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Home › Donut Guides › Things to Do with Kids › Madison
Things to Do in Madison with Kids
Madison is a laid-back city for families: a Capitol you can tour for free, a zoo with free admission, two lakes, a huge Saturday farmers market and ice cream made on campus. This guide is organized by area, with parent tips from our local guides and free picks flagged.
Our Madison sweet treats walking tour starts near the Capitol Square, so it's an easy way to fit a treat into a family day downtown.
By the Underground Donut Tour team · Updated November 2026
At a glance
- Free favorites: Henry Vilas Zoo, the Wisconsin State Capitol, the Dane County Farmers' Market, Olbrich Botanical Gardens' outdoor gardens, the UW Geology Museum
- Rainy day picks: Madison Children's Museum, the UW Geology Museum, the Wisconsin State Capitol
- Sweet treat: Our Madison donut tour welcomes kids 2 and up, with kids' tickets from $55
Kid-friendly things to do in Madison, by neighborhood
Capitol Square and downtown
Dane County Farmers' Market
FreeOne of the biggest farmers markets in the country, around the Capitol Square on Saturdays.
Madison Children's Museum
Rainy day pickHands-on play right off the Square, with a rooftop garden and animals.
Parent tip: On summer Saturdays, the farmers market wraps all the way around the Capitol. Go early with a stroller.
The UW campus and the lakes
Memorial Union Terrace
FreeColorful chairs on the shore of Lake Mendota, great for sunsets and snacks.
Babcock Hall Dairy Store
Ice cream made by the university's dairy program.
Parent tip: Babcock Hall ice cream is made on campus. It's a perfect reward after a walk along the lake.
Around town
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
FreeFree outdoor gardens, including a Thai pavilion. The tropical conservatory costs a little extra.
Day trips
Wisconsin Dells
Water parks and boat tours about an hour north.
Sweet treats and kid-friendly eats
Underground Donut Tour (kids' tickets from $55, ages 2 and up). Our Madison Sweet Treats Walking Tour visits local favorites for donuts and other sweets, with stories about the city along the way. Guides set the pace around your group, which makes it easy with kids.
Taste Madison's best donuts on one walk
Kids 2 and up are welcome. Guides set an easy pace for little legs.
Parent tip: Let us know about allergies or dietary needs when you book, and download our free Kids' Activity Book for the trip.
Exploring on your own? Our Best Donut Shops in Madison guide lists the city's best donut shops by neighborhood, and Best Holiday Donuts in Madison covers the festive specials.
Sample days
Day 1: Downtown
- Saturday: start at the farmers market.
- Morning: sweet treats tour.
- Free tour of the Capitol.
- Madison Children's Museum.
Day 2: Campus and the lake
- UW Geology Museum.
- Ice cream at Babcock Hall.
- Lunch on the Memorial Union Terrace.
- A walk in the Arboretum.
Day 3: Animals and gardens
- Henry Vilas Zoo when it opens.
- Playground and beach at Vilas Park.
- Olbrich Botanical Gardens.
- Or a cave tour for a rainy day.
Madison with kids by season
Holidays
- Olbrich's Holiday Express: model trains running through a garden of holiday flowers in December.
- Zoo Lights at Henry Vilas Zoo: a lights display on winter evenings.
- Capitol holiday tree: a big decorated tree in the rotunda all season.
- For seasonal treats, see Best Holiday Donuts in Madison.
The rest of the year
- Spring: the farmers market returns to the Square, and the lakes thaw.
- Summer: lake days, the Terrace and outdoor concerts on the Square.
- Fall: football weekends, fall colors and orchards outside the city.
- Winter: skating, cozy museums and holiday lights.
Madison with kids FAQ
Is the Madison sweet treats tour good for kids?
Yes. Kids 2 and up are welcome, the route is an easy downtown walk, and kids' tickets start at $55.
What are free things to do in Madison with kids?
Henry Vilas Zoo, Capitol tours, the farmers market, Olbrich's outdoor gardens, the UW Geology Museum and the Arboretum.
Is the Henry Vilas Zoo really free?
Yes. Admission is free, and it's a great size for younger kids.
What's a good rainy-day plan?
Madison Children's Museum, the UW Geology Museum or a Capitol tour.