Regular winter hours: Wed–Sun, 9 am–4 pm • Free Thurs nights, 4 pm–8 pm • Get museum tickets
Regular winter hours: Wed–Sun, 9 am–4 pm • Free Thurs nights, 4 pm–8 pm • Get museum tickets
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! Today, make your mark and create custom, hand-made stamps. This event is free with general museum admission. Image credit: Jackie Currie
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.
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 a story and circle time that connects children to kindness and nature. Sing songs, interact with puppets, listen to a story, and move your bodies in this interactive weekly program. This event will be held in the Nice Age Trail exhibit and is free with general museum admission.
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 also offers heavily discounted admission and memberships to families who […]
Decorate a paper cup planter to bring home a cutting from MCM's Rooftop's succulents! Learn to take care of your new friend, so you can help it grow and thrive. This event is part of our free admission Thursday evenings, 4 pm-8 pm.
Get your creativity flowing with Lexie in the Idea Lab! Practice different methods for generating new art projects and storytelling concepts with guidance from the Idea Machine. This event is part of our free admission Thursday evenings, 4 pm-8 pm every week.
The sky’s the limit on these tiny but mighty toothpick structures. Practice your engineering skills, explore the stability of triangles versus rectangles, and challenge yourself to build high! STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) activities foster children’s creativity, ignite curiosity, encourage divergent thinking, and increase problem-solving skills as children explore the world around them. […]
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 free treats while supplies last. Not a member yet? Become one today! Membership starts immediately, so you can visit for free anytime the 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.
Create your own little fairy abode! Experiment with leaves, flowers, sticks, stones, and a sparkling dose of imagination to construct a cozy home for diminutive fae friends. This event is free with the price of general admission.
Meet up with MCM Roadshow at the Breakthrough Type1 Diabetes Research Foundation Walk and enjoy hands-on art activities with our team. Madison Children’s Museum Roadshow brings mobile exhibits and maker activities to community events in Madison and the surrounding area.
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.
Create your own little fairy abode! Experiment with leaves, flowers, sticks, stones, and a sparkling dose of imagination to construct a cozy home for diminutive fae friends. This event is free with the price of general admission.
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.
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 a story and circle time that connects children to kindness and nature. Sing songs, interact with puppets, listen to a story, and move your bodies in this interactive weekly program. This event will be held in the Nice Age Trail exhibit and is free with general museum admission.
Celebrate the Wisconsin Great Apple Crunch with an apple tasting on the Rooftop Ramble. Try different apple varieties from local orchards and enjoy a nourishing, nutritious snack. This event is free with general museum admission.
Join Ms. 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! This event is free with general […]
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 also offers heavily discounted admission and memberships to families who […]
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. For today's Music with Junebug location, please ask at the desk! This event is free […]
STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) activities foster children’s creativity, ignite curiosity, encourage divergent thinking, and increase problem-solving skills as children explore the world around them. This event is free with general museum admission.
Join our friends from Force of Nature Movement for guided movement games and open playtime in the Wonderground. We'll be practicing organic skills such as climbing, crawling, jumping, and running, and playing games like the classic Floor is Lava. These games are designed for children ages 3-10 years, but all are welcome! This event is […]
Join the Handphibians for a free Brazilian percussion extravaganza at Rotary Plaza Stage, just outside the museum's front entrance!
Learn why leaves turn fiery colors in autumn, and use those leaves to create a seasonal masterpiece. This event is free with general museum admission.
Learn why leaves turn fiery colors in autumn, and use those leaves to create a seasonal masterpiece. 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! Today, you'll create your own functional puppet friend! This event is free with general museum admission.
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.
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 MCM staff and friends from Willy Street Co-op to get creative with food in the Lunchbox cafe! Today, we'll experiment with an electronic produce piano composed of fresh fruits and veggies. This event is free with general admission.
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 also offers heavily discounted admission and memberships to families who […]
Enjoy FREE admission 4-8 pm as part of Science on the Square, an event for all ages that kicks off the Wisconsin Science Festival. Join us for hands-on STEM activities, including:
Get your creativity flowing with Lexie in the Idea Lab! Practice different methods for generating new art projects and storytelling concepts with guidance from the Idea Machine. This event is part of our free admission Thursday evenings, 4 pm-8 pm every week.
