Madison Children's Museum

Madison Children’s Museum offers an in-house cafe with a sustainable, community-focused twist. All of the food is “pay-what-you-can” because every child deserves healthy, filling food to fuel them as they learn through play.

“Pay what you can” is exactly what it sounds like. There are no prices—not even suggested prices—on any of the food. When you check out, please pay what you can afford. It’s ok to pay nothing, a little, or a lot. If you can pay a little more, please do so. It helps sustain the cafe overall. If you can’t pay much, please eat. Again, it’s ok to pay nothing, a little, or a lot.

Next to our front desk, kids can go down a few steps and back in time to a special exhibit area dedicated to exploring Madison’s past. Interact with historical objects, play pretend, and learn what life was like for other generations of children living in Wisconsin.

Currently: Milky Way Dairy Bar
Opened January 2025

The Community Concourse also contains our rotating Sidewalk Surprise exhibit. Spontaneous and unpredictable, enjoyed whether you’re just strolling by the museum or stopping in for a visit. The exhibit features pop-up art in the museum windows with work from kids, local artists, and community members. View information on the current Sidewalk Surprise.

The Wow! Gallery is in the museum’s Hamilton Street window and provides a space for interactive sculpture and art.

The current installation is Scratch That!, a whimsical kinetic sculpture installation that plays with all things that make you itch and scratch. This display features the amazing wooden scratching machines of Midwest artist Matt Thompson. If you’re outside and walking up Hamilton Street, look for the Flea Circus, located under the exhibit and visible only from the sidewalk.

Right next to the cafe is an enclosed play space built under the stairs to the second floor. The squashed house changes theme periodically with evocative toys and decorations. Currently, it’s decorated as a pirate’s house with a nautical theme.