Hello Madison! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: A new futsal facility, Disney's 101 Dalmatians KIDS, and mother son night out + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
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01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
A new gathering spot: The Forge, Madison’s new futsal facility with pickleball and volleyball courts, opened Monday, June 22, offering a pizza pub and cafe and a social club vibe for families and teams -- learn more about The Forge.
Major community investment ahead: The YMCA of Dane County announced Tuesday it will build a $58 million Fitchburg facility with a 10,000-square-foot clinic, childcare for up to 100, and expanded fitness spaces -- see the YMCA plans.
Park upgrade completed: Middleton cut the ribbon Monday on an $800K Parisi Park shelter, replacing an aging building. The year-round hub serves trail users, youth sports, and community groups with a $200K grant -- see the new shelter.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.*
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03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Upgrade your park day: McKee Farms Park is that clutch spot for a low-key pickup game, a stroller-friendly loop around the pond, or a playground energy dump before bedtime. Pack a snack, pick a path, and let the mix of fields, courts, and calm water fix your week.
Northside nature fix: Rooted: Troy Community Gardens is a community-powered green space with neighborly plots, the Troy Kids’ Garden, prairie and public walking trails that make a quick after-work reset pleasantly easy. Check out their Garden Nights for music, hands-on fun, and seriously wholesome vibes, or just wander and plot your future tomatoes.
Your next GG spot: Built by Badgers, The Guild Gaming Lounge pairs high-end PC and console stations with community vibes, weekly tournaments and watch parties, and a bar pouring craft cocktails, mocktails, and bubble tea. Make it your easy win this week, whether you're grinding ranked or just hanging with friends.
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04 — Our recommendations
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🎨 Arts - Family Paint Night @ Odana Golf Course | Wednesday (6/24) at 6:00 PM – Family paint night means the kids go wild with color while you pretend that drip was intentional. No experience needed, supplies and patient guidance included, just a solid excuse to make a mess, make memories, and maybe fridge-worthy art, together.
👩 Mother Son Night Out @ The Melting Pot | Friday (6/26) at 11:00 AM – Mother Son Night Out is serving molten cheese and chocolate like a peace treaty, with any cheese fondue and chocolate fondue for $29.95 for two, plus $12.95 per additional kid. Quality time, minimal dishes, and a teachable moment about not double dipping.
⚽ Home Match: Rally Madison FC vs Edgewater Castle FC @ Breese Stevens Field | Friday (6/26) at 7:00 PM – Rally Madison FC hosts Edgewater Castle FC at Breese Stevens Field, the rare chance to yell in public and be applauded for it. Expect sharp passes, louder neighbors, and that classic Madison combo of beer, brats, and surprisingly nuanced soccer takes.
🔬 Preschool Science @ Westside Community Market | Saturday (6/27) at 9:00 AM – The Westside Community Market is doubling as a preschool lab, complete with a kiddie pool of corn and toy trucks. UHP adds bubbles, sidewalk chalk, and hands-on play, so the kids call it science, and you get blessedly low-stakes chaos disguised as quality time.
🍔 2nd Annual Fatherhood Cookout @ Southwest Madison Employment Center | Saturday (6/27) at 12:00 PM – Fire up your summer at the free Fatherhood Cookout at the Southwest Employment Center, where grills are hot, music’s live, and the food is on the house. Bring the crew for games, resource tables, and real talk with dads who show up, lawn chairs optional.
🎲 Tabletop Gaming @ Wisconsin Veterans Museum | Sunday (6/28) at 2:00 PM – If your Monopoly scars have healed, trade Boardwalk for Berlin at WVM’s tabletop night. Play Wunderwaffen, a late-WWII strategy game where the Allies sprint to Berlin and Germany bets on wonder weapons, with small tables of four, and you learn real history between moves.
🐶 Disney's 101 Dalmatians KIDS @ Madison Youth Arts (MYArts) | Monday (6/29) – Cruella’s plotting, the puppies are plotting faster, and MYArts is turning 101 Dalmatians into a kid-powered musical romp. Short, spirited, and safely paw-some, this youth cast delivers big charm, minimal menace, and a guilt-free reason to applaud barking.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — The Madison report Weather forecastToday — High: 77°F — Low: 57°F — Precip: 76%
Showers and thunderstorms before 1pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 1pm and 3pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 3pm and 4pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 77. Southwest wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 57. West wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Tomorrow — High: 77°F — Low: 55°F — Precip: 6%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. Northwest wind around 5 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 55. Northeast wind 0 to 5 mph. This house is wildPerched atop Hill Farms, this one-of-a-kind Galena stone and redwood mid-century modern stunner delivers serious character and space. A floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace anchors the great room, while the gourmet kitchen shines with Sub-Zero appliances and recycled glass surfaces. Outside, a 40x20 saltwater pool, sports court, huge patio, and EV-ready garage round out the fun.
Take a peek inside → |
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