Madison Children's Museum

06/18/2026

Edward the Fourth opens this Friday, June 19, in the Wonderground! In this video, MCM Co-CEO Kia Karlen chats with Madison Shakespeare Company producer Jason Compton about collaborations over the last decade.

06/16/2026

Welcome to the Summer of Little Adventures!

Everyone knows what a big adventure looks like: climbing Mount Everest. Zip-lining through the jungle. Following a flying boy you barely know to an island full of pirates and crocodiles.

Big adventures are cool, but this summer, we’re celebrating the little adventures. Trying something new. Looking at familiar things in a different way. Finding the magic in the everyday.

A little adventure might be going down a slide for the very first time or finally climbing all the way to the top. It might be meeting a new friend, learning a new word, or making a masterpiece nobody’s ever made before. With the right attitude, almost anything can be a little adventure!

Learn more: https://madisonchildrensmuseum.org/visit/littleadventures/

06/15/2026

We're squeezing as much juice out of summer as we can by adding a whole extra day to the week. From June 16 through the end of August, we'll be open Tuesdays from 9 am – 4 pm, in addition to our regular Wednesday – Sunday hours. Summer at MCM is so packed with little adventures and drop-in activities and cool programming and interesting classes and music and dance and friends and family fun that we just couldn't fit it all into our regular schedule!

06/12/2026

We are so honored to be nominated in an incredible FOUR different categories for Madison Magazine's annual Best of Madison poll, and it's all thanks to everyone who voted in the first round back in February. We're so grateful for your support!

Help other families in Madison discover the joy of creative play by voting for MCM in the "Best Museum" and "Best Place for Family Fun" categories. You can also help hopeful singles elevate their dating strategy by voting for MCM in the "Best Place for a First Date" category. And finally, you can help potential party people find the most charming venue in town by voting for us in the "Best Event Venue" category.

https://madisonmagazine.secondstreetapp.com/Best-of-Madison-2026/

06/11/2026

06/09/2026

Announcing the cast of Edward the Fourth, performing June 19-28 at the Madison Children's Museum Wonderground:

King Edward IV: Jonathan Rowe
Queen Elizabeth: Anais Morgan
Duchess / Mrs. Blague: Sophie Weinsheim
Jane Shore: Danielle Bormann Davidson
Matthew Shore: Christian Neuhaus
Brackenbury: Donavon Armbruster
Headsman: Matt Reines
Mayor John Crosby: Ian Hughes
Falconbridge / Richard III: Travis Bedard
Catesby: Katie Aldred
Sellinger: Sun Yu
Howard: Michael Kantor
Chub / Tyrrel: Brian R. Johnson
Spicing / Dighton: Jason Compton
Smoke / Marquis Dorset: Ro Ivaniszek
Josselin: Nathan Greiner
Jocky: Laura Kochanowski
Captain Stranguidge: Mitch Taylor

Showtimes and tickets at madisonchildrensmuseum.org/programs-and-events/adults/drama-in-the-wonderground

06/09/2026

Michael Johnson was in a class all of his own. Our hearts go out to Toya and the kids, and everyone whose lives Michael touched in his too-short 50 years. He did more to lift up children and families in our community than one could ever dream of —all with a smile and a chuckle, and a deep sense of purpose and commitment, especially toward those in need. We are in awe of Michael's brilliance, kindness, and dedication to children; feel grateful for his long-time partnership; and deeply mourn his passing. Let's all celebrate Michael's legacy by increasing our investment in our community's youngest and most vulnerable—especially our community's Brown and Black children and youth. Thank you, Michael, for your leadership and light. Rest in peace.
—Brenda Baker & Kia Karlen, Co-CEOs of MCM, on behalf of the whole MCM community

05/05/2026

Dane County is lucky enough to have not one, not two, but THREE incredible children's museums. This month's donation creation pizza and cocktail are in support of these great organizations. Thank you for all you do!