Days might be the shortest in the winter, but they can feel like the longest for parents or caregivers trying to keep kids active and engaged while cooped up inside the house. Fortunately, the Madison, WI, area has a wide range of family-friendly adventures for kids and parents alike to keep their spirits up when the temperatures drop.
Looking for plenty of things to do with the kids this winter? Read on, or jump to a map view of these suggested activities!
Madison Children's Museum
Madison Children’s Museum is the ultimate place to learn through play.
There are three floors to explore, including an art studio and a special space for kids five and under. Kids are wowed by the year-round outdoor Wonderground: a 10,000 square foot thoughtful space for kids to climb, jump and move their bodies. If your child has sensory needs, be sure to stop by the front desk for information on cool-down spaces and the variety of sensory tools available to borrow.
Boulders Climbing Gym
What do you do when kids are climbing the walls?
Let them climb the walls under the guidance of expert instruction at Boulders Climbing Gym. Perfect for beginners who are learning the ropes (wink, wink) and teens who are looking for a challenge. Walk-in passes and small class instruction are available at their gym in downtown Madison.
Vitense: Indoor Mini Golf Experience
No need to pack the golf clubs away for winter. Top-rated Vitense Golfland offers an 18-hole Madison-themed indoor course that is open year-round.
Packages are available for children under four all the way up to seniors. Add on remote control boats, FootGolf and arcade games for a full day of fun.
Cave of the Mounds
Would you believe us if we told you you can enjoy balmy 50-degree weather and natural beauty during a Wisconsin winter? It's possible at Cave of the Mounds.
Discover a marvel more than a million years in the making that's so impressive it's been named a Natural National Landmark by the National Parks Service. Tours are offered daily and the caves offer special events year-round like blacklight tours, lantern tours, live music and more.
Ice Skating
We love frozen fun in Madison.
For a whimsical, urban ice skate check out the outdoor rink at The Edgewater in downtown Madison where you can skate with a lakeside view, roast marshmallows and sip cocoa.
The frozen lagoon at Tenney Park is known as one of Madison's most scenic parks all year long. The park's warming shelter offers skate rentals and allows for breaks from the cold in between loops around the lagoon. The city offers 20 different free ice rinks across the parks.
The Lake Ridge Bank River Rink is an outdoor ice skating rink in Monona. Enjoy open, public skating on the rink and when you're in need of a break from the ice, enjoy hot cocoa by the fire pits, delicious pizza or Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream. Public skating is open until March.
Aldo Leopold Nature Center
Fill your lungs with fresh air on a hike along the free outdoor trails at Aldo Leopold Nature Center. Open year-round from dawn until dusk, this Monona preserve invites families to engage with natural wonder through self-guided walking tours as well as a Digital Docent program, where guests can learn more about the land by scanning QR codes located around the grounds.
Enjoy winter events like candlelight hikes, bird watching and more.
Henry Vilas Zoo
Seeing the polar bears at Henry Vilas Zoo run, dive and play is cute enough to make anyone squeal.
Polar bears and the other 650 animals that call the zoo home can be seen at the zoo for free 365 days a year. Many animals live indoors or have indoor watching areas which make it a great winter activity for the whole family
Kids in the Rotunda at Overture Center for the Arts
Every Saturday, Overture Center for the Arts hosts Kids in the Rotunda: a free, family-friendly live performance series geared towards families of all ages!
From Madison based jazz or folk bands and kid-friendly hip hop performances to magicians and family-friendly comedy sets, each weekly performance offers something different and exciting. No need to register or purchase a ticket beforehand, just stop in when it works best for you and the kiddos!
Family-Friendly Winter Sporting Events
For wrestling, basketball and hockey fans, Madison's winter sports schedule is fun for the whole family!
Support the High School Wrestling, Hockey and Basketball State Tournaments or cheer on the UW-Badgers' Men's Basketball, Women’s Basketball, Men’s Hockey, Women’s Hockey and Men’s Wrestling. To experience the excitement of cheering on Madison's home teams, root for the Madison Capitols Hockey team at Bob Suter's Legacy20 Ice Arena or catch a LOVB Madison Volleyball match at Alliant Energy Center.
Escape This
Put your family’s puzzle-solving skills to the test at Escape This in downtown Madison. Search for clues in a Sherlock-themed puzzle room or try your best to break free from the topsy-turvy Alice in Wonderland room before the clock runs out.
Older kids and teens will enjoy testing their brain power against each rooms’ challenges, and if your group gets stuck, no worries—just shout out for a hint from your gamemaster!
Spare Time Entertainment
Looking for one place that can please your entire squad? Spare Time Entertainment offers bowling, an arcade, escape rooms, laser tag and a full restaurant to keep you fueled during your adventure. Visit on Tuesdays or Wednesdays for Half-Off Days and receive 50% off bowling, laser tag and arcade games.
