Madison Children's Museum

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 in our Celebrations Room to play instruments and enjoy play-based songs, games, and stories.

Use natural, organic materials to create your very own take-home toy in our Wonderground cabin. Cabin Life invites you each week to try crafts and activities from the time of our historic 1840s log cabin. 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 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 museum […]

Join Isthmus Dance Collective for dance, creative movement, songs, and stories that get children thinking creatively and having fun. This program is brimming with energy, curiosity, creativity, and fun geared towards dancers aged 2-4 years. There's plenty of footloose fun for caregivers and siblings, too! For maximum enrichment opportunities, we suggest caregiver interaction especially for […]

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 […]

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.

Learn how ancient animals became sealed in stone and cast your own mold fossil to take home. This event is free with general museum admission.

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.

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.

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.

Help make an ephemeral, collaborative art piece using things that grow in our garden. This event is free with general museum admission.

Come on down to the Wonderground and 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! This event is free with general museum admission.