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. For today's Music with Junebug location, please ask at the desk! This event is free […]
Join Junko in the Celebrations Room as we explore different sensory materials every week!Please note, this program location may vary. Check at the admissions desk for the most up-to-date information. 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, we'll create our own colorful creature sculptures, inspired by Mexican artist Pedro […]
3... 2... 1... Launch! Make your own mini catapult and see how far a your pom pom (aka mini pumpkin, with a sprinkle of imagination!) 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 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 week, we'll try exciting experiments with fabric to celebrate the Wisconsin Science Festival. This event is free with general museum admission.
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.
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 […]
Explore the world of music and rhythm! Join Tim each week to enjoy play-based songs, games, and stories. Today we'll bop along to seasonal, spine-tingly Halloween songs! This event is free with general museum admission.
Join Ms. 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! This event is free with general […]
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 also offers heavily discounted admission and memberships to families who […]
Get creative with colorful botanicals from the Rooftop Ramble gardens and create your very own pressed flower bookmarks. This event is part of our Free Thursday Evenings, 4 pm–8 pm.
Get ready for a screamin' good time at Adult Swim Celebrate the season of the witch with a campy, sequined twist! We're working with Outreach LGBT Resource Center and Ravyn Entertainment to bring you a night of ghoulish glamor, uncanny crafts, and dreadfully good drag. Tickets (21+ only) Featured Activities What is Adult Swim? Adult Swim at Madison Children’s […]
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. For today's Music with Junebug location, please ask at the desk! This event is free […]
Join MCM Roadshow at the Lodi Valley Segment of the Ice Age Trail for a slow-paced, nature-focused "hike" designed especially for young children, beginning at 10 am. Enjoy a scavenger hunt along the way, and get creative with hands-on activities after the little ones return from their nature walk! Be sure to meet in the […]
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, we'll craft our own creepy mini ecosystems in a jar, also known as […]
Create your own tissue paper ghostie and learn about air currents as you watch it float in our mini wind tunnel! This event is free with general museum admission.
Join students from Edgewood High School's Smile Club for piano performances and craft activities.
Join us for the cutest autumn event in town: Baby's First Halloween! The museum will be open for special hours on Tuesday, October 29, for this boppin' baby party (ages 0-3) and their caregivers. Older siblings welcome! All activities are included in the cost of general admission. Make sure to sign up for our FREE First-Time Parent Membership in-person or […]
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 […]
Explore the world of music and rhythm! Join Tim each week to enjoy play-based songs, games, and stories. Today, we'll experiment with eerie and unusual sounds we can make with a theremin! This event is free with general museum admission.
Make MCM the first stop on your trick-or-treat trip around the Capitol Square! Enjoy a free, family-oriented Halloween celebration for kids 12 yrs and younger in downtown Madison. Join us for free playtime and outdoor activities, 3–6 pm in the Wonderground (enter on Dayton St.) Join kids' musician Ken Lonnquist and friends for a Haunted […]
Join Ms. 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 use scrapey, scratchy "monster claw" […]
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 […]
Get your creativity flowing with Lexie in the Idea Lab! Practice different methods for generating new art projects and storytelling concepts with guidance from the Idea Machine. This event is part of our free admission Thursday evenings, 4 pm-8 pm every week.
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. For today's Music with Junebug location, please ask at the desk! This event is free […]
STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) activities foster children’s creativity, ignite curiosity, encourage divergent thinking, and increase problem-solving skills as children explore the world around them. Today, we'll explore bones, skulls, and furs from Wisconsin animals and create tissue paper marigolds to celebrate Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). This event is free […]
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.
Enjoy exclusive, members-only playtime in the museum before things get busy! Enjoy complimentary coffee and free treats to accompany the calm, crisp morning (while supplies last.) Not a member yet? Become one today! Membership starts immediately, so you can visit for free anytime the museum is open. Learn more about membership.
Create colorful, organic art with yarn-wrapped sticks. This tactile activity is a perfect for little ones practicing fine motor control and hand-eye coordination! This event is free with general museum admission. Image credit: Ana Ziengel
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.
