Things To Do With Kids

Uniquely Madison and 100 percent family-friendly, these attractions are at the top of every kid's list.

Wisconsin State Capitol: Find the sixth-floor observation deck for the best views of the city, or rub the Badger statue’s nose for good luck.
Henry Vilas Zoo: The Arctic Passage exhibit has amazing views the polar bears, plus the zoo is one of only a few admission-free zoos in the country.
Madison Children’s Museum: Visit the Wildernest exhibit, an indoor play area for ages five and under.
Dane County Farmers' Market: The nation’s largest producer-only market in the U.S. wraps around the Capitol Square, and has everything from cucumbers to cookies.


OUTDOOR OPTIONS

If the kids (or you) need to let out some steam, find yourself outdoors in Madison. We're passionate about living life outside and the city is devoted to open space: there are 200 parks, 13 beaches and five lakes in the area.

Parks: Whether summer picnicking or winter skiing—Madison parks are well-maintained and always welcoming.
Beaches: Put BB Clarke park on your to-do list: it has a sandy beach, raft with a diving board and lifeguards.
Lakes: Rent a kayak, paddleboard or canoe and explore on Mendota or Monona.
UW-Madison Arboretum: More than 20 miles of trails in the middle of Madison—perfect for biking, hiking or snowshoeing.
Olbrich Botanical Gardens: Kids love the tropical environment of the Bolz Conservatory.
Madison Boats: Explore the Madison lakes by canoe, kayak, rowboat, paddleboards and more. 
Vitense Golfland: All-day adventure, with three mini-golf courses, climbing wall, batting cages and more.
Madison Fishing Charters: Join Captain Joe Okada on Madison's beautiful lakes while testing your fishing ability. All skill levels welcome! 
Madison Mallards: Madison's Summer Collegiate Minor League baseball team. Bring the whole family for an evening full of entertainment and excitement at an affordable price. 


INDOOR ACTIVITIES

From painting to bowling, there are numerous ways to have a ball indoors in Madison! 

Bowl-A-Vard Lanes: Forty lanes of fun, plus lighter balls and bumper guards for the little ones.
Laser Tag by Ultrazone: Explore this multi-level, action-packed experience that is fun for all ages.
Sky Zone Madison: Healthy, high-flying fun featuring freestyle bouncing, dodgeball, fitness programs and more.
UW-Madison Union South: Check out the Sett as a family-friendly option for bowling, billiards, foosball and bouldering.
Escape This: Find clues, crack codes and solve puzzles to complete one of four challenging games.


CULTURE CLUB

Infuse the local culture into your family vacation, with our arts offerings. Madison understands cultural connections start young.

Overture Center for the Arts: Kids love Kids in the Rotunda, a free theater program hosted on Saturdays, October through April.
Wisconsin Historical Society: Each of the four floors share a different section of Wisconsin history. NOTE: The Wisconsin History Museum is closed for renovations. The brand-new museum is expected to re-open in 2026.
Children’s Theater of Madison: Dramatic and comedic performances are sure to inspire your future Broadway star.
Madison Museum of Contemporary Art: Pick up a free MMoCAkids ArtPack, a hands-on discovery kit with activities for exploring art with the family.


ON THE OUTSKIRTS

Make your way just outside of Madison for road-trippin' fun! Within an hour radius of Madison are some truly unique attractions worthy of the drive.

Cave of the Mounds: An underground oasis with shimmering stalagmites and stalactites.
Enchanted Valley Acres: More than 9 acres of corn mazes, along with hayrides, giant games and a human hamster wheel.
Mid-Continent Railway Museum: Explore a living history museum dedicated to this storied mode of transportation, then hop on board yourself.
Norwegian Heritage Center: Children can pack their bags and take a journey across the Atlantic to America from Norway at this museum and history center.
Sassy Cow Creamery: Head east to Sun Prairie and experience this third-generation family dairy farm and don't forget to grab some ice cream.
Schuster's Farm: In summer, enjoy acres of zinnias and sunflowers! In fall, get lost in 8 acres of corn maze, ride the wagon to 14+ acres of pumpkins and explore the dozens of attractions in the barnyard.

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