For moms of children 0-5 in the Madison, WI area.
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things to do inside

arts & crafts | storytime| museums | open gyms | other indoor fun

Be sure to check out the calendar for storytimes, events, and lots of indoor fun.

arts & crafts

Fired up pottery is a place where you can really show (or discover!) your artistic side. Don’t have an artistic side? Fired Up Pottery is three stores in one. Paint your own pottery, or we have clay and wheels for creating your own masterpiece. In a hurry? We have a small selection of pre made pieces t paint. There is even a kids corner. 425 B West Cottage Grove Road, Cottage Grove, WI 53527
608-839-5000.

storytime ...be sure to check out the calendar for a full list of storytimes --


Storytime at the Library. Each branch has their own baby, toddler and/or preschool storytimes.

Monona Public Library children’s programs. The Monona Public Library offers a number of free storytime programs for young children and families.  They include Silly Snakes, Blast Off to Outer Space, and Pet Parade. Each includes books, songs, finger plays and a craft for preschool children. More information on these and other programs is available by calling (608) 222-6127.

Bookmobile county stops. The Dane County Library Service Bookmobile has 14 weekly stops throughout the county, carrying a wide range of books, magazines, DVDs, books on CD, and music on CD for all ages. For schedule call (608) 266-6388


museums (click here to see more museum listings in 'day trips')

Madison Children's Museum- Madison Children's Museum is a private, not for profit museum featuring hands-on exhibits and programs for children birth through twelve years old. Click here to see all events at the museum this month.

Madison Children’s Museum, 100 State St. (608) 256-6445.


open gym

Keva Sports Center: Keva is an indoor/outdoor recreation sports facility.

KEVA OPEN PLAY
Cooler Weather often means finding indoor entertainment, and Keva's Open Play is perfect for keeping those little bodies active. Our large, enclosed, turf fields are a perfect place for your kids to burn off a little energy. You can can bring an entire playgroup if you would like. As a parent, you can also meet and socialize with other parents. Coffee, Hot Chocolate, Latte's are also available at the concession area.

Open Play Youth
Sept 6 - May 31, 2008
Monday & Thursday 9:30am - 1:00pm

Free under 18months
$2 18-24months
$4 ages 2+
$6 2 children
$8 Family

**NEW Inflatable Bounce Castles now available for open play for an additional $3/child

Special Saturday Open Play
*Located on Basketball Courts
**Check event calendar for specific event information (Such as cookie decorating, balloon animals, snakesalive etc.)
Sat Sept 15 - Mar 15, 2008
No Open Play Oct 13, Dec 1
11:00am - 2:00pm
Ideal for ages 7 and under

Free under 18months
$2 18-24months
$6 ages 2+
$4 each additional child


PARENT/CHILD PLAY TIME - MSCR @ Warner Park
Indoor playground equipment, big wheels, tricycles and a variety of dramatic play toys for children and parents to enjoy together. On-site registration only. $3/day/family. Family ID required.
P/C0-5 M 9/12-12/26 9:30 am-12 pm $3/day/family
P/C0-5 W 9/7-12/28 9:30 am-12 pm $3/day/family
P/C0-5 F 9/9-12/30 9:30 am-12 pm $3/day/family


MadTown Twisters-608-829-2922
West side location: Tots Open Gym Tots open gym is every Monday through Friday, and Sunday from 11 – 12:45. Parents and Babies (not yet walking) are Free!! - Children must be supervised by parent. One parent for every two children. The cost is $5 for 2 and under, and $8 for 3 and up.
Check out of Family Open Gyms and Mixed Open Gyms on the weekends.
7035 Old Sauk Road, Madison. (608) 829-2922.

East Side Location. Tots Open Gym -. Tots open gym is every Monday through Friday, and Sunday from 11 – 12:45. Parents and Babies (not yet walking) are Free!! Children must be supervised by parent. One parent for every two children. The cost is $5 for 2 and under, and $8 for 3 and up.
Check out of Family Open Gyms and Mixed Open Gyms on the weekends.
808 Walsh Rd., Madison (608) 245-9565.


