With spring break coming and spring weather not quite here, we've rounded up a few ideas for the Madison area if you've got school-age kids or just looking to explore something different.
We've got a few camps, drop-in activities, parks, playgrounds, and more to check out. We'll keep updating the list -- nothing sponsored, just places we trust--and let us know what we've missed! Plus, see our cool-weather ideas and experience gift guide for more.
Camps. If you need childcare during the week, a variety of day/full week options with availability (as of 3/17/24):
- Steller Tech Girls has half/full-day options for girls 9-14
- KEVA sports has single day and full week availability for ages 5-14
- Theater games at Children's Theater of Madison for grades k-5
- For outdoor adventures The Lussier Center for ages 7-12, has outdoor adventures - $50 per day, and the Aldo Leopold Nature Center for ages 5-10
- Infinity Martial Arts has camps for ages 7-12 with action, outdoor adventures, and arts&crafts
Drop-in programs and classes. Fill part of a day with an outing and program:
- The Curious Crafter has a different activity each day of spring break, some in the evenings as well. Plus their take-home crafts will give you something to keep the fun going.
- The Cave of the Mounds has their regular tours, plus backlight and Easter egg themed adventures
- Madison libraries have plenty of storytimes and activities for all ages, plus their We Read Youth Voices contest starts April 1 and they've got notebooks and games to help think of ideas, and online cooking, reading, and kids videos to see at home. Oregon's Library has special programs too, and Sun Prairie has a great list of digital activities including crafts, escape rooms, and scavenger hunts -- pick one!
- Olbrich Gardens Story and Stroll for ages 2-5 with an activity and walk - adults are free
Parks/Playgrounds. We're big fans of fun playgrounds and hiking options ( especially places that have both )so we can adjust based on our mood/energy. Favorites include:
- Playgrounds
- Vilas Park (next to the Zoo - two playground areas)
- Bridge Road (Monona - kids call it "zip line park")
- Elvehjem school and Kennedy both have great playgrounds and trails nearby
- Lakeview Park (Middleton)
- Fireman's Park (Verona)
- Village Park (Waunakee)
- Dream Parks - Monona, Cottage Grove, Sun Prairie, Fitchburg, and Cross Plains
- Hikes
- Governor's Island - short, but lots of different paths so each time is different. And great views over the lake.
- Cherokee Marsh, (Northside) - wooded trails, prairie boardwalks, and a lookout tower
- Edna Taylor (connected to Aldo Leopold Nature Center) Lake Farm Park (South/Eastside),
- Indian Lake, Donald (West) - options for hills or flat by the lake
- UW-Arboretum (central) - start at the nature center, or off Seminole Hwy for nice wooded loops
- Playground + hiking trails
- Elver Park (West - wooded trails, a huge hill with views and a great playground)
- Pheasant Branch Conservancy (Middleton)
- Tenney Park - (near East)walk by the Yahara River, 4 bridges, a lookout over Mendota, and a few playgrounds
- Token Creek (Deforest - do a loop of multiple distances, and yes, explore the creek)
- Door Creek Park (East - plenty of birds, ponds, woods and open prairie)
- McDaniel Park (McFarland) - play, check out the beach, and walk the bridge path across Lake Waubesa to Lake Farm Park
Indoor/Rainy Day Ideas. We know the weather is unpredictable this time of year, but stay busy with:
- Spring cleaning - consignments sales are coming! This is a great week to unload old clothes/gear, and think about what else you need. With Lil' Badger (April 6-8), Half-Pint Resale (April 19-21 - with a spring fling planned for the 20th), and Just Between Friends May 9-11 you've got some great options to unload/re-load
- Wiscokidz - for kids 10 and under there's plenty to explore and get the wiggles out, plus it's close to East Towne mall for other errands (and my kids LOVE exploring Barnes & Noble) with plenty of kid-friendly food options - Java Cat with their play area and La Taguara (kids eat free Tuesdays) are our favorites
- Open Gyms. Lots of gymnastics and similar places offer open gym times, regardless if you take classes. Prairie Kids Club has plenty of options, as does Legacy Academy, Play N Wisconsin, Mad Town Twisters, Warner Park has basketball for older kids, and Gymfinity (3/29) and Lake City Twisters (Saturdays).
- Be a college kid. It's UW spring break too, so traffic won't be wild. The geology museum, and the physics museum (with lots of hands-on experiments/experiences) are both free, and Union South has cheap bowling, games, and climbing.
- The Madison Children's Museum is $1 off during spring break, Black Earth has something special each day
If you have other ideas or suggestions please let us know and we'll keep updating our list!
Plus you can always submit your business to our listings or your event for free. and don't forget to subscribe for our free weekly newsletter with all the kid-friendly activities for the week in the Madison area.
