Madison Children's Museum

Step into the world of kamishibai—a traditional form of Japanese picture storytelling! Enjoy lively tales, sing along to simple songs, and play group games that bring the stories to life. Join us for a magical cultural experience perfect for young learners and curious imaginations. Included with museum admission.

We’re taking the museum on the road! At community events all around Madison, you can stop by our station to dive into hands-on maker activities, design a small take-home art project, and experiment with creative fort-building. Our traveling play station sparks curiosity, encourages problem-solving, and brings museum-style learning to local events.

We’re adding an extra day of play throughout August! The museum will be open every Tuesday this month, giving families more opportunities to visit their favorite exhibits, try out activities, and enjoy the last days of summer. Make your plans now for a special Tuesday outing!

Be an engineer as you design a fan blade for renewable energy and test it. Explore the blade angle, shape, and number of blades to see what design works best.

We’re taking the museum on the road! At community events all around Madison, you can stop by our station to dive into hands-on maker activities, design a small take-home art project, and experiment with creative fort-building. Our traveling play station sparks curiosity, encourages problem-solving, and brings museum-style learning to local events.

Join us for movement games and activities! From obstacle courses to dances, group games and balance activities, we’ll enjoy different opportunities to move our bodies every day. Program location is subject to change, depending on the weather. Please check our Welcome Wall for the most up-to-date location information.This event is free with general museum admission.

Fabric, yarn, and imagination unite! Join Laurie from 1–3 pm for a drop-in workshop full of fiber arts projects like sewing, weaving, and more. Perfect for curious creators of all ages—make something delightful to take home.

We’re taking the museum on the road! At community events all around Madison, you can stop by our station to dive into hands-on maker activities, design a small take-home art project, and experiment with creative fort-building. Our traveling play station sparks curiosity, encourages problem-solving, and brings museum-style learning to local events.

August 14, 2010, marked a new chapter for Madison Children’s Museum: We opened our forever home here on Hamilton Street. Fifteen years later, we’re honoring this milestone with a full day of birthday festivities! All day long we'll make colorful party hats, decorate a giant cardboard cake, and create a collaborative birthday mural in the […]

Join us for story time and hear Teresa read some of her favorite books using her DynaVox. With this speech-generating device, Teresa shares stories that help us build listening skills, develop early literacy, and celebrate each other’s differences. This event is free with general museum admission.

Join us for movement games and activities! From obstacle courses to dances, group games and balance activities, we'll enjoy different opportunities to move our bodies every day. Program location is subject to change, depending on the weather. Please check our Welcome Wall for the most up-to-date location information.This event is free with general museum admission.

Celebrate Madison Children’s Museum’s 15th birthday with the magic of giant bubbles! Watch colorful spheres shimmer and float, or grab a wand and make your own. It’s a hands-on way to join the party—filled with laughter, creativity, and bubbles big enough to wow kids and grown-ups alike.

Join the tiniest parade with the biggest heart! Kids and grown-ups alike can grab a shaker or drum and jump into the rhythm as we parade through the Wonderground’s Down Under.Every Thursday, Junko and friends lead the fun in this playful, musical celebration.

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 […]

We’re taking the museum on the road! At community events all around Madison, you can stop by our station to dive into hands-on maker activities, design a small take-home art project, and experiment with creative fort-building. Our traveling play station sparks curiosity, encourages problem-solving, and brings museum-style learning to local events.

Scoop, sprinkle, and sift! In the Urb Garden, children discover earthy textures, soft petals, and fragrant plants from our Rooftop Ramble. These sensory garden bins invite open-ended play, giving little hands a chance to explore nature’s shapes, colors, and scents up close. It’s a calm, tactile experience that builds observation skills and introduces the joy […]

Sing, stomp, and hop to the beat with Junko "Junebug" Yamauchi. These energetic, interactive sessions blend lively music, playful rhythms, and storytelling elements that spark imagination. Junko’s joyful energy builds connection, confidence, and community—all through the magic of music and movement. Perfect for toddlers and preschoolers.

Gain a better understanding of how magnets work and make one to bring home.

Roll, shape, and sculpt with us on Friday afternoons! Join Art Studio staff to explore the magic of clay while creating pots, tiles, and shapes that will find a home here in the museum. It’s a hands-on way to leave your creative mark while learning the basics of ceramic art.

Join us for movement games and activities! From obstacle courses to dances, group games and balance activities, we'll enjoy different opportunities to move our bodies every day. Program location is subject to change, depending on the weather. Please check our Welcome Wall for the most up-to-date location information.This event is free with general museum admission.

All fun, no sweat—it's Adult Swim: Moving Day! Come celebrate the fresh-start feeling of a new move without the stress of packing up your life. Kick back with a cold beer, test your skills with cardboard box Tetris, acquire a new fave thing at our oddity swap, and more! Moving day obstacle course: flex those […]

We’re taking the museum on the road! At community events all around Madison, you can stop by our station to dive into hands-on maker activities, design a small take-home art project, and experiment with creative fort-building. Our traveling play station sparks curiosity, encourages problem-solving, and brings museum-style learning to local events.

Join us for movement games and activities! From obstacle courses to dances, group games and balance activities, we'll enjoy different opportunities to move our bodies every day. Program location is subject to change, depending on the weather. Please check our Welcome Wall for the most up-to-date location information.This event is free with general museum admission.