Organizers of the annual Badgerland Learning Days Festival are pleased to announce that Madison Children’s Museum has been selected to lead the nonprofit festival in the coming year.
Badgerland Learning Days is a nonprofit festival designed to celebrate the joy of learning and showcase local programs for youth and families. The 2026 Festival is slated to run May 2—10 at locations throughout Wisconsin.
“The award-winning Madison Children’s Museum is a national leader and has been a strong partner in the program for the past 5 years,” says WI Regional Director & WeThinkBig CEO Kathe Crowley Conn. “Its mission to connect children with their families, communities, and the world through discovery learning and creative play is perfectly aligned with our goals. We are delighted the Festival will continue under its leadership.”
Badgerland Learning Days, an expansion of the Pittsburgh-based Remake Learning Days Worldwide initiative, came to Wisconsin in 2020 and was launched just weeks before the pandemic shut down museums, libraries and schools. Undaunted, the organizations adapted and offered virtual, online and outdoor learning experiences to keep learning opportunities available to all. As pandemic restrictions eased, families flocked to in-person and hybrid programming. “We were so proud that Wisconsin organizations led the effort to provide quality educational experiences for youth, regardless of the challenges,” said Conn.
Over the past 5 years, Badgerland Learning Days has engaged nearly 100 organizations and has reached thousands of youth and families with learning festivals and free and low-cost programs.
Madison Children’s Museum’s Co-CEO Kia Karlen sees a bright future for the festival. “Collaboration is at the core of our work, and we look forward to working with both new and long-time partners to celebrate joyful, hands-on learning and our region’s unique educational resources.”
Organizations wishing to participate in next year’s Festival can sign up or learn more at www.remakelearningdays.org/Badgerland.