Open Wed–Sun 9am–4pm, plus late on Thur til 8pm. • Get tickets.
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 […]
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 in the Wonderground to play instruments and enjoy play-based songs, games, and stories.
Be very, very quiet... we're hunting insects! Join us in the Urb Garden, where we'll sharpen our observation skills and search for bugs hiding in the plants. Gentleness is encouraged—no insects will be harmed in the making of this program. This program 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 […]
3... 2... 1... Blast off with some out-of-this-world rocket science! Launch your very own air-propelled rocket from the rooftop. How many fins fly the farthest? Does your rocket need a nose cone? Test out different features and see how high your designs can fly. Join us each week for new STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, […]
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.
Reveal nature's hidden details as you paint and learn about shapes and colors found in nature. Apply washes of watercolor over leaves, flowers, and other organic 'resist' materials to see what patterns will appear. This event is free with 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 […]
Illuminate the past and make your own beeswax candle like an early Wisconsin settler. Cabin Life invites you each week to try your hand at crafts and activities from around the time our original log cabin was built in the 1840s.
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.
Explore the world of music and rhythm. Join Tim in the Wonderground to play instruments and enjoy play-based songs, games, and stories.
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 […]
Our art studio staff will lead visitors in a weekly assortment of creative clay sculpture activities.
We will create all kinds of collaborative projects- plant pots, jewelry, ornaments, tiles and more.
All ages are welcome to join us and experiment with clay.
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.
Channel your inner engineer on the Rooftop as we learn about different forms of energy. Together we'll construct vibrating, solar-powered critters to bring home. This event is free with museum admission.
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.
Join MCM Roadshow at Olin Park Pavilion for a community potluck celebrating diversity and community. Meet neighbors and enjoy an afternoon of delicious food, activities for all ages, and entertainment representing the diversity of Madison’s newcomer communities. The picnic is free, open to the public, and will be held rain-or-shine. Food will be served starting […]
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.
Join MCM Roadshow at Worthington Park for an outdoor community screening of Wakanda Forever. Movie begins at 6:30. Parks Alive! builds stronger neighborhoods and connects neighbors to their parks through fun, family-friendly activities, music and free food.
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 […]
Get decked out with wooden beads and sinew thread while exploring early jewelry-making. Flex your fine motor skills and practice hand-eye coordination to design custom bracelets and necklaces out of natural, historical materials. Cabin Life invites you to try your hand at crafts and activities from around the time our original log cabin was built […]
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.
Explore the world of music and rhythm. Join Tim in the Wonderground to play instruments and enjoy play-based songs, games, and stories.
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 […]
Our art studio staff will lead visitors in a weekly assortment of creative clay sculpture activities.
We will create all kinds of collaborative projects- plant pots, jewelry, ornaments, tiles and more.
All ages are welcome to join us and experiment with clay.
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.
Create your very own flower press with recycled materials. Head up a color scavenger hunt through the gardens and preserve your choice of fresh blooms.
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.
Parks Alive! builds stronger neighborhoods and connects neighbors to their parks through fun, family-friendly activities, music and free food. Events are held in parks across the city and throughout the summer. Connect with your neighbors and engage with your community at a Parks Alive! event near you.
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 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.
Be very, very quiet... we're hunting insects! Join us in the Urb Garden, where we'll sharpen our observation skills and search for bugs hiding in the plants. Gentleness is encouraged—no insects will be harmed in the making of this program. This program 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 […]
Our art studio staff will lead visitors in a weekly assortment of creative clay sculpture activities.
We will create all kinds of collaborative projects- plant pots, jewelry, ornaments, tiles and more.
All ages are welcome to join us and experiment with clay.
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.
Join us in Rotary Plaza to hear talented young string players show off their work! This performance offers a preview of the musical collaboration between Sugar Maple Music Festival (August 4-5) and Suzuki Strings of Madison, the Madison Cello Ensemble, Music Con Brio, and WYSO Music Makers. These organizations help young musicians from Dane County explore […]
Join us at the Urban League's 9th annual free and family-friendly Unity Picnic. Enjoy a variety of delicious food, live music, and fun activities! Come on out and enjoy a wonderful free day with the community.
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.
For registered Play & Learn families! MCM Roadshow brings mobile exhibits and maker activities to community events in Madison and the surrounding area. Create a miniature work of art to take home and get inventive with creative fort and structure building activities.
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 […]
Turn a liquid into a slippery solid as you help churn fresh butter at the log cabin. Enjoy a bite of butter and crackers when you're done with this daily chore of early Wisconsin settlers.
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.
Explore the world of music and rhythm. Join Tim in the Wonderground to play instruments and enjoy play-based songs, games, and stories.
Join MCM and other local organizations invested in butterfly conservation for Butterfly Action Day at Olbrich Gardens. Interactive displays and youth activities will highlight what you can do to support butterflies. There is no cost to attend or participate, but entrance to the Blooming Butterflies exhibit includes an extra cost.
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.
Leaf through our lush rooftop garden and collect plants that will save your page for summer reading. This event is free with museum admission.
Join MCM and other local organizations at Disability Pride Festival, a joyful gathering of the disability community and allies. Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals are welcome. Cloth masks and sunscreen are available thanks to donations from 4Inprint. Browse local crafters and participate in a community raffle. Enjoy local food cart offerings, including Holy Cow with […]
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.
More time for play! The museum is open Tuesdays in August. Regular hours for the month of August are Tuesday through Sunday, 9 am - 4 pm; Thursdays until 8 pm.
Spend sunny summer mornings in the Wonderground and learn to play games from around the world. This program is free with general admission and runs every day MCM is open, Tuesday through Sunday.
Spend sunny summer mornings in the Wonderground and learn to play games from around the world. This program is free with general admission and runs every day MCM is open, Tuesday through Sunday.
Join us in the Art Studio for a playdough party! Engage in tactile play with colorful dough, tools, and cookie cutters that'll delight all ages. Dip deep into your imagination and see what you can shape and squish into existence. This event is free with museum admission.
Join MCM Roadshow at Teresa Terrace/Hammersley Park for an outdoor community screening of Soul. Movie begins at 6:30. Parks Alive! builds stronger neighborhoods and connects neighbors to their parks through fun, family-friendly activities, music and free food.
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.
Spend sunny summer mornings in the Wonderground and learn to play games from around the world. This program is free with general admission and runs every day MCM is open, Tuesday through Sunday.
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.
Spend sunny summer mornings in the Wonderground and learn to play games from around the world. This program is free with general admission and runs every day MCM is open, Tuesday through Sunday.
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 […]
3... 2... 1... Launch! Make your own catapult and see how far pom poms and other projectiles can fly. Learn about the physics of force and motion while launching objects of different weights and sizes. This event is free with general museum admission.
Member Mornings 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.
Spend sunny summer mornings in the Wonderground and learn to play games from around the world. This program is free with general admission and runs every day MCM is open, Tuesday through Sunday.
Who speaks for the trees? You do! Make a tree slice necklace and discover the hidden meaning of tree rings. Can you figure out how old your tree slice is? This event is free with museum admission.
