Madison Children's Museum
Madison Children's Museum
4.5
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
Madison Children's Museum reopened, reuniting children with Seymore, the giant bluegill; the Wildernest bone bridge, rooftop chickens; and each other--in open-ended, creative play. The museum opens exclusively to its members during the soft opening, from June 3 until the public opening on June 24. To help limit capacity and allow for safe interactions, all visitors must make an online reservation in advance for a specific time. The Madison Children's Museum is an award-winning destination for fun family activities and hands-on learning! Visit our inventive city of Possible-opolis for ages 6 and up, and our four-season Rooftop Ramble, with animals and gardens. Kids under 5 have a place of their own in the Wildernest, a global village made with natural, local materials. There's always something new to do at Madison Children's Museum, where our mission is to connect children with their family, their community, and the world beyond through discovery learning and creative play.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
311 reviews
Excellent
187
Very good
83
Average
27
Poor
11
Terrible
3
Genevieve E
Madison, WI6 contributions
Sep 2022
If you have a child from 9 mos. to 9 years, you really must experience the Madison Children's Museum with them. Everything is hands on, and I understand that the activities are locally designed and created. Even childless adults would enjoy wandering in and wandering around the imaginative play spaces. The roof top garden and the new outdoor playground are marvels. This is a place to return to frequently.
Written September 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Hannah
Floral City, FL50 contributions
Apr 2022
So much to do and explore here. The indoor areas keep kids entertained for hours. And in the warmer months, the outdoor spaces are the best! The rooftop has a chicken coop - and if your visit it timed right, there may be baby chicks that the kids can touch/hold.
Written May 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
zygomycota
Madison, WI28 contributions
May 2012 • Friends
My friends and I went there for Adult Swim in May with a science twist, and we all had fun! 'Twas great to be able to drink while going down the slides, and we felt young again. There was a lot to see, and I had no idea about that when I passed by that place everyday when I go home. Will definitely be back with more friends!
Written May 30, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Hi Zygomycota,
We're glad you discovered Adult Swim and now think of Madison Children's Museum in a new light! Our hard-working and inventive exhibits team created the new facility for all ages to enjoy, so we're thrilled to see that happening. Please keep an eye on our Adult Swim schedule -- we have another one coming up this Friday themed "Fun in the Sun" that will include live music on the rooftop!
Written June 18, 2012
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Kris R
Sun Prairie, WI29 contributions
Oct 2012 • Family
I have two young boys - ages 5 and 3 and we spend about 2 hours there MAX! There is little to keep their attention. Everything is very conceptual, which is above them. And I get the whole "recycled or reused" idea, which is trendy now, but what relevance does that have to little kids and exploring their world?? Get over it! There is little "pretend play" - and what little there is, has several kiddos vying for its attention! Now maybe we would think this place is stellar if we had not visited every other museum in the area, such as Appleton, Milwaukee, Eau Claire, St. Paul, etc.! But in comparison to the others, Madison's Children's Museum just doesn't stack up. In fact, we purchase a membership every year just to get into the other museums for free! (We've visited the Appleton Children's museum six times this year, compared to the two times we've been to Madison.) HOWEVER, BUYER BEWARE... as of April 2013, your reciprocal pass will no longer get you into those other museums for free... just at a reduced rate! Madison Children's Museum just lost our membership business!
Written October 17, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
orangetime
Portland, OR25 contributions
Very nice solid wood structures/toys in here, and while I didn't find the place fascinating, but did find it beautiful with attention to detail, my 4 year old loved climbing up on what looked like a boat to hang out clothes to dry on a clothesline. He practiced wheeling them in and out, then folding them. He also diapered some dolls, which was amusing. By the bathrooms, there's a surprising musical piano floor. Extremely nice setup for older kids with PlanCity, where the kids have a lot of space and objects to set up a working city. Also kids could get in a....don't know the word....some construction vehicle, to pick up, move and drop steel cages. 3 minute time limit on that, and kids were lined up.
All in all, very relaxing place for adults, quality toys, exhibits, and design/materials, and enough to do for kids of all ages. While it's not amusement-park style or science-learning-mania, it did have something reflective that was nice for a change.
We went here on a road trip stop, and spent about 2+ hours here easily.
It's also on the beginning of the pedestrian only street, with shops for just about everything.
We've been to around 15 of these children's museums now, and this one had more quality (wooden) things than the rest, as well as enough variety to interest kids of all ages.
All in all, very relaxing place for adults, quality toys, exhibits, and design/materials, and enough to do for kids of all ages. While it's not amusement-park style or science-learning-mania, it did have something reflective that was nice for a change.
We went here on a road trip stop, and spent about 2+ hours here easily.
