Fall hours: open Weds–Sun, 9 am–4 pm • Free Thurs nights, 4 pm–8 pm • Get tickets
Fall hours: open Weds–Sun, 9 am–4 pm • Free Thurs nights, 4 pm–8 pm • Get tickets
Somebody burst your bubble? No worries—we can make new ones! Explore the shiny, pearlescent world of bubble science and learn how these squeaky-clean beauties are formed. This event is free with the price of general admission.
Explore new materials and creative techniques through facilitated art activities and bring home hand-made treasures. Projects vary each week and may include sculpture, painting, comics, printmaking, and more! This event is free with general museum admission.
All performances are sold out. Madison Shakespeare Company returns to MCM to stage three evenings of Christopher Marlowe’s first play, the tragedy Dido, Queen of Carthage, with the Wonderground climber taking center stage—literally. It might not exactly be the set envisioned by the infamous playwright, poet, spy, and member of The School of Night, but […]
Enjoy exclusive, members-only time in the museum each Tuesday for Member Appreciation Month! There's no better way to play at MCM, especially for our young visitors who are easily overwhelmed by crowds. Stretch out, enjoy the exhibits at your own pace, and enjoy a chilled-out morning together in the museum. Not a member yet? Become one […]
Choose your own art adventure through exploration of materials. Create robots, cars, houses, and more. Drop by the Art Studio classroom for open-ended creative opportunities, facilitated by our talented staff. This event is free with general museum admission.
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 […]
Learn about liquids and solids as we make soap using fragrant flowers and vibrant botanicals from our Rooftop Ramble garden. This event is free with general museum admission.
Explore the world of music and rhythm! Join Tim in the Celebrations room each week to enjoy play-based songs, games, and stories. This event is free with general museum admission.
Enjoy a sunny Fourth of July with MCM! The museum will be open today for our typical Thursday hours, 9 am to 8 pm, with free admission 4 pm to 8 pm.
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.
Join Junko in the Urb Garden as we explore different sensory materials every week! This event is free with general museum admission.
Science, technology, engineering, and math—they're a critical part of nearly everything and you can use them to make amazing things! In this workshop, kids become architects and engineers as they design, build, and test small structures. Then they will light up their creations by building circuits while learning about renewable energy. Price & Logistics This […]
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 our Celebrations room, and is free with general museum […]
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 exclusive, members-only time in the museum for a great addition to your Farmers Market family outing. There's no better way to play before the museum gets busy! Enjoy complimentary coffee and delicious donuts while supplies last. July is Member Appreciation Month! Look forward to extra-special perks and events just for our fabulous museum members, all […]
All hands on deck! Channel your creativity and engineering skills to build your fastest and float-iest vessel. Test your boat in the pond and don't be afraid to cast away old designs. Experiment with different shapes and materials to see how they float, sink, capsize, or glide in the water. This event is free with […]
Dive into an exciting drop-in art experience each week with Laurie and our Art Studio team. Embark on projects with a wide variety of art media and processes for all ages and abilities. Materials are included—and the best part? We take care of cleanup! Today, let's weave handmade baskets. This event is free with general museum admission.
All hands on deck! Channel your creativity and engineering skills to build your fastest and float-iest vessel. Test your boat in the pond and don't be afraid to cast away old designs. Experiment with different shapes and materials to see how they float, sink, capsize, or glide in the water. This event is free with […]
Explore new materials and creative techniques through facilitated art activities and bring home hand-made treasures. Projects vary each week and may include sculpture, painting, comics, printmaking, and more! This event is free with general museum admission.
