Give the Gift of Play
This holiday season, give the gift of learning, play, and growth to the children and families in your life. Experiences create memories that last long after the “it toy” of the season is consigned to a yard sale.
Madison Children’s Museum has three different gift options to tailor your gift to perfectly fit the lucky children and families on your gift list this holiday season.
- Gift Memberships: A full year of play, discounts on MCM purchases, and—starting at Family Membership level—free or discounted admission to hundreds of other children’s museums and science centers around the country. Until November 30, get a special discount on your Family Plus Membership!
- Gift Tickets: Visit during any public hours
- Gift Cards: Good for memberships, in-person tickets, camps, gift shop, and more
- Gift to the Museum: Spread the cheer this year by making a donation to Madison Children’s Museum
Gift Membership
Giving a Madison Children’s Museum membership provides a year of fun, joy, and learning for the whole family. Get a 6-person Family Plus Membership for a limited-time holiday price, now thru November 30.
Which membership level should I give?
MCM has five different membership levels that differ based on need-based eligibility, the number of individuals (adults and children combined) that are included on the membership, and the bonus perks that come with the membership level.
Every membership level gets…
- Unlimited free admission
- Exclusive or preferred access to special events & programs
- Discounts inside the museum & in the community
| Level & Price | Number of Members | Bonus Benefits |
| Family Plus $200 | 6 Members | Free admission to select science centers, 50% off admission to select children’s museums, 10 guest passes |
| Family $165 | 4 Members | Free admission to select science centers, 50% off admission to select children’s museums, 6 guest passes |
| Dual $120 | 2 Members | 2 guest passes |
What information will I need to have ready to purchase a gift membership?
- Full names of all of the individuals who will be included in the membership (including children)
- The correct email address for the primary adult member—all membership materials are delivered by email so this is crucial!
Tip: If you don’t have the information above, consider giving a gift card that covers the value of the membership instead. The recipient family can use the card to buy the membership themselves and provide all of the relevant information.
Memberships are active immediately upon purchase (we can quickly look up any member at the front desk), but order by December 6 to ensure delivery of the digital membership card by December 20. After purchasing, you’ll have an option to print out a card you can give in an envelope.
Learn more about gift memberships
Gift Tickets
Gift tickets allow for a single visit any day the museum is open. The recipient can pick their day to visit and present their tickets at the front desk for admission—no need to book ahead of time!
Exclusions: gift tickets may not be used for admission to private events, Adult Swim, member parties, or other MCM events requiring a special ticket purchase.
Gift tickets must be used within one year of purchase.
Gift tickets are delivered immediately to the purchaser via email.
Gift Cards
Museum gift cards never expire and are valid year-round for general admission tickets purchased at the museum, special programs or events, year-long memberships, gift shop purchases, and more. At this time gift cards cannot be used to reserve advance tickets online.
How much should I give on the gift card?
| Gift Card | What It Can Buy | Details |
| $200 | Family Plus Membership | 6 Members, Free admission to select science centers, 50% off admission to select children’s museums, 10 guest passes |
| $165 | Family Membership | 4 Members, Free admission to select science centers, 50% off admission to select children’s museums, 6 guest passes |
| $120 | Dual Membership | 2 Members, 2 guest passes |
| Up to $12 per person | MCM General Admission Tickets | General admission tickets for adults and children ages 1 & up are $12, tickets for seniors/grandparents are $11, and babies under 1 year are free. |
| $10 to $40 | Gift Shop Items | MCM’s small gift shop contains a carefully curated selection of souvenirs, children’s books, art and science kits, and toys ranging from allowance-friendly tchotchkes to top educational brands. |
If I want to buy a gift membership, why might I choose to give a gift card in equivalent value instead?
Gift cards are a great option for when you want to give a membership but you don’t have all of the recipient family’s registration information OR if you want to buy the present well in advance but you don’t want the membership year to start until you give the gift. You give them the gift card to cover the amount of your chosen membership level and the family uses the card to pay for the membership on their own schedule.
MCM gift cards are physical cards and must be used in person. Order before 12/15 for best chance of postal delivery before 12/25. Gift cards can also be purchased at the admissions desk any day the museum is open.
