Admission

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

NEW procedures for Summer 2021:

• “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 below the thresholds recommended under current public health requirements. 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.

Tickets for reopening are not yet available. Please subscribe to our newsletter to receive details and announcements about ticketing and admissions.

A trip to the Madison Children’s Museum is a great family adventure. Our building is brimming with changing exhibits, daily events, and drop-in activities, so there’s always something new to discover.

Rates

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

Ways to Save

Free Admission with Membership

Members receive unlimited admission all year round. Learn about all the benefits and levels of membership by visiting our membership page.

Discount Programs

Summer 2021 Update: Discounted tickets via the programs below will be available starting on June 24, when the museum reopens to the general public, and are an exception to the policy that tickets must be purchased in advance. A limited number of same-day admissions are reserved for individuals using these discount programs on a first-come, first-served basis. Please come to our admissions desk and request discounted tickets in person.

$1 Access Admission

Individuals and families who qualify for access admission can visit for $1 per person. This discount is available every day the museum is open, available to families that qualify for our Family Access Memberships. Check the list of qualifying programs below. If you qualify, ask for the Access Admission rate at the front desk, no proof necessary.

Planning to visit frequently? Consider getting an Access Membership instead, which includes admission for your family for a whole year. Family Access memberships are available for a minimum of $15, but we ask that families give as much as they are able. Families able to pay a little more will allow us to serve more in need.

Blue Star Museum admission for active-duty military

From Memorial Day through Labor Day active-duty military personnel and their families, including National Guard and Reserve, can enjoy free admission to MCM. Blue Star Museums is a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense and more than 2,000 museums across the U.S. See the full list of participating museums here.

Veterans Day Free Admission

On Veterans Day, we are pleased to offer all veterans and active-duty military personnel, along with their families, free admission to MCM all day. When Veterans Day falls on a Monday when the museum is closed, the free admission will be available on the following Tuesday.

Association of Children’s Museums (ACM) Reciprocal Network

Members of participating children’s museums receive 50% off admission for up to 6 people. To receive this discount an adult must present a valid membership card with ACM logo and a photo ID.  See the complete list of participating museums and guidelines.

Association of Science and Technology (ASTC) Travel Passport

Members of participating museums located 90 miles* or more from the Children’s Museum to receive reciprocal free admission for up to 6 people. To receive this discount an adult must present a valid membership card with ASTC logo cardholders photo ID. *Discovery World members are able to receive this ASTC reciprocal discount. See the complete list of participating museums and guidelines.

For more information about reciprocal benefit networks here is a helpful guide.

Madison Children’s Museum members also receive ACM and ASTC reciprocal admission benefits at hundreds of museums around the country. Find out about all the benefits of an MCM membership here.

Gift Cards

Know someone who’d like to visit Madison Children’s Museum? Gift certificates are sold year-round and make a great gift for birthdays, holidays, and more! Gift certificates are valid for admission, membership, camps, programs and more.

Please note that during the COVID-19 closures gift cards may be purchased online, but may not be redeemed. We will mail out all physical copies of gift cards after we reopen.

Order online or visit our front desk to purchase!