• New Year Flair: Button Making

    Celebrate the end of 2025 with a creative twist! Use your imagination to craft a wearable New Year’s Eve button that captures your hopes, dreams, or just your favorite glittery colors. It’s a fun way to mark the moment and carry a little piece of the party into 2026.

  • New Year’s Eve Wonderground Dance Party

    Are your little ones not quite ready to stay up until midnight? Bid farewell to 2025 with the most bedtime-friendly New Year's Eve party in Madison! This dance party begins at 1:30 pm, with early New Year's countdowns at 2 pm and 3 pm featuring Madison's only T-Rex Ball Drop. Bundle up and boogie down […]

  • Museum Open: New Year’s Day

    Come join MCM for the very first day of 2026! The museum is open 9 am-4 pm today. Please note that we will not hold extended evening hours today. This event is free with general museum admission.

  • Music with Junebug New Year edition!

    Celebrate a new beginning with Junebug! This special edition of Music with Junebug brings extra energy, smiles, and rhythm to kick off the year. With songs, storytelling, and hands-on movement, Junko “Junebug” Yamauchi inspires connection and play. Who knows—she might even bring a Taiko drum to join the fun!

  • Clay Day

    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.

  • Exploration Station: Mini Clay Sculptures

    Get your hands on some clay and sculpt your heart out! Kids can pinch, shape, roll, and mold their own one-of-a-kind creations—animals, monsters, treasure boxes, or abstract masterpieces. It’s all about creativity and experimentation. This drop-in activity is great for all ages and free with museum admission.

  • Sensory World Wonderland

    Ears to hear, noses to sniff, hands to touch—this immersive play experience invites young children to focus on exploring the world through their senses. Our sensory wonderland includes hands-on activities that encourage curiosity, calm, and creativity, with a focus on textures, scents, sounds, and movement-based fun.

  • Exploration Station: Winter Bird Feeders

    Help our feathered friends stay fed this winter! Many birds stick around through the coldest months and need a little help finding food. Create your own bird feeder using simple materials, and take it home to hang outside. It's a fun way to support local wildlife—and get a close-up look at winter birds!

  • Let’s Move! with Abby

    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

    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

    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.

  • Super Friends Club: Winter 2026

    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 […]

  • Let’s Move! with Abby

    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

    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.

  • Downtown Dreams

    Join staff from The City of Madison Planning Division to make a Madison flag button and share your big ideas for the future of Downtown Madison.