4 Wisconsin Sensory-Friendly Children's Museums

The world teems with booming sounds, bustling crowds and bright lights. For kids with unique sensory needs, this can be overwhelming and can keep them from enjoying certain excursions. If your child experiences any sensory-processing challenges, you’ll be comforted to know that they can enjoy many children’s museums in Wisconsin tailored to their needs.

Here are four museums that provide enriching, sensory-friendly experiences for kids.

Madison Children’s Museum – Madison

At the Madison Children’s Museum, your family will soak up the hands-on exhibits, from the colorful art studio to the rooftop garden featuring a greenhouse treehouse and real chickens!

There are multiple resources at the museum for kids and families with sensory challenges. Check out helpful sensory tools — like sunglasses, noise-reducing headphones, fidget toys and gloves — from the front desk. If anyone’s in need of a break from the stimulation, ask the front desk to use one of the museum’s cool-down spaces. Check the museum’s website to plan your visit during regular sensory-friendly hours held outside the museum’s regular general admission hours and presented in collaboration with the Autism Society of South Central Wisconsin. Admission to these hours is free!

Building for Kids Children’s Museum – Appleton

The Building for Kids Children’s Museum in Appleton features exhibits like a real-live jet where kids can pretend to be pilots, a 10-foot slide that looks like the human heart and real animals like birds and fish.

Every third Sunday of the month, the museum caters to sensory-sensitive kiddos with a lower-sensory experience and special programming. This time, called Sensory Superstars, often includes guest presenters and activities and is free for families. 

The museum offers resources all the time as well, including a quiet room for breaks and a play script that takes kids through their visit ahead of time.

The Children’s Museum of Green Bay – Green Bay

The Children’s Museum of Green Bay also hosts specific days with sensory needs in mind. On the fourth Thursday of every month, your family can attend Sensory Friendly Night from 3-5 PM. The museum, which includes a pretend farmers’ market, construction site, vet clinic and fire station, is closed to the general public during these hours to prevent large, overtaxing crowds. Lights and sounds are lowered as well, and there are a variety of sensory activities to take part in amid their 16 interactive exhibits.

The museum also provides fidgets, headphones, timers and other sensory-friendly resources for regular visits.

Children’s Museum of La Crosse – La Crosse

Learn your way through the dinosaur maze, build with giant blocks in the imagination playground, operate the kids’ crane and more at the Children’s Museum of La Crosse.

With unique sensory needs in mind, the museum teamed up with the La Crosse Autism Foundation and the Chileda Institute to offer Adventure Backpacks to museum-goers–just ask for one at the front desk! Inside the pack, you’ll find ear mufflers, fidgets, timers and more. The museum also hosts occasional Inclusion Nights for kids who may need quieter times or additional resources while exploring the museum. 

Keep the fun going and discover more Wisconsin museums prioritizing accessibility for everyone.