Enjoy exclusive, members-only time in the museum each Tuesday for Member Appreciation Month! There's no better way to play at MCM, especially for our young visitors who are easily overwhelmed by crowds. Stretch out, enjoy the exhibits at your own pace, and enjoy a chilled-out morning together in the museum. Not a member yet? Become one […]
Celebrate the Nice Age Trail and deepen our connection to nature with Isthmus Dance Collective! Each Tuesday, these imaginative, immersive, and active classes will allow kids and their grownups to explore the Trail's themes with curiosity, creativity, and exposure to dance concepts from local dance experts. Today's theme explores teamwork and collective action through mimicking […]
Join MCM Roadshow and other local favorite organizations at Aldo Leopold Park, starting at 5 pm. Parks Alive builds stronger neighborhoods and connects neighbors to their parks through fun, family-friendly activities, movies, 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 […]
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.
Explore the world of music and rhythm! Join Tim in the Celebrations room each week to enjoy play-based songs, games, and stories. This event is free with general museum admission.
Join MCM for four days of prehistoric play! Enjoy dino dances, raptor rhythms, cretaceous crafts, and more from July 11 through July 14. Thursday, July 11:- Messy Art with Laurie: Dinosaur Printing- Dino Scavenger Hunt- Wild Wonders: Frozen Dinos!- Dino Dance Party: Angela Puerta Band Friday, July 12:- STEAM Time: Tiny Dino-Ramas- Clay Day: Dinosaur […]
Join Laurie and our Art Studio staff for a weekly drop-in art experience designed for MCM's youngest visitors and their caregivers. Through open-ended & process-based projects, empower your little artist to freely explore materials and art-making with their senses. And the best part? We take care of cleanup! Today we'll create fiercely adorable dino prints. […]
Be very, very quiet... we're hunting dinos! Join us in the Urb Garden, where we'll sharpen our observation skills and search for little dinosaurs hiding in the plants. Gentleness is encouraged—no toy dinos will be harmed in the making of this program. This program is free with general museum admission.
Join Junko in the Urb Garden as we explore different sensory materials every week! This event is free with general museum admission.
From soaring structures to delicate sculptures, humans have been making amazing things out of wood for 90,000 years. Now it's your kid's turn! In this workshop, kids will learn to cut, shape, drill, sand, and create with wood. Using hand tools they'll transform wood scrap pieces into sculptures. Price & Logistics This is a drop-off […]
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 our Celebrations room, and is free with general museum […]
Create mini habitats for our prehistoric friends during Dino Days! 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, build problem-solving skills, and offer new ways for kids to explore the world around them. This event is free with general […]
Learn how ancient life was preserved over time and create your own dinosaur fossils out of clay. This event is free with general museum admission.
Dive into an exciting drop-in art experience each week with Laurie and our Art Studio team. Embark on projects with a wide variety of art media and processes for all ages and abilities. Materials are included—and the best part? We take care of cleanup! Today, let's create habitats for our prehistoric friends during Dino Days. This event […]
Be very, very quiet... we're hunting dinos! Join us in the Urb Garden, where we'll sharpen our observation skills and search for little dinosaurs hiding in the plants. Gentleness is encouraged—no toy dinos will be harmed in the making of this program. This program is free with general museum admission.
Learn how ancient life was preserved over time and create your own dinosaur fossils out of clay. This event is free with general museum admission.
Explore new materials and creative techniques through facilitated art activities and bring home hand-made treasures. Projects vary each week and may include sculpture, painting, comics, printmaking, and more! This event is free with general museum admission.
Join MCM Roadshow at the Dane County Parks Environmental Fun Fair, located at the Lussier Family Heritage Center facility. This FREE fun afternoon will be full of hands-on, sensory activities centered around nature, outdoor recreation, and science. This is an inclusive event appropriate for ALL ages and abilities! You can find activities under both solar […]
Enjoy exclusive, members-only time in the museum each Tuesday for Member Appreciation Month! There's no better way to play at MCM, especially for our young visitors who are easily overwhelmed by crowds. Stretch out, enjoy the exhibits at your own pace, and enjoy a chilled-out morning together in the museum. Not a member yet? Become one […]
Celebrate the Nice Age Trail and deepen our connection to nature with Isthmus Dance Collective! Each Tuesday, these imaginative, immersive, and active classes will allow kids and their grownups to explore the Trail's themes with curiosity, creativity, and exposure to dance concepts from local dance experts. Today's theme explores learning self care and self love […]
Choose your own art adventure through exploration of materials. Create robots, cars, houses, and more. Drop by the Art Studio classroom for open-ended creative opportunities, facilitated by our talented staff. This event is free with general museum admission.
