Area Kid Attractions:

Aldo Leopold Nature Center (608) 221-0404
The Aldo Leopold Nature Center specializes in
connecting children, their families and teachers
to the outdoors. Through hands-on, guided
experiences, children and adults come to
discover and explore the wonders of the natural
world! Visit website for activities & events.

Bean Sprouts Cafe (608) 826-6YUM
NOTES: Open Monday through Saturday, this 'kid
cafe' serves something daily especially for kids.  
In addition to being a quaint, eat-in restaurant,
they offer storytimes, cooking classes and more!
Their regular menu offers smoothies, fun &
healthy finger foods and home-made organic baby
food.  

Eugster's Farm Market (608)873-3822
IF YOU GO: Good place to meet up with a small
playgroup, play and end with a picnic lunch.  It's
not too big - don't have to walk far to see their
animals.  Kids can wander with goats, chickens
and pet or hold kitties. There is a small play set
with a slide & swings, and trikes to ride around
their patio. They have a bathroom, and a small
shop where you can purchase ice cream, a drink,
or farm fresh produce. They offer several
hand-sanitizer stations. Goats are gentle and
friendly, but beware: they will grab things from
your stroller, or your shoe laces (but they're in a
fenced area.)

Henry Vilas Zoo (608)266-4732
IF YOU GO: To protect animals, the zoo does not
provide straws (or lids) when purchasing
beverages.  You may want to bring your own cup
that fits in the stroller cup holders, and transfer a
beverage you might purchase while there (and
sippy cups for the kids, of course.) Also, visiting
the zoo on Fridays before school lets out (into
early June) can be chaotic (long bathroom lines).
Bring a blanket or beach towel for diaper
changing or snack time.

Madison Children's Museum 256-6445
IF YOU GO: BITTERSWEET UPDATE: MCM is
temporarily closed as of January 4th, to prepare
for their new home in August 2010! Check their
website for a virtual tour of their new site, how to
donate, or for a schedule of MCM Roadshow
activities around Madison during their
construction.

Madison Public Library (608)266-6300
NOTES: All branches offer something for
preschool-age children, from storytimes to crafts
and special events.  Be sure to check all
family-related categories in their calendar:
Kids/Families, Preschoolers and Babies/Toddlers

Olbrich Botanical Gardens (608)246-4550
IF YOU GO: It's very warm & humid inside the
Bolz Conservatory (don't wear a sweatshirt.)
Also, everything there is for looking, not touching
- it can be difficult to keep curious fingers in
control, especially when you have multiple
children in-tow, or distracted from trying to chat
with friends during a playgroup. I've been scolded
by volunteers there when my child barely reached
to touch a train during their holiday train display
(understandably, but the volunteer wasn't  friendly
about it at all.) Also, butterflies can found on the
ground and I get very nervous about younger
ones unknowingly stepping on them (during their
summer Butterflies in Bloom.)

Physics Museum  (608) 262-3898
NOTES: The L.R. Ingersoll Museum is a free,
public, hands-on physics museum on the UW
Madison campus at Chamberlin Hall, Room 2130.
Curious, interactive exhibits to inspire future
inventors! Open to public Mon-Fri 8am-4pm, or
call for group tours. Recommended ages 5 & up,
but all ages welcome! (Stroller friendly)

Verona Public Library (608) 845-7180
NOTES: This beautiful, newer library has a large
children's room with a reading castle, nice big
restroom by the children's info desk and offers
many story times, including crafts, movies and
other special events.

West Towne Mall (608) 833-6330
IF YOU GO: A mostly enclosed play area with soft
climbing structures is located in front of
JcPenney.  Food & drinks are not allowed.  You
need to keep a close eye on your kids.  Early
morning is a quiet time to be there, where
lunchtime and weekends can be a zoo (& often
unsupervised bigger kids.)





The above listing represents popular
attractions that are open year-round, and
offer something for young children almost
daily & at no charge or for a small entrance
fee.
Parents Date Night Events
(Event Schedules + Date Ideas)
RESTAURANTS
Featuring weekly kid's special or
entertainment
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Notice: Scroll down completely to view RECURRING events.


Seussical
March 7 (Sunday) - Capitol Theatre
Performance at 3pm (60 minutes). Presented by American Girl Fund for Children Especially for Kids Series;
for ticket info visit www.overturecenter.com or (608) 258-4141

Cinderella - Overture Center
March 13-14 (Sat/Sun) - Overture Hall
Madison Ballet presents the production of this beloved fairy tale. For show times and ticket info visit
www.overturecenter.com  or (608) 258-4141

St Patrick's Day Parade
March 14 (Sunday) - Capitol Square
Madison's 13th annual parade begins at 1:30, starting from the intersection at N. Pinckney & E. Mifflin; traveling
counter-clockwise around the capitol square and exiting at East Washington Ave. For route & parking info, see
website www.stpatsmadison.org

