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Museum News – January 2019
The museum will be open for a half day on January 1, from 12 to 5 p.m.
We will be closed for annual winter maintenance January 7–11.
Featured Events
December 26–January 6
Winter Wonder Weeks continue! We’re ringing in the new year with a full schedule of wintry activities while school is out and the kids need creative and engaging things to do. Check the daily program schedule during Winter Wonder Weeks and stop by to cure your cabin fever! See below for a few extra-special Winter Wonder Weeks events:
New Year’s Eve Dance Party, Monday, December 31, 2:30–4:30 p.m.
Open New Year’s Day, Tuesday, January 1, 12–5 p.m.
Governor-elect Evers’ Inaugural Madison Kids Gala, Saturday, January 5, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.

Saturday, January 12, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

January 25–27, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Thursday, January 31, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Other Programs
Wednesday, January 2, 5–8 p.m.
The museum will be free and open to all from 5 to 8 p.m. Free Family Night is a great time for first-time visitors to enjoy the museum. It’s 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.
From Our Blog
This Is How We Do It! From Madison To Johannesburg, South Africa
Meet the Museum Staff
Jon Edwards, Senior Exhibits Designer & Fabricator
Starting out as a van and motorhome customizer and barn rebuilder, Jon Edwards applied for a position at the newly created Madison Children’s Museum in 1991. In the 27 years since, he has impressed with his versatility and creativity in exhibit design and creation. Jon has been involved in the creation of nearly every exhibit in the museum including the Gerbil Wheel, the paint wall, the cow lifter, the metal-acorn climbing structure, and many more. He says the “Dream Machine” (pictured here) is probably the most outlandish project he’s worked on. When asked about his favorite aspect of work for the museum, Jon says “an exhibit is pulled out of a dream, and I have the opportunity of making an imaginative idea solid.”
Become a Museum Member!
Discounted Memberships
January Programs
Mondays
- Note: The museum will be open 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday, January, 21st for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. All other Mondays the museum is closed.
- Kindness Challenge 1/21 | 12–2 p.m.
Tuesdays
- Animal Feeding 1/15, 1/22, & 1/29 | 9:45–10 a.m.
- Baby Doll Bath Time 1/15, 1/22, & 1/29 | 11 a.m.–12 p.m.
- Magic Show with James the Magician 1/1 | 1–1:30 p.m.
- Pinwheels of Promise 1/1 | 1–3 p.m.
- New Years Around the World 1/1 | 2–4 p.m.
Wednesdays
- Animal Feeding 1/2, 1/16, 1/23, & 1/30 | 9:45–10 a.m.
- Snowpeople Stack! 1/2 | 9:30–10:30 a.m.
- Little Story 1/16, 1/23, & 1/30 | 10–10:30 a.m.
- Wiggle and Jump 1/16, 1/23, & 1/30 | 10–11 a.m.
- Ornament Adoption Ceramic Knickknack Decorating 1/2 | 11 a.m.–12 p.m.
- Nature Explorations 1/16, 1/23, & 1/30 | 11 a.m.–12 p.m.
- Planting Wheatgrass 1/2 | 1–2 p.m.
- Clothespin Elves 1/2 | 2:30–3:30 p.m.
- Locavorasaurus 1/16, 1/23, & 1/30 | 3–4 p.m.
Thursdays
- Animal Feeding 1/3, 1/17, 1/24, & 1/31 | 9:45–10 a.m.
- Early Explorers Playgroup 1/17, 1/24, & 1/31 | 10–11 a.m. & 2:30–3:30 p.m.
- Lily-Pad Theater 1/17, 1/24, & 1/31 | 11–11:30 a.m.
- Animal Tracking 1/3 | 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
- Mini Winter Houses 1/3 | 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
- Marvelous Mazes 1/3 | 2–4 p.m.
Fridays
- Animal Feeding 1/4, 1/18, & 1/25 | 9:45–10 a.m.
- Mess Monsters 1/4, 1/18, & 1/25 | 10–11 a.m
- Monkey Business Improv 1/25 | 11–11:30 a.m.
- Felted Mug Coasters 1/4 | 11 a.m.–12 p.m.
- Fish Prints 1/25 | 11 a.m.–12 p.m.
- Playdough Party 1/4, 1/18, & 1/25 | 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
- Hibernation Habitat Sculpture 1/4 | 1–2:30 p.m.
- Squishy Circuits 1/4 | 1–3 p.m.
- Building Bonanza 1/4, 1/18, & 1/25 | 1–3 p.m.
Saturdays
- Animal Feeding weekly | 9:45–10 a.m.
- Yogaventures weekly | 10–10:30 a.m.
- Lego Lounge Exhibition 1/26 | 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
- Winter Bird Feeders 1/5 | 10:30 a.m.–12 p.m.
- Yarn Wrapped Sticks 1/26 | 10:30 a.m.–12 p.m.
- Match Girl Project 1/5, 1/19, & 1/26 | 12–1 p.m.
- Collaborative Art 1/5 & 1/26 | 1–3 p.m.
- Clay Animal Sculpting 1/12 | 1–3 p.m.
Sundays
- Building Buddies 1/6 | 10–11 a.m.
- Magnetic Mayhem 1/13 | 10–11 a.m.
- Winter Watercolors 1/6, 1/13, & 1/27 | 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
- Taste of Tech: 3D Printing 1/6 | 12:30–2:30 p.m.
- Taste of Tech: 3D Pens 1/13 | 12:30–2 p.m.
- Taste of Tech: VR 1/27 | 12:30–2:30 p.m.
- STEAM Punk 1/6, 1/13, & 1/27 | 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.