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 […]
Create your own insect hotel using natural materials to attract and observe local insects right at home! This event is free with general museum admission.
Explore the world of music and rhythm! Join Tim in the Celebrations room each week to enjoy play-based songs, games, and stories. This event is free with general museum admission.
Join Laurie and our Art Studio staff for a weekly drop-in art experience designed for MCM's younger visitors and their caregivers. Through open-ended & process-based projects, empower your little artist to freely explore materials and art-making with their senses. And the best part? We take care of cleanup! This event is free with general museum […]
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.
Join Junko in the Urb Garden as we explore different sensory materials every week! This event is free with general museum admission.
Is your child happiest with dirt under their nails and seeds in their hair? Does it take at least five minutes for them to list all of their favorite animals? If so, this workshop was designed with your kid in mind! Kids will venture through the wilder side of Madison Children's Museum as they harvest […]
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 our Celebrations room, and is free with general museum […]
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.
Weave a one-of-a-kind botanical tapestry with plants from our verdant Rooftop Ramble garden. This event is free with general museum admission, and open to all ages.
Drop into a new art experience with Laurie and the Art Studio team! Explore art through a variety of creative media and processes meant for all ages and abilities. We'll take care of all the materials and mess mitigation, too! Today, we'll create our own custom stamps and stickers to adorn...well, everything! This event is free […]
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.
Weave a one-of-a-kind botanical tapestry with plants from our verdant Rooftop Ramble garden. This event is free with general museum admission, and open to all ages.
Explore new materials and creative techniques through facilitated art activities and bring home hand-made treasures. Projects vary each week and may include sculpture, painting, comics, printmaking, and more! This event is free with general museum admission.
Join MCM Roadshow and other local favorite organizations at Allied Park, starting at 5 pm. Parks Alive builds stronger neighborhoods and connects neighbors to their parks through fun, family-friendly activities, movies, and free food.
Enjoy exclusive, members-only time in the museum each Tuesday for Member Appreciation Month! There's no better way to play at MCM, especially for our young visitors who are easily overwhelmed by crowds. Stretch out, enjoy the exhibits at your own pace, and enjoy a chilled-out morning together in the museum. Not a member yet? Become one […]
Celebrate the Nice Age Trail and deepen our connection to nature with Isthmus Dance Collective! Each Tuesday, these imaginative, immersive, and active classes will allow kids and their grownups to explore the Trail's themes with curiosity, creativity, and exposure to dance concepts from local dance experts. Today's theme dives into creating dances together, like beavers […]
Choose your own art adventure through exploration of materials. Create robots, cars, houses, and more. Drop by the Art Studio classroom for open-ended creative opportunities, facilitated by our talented staff. This event is free with general museum admission.
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 […]
Create your very own plant press with recycled materials. Embark on a color scavenger hunt through the Rooftop Ramble gardens and preserve your choice of fresh, organic blooms.
Explore the world of music and rhythm! Join Tim in the Wonderground each week to enjoy play-based songs, games, and stories. This event is free with general museum admission.
Join our Peace Runner friends for songs and stories as their US-Canada route brings them through Madison! The Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run is a global torch relay that offers everyone in the world a chance to express their longing for peace. Since its founding in 1987, the Run has visited almost every country on […]
Join Laurie and our Art Studio staff for a weekly drop-in art experience designed for MCM's younger visitors and their caregivers. Through open-ended & process-based projects, empower your little artist to freely explore materials and art-making with their senses. And the best part? We take care of cleanup! This event is free with general museum […]
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.
