Madison Children's Museum

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.

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.

 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.

Capture the museum through your own "lens" and learn how to take photos on digital cameras and phones! You'll discover fun ways to take portraits, bring new energy to still life images, and create art from your perspective. This event is free with general museum admission.

Madison Children’s Museum welcomes children and families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and/or sensory challenges to experience the museum during Sensory-Friendly Hours. This program aims to bring families together to learn through play in an environment that supports the unique needs of children with ASD and/or sensory challenges. During this event, SSM Health will […]

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.

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 mini works of art: a bite-sized creative challenge for little […]

Meet up with MCM Roadshow at G-SAFE's Statewide Conference on LGBTQ+ youth for educators, community leaders, youth workers, and families. Madison Children’s Museum Roadshow brings mobile exhibits and maker activities to community events in Madison and the surrounding area.