Upcycle & Recycle with an In-Kind Gift!

At MCM you’ll find upcycled and recycled materials throughout the museum used in all sorts of fun and creative ways. It’s what makes Madison Children’s Museum such a unique place! Keeping all that “junk” from entering the landfill protects the environment and is one way the museum is able to model sustainable practices.

If you are interested in donating items to the museum, please refer to our wish list of new and gently used items that we currently need. If you have an item that is not included on the wish list, please contact our development team (608) 354-0535 or give@madisonchildrensmuseum.org.

To donate items, complete the Gift In-Kind form and bring it with you when you drop off your donations. Donations may be dropped off at the front desk during our regular hours.

Wish List

Clothing

• 100% wool sweaters of any size

Art Studio Tools & Materials

• Assorted small items – corks, bottle caps, toy prize capsules, plastic do-dads
• Beads – wood, glass, plastic
• Ceramics – clay tools, supplies
• Decorative items – artificial flowers, floral flourishes
• Fabric and sewing supplies – ribbon, string, twine, felt, fabric, poly stuffing
• Art supplies, colored pencils, markers
• Leather – leather stamps, used leather jackets
• Packaging – egg cartons and similar packaging, boxes of all kinds
• Paper – handmade paper, rice paper, decorative paper
• Paper tubes – toilet paper, paper towel tubes
• Plastic items – CDs/CD cases, small cups
• Scrapbooking materials – ink pads, embellishments, paper shape punches
• Tiles – Small and colorful mosaic tiles
• Wire – electrical, copper or other
• Wood – spools, wood shapes, wood scraps with smooth edges
• Yarn – wool roving, acrylic

Games & Activities

• Toddler wooden puzzles (new)
• Children’s books (new or gently used)
• Hand puppets (new or gently used)

Kitchen Supplies

• Serving platters/plates
• Large and small bowls
• Serving utensils
• Storage containers with lids
• Creation Station Recycled Materials

Tools & Equipment

• Industrial sewing machine

Other Items

• Holiday decorations for all holidays
• LED string lights

We are NOT able to accept:

VHS and cassette tapes, packing peanuts, bubble wrap, medicine bottles, ceramic plates or dishes, flooring tiles, appliances or electronics, tires, sharp or otherwise dangerous items.