With the back-to-school season quickly approaching, we wanted to share a few ideas and resources for the upcoming school year, including back-to-school events and after-school activities.
And, if you find yourself looking for something to do this fall, don't forget each week we share ideas for cheap family fun and seasonal guides to help you have fun around Madison!
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
Thank you to our sponsors Casa de Corazón-Madison, Madison Community Montessori School, MSCR, Infinity Marital Arts - Sun Prairie, and Goldfish Swim School - Fitchburg. Businesses like theirs help us continue to provide these resources at no cost to local families!
Casa de Corazón-Madison
Casa de Corazón-Madison offers a unique 4K experience where children prepare for kindergarten while learning in Spanish every day.
And no, children don’t need to already speak Spanish to get started! Through play, conversations, classroom routines, hands-on activities, and plenty of curiosity, children naturally begin building their Spanish skills.
At the same time, they’re developing the skills that matter for kindergarten: early literacy and math, independence, communication, problem-solving, confidence, and social-emotional development.
The goal is simple: help children head into kindergarten feeling prepared, capable, and excited to learn, with the added benefit of Spanish along the way.
Exploring 4K options in Madison? Discover what makes Casa de Corazón different.
Madison Community Montessori School
Madison Community Montessori School was founded as a non-profit school and has served families from the greater Madison area since 1972. Throughout the years our goal has been to provide the very best in authentic Montessori education.
Explore our Toddler community, which serves our youngest learners until they reach about 2 1/2 years of age and move into one of our three Children’s House classrooms for ages 2 1/2–6. Both programs provide children with a rich environment tailored to their developmental stage and opportunities to learn practical life skills, foundations of math, language, and culture, and sensory experiences at every turn.
Our Lower Elementary (grades 1–3), Upper Elementary (grades 3–6) and Adolescent (grades 7–8) students receive an AMI Montessori education that allows them to dig deeply into their interests and do purposeful work with hands-on materials and real-world experiences.
Find info about other preschools in our Preschool Guide.
Madison Area School Calendars
Looking for your school's calendar? We've gathered links to several Madison-area school districts below. School calendars can change, so always check your district's website for the most up-to-date information.
- Madison Metropolitan School District
- DeForest Area School District
- McFarland School District
- Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District
- Mount Horeb Area School District
- Monona Grove School District
- Oregon School District
- Stoughton Area School District
- Sun Prairie Area School District
- Verona Area School District
- Waunakee Community School District
Find info about other preschools in our Preschool Guide
Getting ready for a new school year? Here are some local events to help families get back into the swing of things.
Know of an event we missed? Please let us know so we can get it added!
Thursday, August 13 • 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Catch up with friends on the ice at Madison Ice Arena! The arena is proudly serving as an official collection site for the Goodman Community Center school supply drive. If you are able, please consider bringing a donation.
Friday, August 14 • 6:30 p.m.
Join Madison Reading Project at Karben4 for a fun back-to-school bingo night.
Back to School Economic Resource Fair
Saturday, August 15 • 12:30–3:30 p.m.
My Renewal of Hope Foundation will distribute 200 backpacks filled with school supplies and 200 adult care kits while supplies last. Families can enjoy an afternoon of fun and connection, meet local firefighters, explore the fire truck, and enjoy treats from Kona Ice and the Papa Dog Food Truck.
Virginia and Perry Henderson Back to School Celebration
Saturday, August 15 • 8–11 a.m.
Students can receive a free backpack, one per student, while supplies last.
New Culture Church Backpack Drive
Receive a free backpack filled with supplies or donate to the cause if you are able. Collection and registration deadlines are August 20, 2026.
Back to School Community Festival
Saturday, August 22 • 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
The 2nd annual Festival for youth and the first as HmoobForward, featuring sports activities, performances, school supplies and giveaways.
Elvehjem Neighborhood Community Resource Fair
Saturday, August 22 • 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Connect with dozens of local nonprofits, city departments and service organizations covering health, housing, food access, education, youth programs and more. Meet firefighters, tour a police car and check out business demos. Free and open to all.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County
Drop supplies, shop and deliver, or volunteer. Need supplies for your child? Attend their open house on Tuesday, August 25 from 4–6 p.m.
The Fade Room Barbershop Back to School Event
Sunday, August 30 • 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
Free haircuts for students in kindergarten through 8th grade, plus backpacks, notebooks, crayons, pencils and more school supplies. Food and drinks will be provided while supplies last.
East Students' Community Dinner and Back-to-School Night Open House
Wednesday, September 9 • 5–7 p.m.
Hot dogs and drinks will be provided by the school, and staff will bring dishes to pass. Families will join their students as they go through their daily schedule, spending seven minutes in each classroom for meet-and-greets and to learn more about their classes.
Looking for school meal information?
Many school districts offer free or reduced-price meals and other food assistance programs. Since programs and eligibility vary by district, check your child's school website for the most up-to-date information.
Madison Metropolitan School District
→ Free & Reduced-Price Meals
→ MMSD Food Pantries/Food Markets
→ Summer Food Program
→ Healthy Classroom Snack List
Looking for something for the kids to do after school? We've rounded up local programs and activities to help you find something that fits your family's schedule and interests.
Have a favorite program we should add? We will be updating the guide and would love your recommendations.
MSCR
MSCR offers vibrant recreation programs for all ages—including arts, dance, fitness, sports, swimming and after-school activities. Designed to foster creativity, healthy habits and skill development in a safe, welcoming environment, our offerings inspire community wellness.
