Madison Children's Museum

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.

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 […]

Be a cartoonist! Join Lexie during Thursday evening hours and learn about the art of cartooning, storytelling, and Pop-Art. Try illustration, collage, sculpture, and more interactive projects to create your very own cartooning portfolio that leaps off the page. This event is free with the price of 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, […]

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.