Explore the world of poetry through creative art and writing projects. Learn about poetry devices and while working with a variety of mediums including bookmaking, cartooning, collage, and sculpture.Recommended for school-age kids through adult visitors, with modifications available for younger children.
Does laundry cause friction in your family? Wait until the kids find out about old-fashioned washing days! Doing chores is great for hand-eye coordination, integrating the senses, social emotional development, and appreciation for modern technology. Get scrubbin' and experience tasks kids would have done in the mid-1800s. Learn how laundry used to get done with […]
Join us for story time and hear Teresa read some of her favorite books using her DynaVox. With this speech-generating device, Teresa will share stories and help build listening skills, develop early literacy, and celebrate each other’s differences. This event is free with general museum admission.
Explore the world of music and rhythm. Join Tim to play instruments and enjoy play-based songs, games, and stories.
Take chances, make mistakes, get messy! Join us for sensory art projects designed especially for preschoolers and caregivers. We will make all kinds of art involving touch, smell, sound and more!
Social time for babies and their grown-ups! 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 […]
Join us for Music with Junebug led by Junko Yamauchi. This program gives toddlers and preschoolers the opportunity to sing, dance, explore instruments, and play! Music and movement activities promote brain development and connect us to our family and community. Music with Junebug takes place in the Celebrations Room on floor 2.
Dive into the hidden world of teeny tiny things that thrive in our local waterways. Give your fine motor skills a workout while sampling lake water and get a reeeeeally close look at microorganisms with our microscope. Learn through observation, test your theories, and get your feet wet (metaphorically!) with the scientific method. This event […]
Enjoy exclusive, members-only time in the museum. Grown-ups can enjoy a free cup of coffee and pastries while supplies last. Member Morning is a great addition to your weekend Dane County Farmers' Market trip, and a wonderful way to play before the museum gets busy. Not a member yet? Become one today! Membership starts immediately, so you can visit […]
Visit the Art Studio for a special project each week with staff facilitation.
Art meets craft on Saturday afternoons at MCM. Uncover the practice of 'making' through new themed projects every week. Learn alongside Art Studio Manager Laurie and her staff to use new tools, discover crafts from around the world, and create an art project to take home. This event is free with general museum admission.
Explore the world of poetry through creative art and writing projects. Learn about poetry devices and while working with a variety of mediums including bookmaking, cartooning, collage, and sculpture.Recommended for school-age kids through adult visitors, with modifications available for younger children.
Soak up the sun and get taste of Wisconsin summer. Harvest fresh herbs from our cabin garden and enjoy a refreshing batch of museum-made sun tea. Cabin Life invites you to try your hand at crafts and activities from the lives of European settlers during the time our original 1840s log cabin.
Join us for story time and hear Teresa read some of her favorite books using her DynaVox. With this speech-generating device, Teresa will share stories and help build listening skills, develop early literacy, and celebrate each other’s differences. This event is free with general museum admission.
Take chances, make mistakes, get messy! Join us for sensory art projects designed especially for preschoolers and caregivers. We will make all kinds of art involving touch, smell, sound and more!
The whole museum is open until 8 pm on Thursdays. Twilight Thursday evening hours are included free, with general museum admission. See admission prices and get tickets. Special events: On December 8 We welcome Autism Society of South Central Wisconsin for a family night gathering. Families affected by autism may register for free tickets at Autism […]
Join us for Music with Junebug led by Junko Yamauchi. This program gives toddlers and preschoolers the opportunity to sing, dance, explore instruments, and play! Music and movement activities promote brain development and connect us to our family and community. Music with Junebug takes place in the Down Under area of the Wonderground, and is […]
Mother Nature's designs might not be couture, but they'll grow on you! Create your very own bean-and-seed jewelry and learn about the life cycles of plants, from seed to fruit. Bring those beauteous beads home to germinate and watch as they sprout leaves and roots. This event is free with general museum admission.