Drumming for Hope
March 14 (Sunday) - Goodman Community Center, 149 Waubesa St
Time: 3pm to 7pm, African Youth Outreach, Inc. hosts the 5th annual Drumming for Hope to support HIV/AIDS
education. Admission this year is FREE, but accepting donations at the door or online through First Giving. Enjoy
live African drum and dance, family activities, and silent auction. For more info on AYO, event details or to see
event photos from last year, visit www.africanyouthoutreach.org

A-Z Farms Lambing (Birthing) Barn
March 14, 21, 28 (Sundays) - A-Z Farms, Oregon
Open 10:00 am to 4:00pm, witness newborn lambs nursing or bouncing around their mothers, possibly witness a
birth.  See other farm animals, such as chicks and bunnies. Admission: $3.50 per person; children 2 & under free.
www.a-zfarm.com

JBF Resale Event
March 19, 20, 21  - MAC Center, Verona
For shoppers and consignment info, see website http://danecounty.jbfsale.com/

Easter Egg Hunts
March 27, 28 & April 3 - Click here for schedules

Maple Syrup Fest
March 28 (Sunday) - Aldo Leopold Nature Center
Tap & taste real maple tree sap, gain knowledge through trivia games, early pioneer cooking demonstrations,
tour the rustic children's shack, enjoy ice cream sundaes topped with real maple syrup! Advance registration is
recommended, see website for ticket prices and more info www.naturenet.com

Madison Movie Mania for all ages!
April 1st (Thursday) - Lussier Community Ed Center
A whole day of movies just for kids and their families! $5 adults/$3 children per movie: 10am Wallace & Gromit;
10:30am Homeward Bound; 12:30pm ET; 12:45pm Shrek (En Espanol); 3pm Wizard of Oz. Come in costume and get
a prize! Lussier Center is located next to Memorial High School at 55 Gammon Rd. For ticket information, visit
www.lcecmadison.org or call (608) 833-4979 x 207

*****SAVE THE DATE*****
Half Pint Spring/Summer Resale Event
April 9th & 10th - Goodman Community Center
Now taking consignors & volunteers. See website for shopping times, consignor information & more
http://sites.google.com/site/halfpintresale/upcomingsale

Badger Sports Kids Fair
April 17th - McClain Athletic Facility
This annual event offers family-friendly activities kicking off the Wisconsin Football Spring Game (Camp Randall
Stadium, free to the public!). Details coming soon. www.uwbadgers.com







Kids in the Rotunda
Every Saturday October thru May, Overture Center for the Arts
Overture Center offers free arts programs designed for children and families at 9:30 AM, 11 AM and 1 PM. The
popular performing arts series for children and families offers a relaxed, kid-friendly environment in which to
enjoy a diverse lineup of local and regional musicians, storytellers, jugglers, theater troupes, magicians and
dancers. The 1 PM performances are sign language interpreted. Kids in the Rotunda takes place on the Rotunda
Stage. Performances begin October 3rd, see website for schedule www.overturecenter.com

Home Depot Kids Workshops
January 2, February 6, March 6...  -  The Home Depot stores
Drop-in 9am to Noon the 1st Saturday every month for a FREE "how-to" clinic for kids (recommended ages 5 to
12). They consider holidays and plan their projects for mothers day, father's day (picnic caddy on July 4), etc. The
workshops are intended to encourage one-on-one time with adults and children, teach tool safety, and give
children the sense of accomplishment.  They'll be proud of their kid-sized "official" orange apron and
achievement pin they take home with their project.  www.homedepot.com

Waisman Center Children's Theatre
Shows take place in the Friends of the Waisman Center Auditorium at 1500 Highland Ave, off of University Ave
near the UW Hospital.  Admission to these short, family-friendly performances are usually just $2 for adults and
$1 for children, thanks to sponsorship from American Girl Fund for Children.  Click here for full schedule,
directions and how to obtain tickets.  Upcoming shows (all on Sundays): October 4: Flying into Fall Fest with
juggling performance by Truly Remarkable Loon, a UW MedFlight helicopter demonstration, crafts and face painting.  Event will be
held outdoors in the Waisman Discovery Garden, or moved indoors for inclement weather. October 11: David Stokes and his
'Creatures of the Night' critter companions. October 18: Trinity Irish Dancers take the stage for an hour of Irish Step
Dancing with traditional costumes and music. November 1: Ken Lonnquist and Friends presents Gingerbread Man, full of
humor, surprises, wonderful music and songs. November 15: Science is Fun with Dr. Shakhashiri offering a kid-tailored
presentation of the wonderful world o chemistry and science.
November 22: The Little Match Girl an all-children cast brings to life the Hans Christian Andersen tale, with original script,
songs, music and costumes.

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RECURRING EVENTS:





Community Egg Hunts
-&-
Related Events
Begin March 27th






Find listings here plus lots of ideas
for children's goody baskets
(Popular with the Easter Bunny this year)
Easter is April 4th