Madison Children's Museum, Madison

Madison Children’s Museum offers a dynamic environment where creativity, curiosity, and interactive learning thrive. Since relocating to its iconic building in 2010, it has received national honors, including the esteemed National Medal for Museum Service. Spanning several floors, the museum features engaging exhibits that encourage children to explore art, science, history, and imaginative play. Its core mission centers on learning through play, providing inclusive, eco-conscious experiences for families with children from infancy to age 12.

From the moment you enter the Community Concourse, you’re invited to explore Milwaukee’s past and embrace interactive art installations. Inside, exhibits such as Possible-opolis, a kid-sized city built for imaginative role play, and the Art Studio, where rotating installations like rocket ships and recycled sculptures encourage inventive expression, offer daily surprises and inspiration.

A must-visit is the Wildernest and Wonderground, the museum’s rooftop garden and four-season outdoor playground created through sustainable and upcycled materials. These spaces integrate natural play and sensory-rich environments that change with the weather, including climbing structures, inventive slides, and open-air exploration zones. In addition, the Brand Log Cabin-an authentic 1840s pioneer home-transforms local regional history into interactive play with activities like butter churning, writing with quill pens, and heritage games.