Nice Age Tales
2025-09-10 10:30 - 11:00, 2025-09-17 10:30 - 11:00 (America/Chicago)
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.

Music Time with Tim
2025-09-10 11:00 - 11:30, 2025-09-17 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.

Tales with Teresa
2025-09-11 09:30 - 10:00, 2025-09-18 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.

Li'l Music with Junko: Open Preview
2025-09-11 10:45 - 11:15, 2025-09-18 10:45 - 11:15 | Madison Children’s Museum, 100 N. Hamilton Street, Madison, WI, 53704, United States
Get moving and grooving with your li’l one!

Today’s session is a free sample session of a registered class that will run this fall.

Do you have a dancing baby? Discover Junko’s weekly music class where babies and toddlers can explore their natural love of rhythm. Together, you and your tiny dancer will bounce, sway, and rock with the music while learning simple rhythm patterns. They’ll build critical social skills over the weeks as they interact with new faces and watch the other babies in the room, and strengthen their bond with you through lap songs and movement activities.

It’s a wonderful way to get out of the house and connect with your child through music and movement!Class leader Junko Yamauchi Stewart is a multitalented musician and educator, and founder of BENI Daiko Taiko Ensemble.

Dates: Thursdays, Oct 16–Dec 18, 10:45–11:15 AM. No class 11/27 (Thanksgiving)

Price: $45 for 9 sessions

For Ages: 0-2

Class fee does not include museum admission (required—free for members; non-members see admission prices and/or membership rates). If the class has sold out, you can join the waitlist.

Register Now

See also: Music Sprouts (for ages 3-5); Li’l Music Section B

Be sure to read our cancellation and refund policies.

Messy Art with Laurie
2025-09-11 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-09-18 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.

Music Sprouts: Open Preview
2025-09-11 13:30 - 14:00, 2025-09-18 13:30 - 14:00 | Madison Children’s Museum, 100 N. Hamilton Street, Madison, WI, 53704, United States
Music and movement for preschoolers!

Today’s session is a free sample session of a registered class that will run this fall.

Is your 3–5 year old ready to jam? Join Junko for a dynamic weekly class designed especially for preschool-aged kids.

In this class, your child will experience storytelling through songs and actions, practice responding to what they hear, and discover how their body naturally reacts to music. Over the weeks, they’ll begin to develop body control through large movements such as hopping and stopping on cue. They’ll practice using their singing voices and sharpen their listening skills through ear training and call-and-response. As they learn to feel the beat in their bodies, they’ll also explore instruments like hand drums and rhythm sticks.Caregivers must stay on site and may relax in the cafe during the session, or enjoy the museum with siblings.

Music Sprouts is a joyful journey into rhythm, movement, and self-expression guided by Junko Yamauchi Stewart, a multitalented musician and educator, and founder of BENI Daiko Taiko Ensemble.

Dates: Thursdays, Oct 16–Dec 18, 1:30-2:00 PM. No class 11/27 (Thanksgiving)

Price: $45 for 9 sessions

For Ages: 3-5

Class fee does not include museum admission (required—free for members; non-members see admission prices and/or membership rates). If the class has sold out, you can join the waitlist.

Register Now

See also: Li’l Music (for ages 0-2): Section A, Section B

Be sure to read our cancellation and refund policies.

Free Thursday Evenings
2025-09-11 16:00 - 20:00, 2025-09-18 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.

Music with Junebug
2025-09-12 10:30 - 11:00, 2025-09-19 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!
2025-09-12 13:00 - 15:00, 2025-09-19 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.

Early Explorers Playgroup (Saturday special)
2025-09-13 09:30 - 10:30, 2025-09-20 09:30 - 10:30
Join us for a special fall 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.

Let's Move! with Abby
2025-09-13 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-09-17 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-09-18 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-09-19 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: Pedal-Powered Salsa
2025-09-13 10:30 - 12:00
Turn pedal power into tasty salsa! Hop on our bike blender and help whirl together garden-fresh veggies grown on the museum’s rooftop. When the salsa’s ready, stick around for a sample and taste the results of your hard work.

It’s science, fitness, and flavor rolled into one delicious Exploration Station experience!

Kamishibai & Play: Japanese Storytime
2025-09-14 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.

Super Friends Club: Fall 2025
2025-09-18 10:00 - 11:00
Drop-off class for preschoolers on Thursdays
Come to the museum and practice being a super friend! Super Friends Club offers a preschool-style group experience within the museum.
Speaking to new people, taking turns, and making friends are new skills for 3 and 4-year-olds. Led by Heather, MCM’s research and family learning manager, Super Friends Club gives kids a chance to practice these critical skills. Each week we’ll do an activity and play cooperatively in the museum.
Caregivers can relax in the cafe while the Super Friends are playing, or enjoy the museum’s exhibits with a younger or older sibling.
Best for ages 3 and 4, and potty-trained.
Dates: 12-week class, September 18-December 11 (NO CLASS November 27).
Price: $60 class fee (does not include museum admission—consider a membership).

Register Now

Be sure to read our cancellation and refund policies.

Aventuras en Español - Listos para Aprender / Ready to Learn
2025-09-18 17:00 - 19:30
¡Regresamos a clases con alegría y creatividad!

We’re heading back to school with creativity and joy!

Haz etiquetas para mochilas, juega en estaciones bilingües, y prepárate para un gran año.

Make backpack tags, explore fun stations, and get ready for a new school year—bilingually!

Early Explorers Playgroup
2025-09-19 09:30 - 10:30
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!

STEAM Time: Race Car Rally
2025-09-19 11:00 - 12:00
Design, build, test, repeat! Use everyday materials to build a race car, then launch it down the ramp. What works? What doesn’t? Kids will explore the engineering design cycle as they fine-tune their creations. A hands-on STEAM activity full of motion, momentum, and imaginative problem-solving.
