Madison Children's Museum

Grand Tiny Parade!
2025-08-07 13:30 - 14:30, 2025-08-14 13:30 - 14:30 (America/Chicago)
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
2025-08-07 16:00 - 20:00, 2025-08-14 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.

ZinZo Face Painting
2025-08-07 17:00 - 19:00
Join Jane from ZinZo Face Painting in the Community Concourse to get a colorful new look for the evening. As with our Lunchbox Cafe, you may pay what you wish. Face painting is free with admission, but donations are encouraged and go directly to the artist.

MCM Roadshow: Virginia Henderson Elementary School Event
2025-08-07 17:00 - 19:30
We’re taking the museum on the road! At community events all around Madison, you can stop by our station to dive into hands-on maker activities, design a small take-home art project, and experiment with creative fort-building. Our traveling play station sparks curiosity, encourages problem-solving, and brings museum-style learning to local events.

MCM Roadshow: BLW/Lakepoint Community Center Event
2025-08-08 00:00 - 23:59

Urb Garden Sensory Station
2025-08-08 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-08-15 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.

Nature Nuts Drop-In Program
2025-08-08 10:00 - 12:00
Is your child happiest with dirt under their nails and leaves in their hair? Does it take at least five minutes for them to list all their favorite animals? If so, this drop-in nature workshop was designed with your kid in mind!

Music with Junebug
2025-08-08 10:30 - 11:00, 2025-08-15 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.

Clay It Forward!
2025-08-08 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.

MCM Roadshow: Vera Court
2025-08-08 16:00 - 19:00

Early Explorers Playgroup (Saturday special)
2025-08-09 09:30 - 10:30
Join us for a special summer Saturday edition of our Early Explorers playgroup.Parenting a little one can feel isolating sometimes—come connect with others who understand! This special summer Saturday edition of our Early Explorers playgroup offers time for babies and toddlers under 2 to play with new toys while caregivers share conversation, stories, and support. It’s a relaxed, welcoming space for both kids and adults to recharge.

Support for the First-Time Parent Membership Program is provided by Endres Manufacturing Company Foundation and Steve Stricker American Family Insurance Foundation.

Let's Move! with Abby
2025-08-09 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-08-13 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-08-14 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.

Exploration Station: Seed Paper
2025-08-09 10:30 - 12:00
Make homemade seed paper using recycled materials and native pollinator seeds sourced from flowers that grow in the museums gardens. The seed paper can be planted to grow a native flower garden.

Kamishibai & Play: Japanese Storytime
2025-08-10 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.

MCM Roadshow: Parks Alive! At Elver Park
2025-08-11 17:00 - 19:00

Open Tuesday (special for August)
2025-08-12 09:00 - 16:00
We’re adding an extra day of play throughout August! The museum will be open every Tuesday this month, giving families more opportunities to visit their favorite exhibits, try out activities, and enjoy the last days of summer. Make your plans now for a special Tuesday outing!

STEAM Time: Renewable Energy with KidWind
2025-08-12 10:30 - 12:00
Be an engineer as you design a fan blade for renewable energy and test it. Explore the blade angle, shape, and number of blades to see what design works best.

MCM Roadshow: Parks Alive! At Leopold
2025-08-12 17:00 - 19:00

Fiber Arts Adventure
2025-08-13 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.

MCM Roadshow: Parks Alive! At Warner
2025-08-13 17:00 - 19:00

Happy Birthday, Madison Children's Museum!
2025-08-14 09:00 - 20:00
August 14, 2010, marked a new chapter for Madison Children’s Museum: We opened our forever home here on Hamilton Street. Fifteen years later, we’re honoring this milestone with a full day of birthday festivities! All day long we’ll make colorful party hats, decorate a giant cardboard cake, and create a collaborative birthday mural in the Art Studio. Don’t miss giant bubble experiments from 1–3 pm, followed by a festive birthday parade with Junko in the Wonderground at 1:30 PM.
During our evening free admission hours, join Jane from ZinZo Face Painting in the Celebrations Room 5-7 pm to get a colorful new look for the evening. As with our Lunchbox Cafe, you may pay what you wish. Face painting is free with admission, but donations are encouraged and go directly to the artist.
It’s the perfect day to bring friends and family and experience the joy of a birthday party MCM style!

Tales with Teresa
2025-08-14 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.

Birthday Bubbles!
2025-08-14 13:00 - 15:00
Celebrate Madison Children’s Museum’s 15th birthday with the magic of giant bubbles! Watch colorful spheres shimmer and float, or grab a wand and make your own. It’s a hands-on way to join the party—filled with laughter, creativity, and bubbles big enough to wow kids and grown-ups alike.

MCM Roadshow: Parks Alive! At Owl Creek
2025-08-14 17:00 - 19:00
