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Museum News – April 2019
Please note that the museum will be closed on Sunday, April 21
All April we are thanking members for being part of our Madison Children’s Museum community with special deals:
Sign-up or renewal bonus: 13 months for the price of 12
Get an additional free month of membership when you renew or start a membership. Current members, renew any time in April and we’ll add thirteen months to your current end-date. Use the code PLAY19 to start or renew a membership today.
Bring-a-guest bonus days: Tuesdays & Sundays in April
Members can visit with two free guests every Sunday and Tuesday. This is a great way to introduce new friends and family to all that Madison Children’s Museum has to offer—and maybe they’ll even want to become members themselves!
Member referral program
Anyone who purchases a new membership online in the month of April will be invited to share the name of a current museum member who recommended them to the museum! The referring member will receive two electronic guest passes good for the duration of their membership.
As a bonus, the member with the most referrals at the end of the month will receive a free year of membership! Learn more about this new pilot program.
Thank you to all of our members!
Exhibits News
Spring closures will lead to bigger things
The museum is working on two major improvements, which will require short-term and long-term closures. We’re kicking off a multi-stage project to refresh our rooftop spaces, bring even more science and environmental education opportunities, and make the space more accessible for all our guests. Phase 1 will require closing the whole roof from April 1 through May 16. Learn more about the rooftop project.
Also, our Log Cabin will be closed until further notice, due to expected erosion of the former parking structure out back. The Log Cabin will reopen in a few years as part of a major expansion project planned for the entirety of the back lot. This project is still in planning stages, so details are under wraps, but we can assure you that it will be worth the wait and that things are looking… Up! Learn more about the Log Cabin.
We’re sorry for any inconvenience these closures cause. During the rooftop closure (through May 15), we are discounting regular admission to $7 for adults and children above the age of one and $6 for seniors. Read our blog for more details about both of these projects.
Featured Events
Saturday, April 13, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
When kids and orchestras get together it can only lead to treble! Join the Madison Symphony Orchestra, Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra, and Suzuki Strings of Madison for a whirlwind tour through the instruments of the orchestra. Featuring kids’ concerts, “meet the musician” sessions, musically themed crafts, and more—all free for members or free with museum admission. View the full list of activities on our website.
Other Programs
Wednesday, April 3, 5–8 p.m.
On the first open Wednesday night of each month, we invite our entire community to enjoy the museum for free. This month, in honor of Week of the Young Child, our theme is “Build Your Brain!” Join us for activities that will stimulate your baby, toddler, or preschooler’s brains—and which you can easily replicate at home.
Free Family Night is a great time for first-time visitors to enjoy the museum and is a popular time for older children to return to visit their favorite exhibits. Free Family Night is an Access for Everyone program. Learn more about Free Family Nights.
Saturday, April 20, 8–9:30 a.m.
Stop in for exclusive members-only playtime! We love our members; we want to give you special time to visit the museum before it gets busy.
As a special treat for Member Appreciation Month, we’ll have some yummy snacks to share during Member Morning, while supplies last. Learn more about Member Mornings.
Meet the Museum Staff
Elizabeth Van Alstine, Discovery Guide
Bringing no shortage of experience with children to her work as a Discovery Guide at Madison Children’s Museum, Elizabeth was born in Milwaukee and is one of twelve brothers and sisters. As a mother and a grandmother, she enjoys being able to “get her grandma fix” interacting with both children and parents at the museum.
Elizabeth first came to love the museum when she “checked it out” in advance of a visit from her granddaughter. She loved what she saw and quickly became a volunteer. She was such an asset that seven years ago we hired her to become part of our discovery guide team. Discovery guides at Madison Children’s Museum facilitate informal learning in our exhibits, welcome visiting families, and help maintain the cleanliness and safety of the museum.
As a discovery guide, Elizabeth loves to “interact and talk with the visitors, enjoying their smiles and all their curiosity.” Be sure to say hi whenever you see Elizabeth at the museum!
Ticket Lottery Presale now through April 7
Tickets are now available for the American Girl Benefit Sale’s ticket lottery presale! The presale offers motivated shoppers the chance to get earlier ticket times. The general sale, starting April 15, lets shoppers pick their ticket time from those available after the presale has concluded. Get tickets and learn more about the sale.
The American Girl Benefit Sale offers great deals on authentic American Girl dolls, accessories, and books. All benefit sale inventory is generously donated by American Girl and Mattel, and all proceeds support the work of Madison Children’s Museum and American Girl’s Fund for Children. Learn more about the sale.
Drop-In Programs, April 2019
Mondays
- The museum is closed most Mondays during the school year.
Tuesdays
- Baby Doll Bath Time weekly | 11 a.m.–12 p.m.
Wednesdays
- Little Story 4/3 & 4/10 | 10–10:30 a.m.
- Music with Junebug weekly | 10:30–11 a.m.
- Wiggle and Jump weekly | 11 a.m.–12 p.m.
Thursdays
- Early Explorers Playgroup weekly | 10–11 a.m. & 2:30–3:30 p.m.
- Lily-Pad Theater weekly | 11–11:30 a.m.
- Textile Technology weekly | 1–2 p.m.
- Art Studio Printing Press weekly | 1–4 p.m.
- Meet the Animals weekly | 2:30–3:30 p.m.
- Stop Motion Animation 3/7 & 3/14 | 3–4 p.m.
Fridays
- Mess Monsters weekly | 10–11 a.m
- Tales with Teresa weekly | 10–11 a.m.
- Family Concert with Alastair Moock 4/25 | 11–11:45 a.m.
- Playdough Party weekly | 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
- Building Bonanza 4/5 & 4/12 | 1–3 p.m.
- Pottery Wheel Demonstration with Chandler weekly | 3–4 p.m.
Saturdays
- Yogaventures weekly | 10–10:30 a.m.
- Recycled Button Making 4/3 | 10:30 a.m.–12 p.m.
- Earth Day Seed Balls 4/20 | 10:30 a.m.–12 p.m.
- Plantable Seed Paper 4/27 | 11 a.m.–12 p.m.
- Collaborative Art weekly | 1–3 p.m.
Sundays
Please note that the museum is closed Sunday, April 21
- Building Buddies 3/3 | 10–11 a.m.
- Magnetic Mayhem 4/14 | 10–11 a.m.
- Terrific Tessellations 4/28 | 10–11 a.m.
- Taste of Tech: 3D Printing 4/7 | 12:30–2:30 p.m.
- Taste of Tech: 3D Pens 4/14 | 12:30–2 p.m.
- Taste of Tech: VR 4/28 | 12:30–2:30 p.m.
- STEAM Punk weekly | 3–4 p.m.
Visit our website for a full list of programs and events.
Madison Children’s Museum connects children with their families, their communities,
and the world beyond through discovery learning and creative play.
