Visit Madison Children’s Museum

The museum is temporarily closed due to COVID-19, and will reopen in June 2021.

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Plan Your Visit & Get 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.

NEW procedures for Summer 2021:

(Note: Find the most up-to-date information for member visits.)

• “Soft Opening,” only for museum members, starting June 3: Members are the heart of Madison Children’s Museum and we deeply appreciate the support members have given the museum during this difficult closure. As we reopen, we want to prioritize members, and also enlist their partnership in creating and implementing new procedures for a safe, fun museum experience. From June 3 to June 20 admission will be available for museum members only. Members who visit during the soft opening will be asked to give feedback on new policies and procedures so that we can improve and provide the best possible experience for all families.
• Open to the public June 24: We will welcome back visitors from the general public starting on June 24. Admissions will continue to be limited in accordance with, or going further than, public health guidelines.
• Reduced capacity, reserved tickets: We will begin to welcome visitors back at capacities significantly lower than current public health mandates require. To manage capacity and facilitate distancing, visitors will be required to purchase (or in the case of museum members, reserve) tickets for a specific entry time via a new, online system, which will also allow for express, low-contact admission at our front desk. Once admitted, visitors can stay and play for the rest of the day.

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

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.