Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays. We are closed on the following dates this year:

Memorial Day – Monday, May 30
Independence Day – Monday, July 4
Wonder Ball fundraising gala – Saturday, August 6
Fall Maintenance Week – Monday, September 5, through Friday, September 9
Thanksgiving – Thursday, November 24
Christmas Eve – Saturday, December 24
Christmas Day – Sunday, December 25
New Year’s Day – Sunday, January 1, 2012
Winter Maintenance Week – Monday, January 9-Friday, January 13, 2012

Location: Madison Children’s Museum is located on the Capitol Square, at 100 N. Hamilton Street. The museum is on the corner of North Hamilton Street, North Pinckney Street, and East Dayton Street.

Admission prices: $7.95, adults and children; $6.95, seniors and grandparents; $1, Family Access admission for adults and children utilizing WIC, Head Start, free or reduced-price school lunch, Birth to 3, SSDI, Fostercare, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Unemployment Insurance, or other public assistance program; FREE for museum members and children under 1 year old

Join us for Twilight Wednesdays on the first Wednesday of the month after 5 p.m., when admission for all is free!

Parking: Free bike and paid car parking is available in the museum’s parking lots, with entrances on North Hamilton and East Dayton streets. Overflow car parking is available at the ramp on the corner of North Pinckney and East Dayton streets. MCM is also on the bus line — visit Madison Metro for route and fare information.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is your phone number?

608.256.6445

What’s going on in the museum today?

Check out our Special Events and Education Programs pages to stay connected with upcoming events.  Plus, don’t forget about our exciting permanent exhibits!

Can I drop off my child for the day and leave? Do I have to be with my child all the time? How many children may I bring?

We ask that children under the age of 18 be accompanied by an adult at all times.  Any child under 18 found alone will be escorted to the Information Booth to remain there until a parent or caretaker is located.  We take the safety of our visitors seriously, so no child will be allowed to leave until they are accompanied by a guardian. We have an adult-to-child ratio of 1:5. This means that for every five children, at least one adult must supervise them. Parties of six or more children who are supervised by only one adult will not be admitted to the museum.

What age range is appropriate?

Madison Children’s Museum exhibits and events are customized for children from birth to age 12; however, we’re sure the whole family will be entertained!

How long does a visit take?

Every family explores the museum at a different pace, so it can be difficult to give an exact answer.  Typically, families move through the exhibits in about three hours. No matter how long you stay, your time will be filled with plenty of fun activities!

What should we wear if we’re coming to the museum?

Dress ready to play! We recommend you wear comfortable clothing (i.e., closed-toe shoes) so that you can enjoy all activities like the Gerbil “Wheeeel.”

Can we bring outside food into the museum?  Is there food available?

You are welcome to pack and bring your own lunch.  The Roman Candle Sparkler cafe is open the same hours as the museum, with breakfast pastries, snacks, pizza, salads, pasta salad, and more options for the whole family. Most items are priced under $4, and members get a 10 percent discount on purchases.

If I want my child to attend a class or workshop that involves a fee, is that on top of the admission price or is admission free?

If your child attends any program for which there is a fee, the child and his or her adult must also pay regular admission. Members do not pay the admission fee.

Is subsidized admission offered at Madison Children’s Museum?

Yes, subsidized admission of $1 per person is available for families that receive some forms of public assistance including: WIC, food share (Quest card), Wisconsin Medicare, Unemployment Compensation, free/reduced-price hot school lunch, government subsidized housing for low-income families (section 8), services for transitional housing or emergency shelters, care for foster children, Social Security Disability Insurance, Big Brothers/Big Sisters program, Birth to Three program.

To take advantage of this reduced admission price, simply inform the front desk attendant that you qualify.  No documentation or identification is required.

What do I need to bring to prove that I qualify for the Family Access admission or membership?

The reduced Family Access daily admission price of $1 per person is for families that receive any form of public assistance.  To take advantage of this admission price, simply inform the front desk attendant that you qualify.  No identification or documentation is required. To qualify for the reduced Family Access Membership, simply bring any form of documentation to show that you are enrolled in an assistance program.  Examples may include a WIC packet, Quest card, unemployment compensation determination letter or check stub, enrollment letter for reduced/free lunch program, Big Brothers/Big Sisters keychain, etc.

Are reciprocal benefits offered by MCM for members of other museums?

Madison Children’s Museum is a member of the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) and the Association of Children’s Museums (ACM).  If you are a member of another museum that is an ASTC or an ACM member, you may qualify for reciprocal benefits!  To find out, you should ask the museum where you hold membership if they are an ASTC or an ACM member. If they are a member, verify that your membership card displays one (or both) of the ASTC or ACM logos on it.  If you have a membership card that qualifies for reciprocal benefits, simply display your card along with a photo ID to gain admittance to MCM.

How can I become a member?

Supporting the museum through a membership provides great benefits for you and your family.  There are several types of memberships, and this information can be found here. To become a member, you can either sign up at our front desk during our hours of operation, apply online, download the membership registration form and mail it in, or contact Membership at 608.256.6445, ext. 550.

How can I donate?

To pledge your support to Madison Children’s Museum through a donation, please visit the Support page. A privately funded nonprofit institution, Madison Children’s Museum relies on the generosity of others to continue enriching the lives of families and children.  We appreciate your support!

How can I volunteer?

Madison Children’s Museum has many exciting volunteer opportunities.  Volunteering at MCM offers a great way to have some fun, interact with the community, and put a smile on someone’s face! Detailed information on opportunities along with application materials can be found on MCM’s Volunteer page.  To apply, simply fill out an application form, mail it in, and we will contact you once we receive the form.