Gymfinity - 848-FLIP
Family Open Gym
Coed ages 6 & under years - 60 minutes - $5 for members and $7 for non-members
Tuesday 11:00 am
Friday 11:00 am
Gymfinity Gymnastics - 6300 Nesbitt Road Fitchburg, WI 53719


My Y Gym Class. Walkers.  Wednesdays 10—11:00 a.m., drop-in class with parent.  Small fee includes climbing structures, free play, parachute fun and games.  Child care groups welcome. YMCA West, 5515 Medical Circle (608) 276-6606.


other indoor fun

SWIMWEST - Come join us for a special Pool Playgroup at SwimWest Fitchburg! If you have a group of at least five to six moms and babies/toddlers who would like to get together for a splashing time in the pool, give us a call and see what times are available for your group. We offer a special discounted rate for these special playgroups, and it’s a great way to spend some time bonding with your little one. So get your friends together and come on over to SwimWest where it’s always 90* in the pool! We also offer open Family Swim times on Sundays from Noon – 4pm for just $15 per family (household) and a certified lifeguard is always on duty. We have plenty of toys, balls, and noodles to play with, and you can bring in any of your own toys or floaties as well. Come visit us at 6220 Nesbitt Road , or give us a call at 276-SWIM.


Baby Box Office - Star Cinema, located in Fitchburg, offers Baby Box Office every Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. Baby Box Office provides parents and caregivers a special time to attend a movie without worrying about their young children disturbing other customers.


Olbrich's Tropical Bolz Conservatory- The tropical Bolz Conservatory houses over 750 plants representing over 70 families and over 550 different species and cultivars. This is the perfect place to let your kids roam. Birds, trees, koi, waterfalls, flowers, and more. It is especially nice to go in the winter, when it is freezing outside, and walk into a warm steamy tropical paradise. Check out the butterflies in the summer and the train show in the winter.


Boulders Climbing Gym - At Boulders, they say if the child is old enough to walk, they are old enough to climb. They have a special rateof $6/climber for any child 6 and under (vs. the normal $16/climber Clip-In rate ). Hours during the summer are M-F 4pm-10pm, Sat 12pm-8pm, and Sun 12pm-6pm. No appointment is needed. Just come on in and climb! 608.244.8100


Studio You - A paint your own pottery store, walkins welcome. Come in and paint and come back about a week later to pick up your finished piece. Great for all ages (even babies!). Visit us at 6670 Odana Rd. In the Market Square Shopping center or online at www.studioyouonline.com. 833-1393


Madison Metropolitan School District Planetarium - The planetarium offers programs during the school year for small groups, individuals, and families. They are usually on the 3rd Wednesday of each month, October through April. The shows are different each month.


Washburn Observatory - The observatory is open to the public on the first and third Wednesday of every month. During the summer months, the observatory will be open every Wednesday. The Open House sessions are hosted by volunteer astronomers. The public viewing sessions are informal, so there is no lecture or tour. The dome is open to the outside air to let the telescope look out, so dress appropriately. Click the link for the current schedule, as it varies monthly according to daylight hours


Babcock Hall Dairy - Located on campus, the dairy and store has an observation window where kids can watch ice cream and cheese being made and packaged. Visit the dairy store after for yummy treats.


SwimWest- Splash year-around in a warm water pool with your family and friends. SwimWest provides a great time to practice swim strokes or just play on our water slide and noodles with a certified American Red Cross Lifeguard on duty. For open swim times call 608-831-6829.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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train tables in madison

I have two boys (not that girls don't like train tables - I did) so I have a scope on many of the train tables in Madison - which is where we go on a hot or freezing day when we just want to get out of the house. Here is the short list. Write to contribute more!

Playthings @ Hilldale Mall. 702 N. Midvale Blvd. 608-233-2124. Three train tables and a few playsets/dollhouses throughout the store!

Zuzu Cafe & Market - 1336 Drake St. Madison, WI (608) 575.2426

Barnes & Noble East Towne - Nice train table, engines are raggedy lately, seats for parents...in the childrens book section.

Barnes & Noble West Towne - All in decent shape. More engines than other locations.

Toys R Us West Town Mall - Kind of damaged, no seats for parents, but two train tables and a few engines (not many trains).

Toys R Us East Town Mall -You call that a train table? Don't even bother.

Sun Prairie Library - 2 train tables, aquarium, play area with toys, and more!

Monona Library - Train table, legos table, child play area, toys and more!

Learning Train Toys (Sun Prairie Main Street)- Two tables, lots of engines, noone is ever there...no seats for parents, but friendly staff.

South branch library

Central library - upstairs in kids' section


books

Here are some great books with ideas for indoor fun, crafts and activities.

Preschooler's Busy Book: 365 Creaative Games & ActivitiesTo Occupy 2-6 Yr Olds by Trish Kuffner

The Toddlers Busy Book by Trish Kuffner

The Little Hands Big Fun Craft Book: Creative Fun for 2- To 6-Year-Olds by Judy Press, Loretta Trezzo Braren