MCM's 10th annual kickoff-to-summer returns to Capitol Square! SummerPalooza includes free museum admission along with exciting activities, a parade, and live entertainment on the streets outside of the museum. Performances at Rotary Plaza Stage SummerPalooza Parade Parade around the square begins 12:30 pm. Featuring Forward! Marching Band, Madison Circus Space, Black Star Drum Line, the […]
Art meets craft on Saturday afternoons at MCM. Uncover the practice of 'making' through new themed projects every week. Learn alongside Art Studio Manager Laurie and her staff to use new tools, discover crafts from around the world, and create an art project to take home. This event is free with general museum admission.
Explore the world of poetry through creative art and writing projects. Learn about poetry devices and while working with a variety of mediums including bookmaking, cartooning, collage, and sculpture.Recommended for school-age kids through adult visitors, with modifications available for younger children.
Social time for babies and their grown-ups! 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 […]
Make your own trusty textile companion. Join us in our historic cabin to create yarn dolls and play just like kids of the past. Each week, Cabin Life programs invite you to try your hand at crafts and activities from the era of our 1840s log cabin.
Drop-off class for preschoolers Come to the museum and practice becoming a Super Friend! Speaking to new people, taking turns, and making friends are new skills for 3 and 4-year-olds. Super Friends Club offers a preschool-style group experience within the museum. Guided by MCM's Early Education Manager, Super Friends Club gives kids a chance to […]
Join us for story time and hear Teresa read some of her favorite books using her DynaVox. With this speech-generating device, Teresa will share stories and help build listening skills, develop early literacy, and celebrate each other’s differences. This event is free with general museum admission.
Let's make art together! Embrace the soft, squishy, smudgy, squelchy, spectacular sensory experiences of making art. Explore your creativity with activities centering texture, form, basic shapes, and colors. This program's designed for the needs of our youngest artists, but is open to creative minds of all ages. This event is free with general museum admission.
Pack your bug spray & your feather boa for the most sensational Adult Swim mashup ever! Adult Swim at Madison Children’s Museum honors the public pool tradition of kicking the kids out so adults can have the space to themselves (without the water or need for a swimsuit). This 21-and-up event series offers adults the […]
Treat your baby to a colorful, cushy cascade of joy. Our littlest visitors can practice sorting, scooping, and stacking pom pom balls of different sizes and textures in the Wildernest. This event is free with general museum admission.
Join us for Music with Junebug led by Junko Yamauchi. This program gives toddlers and preschoolers the opportunity to sing, dance, explore instruments, and play! Music and movement activities promote brain development and connect us to our family and community. Music with Junebug takes place in the Down Under area of the Wonderground, and is […]
Enjoy sunny Saturday mornings in the Urb Garden with your little one. Join us for special baby-friendly activities just outside the Wildernest. This event is free with general museum admission.
Blend, baby, blend! Use the power of body movement and our bike blender to make a refreshing organic gooseberry currant smoothie from MCM's gardens.
Visit the Art Studio for a special project each week with staff facilitation.
Explore the world of poetry through creative art and writing projects. Learn about poetry devices and while working with a variety of mediums including bookmaking, cartooning, collage, and sculpture.Recommended for school-age kids through adult visitors, with modifications available for younger children.
Social time for babies and their grown-ups! 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 […]
What could be better than a juicy summer strawberry? Homemade strawberry ice cream, of course! Harvest from our organic strawberry patch and find out how make summer's quintessential treat the old-fashioned way. Learn about phase changes and culinary science while churning ice cream, then taste the fruits of your labor! Each week, Cabin Life programs […]
Drop-off class for preschoolers Come to the museum and practice becoming a Super Friend! Speaking to new people, taking turns, and making friends are new skills for 3 and 4-year-olds. Super Friends Club offers a preschool-style group experience within the museum. Guided by MCM's Early Education Manager, Super Friends Club gives kids a chance to […]
Join us for story time and hear Teresa read some of her favorite books using her DynaVox. With this speech-generating device, Teresa will share stories and help build listening skills, develop early literacy, and celebrate each other’s differences. This event is free with general museum admission.
