ready to bloom.
Ready to catch the wind? Design and build your own kite, then head outside to see how it flies! Experiment with shape, balance, and tail length as you test and tweak your creation. This hands-on STEAM adventure explores aerodynamics in the most exhilarating way—by launching your ideas into the sky.
Moo-ve over—there’s science in the air! Join us for hands-on games and puppet fun as we explore air quality and how it connects to farming and daily life. Kids will discover how air travels, what affects it, and how we can all help keep it fresh and clean.
Spring is on its way! Join us for a cheerful craft inspired by everyone’s favorite hungry caterpillar. Little hands will create colorful, caterpillar-themed art while celebrating growth, change, and the joy of stories. A sweet, simple way to welcome the season of blossoms and butterflies.
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.
Meet the next generation of conservation scientists! Students from the Wisconsin Society for Conservation Biology will guide hands-on activities about water systems, plant life, and seed growth. Kids can explore how ecosystems connect—and how small actions help protect the world around us.
