Activities for Kids
8 activities in the Bay Area
California Academy of Sciences
Explore an aquarium, planetarium, rainforest dome, and natural history museum all under one living roof. Kids love the penguin colony and the four-story rainforest with free-flying butterflies.
Exploratorium
A world-famous hands-on science museum on the Embarcadero with hundreds of interactive exhibits. The Tactile Dome is a must-try — crawl through a pitch-black maze using only touch.
Bay Area Discovery Museum
Nestled at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge in Sausalito, this museum has indoor and outdoor exhibits designed for kids under 10. Art studios, science labs, and a stunning outdoor play area with Bay views.
San Francisco Zoo
Home to over 2,000 animals including grizzly bears, penguins, giraffes, and a great playground. The Fisher Family Children's Zoo has a nature trail, insect zoo, and barnyard.
Children's Creativity Museum
A hands-on arts and technology museum in Yerba Buena Gardens. Kids make claymation films, build with recycled materials, compose music, and design their own video games.
Lawrence Hall of Science
A science museum and learning center in the Berkeley Hills with hands-on exhibits, a planetarium, and breathtaking views of the Bay. Great for curious kids who love experiments.
CuriOdyssey
A small science museum and wildlife zoo in San Mateo's Coyote Point Recreation Area. Features live animals (bobcats, river otters, raptors) alongside interactive science exhibits.
Oakland Zoo
A 100-acre zoo with a California Trail featuring native animals like grizzly bears, wolves, and condors. The gondola ride up to the California Trail has incredible Bay views.