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.
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
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