Visit Madison Children’s Museum

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Plan Your Visit
Tickets
Hours of Operation & When to Visit
Admission Rates
Location & Parking
Museum Amenities
Program Calendar & Special Events
Photo Policy

Plan your visit

Learn through play as you explore and discover award-winning fun designed for kids ages birth to 12. Our three exhibit floors—including the Wildernest for littles, the ever-creative art studio, and the rooftop garden’s grand view—are bursting with family-friendly activities.  The museum is located downtown, on Madison’s Capitol Square. Check out our floor plan and visitor guide.

This summer, the museum is open 9 am–4 pm, Thursdays through Sundays.

Entry is free for museum members, $12 for children age 1+ and adults, $11 for grandparents and seniors, and free for babies under age 1. The museum offers discounted membership (starting at $15) or discounted admission ($1 per person) to individuals who qualify through our Access for Everyone programs.

3/1/22: Masks are still required for all visitors ages 2 and up in our indoor spaces at this time

The majority of our visitors are young children who are not yet able to be vaccinated against COVID-19. We will continue to monitor conditions and consult public health guidance for places where children congregate and adjust our policies accordingly. Dane County Public Health currently requires masks for people ages two and older when in any enclosed space open to the public where other people are present.

Masks may only be removed in our dining area, which has been moved to the Celebrations room, or in outside play spaces like the Rooftop Ramble.

Find your check-in line in the museum

• • The express line is for holders of barcoded tickets and allows for fast, low-contact admission. Have your barcode ready—on your smartphone or print it out
  • The general line is for visitors seeking discount tickets, walk-up tickets, members using guest passes, or with other questions.

Tickets

Tickets for MCM Members

Tickets for the General Public

Advance tickets recommended, no longer required

All visitors to Madison Children’s Museum can purchase walk-up tickets for same-day play. Come right up to the admissions desk for your tickets to learn, explore, and have fun.

Walk-up admission is subject to capacity limits; advance reservations via online tickets are still available and will guarantee entry. As a COVID safety measure, we continue to limit in-museum capacity to about half of usual visitation. 

Advance Tickets are good for a specific date and arrival timeslot

Advance tickets guarantee you entry to the museum at the time and date listed on your ticket, even if the museum is otherwise sold-out or closed to walk-up visitors.

The date is firm—your ticket is valid only on the stated date.

Your ticket will show an hour-long arrival timeslot. Try to arrive within that hour

Once you get in, you can play all day long until the museum closes at 4 pm. You may exit and re-enter with a handstamp.

Hours of Operation & When to Visit

Hours of Operation as of 6/3/21: 

Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

When to Visit

Some children love bustle, excitement, and playing with lots of new kids. Others need more calm and less stimulation. Plan your visit to meet your child’s individual needs.

Weekdays are always quieter than weekends, and ends of the day are calmer. Sundays are also less busy than Saturdays. We host more school groups in the spring semester, and they generally prefer mid-morning visits. We’re always busier on days when schools are closed, see the Madison Metropolitan School District calendar for more details.

Tickets/Admission Rates

Tickets for MCM Members

Tickets for the General Public

For guests’ safety, children must be accompanied by a chaperone age 16 or older. If you are bringing more than 10 children, please look at our group visit information.

Location & Parking

100 N. Hamilton St.
Madison, WI 53703

There are metered spaces on the streets surrounding the museum. There are also two parking ramps located within easy walking distance of the museum. Find more information about parking.

Museum Amenities

• Gift Shop
• Family restrooms
• Stroller parking
• Wheelchair accessible entrances and elevator

Program Calendar & Special Events

Check out our calendar of daily programs and special events to see what’s coming up at Madison Children’s Museum!

Photo Policy

While at Madison Children’s Museum or museum-sponsored events, visitors may be photographed by museum photographers. These images may be used to publicize the museum in print, online, and display materials, and may also be distributed to the media. If you do not want your photograph to be used by the museum, please speak to our staff at the front desk.