Madison Area Parent's Guide Events

Madison Area Kid-Friendly and

Family-Friendly Events

As parents, we are always looking for fun things to do with our kids. That is the reason why we put together this list of family friendly events, and activities that will not break your budget! Check back often as we are always updating this list.

Do you know of a kid-friendly event that you would like us to list? If so, please let us know! Also, please check with the event sponsor for costs/entrance fees and times.

Fall Farm and Halloween Fun
Check out the Moms in Madison website to the link below for tons of ideas for both Halloween parties and farms to visit during the harvest season.
www.momsinmadison.com

Farmer's Markets
Each Saturday morning the Capitol Square plays host to our national known Dane County Farmer's Market. But, there are numerous farmer's markets going on throughout the south central Wisconsin area. Check out the website below to find a market near you.
www.reapfoodgroup.org/atlas/farmers_markets.htm

Bean Appetite Cooking Classes
Bean Sprouts, Middleton, WI
New cooking classes for kids are continuously started at Bean Sprouts. Check out their website for more info.
www.beansproutscafe.com

Read to a Dog
Monona Library, Monona, WI
Monday September 22, 5:50 p.m. - 7:10 p.m.
Monday October 20, 5:50 p.m. - 7:10 p.m.
Monday November 17, 5:50 p.m. - 7:10 p.m.
Monday December 1, 5:50 p.m. - 7:10 p.m.
Children read one-on-one to a registered R.E.A.D. (Reading Education Assistance Dog) and Delta Society Pet Partner dog and trainer team. Delta Pet Partners are screened, tested, and qualified in temperament and skills to do animal assisted activities and therapy. Registration Required.
www.mononalibrary.org

Friday Family Fun Nights
Kittelson Swim Fitchburg Aquatic Facility
5200 Anton Drive, Fitchburg, WI
October 10, November 14, January 9, February 13, March 13
6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Join us for WATER GAMES, SNACKS, FUN!
$20 per family
www.kittswim.com

University Houses Preschool's Children's Book Club
Read stories, make a craft and eat a snack. Parents learn interactive reading skills. Everyone is welcome. Registration requested. Call or email to register. 35A University Houses, 6:30pm, 238-3955, kmbeck@wisc.edu
Thursday, November 13, January 8, February 12, and March 12.

Holiday Fantasy in Lights
Olin Park, Madison, WI
November 14, 2008 - January 1, 2009
Take a holiday drive through the beautiful lights display with downtown Madison as the backdrop.
www.fantasyinlights.com

Churned Cream Event
Sassy Cow Creamery, Columbus, WI
November 22, 2008, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Learn more about out freshly made farmstead Churned Cream- a new product to our line of Sassy Cow Creamery products!
Come see Churned cream being made and learn more about the process, sample some of our freshly made churned cream, check out our new local holiday gift baskets and try some great recipes made with our Churned Cream. Kids can make their own butter!
www.sassycowcreamery.com

Holiday Tree Lighting
Rotunda, Capitol Building
December 5, 2008, Noon
Come out and see our beautiful Wisconsin tree!
www.wisconsin.gov/state/capfacts/tour_select.html

Stoughton Victoria Holiday
Stoughton, WI
December 5 - 7, 2008
Get your family into the "holiday spirit" with events going on all weekend. Too many events to list! Please check out the website below for more information on the event.
www.victorianholidayweekend.com

Annual Holiday Tea & Trains
The Madison Club
December 6, 2008, 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
This family friendly event has become a holiday tradition for many Madison families. Conductor Joe Schappel will be back with his private American Flyer electric train collection. Gingerbread Baby by Jan Brett will be our featured holiday story. There will be crafts, family photos, old fashioned silhouettes, silent auction, and of course full service tea and our special hot chocolate table. Everyone is sure to have a great time. Tickets are required. Fundraising event for Madison Children's Museum.
www.madisonchildrensmuseum.org/invest/fundraising-events

Cambridge Country Christmas
Cambridge, WI
December 6-7, 2008
Events start on Friday evening in downtown Veteran's Park with the annual Tree Lighting, carolers, and arrival of Santa and Mrs.Claus Photos with Santa after tree lighting at Badger Bank
www.cambridgewi.com/schedule%20events.htm#October

Olbrich Garden's Holiday Express
Olbrich Gardens, Madison, WI
December 6 - 31, 2008
Members of the Wisconsin Garden Railway Society come from all over the state to show off their large-scale model trains during Olbrich's Holiday Express. You'll see different trains, depending on the day. This year, trains wind through an enchanted land of fanciful gingerbread houses created by Madison area bakers. Admire gingerbread buildings complete with candy cane porch pillars, shaved almond roofs, and walkways made of cookies.
www.olbrich.org/events/holidayexpress.cfm

Free Family Sunday and the Madison Children's Museum
Madison, WI
December 7, 2008
The Madison Children's Museum is free the first Sunday of every month!
www.madisonchildrensmuseum.org

A Christmas Carol
Capitol Theater, Overture Center for the Arts
Madison, WI
December 12 - 21, 2008
Produced by Children's Theater of Madison, this yearly holiday tradition is soon to become a tradition with your family.
www.madstage.com/Shows/achristmasca080605.html