Let's make art together! Embrace the soft, squishy, smudgy, squelchy, spectacular sensory experiences of making art. Explore your creativity with activities centering texture, form, basic shapes, and colors. This program's designed for the needs of our youngest artists, but is open to creative minds of all ages. This event is free with general museum admission.
Treat your baby to a colorful, cushy cascade of joy. Our littlest visitors can practice sorting, scooping, and stacking pom pom balls of different sizes and textures in the Wildernest. This event is free with general museum admission.
Join us for Music with Junebug led by Junko Yamauchi. This program gives toddlers and preschoolers the opportunity to sing, dance, explore instruments, and play! Music and movement activities promote brain development and connect us to our family and community. Music with Junebug takes place in the Down Under area of the Wonderground, and is […]
Enjoy sunny Saturday mornings in the Urb Garden with your little one. Join us for special baby-friendly activities just outside the Wildernest. This event is free with general museum admission.
Visit the Art Studio for a special project each week with staff facilitation.
Art meets craft on Saturday afternoons at MCM. Uncover the practice of 'making' through new themed projects every week. Learn alongside Art Studio Manager Laurie and her staff to use new tools, discover crafts from around the world, and create an art project to take home. This event is free with general museum admission.
Explore the world of poetry through creative art and writing projects. Learn about poetry devices and while working with a variety of mediums including bookmaking, cartooning, collage, and sculpture.Recommended for school-age kids through adult visitors, with modifications available for younger children.
Back by popular request, we're adding additional playtime for members on select Tuesday mornings. MCM Members can come and play—for free, as always—from 9 am to noon. Please note that you will need to depart at 12 pm, as the museum will close to get ready for afternoon visits from Madison summer school programs.
Social time for babies and their grown-ups! 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 […]
Help prepare the Log Cabin garden for spring and learn about gardens planted by early European settlers in Wisconsin. Cabin Life invites you to try your hand at crafts and activities from around the time our original log cabin was built in the 1840s.
Drop-off class for preschoolers Come to the museum and practice becoming a Super Friend! Speaking to new people, taking turns, and making friends are new skills for 3 and 4-year-olds. Super Friends Club offers a preschool-style group experience within the museum. Guided by MCM's Early Education Manager, Super Friends Club gives kids a chance to […]
Join us for story time and hear Teresa read some of her favorite books using her DynaVox. With this speech-generating device, Teresa will share stories and help build listening skills, develop early literacy, and celebrate each other’s differences. This event is free with general museum admission.
Let's make art together! Embrace the soft, squishy, smudgy, squelchy, spectacular sensory experiences of making art. Explore your creativity with activities centering texture, form, basic shapes, and colors. This program's designed for the needs of our youngest artists, but is open to creative minds of all ages. This event is free with general museum admission.
Treat your baby to a colorful, cushy cascade of joy. Our littlest visitors can practice sorting, scooping, and stacking pom pom balls of different sizes and textures in the Wildernest. This event is free with general museum admission.
Join us for Music with Junebug led by Junko Yamauchi. This program gives toddlers and preschoolers the opportunity to sing, dance, explore instruments, and play! Music and movement activities promote brain development and connect us to our family and community. Music with Junebug takes place in the Down Under area of the Wonderground, and is […]
Join us each week for new STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) activities. These hands-on programs foster creativity, ignite curiosity, encourage divergent thinking, increase problem-solving skills, and offer new ways for kids to explore the world around them. This event is free with general museum admission.
MemberMornings provide exclusive time for museum members to access the museum outside of public operating hours. Not a member yet? Become one today! Membership starts immediately, so you can visit for free on Member Morning or any other time the museum is open. Learn more about membership.
Enjoy sunny Saturday mornings in the Urb Garden with your little one. Join us for special baby-friendly activities just outside the Wildernest. This event is free with general museum admission.
Visit the Art Studio for a special project each week with staff facilitation.
