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. |
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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. Do You Have An Event To Post Here? Please click here to see if your event meets our criteria. |
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| RECURRING EVENTS: |
OPEN PLAY LISTINGS Click here for venues/schedules |
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 |