It's also on the beginning of the pedestrian only street, with shops for just about everything.
We've been to around 15 of these children's museums now, and this one had more quality (wooden) things than the rest, as well as enough variety to interest kids of all ages.
Written June 21, 2007
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Please note that on Aug. 14, 2010, Madison Children's Museum moved to a new, much larger location with expanded exhibits, programs, and other amenities.
Written August 31, 2010
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
madcity1965
Madison, WI1 contribution
Mar 2011
The MCM has something to play with in every nook and cranny. It does get very loud there. I have one big beef. The bathrooms are terrible, no, horrible! First, whoever set them up did so to be eco-friendly with those Dyson hand dryers. They are so loud, my son ran out of the bathroom in tears. They sound like the space shuttle is taking off. There are no stools to help little people wash their hands and the bathroom stalls are so small that my I couldn't shut the door while my 3 year old sat on the potty. I am consistently amazed at the children's places (like libraries, etc.) with with worst designed bathrooms.
Written March 8, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thank you for your comments! We are in the process of increasing the number of footstools in the restrooms and sometimes they migrate to different areas of the building. We’ll do a better job of making sure there is one in each restroom. The hand dryers are noisy, yes. However, it’s the tradeoff for saving energy.
Written March 10, 2011
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
tigerkarebear
Arlington, VA26 contributions
Nov 2019 • Family
My toddler (2) wore herself out here on a drizzly winter day
. She's really active and high energy, and yet there were things she focused on for 20 minutes or more. The Lego wall, the life-sized baby dolls in the under-5 area, coloring area, and even a zebra chair kept her entranced. We were there for nearly 3 hours, and she fell asleep in the car within 30 seconds.
Price: It's $9 per person, or $135 for an annual family pass. Not cheap, but if we go as a family 4 times, it's worth the annual subscription. Given how much my kid loved the place, they can have all of my money.
Parking: There are a few street spots nearby, but it's easier to find parking in the nearby garages.
Storage: There's a coat area. There are a few lockers (quarter-operated), but an open cubby area filled with bins and coat hooks.
Restrooms: They have changing areas and stepstools at the sink, but I didn't see any smaller toilets for the little ones.
. She's really active and high energy, and yet there were things she focused on for 20 minutes or more. The Lego wall, the life-sized baby dolls in the under-5 area, coloring area, and even a zebra chair kept her entranced. We were there for nearly 3 hours, and she fell asleep in the car within 30 seconds.
Price: It's $9 per person, or $135 for an annual family pass. Not cheap, but if we go as a family 4 times, it's worth the annual subscription. Given how much my kid loved the place, they can have all of my money.
Parking: There are a few street spots nearby, but it's easier to find parking in the nearby garages.
Storage: There's a coat area. There are a few lockers (quarter-operated), but an open cubby area filled with bins and coat hooks.
Restrooms: They have changing areas and stepstools at the sink, but I didn't see any smaller toilets for the little ones.
Written November 18, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
WisconsinDeb
Mosman Park, Australia20 contributions
Apr 2017 • Family
Especially on the second or third day of a grandchild visit, when searching for more things to do instead of plopping them in front of the television, this place is just wonderful. There are so many imaginative things for ages from about a year to about 10 ideally.
The kids just love it, and it gives grandparents a break too : )
The kids just love it, and it gives grandparents a break too : )
Written April 23, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
pocketknife
pocketknife21 contributions
Aug 2016 • Family
Incredible facility. Our kids (under 6) were occupied for 3 hours. Art. Blocks. Cool gadgets and a giant climbing structure. Wonderful hands on fun
Written August 29, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Greg S
Wisconsin113 contributions
Dec 2015 • Family
We took our 5 year old and 2 year old here recently. Overall, we are happy we went and the boys had fun. We would take them back. With that being said, I felt the admission price was a little high. While not a huge place, there are a number of cool things for the kids to play with. But honestly, the boys had fun on a rainy day and that is what is important.
Written May 17, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Madison Children's Museum - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Madison Children's Museum
- Madison Children's Museum is open:
- Thu - Sun 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Hotels near Madison Children's Museum:
- (0.10 mi) AC Hotel by Marriott Madison Downtown
- (0.14 mi) Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor's Club
- (0.22 mi) Mansion Hill Inn
- (0.24 mi) Best Western Premier Park Hotel
- (0.33 mi) The Edgewater Hotel
- Restaurants near Madison Children's Museum:
- (0.01 mi) Boar & Barrel
- (0.03 mi) Gotham Bagels
- (0.04 mi) The Old Fashioned
- (0.05 mi) Heritage Tavern
- (0.14 mi) Naples 15