Once you’re a parent, you may long for the days of wine-infused exhibit openings at your local museum. Or wish you could leisurely stroll the galleries instead of zipping through with a scavenger hunt in hand, only to fight over the very expensive toys in the gift shop.
But since 1899— when the Brooklyn Children’s Museum opened as the first of its kind in the world—there’s been one cultural experience that isn’t just okay with visiting kids—it’s built for them. The rise of the children’s museum (which you’ll find in most sizable cities these days) acknowledges that childhood is an important phase of life, and one deserving of a cultural destination where little ones can learn through play and exploration.
While you may belong to your local children’s museum, the state of California actually has some of the most incredible, one-of-a-kind spaces for kids in the world. Read on for the 10 best children’s museums in California that you absolutely must see to believe. Trust us: Both you and your kids will love these impressive and unique spots!
1. Kidspace Children’s Museum, Pasadena
Where: 480 North Arroyo Boulevard, Pasadena, CA
Where: Just a stone’s throw from the Rose Bowl in Pasadena’s Arroyo Seco, you’ll find this children’s museum, which is home to 40 indoor and outdoor exhibits. With the Cali weather being so ideal, it’s no wonder Kidspace has taken advantage of their 3.5 acres and filled it with favorite exhibits like the Physics Forest (think giant science projects that teach kids about levers and pulleys), gardens with playful water features and a toddler-sized playground. Inside, find challenging climbers, an imagination workshop and The Dig, where your kids can play paleontologist for a bit, uncovering fossils and going on adventures in the vintage utility vehicle.,
Can’t-miss exhibits: The Dig, Arroyo Adventure, Galvin Physics Forest
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2. Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose, San Jose
Where: 180 Woz Way, San Jose, CA
Where: With San Jose’s famously great weather, it’s no surprise that Bill’s Backyard is the runaway favorite at the Children’s Discovery Museum. Kids are especially excited about the Blue Oak outdoor treehouse (with suspension sky bridges), and the lookout tower and slide. There’s also a drought-tolerant garden full of herbs and plants your kids can grow at home (even better—they won’t die if you forget to water them!); a dry creek with rocks and water; a rain harvest system; and fort building using locally sourced reeds, grasses and willow branches. At the Jr. Ranger Station, children will learn how the surrounding Guadalupe River environment and wildlife live together in the Silicon Valley ecosystem.,
Can’t-miss exhibits: Bill’s Backyard, WaterWays, Wonder Cabinet
3. The New Children’s Museum, San Diego
Where: 200 West Island Ave, San Diego, CA
San Diego’s children’s museum is one part artistic play space and one part art studio(s). Kids love No Rules, where mattress line the floors and walls so they can run, crawl and bounce to their hearts’ content. Then there’s Wobbleland, the whimsical four-and-under space shaped like a giant kitchen sink where they can explore an avocado teeter-totter, play with slices of a giant tomato and crawl through a cheese wedge. There are eight different art studios you can drop into any time to create with clay and paint (paint all over the museum’s 1950s Dodge pick-up truck!), create seasonal art projects or get busy in the makerspace.
Can’t-miss exhibits: No Rules…Except, Reconnecting to Home, Wobbleland
4. Bay Area Discovery Museum, Sausalito
Where: 557 McReynolds Road, Sausalito, CA
Just across the Golden Gate Bridge in Sausalito, you’ll find one of the best children’s museums in Northern California— the Bay Area Discovery Museum. A series of hands-on experiences—from discovering how tall you are in apples or pennies to building structures out of foam noodles and blocks—are designed to ignite creativity and let the imagination flourish. Don’t forget to head outdoors to Lookout Cove which features 2.5-acres of natural elements and iconic Bay Area landmarks for kids to play on. And those with little ones will want to explore the stream bed and outdoor tunnels in the Tot Spot, a toddler safe zone for kids 42 inches tall and smaller.
Can’t-miss exhibits: Tot Spot, Imagination Playground, Lookout Cove
5. Cayton Children’s Museum, Los Angeles
As you probably already heard, the beloved Zimmer Children’s Museum is getting a new home and a new name. The new space, designed by R&A Architecture & Design, is officially called the Cayton Children’s Museum, and it will be opening in spring 2019. The 21,000-square-foot museum, just steps from the Santa Monica Pier, will transform a former food hall in Santa Monica Place into a fun and inclusive place for kids to learn about themselves and their community. A non-linear design opens the space up for free play and discovery, letting kids chart their own course through the more than 30 exhibits, which are housed in five “neighborhoods.” Expect a topography-themed area for kids aged newborn to two; an exhibit dedicated to first-responders, veterinarians and farmers; a space that focuses on the benefits of mindfulness and much, much more.