This workshop is totally metal! Perfect for any aspiring artist who wants to take their work 3D, metalworking allows for limitless creativity and experimentation. (Don't worry, this workshop introduces metal in kid-safe ways; we save the hammers and anvils until they're a wee bit older!) Kids will learn how to use hand tools to form, […]
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 Wonderground Down Under or Rooftop Ramble, dependent on […]
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.
Join MCM Roadshow and other local organizations at Madison's Disability Pride Festival, a joyful gathering of the disability community and allies. Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals are welcome. Browse local crafters and participate in a community raffle.
Plant your own wheatgrass buddy to grow at home! When your plant soon sprouts, add wheatgrass cuttings to your smoothies or give them to family pets as a nutritious snack. This event is free with general museum admission.
Join MCM Roadshow and other local favorite organizations at Elver Park, starting at 5 pm. Parks Alive builds stronger neighborhoods and connects neighbors to their parks through fun, family-friendly activities, movies, and free food.
Enjoy exclusive, members-only time in the museum each Tuesday for Member Appreciation Month! There's no better way to play at MCM, especially for our young visitors who are easily overwhelmed by crowds. Stretch out, enjoy the exhibits at your own pace, and enjoy a chilled-out morning together in the museum. Not a member yet? Become one […]
Celebrate the Nice Age Trail and deepen our connection to nature with Isthmus Dance Collective! Each Tuesday, these imaginative, immersive, and active classes will allow kids and their grownups to explore the Trail's themes with curiosity, creativity, and exposure to dance concepts from local dance experts. Today's theme is inspired by the adventurous pathways that […]
Choose your own art adventure through exploration of materials. Create robots, cars, houses, and more. Drop by the Art Studio classroom for open-ended creative opportunities, facilitated by our talented staff. This event is free with general museum admission.
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 […]
Somebody burst your bubble? No worries—we can make new ones! Explore the shiny, pearlescent world of bubble science and learn how these squeaky-clean beauties are formed. This event is free with the price of general admission.
Explore the world of music and rhythm! Join Tim in the Wonderground each week to enjoy play-based songs, games, and stories. This event is free with general museum admission.
Join MCM for the Family Climate Festival weekend, a community-based collaboration where children and families are invited to engage in programs with the Madison Water Utility, the Wisconsin Institute for Energy and MCM staff educators that inspire children to become environmental stewards while they learn about clean water, renewable energy, and recycling. Don't forget about […]
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.
Join Laurie and our Art Studio staff for a weekly drop-in art experience designed for MCM's younger visitors and their caregivers. Through open-ended & process-based projects, empower your little artist to freely explore materials and art-making with their senses. And the best part? We take care of cleanup! Today, we'll make colorful no-waste creations with […]
Join MCM for the Family Climate Festival weekend, a community-based collaboration where children and families are invited to engage in programs with the Madison Water Utility, the Wisconsin Institute for Energy and MCM staff educators that inspire children to become environmental stewards while they learn about clean water, renewable energy, and recycling. Today's Featured Activities:STEAM […]
Join us for movement games in the Wonderground! From obstacle courses to dances, group games, balance activities, and yoga, we'll enjoy different opportunities to move our bodies every day. 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 on the Rooftop Ramble, dependent on the day. Please ask […]
Enjoy exclusive, members-only time in the museum for a great addition to your Farmers Market family outing. There's no better way to play before the museum gets busy! Enjoy complimentary coffee and treats from our friends at Ugly Apple while supplies last. Not a member yet? Become one today! Membership starts immediately, so you can visit […]
Join MCM for the Family Climate Festival weekend, a community-based collaboration where children and families are invited to engage in programs with the Madison Water Utility, the Wisconsin Institute for Energy and MCM staff educators that inspire children to become environmental stewards while they learn about clean water, renewable energy, and recycling. Today's Featured Activities:Our […]
Stomp your feet! Deep down below is where most of Wisconsin’s drinking water comes from. Join our friends from the Madison Water Utility to learn about the water cycle and local water consumption. How does the water get down there in the ground? How do we get it out? What happens to it along the […]