Visit mscr.org for details and registration. Follow MSCR on Instagram and Facebook at @mscrmadison.
GOLDFISH SWIM SCHOOL - FITCHBURG
Summer's over but water safety isn't. Looking to enroll perpetually? Use code MACKID at checkout to get your first two classes free!
INFINITY MARTIAL ARTS - SUN PRAIRIE
At Infinity Marital Arts in Sun Prairie, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to grow in a positive, encouraging environment. Marital arts isn't just about kicks and punches — it's about helping children build life skills that carry into everyday life.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dane County
'School Friends' volunteer mentors meet with a student once a week during lunch or after school to play games, catch up on homework, or just hang out! School Friends is a great option for individuals who aspire to be mentors but have limited time to commit to Big Brothers Big Sisters' Community-Based program.
Click here to volunteer or sign your child up for the program →
Middleton Youth Center
A welcoming after-school space for middle schoolers to connect with friends, build confidence, receive academic support, and explore new interests through engaging programs and activities. This is free to attend. Read more here →
Bridge Lake Point Waunona Neighborhood Center
Offers both elementary and teen after-school programs at no cost to families. Elementary after-school programming includes tutoring, healthy snacks and meals, fitness activities and clubs. The teen program focuses on life skills, community leadership, civic engagement and college/career readiness.
- Creative Soul Club
- East Madison Community Center
- Elver Park Neighborhood Center
- Futura Language Professionals
- Kids Junction
- Mathnasium
- Sprouts Nature School
- University Avenue Discovery Center
- Wisconsin Youth Company - before and after school, 4K wrap, Middle School U, Wander Wisconsin, and non-school days and break programs.
- YMCA - before and after school care in East, West, and Sun Prairie
- Prairie Athletic Club
- The Wonder Studio
Need clothes, shoes, supplies or a few new things before school starts? Here are a few local places to check out.
Happily Ever After Children's Boutique
New and gently loved children's clothing and outerwear as well as accessories, books, educational toys and more.
Children's store with clothes, supplies, backpacks and more.
Once school is back in session, fall isn't far behind! Here are a few things to watch for in the coming newsletters.
FALL FARMS AND ORCHARDS GUIDE
Keep an eye for this in next week's newsletter.
FIND FALL COLORS IN MADISON
Coming soon
Casa de Corazón-Madison
Casa de Corazón-Madison is more than a place for children to spend their day. It’s a place designed to help children grow in mind, body, and heart while building the confidence and skills they’ll carry with them into kindergarten and beyond.
Learning at Casa happens throughout the entire day. Children build early literacy and math skills, practice problem-solving, develop independence, explore their creativity, and learn how to communicate and work alongside others. What makes the experience especially unique is that children have the opportunity to do all of this while learning in Spanish!
Kindergarten readiness at Casa is about more than academics. Being ready for that next step also means knowing how to navigate friendships, communicate needs, follow routines, try something independently, work through challenges, and feel confident walking into a new classroom. Casa’s approach supports these skills alongside early academics, helping children become curious and capable learners.
Supporting the whole child also means caring for growing bodies. Casa’s food program is an important part of the experience, with nutritious meals and snacks prepared right at the center. Children are introduced to a variety of foods and flavors while developing healthy habits and enjoying meals together as a community. Movement, outdoor play, and hands-on exploration are also built into their days!
And then there’s the heart of Casa: relationships. Children are surrounded by teachers and friends who know them, encourage them, and create a place where they can feel safe being themselves. Exposure to language and culture also gives children opportunities to learn about a world bigger than their own and develop curiosity and appreciation for others.
For Madison, WI, families exploring early learning and 4K options, Casa offers something special: a place where children can prepare for kindergarten, develop Spanish, build healthy habits, and grow socially and emotionally, all within one caring community.
Curious if Casa could be the right fit for your family? Learn more about Casa de Corazón-Madison →
Madison Community Montessori School
For more than five decades, Madison Community Montessori School has been nurturing curious minds, confident learners, and compassionate members of the community. Founded in 1972, our nonprofit school serves children from 15 months through 8th grade, offering a continuous Montessori education through some of the most formative years of childhood.
As an AMI-accredited Montessori school, we are committed to preserving the integrity of Dr. Maria Montessori’s educational philosophy. Our classrooms are carefully prepared environments where children learn through hands-on exploration, purposeful work, movement, collaboration, and meaningful challenges.
Montessori education recognizes that every child is an individual learner. Rather than expecting children to learn in exactly the same way or at the same pace, our teachers observe each child, introduce lessons when they are ready, and provide guidance while allowing children to develop independence and confidence. Along the way, students build academic knowledge as well as problem-solving skills, self-discipline, collaboration, and a genuine love of learning.
At Madison Community Montessori, education is about more than academics. We want children to learn how to learn, how to make thoughtful choices, how to work with others, and how to contribute to their community.
For families looking for an authentic Montessori education in the Madison area, Madison Community Montessori School offers a welcoming community and a learning environment designed to help each child grow into their fullest potential.
Learn more about Madison Community Montessori School and schedule a visit →
Macaroni KID Madison is not affiliated with, does not endorse, and is not responsible for any providers listed. Families are encouraged to do their own research before choosing a program, including verifying licensing, reviewing inspection and compliance records, and requesting references to ensure the best fit for their child.