Can’t-miss exhibits: Exhibits coming soon!
6. Habitot Children’s Museum, Berkeley
Where: 2065 Kittredge Street, Berkeley, CA
For nearly two decades, Habitot Children’s Museum has been the go-to children’s museum and indoor play space for Berkeley families. Here, kids can do it all—navigate tunnels in a wiggle wall, ride in a fire truck replica, get their face painted and even grab a shopping cart and pretend shop at the pint-sized grocery store. Another hit with children is the Waterworks station (because what kid doesn’t like making a mess with water?) where they can play with buckets, funnels, pitchers, waterwheels and more. (Just pack a change of clothes just in case of spills.) Classes and seasonal workshops (think gingerbread house decorating at Christmas time) are also a draw at this Berkeley hot spot for tots.
Can’t-miss exhibits: Waterworks, Little Town Grocery & Cafe, Wind Tunnel
7. Southern California Children’s Museum, Pasadena
Where: 459 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA
Explore, play and learn (and get some pretty cute Instagrams while you’re at it) in this bright, open children’s museum in Pasadena. Dubbed “The Museum Without Walls,” this spot is just that! Little ones can throw on costumes, try their hand at musical instruments, whip up some (fake) food in the play kitchen, learn all about the “farm to table” movement and even go pretend camping in this giant space. There are also areas for block play—a favorite with kids.
Can’t-miss exhibits: While the museum is permanent, the experiences and exhibits are ever-changing as they continue to fundraise. Keep an eye out on the website for exhibit announcements and updates.
8. Children’s Museum of Sonoma County, Santa Rosa
Where: 1835 W Steele Ln, Santa Rosa, CA
This Santa Rosa-located museum features more than 7,000-square-feet of indoor fun and roughly 36,000-square-feet of outdoor exhibits—that’s a big museum! Kids will get a one-of-a-kind experience here, as all of the museum’s exhibits are devoted to science, art or nature, and really strive to teach little ones the importance of environmental sustainability, water conservation and renewable energies. One of the highlights is Totopia—a pint-sized portion of the museum dedicated to the 35″ and under set featuring a sandbox, age-appropriate toys, books and puppets.
Can’t-miss exhibits: Totopia, Jesse’s Train Station, Fairy World
9. Children’s Creativity Museum, San Francisco
Where: 221 4th St, San Francisco, CA
For hands-on, creative fun, a stop at the Children’s Creativity Museum in San Francisco is a must. Here, kids of all ages can use their imaginations to engage in a little bit of everything. Record musical performances in the Music Studio, learn how to write code in the Tech Lab, and even make stop-motion movies with clay in the Animation Studio. Littles are also encouraged to design their own creations in the Imagination Lab—they can take their pieces home with them to share with family and friends, or leave them on display as inspiration for future visitors! And don’t forget to take a spin on the carousel located just outside the museum—it’s one of our favorite carousels in all of San Francisco.
Can’t-miss exhibits: Imagination Lab, Animation Studio, Music Studio
10. Discovery Cube OC and LA, Orange County and Los Angeles
Where: 11800 Foothill Boulevard, Sylmar, CA
Where: 2500 North Main Street, Santa Ana, CA
These sister science museums built especially with children in mind—the original is in Orange County and a second location opened in Los Angeles in 2014—provide curious kids with opportunities for scientific exploration. Hands-on exhibits that appeal to all ages abound at both spaces. Go on a virtual helicopter tour of California, explore weather patterns at the Planetary Research Station and learn how to be an eco-friendly shopper. We especially love Dino Quest at the OC spot (an outdoor area where kids can dig for fossils and learn about the Argentinosaurus) and Park Science in LA (take a virtual trek through the Hansen Dam Recreation Area, go rock climbing or try to withstand the Santa Ana winds). Keep an eye out for rotating exhibits and impressive events throughout the year, too.
Can’t-miss exhibits: Planetary Research Station, Helicopter Tour, DinoQuest (OC only), Park Science (LA only)
