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In the age of laptops, tablets, video games, and instant gratification, it's hard to find ways to entertain children outside of the electronic world. Fortunately, Madison, Wisconsin, has plenty of places for a hands-on experience that doesn't leave your kids parked in front of a screen. From museums to sports and everything in between, Madison has some excellent destinations for an interactive day with your children. more Madison Children's Museum Nothing stirs up excitement with your little ones like a trip to the Madison Children's Museum. Open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., the museum has nine permanent exhibits as well as a rotation of traveling exhibits that give your child plenty of options to indulge their favorite hobbies and interests. The Bakke Art Studio offers children paints, paper, and all the other tools needed to create their own masterpiece. The Log Cabin, another fun choice, provides children a glimpse into the history of Wisconsin with hands-on activities. In the authentic 1838 cabin, kids can churn butter, harvest vegetables, write with quill pens, play checkers, or even try a two-man saw. The activities are truly limitless when it comes to the Madison Children's Museum. Admission is $7.95 for adults and children and $6.95 for seniors. Henry Vilas Zoo With over 750,000 visitors a year, Henry Vilas Zoo is one of the hottest attractions in Madison. The best part about the zoo is that parking and admission are both free. The zoo itself is separated into 10 different sections that provide a subsection of animals from countries and ecosystems across the globe. The 28-acre zoo has exhibits such as the Arctic Passage, the Tropical Rainforest Aviary, the North American Prairie, and more. The children's zoo also gives guests a chance to pet animals or ride the famous carousel for just $2. It's a great place to spend a day out on the town without breaking the bank. Wisconsin State Capitol Heading to the center of government may not seem like a fun trip for kids. However, when you discover the amount of things to do at the Wisconsin State Capitol, you'll find that your children might actually enjoy the journey. If you're into the trip but having trouble selling it to your kids, just tell them about the badger statue. Legend has it that if you rub the nose of the badger statue, you'll have good luck. If you have older kids, a tour of the building is well worth the effort. For groups of less than 10, no reservation is necessary. The building is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends. From the seat of the Wisconsin government to educational experiences with zoology and science, Madison has a little bit of everything to keep your children interested for a few hours, a day, or even a weekend. You may even find a new favorite place they'll want to come back to again and again.     " Gerbil Wheel " via Flickr by jchapiewsky. Used with permission via CC BY-SA 2.0 / cropped from original

If you're like the millions of "pet parents" around the country, you take your dog with you everywhere you go. Running errands? Here comes Fido. Heading to a bar? Bring Spot along. However, letting your dog off the leash simply can't happen at these places in Madison. On top of that, if you don't have a yard to let your dog run amok, it can keep him or her from, well, being a dog. But fear not. Madison has eight off-leash and 26 on-leash dog parks that are perfect for your canine friend and the rest of your family. more Before You Go Before you head to one of Madison's dog parks, be aware that you need certain permits. Every pet parent with a dog 5 months or older must have their animal licensed. A license for spayed or neutered dogs is $15 and $20 for unspayed and unneutered canines. You must also hold an annual or daily dog park permit to use dog parks in Madison. The annual pass is available on December 1 for $35 for adults and $17 for seniors. Daily passes are $5. Brittingham Park Located on the shores of Lake Monona near downtown Madison, Brittingham Park is one of the most scenic parks in the city. Open from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m., it's an excellent place to take your dog for a jog while watching the sunrise, sunset, or the rowing teams that practice at the lake. If you want to take your dog off the leash, the park has a fenced-in area at the corner of John Nolen Drive and Broom Street. Free dog bags are also available from a dispenser. Odana School Park Southwest of downtown Madison is Odana School Park, a 6-acre park that's perfect for a game of fetch or roughhousing with your pet. The off-leash area is near the intersection of Segoe Road and Whitney Way, should you want to let your dog run off some energy. If you bring the family, your kids can also play a game of hoops on the full basketball court or practice their shooting skills at the soccer field. Sycamore Park Sycamore Park is a prime example of urban renewal and one of the best-rated dog parks in the city. Once a landfill, the 70-acre park was rehabbed to include trails, volleyball courts, soccer fields, and playgrounds. You're free to take your dog around on a leash through the park's longer loop or squeeze in a walk on the shorter trail. Many locals say that this is the top park in the city to meet other pet parents, making it a quintessential stop if you're new to the area. The east side of the park also has a massive off-leash area for your mutt to meet some friends as well, and there are shelters if the weather should turn without notice. With 34 dog-friendly parks across the city, it's no surprise that Madison is one of the top 10 cities in the country for accessible, clean dog parks. Not only can you let your dog get some exercise, but your family can bond and enjoy the outdoors together.   ' Roxy At the Dog Park ' via Flickr by MSVG. Used with permission via CC BY 2.0 / cropped from original