Things to do in Madison, WI with kids?

Print anything with Printful



Madison, Wisconsin has many activities for children, including a children’s museum, zoo, bike paths, and parks. The University of Wisconsin Museum of Geology and Babcock Hall Dairy Plant are also great attractions. The Henry Vilas Zoo and Children’s Museum of Madison are must-sees. Public libraries offer summer programs for children and parents.

Madison, Wisconsin offers many exciting activities for children. There is a children’s museum, a zoo, and many other great places to consider when in Madison with kids. For example, the many lakes and parks, as well as the University of Wisconsin, offer great things to do for both adults and children.
The University of Wisconsin Museum of Geology has thousands of rocks, minerals and fossils native to the area. A limestone model and a collection of fluorescent or glowing minerals are on display here. The University Museum of Geology is a great attraction to see in Madison with dinosaur-loving kids as it features the famous Boaz mastodon skeleton found in 1897 by the Dosch brothers.

Babcock Hall Dairy Plant and Store is also located at the University of Wisconsin and operated by the Department of Food Science. The plant produces dairy products such as butter, ice cream, milk and cheese. Self-guided tours of the dairy can usually be arranged if you contact the establishment first. There is an observation deck at the establishment, and the Babcock Hall Dairy Store sells ice cream, cheese and other dairy products that Madison is famous for.

Madison is also known for being a bike-friendly city and some workers here commute on a regular basis by bike and some families also take regular bike trips. When looking for things to do outdoors in Madison with the kids, consider Lake Monona Park’s bike path. The Lake Monona cycle path offers splendid lake views.

Another outdoor spot to explore in Madison with kids is Vilas Park. Vilas Park is at Lake Wingra and has areas for swimming and picnics. The Henry Vilas Zoo is also located in Vilas Park. The zoo dates back to 1911 and features primates, big cats, rainforest wildlife, bears and many other animals. The children’s zoo has a carousel that is usually open in the summer, as well as a tree house and adventure play equipment.

The Children’s Museum of Madison is a must-see when you’re in Madison with kids. It has hands-on exhibits for six-month-olds and about 10-year-olds. The theme is learning through play, and popular activities here include the Shadow Room where a glow-in-the-dark wall lets kids freeze their shadows as they learn about shadow and light.

Madison’s public libraries often offer one-day programs for children and parents in the summer months. If you’re in Madison with kids in the summer, you can check the libraries for dates and times. Past events have included craft projects for children ages seven and older, stories and activities for babies and toddlers, and a movie and stuffed animal parade for children ages three to nine. All library activities are generally for children accompanied by an adult.




Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN


Skip to content