The Parents Magazine rankings of the top Children's Museums in the country are out. The Madison Children's Museum made the list again.
Madison's was ranked number five on the top ten list. Parents surveyed children's museums for things like healthy lunch spots, nursing areas, family restrooms as well as clever educational exhibits. Local mom's participated in the survey helping to judge hundreds of museums around the country. The Madison museum scored points for being green and for its nature inspired exhibits.
Of the spot on the list, Ruth Shelly, executive director of Madison Children’s Museum said, “It’s such an honor to earn national recognition for our efforts to be sustainable and emphasize the importance of using local products and people in creating the new museum. We hope those who haven’t visited us yet will come see what a truly amazing facility we’ve built with our community.”
The museum moved into its current location in 2010 and it features several exhibit areas for kids to learn and explore. Wildernest is designed for kids five and under. Kids can do things like cross a bone bridge, hide out in the tree house and play at a water dome that lets them pour and dump water. The Wildernest is built almost entirely out of natural materials. This is a great spot for the littlest of museum goers as it features a padded play area.
Possible-opolis is designed for kids over the age of five. It celebrates invention and creativity with unique exhibits and climbing areas for kids. The Hodgepodge Mahal is a two-story climbing area made from salvaged and re-purposed materials. In fact, Possible-opolis uses more than 90-percent recycled, reclaimed, salvaged and re-purposed materials.
For a different view, take your kids up to the Rooftop Ramble. That's where children can plant in the garden, collect eggs from a chicken coop and learn about alternative energy.
And outside is the Brand Log Cabin. It's an authentically restored late 1830's cabin. It's furnished with historically authentic artifacts. Kids will learn to do chores like the pioneers, doing things like laundry, hauling water, and trying a two-man cross-cut saw. The cabin is usually only open for certain programs. But this month, it's open every Sunday from 10 until noon.
When you're ready for a lunch break, moms say The Bean Sprouts café is packed with healthy foods.
MCM has been named to Parents magazines’ best children’s museums lists two other times in the last 10 years.
Admission is $6.95 for adults, $5.95 for kids and $1 for seniors and grandparents and those needing financial assistance (see the Museum website for details.) Admission is free for on the first Thursday of every month after 5 p.m.
All photos in this story are courtesy of the Madison Children's Museum.
The Madison Children's Museum is located on the Capitol Square, at 100 N. Hamilton Street. The museum is on the corner of North Hamilton Street, North Pinckney Street, and East Dayton Street. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day; Thursdays until 8 p.m.
$20 off the royal peek