U.S. Bank Eve
Numerous Sites Around Madison
December 31, 2008
Something for everyone! Activities at sites around town such as, U.S. Bank Plaza, Monona Terrace, Olbrich Botanical Gardens, UW Space Place, Madison Children's Museum, Henry Vilas Zoo and Wisconsin Historical Museum. Too much fun to pass up!
www.usbank.com/cgi_w/cfm/about/community_relations/madison.cfm

Children's Activities and Pre-School Fair
Radisson Hotel
517 Grand Canyon Drive, Madison
January 22, 2009, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. and 4:30 - 7:30 p.m.
If you are looking for activities or preschools for your child, then this free event is not to miss! Check out booths and talk with representatives from child based businesses and organizations in the area. Event is sponsored by MOMS Club of Madison-Southwest.
monicajefcoat@hotmail.com

Madison's Semi-Annual Half-Pint Resale
Location T.B.A.
March, 2009
The Madison-area semi-annual Half-Pint Resale was designed to help parents sell and purchase quality and unique items that they want and need, all at resale prices . We want to help you recycle your items, make some real money in the process, and provide you with an opportunity to purchase used quality items that you need all in one venue at ONE GIANT SALE, twice a year. The sales will also feature local artists selling handmade baby/children items, perfect for finding one-of-a-kind items for the children in your life.
http://halfpintresale.googlepages.com

On-going kid and family friendly events

Storytimes

Bean Sprouts
Book and Cook
Interactive storytime with book-themed snacks! Free!
Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10:30-11:00
www.beansproutscafe.com

Madison Children's Museum
Days and time vary by age. Please contact the museum for more information.
www.madisonchildrensmuseum.org

Madison Public Library
Days and times vary by location, please contact your local branch for more information
www.madisonpubliclibrary.org

Middleton Public Library
Days and times vary depending on child's age, please contact the library for more information
www.midlibrary.org

Monona Library
Days and times vary, please e-mail for more information or to be on the library's e-mail list
A Grandparents Storytime is also scheduled!
kmwendt@scls.lib.wi.us

Mt. Horeb Library
Days and times vary depending on child's age. Please contact the library for more information.
www.mhpl.org

Other On-Going Activities

Kids in the Rotunda
Overture Center
Every Saturday throughout the school year
9:30, 11:00 and 1:00
www.overturecenter.com/rotunda.htm

Snack and Study Session
Bean Sprouts Restaurant
Every Monday during the school year, 2-5 p.m.
With shorter school days on Mondays for some school districts, Bean Sprouts is holding its own study sessions called Study & Snacks! Kids can finish their homework while munching on items from Bean Sprout's new Snack menu.
www.beansproutscafe.com

Toddler Time
Madison Children's Museum
Mondays 9:30
www.madisonchildrensmuseum.org

Toddler Time
Parent/Child Playgroup
Tenney Nursery and Parent Center
Friday mornings 9:00-11:30
$5.00 per visit
A teacher-directed class for parents(or adult) and children(ren) to explore age appropriate materials, create art projects, sing songs and exercise in our gym or on the playground. Families are welcome to bring individual snacks to enjoy at the snack tables in gym. Call and reserve a spot in advance or drop-in Friday morning. Families can also enroll for a discounted price each semester and have a reserved spot each Friday.
tnpckids.com

Tots in Motion
Madison Children's Museum
Tuesdays 9:30
www.madisonchildrensmuseum.org

Budget-Friendly Family Activities

Area Libraries
Check out your local library for a ton of classes and programs for kids at little or no cost.

Henry Vilas Zoo
Madison's own free zoo! There are too many fun activities at the Zoo to list! Check out their website for more information.
www.vilaszoo.org

Madison Children's Museum
This great museum is free the first Sunday of each month! On other days it's affordable, and you can buy a pass that is good for the whole year! The museum has a number of classes and programs throughout the year for kids of different ages.
www.madisonchildrensmuseum.org

Olbrich Botanical Gardens
Kids will love the beautiful gardens. The outdoor gardens are free, while the year-round indoor tropical conservatory if free on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m.-noon and just $1 per person other times! They also have many classes for kids.
www.olbrich.org

UW Arboretum
The Arboretum is chance for all people in the Madison area to spend some time appreciating nature while not leaving the city. Numerous classes and events go on throughout the year.
uwarboretum.org

Wisconsin Historical Museum

The museum offers parents the opportunity to teach their kids about history at a fair price! Please check out their website for suggested donations and recommended ages.
www.wisconsinhistory.org/museum

Wisconsin State Capitol
We are so lucky to have this great building in our city. And, it's free! Older kids will love taking a tour (free also) and learning more about our state history.
www.wisconsin.gov/state/capfacts/tour_select.html

Wisconsin Veterans Museum
The museum is a great way to teach kids about the many sacrifices our veterans have made.
www.museum.dva.state.wi.us

Parenting Groups

The organizations below host support groups for both new and experienced parents. Please contact the organization for more information. We are so lucky to have so many great resources in Madison!

Happy Bambino
Variety of Groups. Something for every parent!
www.happybambino.com/page.asp?pgid=150555

Madison Birth Center
Mother's Support Group
Thursdays 11:00-12:30 am
www.madisonbirthcenter.com/classes

Meriter Hospital
Mother Baby Hour
Times and days vary by age of baby
www.meriter.com/living/education/mbh.htm?RegID=-1