San Luis Obispo Children's Museum
San Luis Obispo Children's Museum
San Luis Obispo Children's Museum
4.5
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
Three floors of interactive exhibits and engaging spaces designed for kiddos 2-10 years of age and their families.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
89 reviews
Excellent
45
Very good
32
Average
10
Poor
2
Terrible
0
Tricia H
Atascadero, CA41 contributions
Dec 2016 • Family
I know it seems ridiculous to say theres not much to do at a children's museum, but we went in and did everything and left after about 30 mins. It seems like a lot of the stuff needs upgrading and some of it didn't even work. I don't think things should remain on display if they don't work, or there is no clear explanation as to what it is or what it does. I also think they have everything scattered too much. There isn't really a small kids area or a big kids area, its all mixed in which makes you pass up a lot of it if its for smaller kids. The main room with the spinning table and sand mountains was so awesome. But they were really the only fun things in the room. It would be so much better if they could get some newer more interactive things into the rooms. Also the outside area is very boring, theres one rectangle water table that has random toys and broken tubes in it. The rest of the outside is basically a bland playground. I wish it was better since its really the only kid related thing to do in the area. They could do some research into what makes other children's museums good across the country and implement some of those things.
Written March 7, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Linda H
San Diego, CA71 contributions
Aug 2019
We were in SLO with our 7 year old grandson. He had a great time. It wasn't very busy, but it is a very spacious. He especially enjoyed the fire department area.
Written September 3, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Leslie M
San Luis Obispo, CA42 contributions
Sept 2017 • Family
The Children's Museum is a wonderful, interactive place where you can play with your young ones, or watch them play - whatever your preference. I wish they had more seating for adults, as seating is limited and sometimes kids do not want us in the middle of things and that is okay. But other than that, this place is just cool! Kids love it, and so do adults. The floors are divided basically by age groups. One issue I have had is with the low ceiling on the very top floor, I have seen many people bonk their head on the low ceiling, so be cautioned. But the top floor is also my favorite! This isn't particularly the favorite place of teenagers, parents should take note of that.
Written December 6, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pamleonard
Murrieta, CA48 contributions
Jun 2015 • Family
My 5 year old grandson was just a bit too young. But starting them young at museums is good in my opinion. I look forward to the day when he understands what it's all about! This museum has military discount too with ID.
Written June 24, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
marmac_10
SF bay area111 contributions
Apr 2015 • Family
We'd been on the road for a few hours and remembered this place from a few years back. We arrived on a Sunday about an hour and a half before closing, but the kids (3 and 6y/o) were restless from being in the car.
On the first floor - They have a craft area right up in front. There's a very cool table that sort of senses and creates a topographical projection in response to how you form the kinetic sand below it. There's a dinosaur excavation pit. Some other displays about structures and earthquakes and a spinning table thing, but we didn't really play with that.
The second floor has a lot of imaginative play. Fire station, police station, trolley, veterinarian office, kitchen with assorted costumes and props. There's a very cool tower the kids can climb into. Warning to parents you can fit kind of and it's WAY hotter at the top if it's a sunny day. In the back there's a neat shadow wall. It flashes light and the wall "saves" your shadow. There's also a theater fully stocked with costumes and a camera that projects the "show" so the kids can see it on the TV.
There's a third floor for children 4 and younger, but we didn't get a chance to see it. There's also an outer play area we didn't get a chance to see.
Tips: We had no trouble getting street parking, but perhaps because we went late.
There are plenty of bathrooms throughout.
I'd imagine this would be semi-stroller friendly. There is an elevator, but between the displays and a crowd of kids, I imagine it would be challenging.
Most places have a policy of not allowing unattended children, but the museum has a policy of NOT allowing child-free adults.
On the first floor - They have a craft area right up in front. There's a very cool table that sort of senses and creates a topographical projection in response to how you form the kinetic sand below it. There's a dinosaur excavation pit. Some other displays about structures and earthquakes and a spinning table thing, but we didn't really play with that.
The second floor has a lot of imaginative play. Fire station, police station, trolley, veterinarian office, kitchen with assorted costumes and props. There's a very cool tower the kids can climb into. Warning to parents you can fit kind of and it's WAY hotter at the top if it's a sunny day. In the back there's a neat shadow wall. It flashes light and the wall "saves" your shadow. There's also a theater fully stocked with costumes and a camera that projects the "show" so the kids can see it on the TV.
There's a third floor for children 4 and younger, but we didn't get a chance to see it. There's also an outer play area we didn't get a chance to see.
Tips: We had no trouble getting street parking, but perhaps because we went late.
There are plenty of bathrooms throughout.
I'd imagine this would be semi-stroller friendly. There is an elevator, but between the displays and a crowd of kids, I imagine it would be challenging.
Most places have a policy of not allowing unattended children, but the museum has a policy of NOT allowing child-free adults.
Written April 12, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AJ41
Santa Rosa, CA140 contributions
Jan 2015 • Family
I brought my two year old here and she had a blast. Her favorite area was the play kitchen and play doctors office. There were a few things a bit too old for her, like the science section at the bottom and the dress up and theater, which she doesn't really get yet, but seemed great for slightly older kids. I will say that while this is a tall building, three or four levels, it's very narrow and can seem crowded without many people. We were there in January, but the outdoor area also seemed a bit sparse. I think one of the water features may not have been working or on, but I'll attribute that to the season and/or the drought. All in all it was fun. I've also been to the San Jose Children's museum, which is a little more expensive, but also a bigger place and I think the better of the two.
Written January 14, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Muzzalou
London, UK13 contributions
Jul 2014 • Family
We stumbled across this museum which was really fantastic. We have 5 year and 2 year olds and they didnt want to leave. There is something for every young child from a pretend cafe and shop to a fire engine which you can drive, dressing up and stage area and brio train set. Definitely worth a visit if you have children.
Written August 29, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
musicmomie
Shell Beach, CA5 contributions
Nov 2011 • Couples
This museum is perfect for about 5 and under with many exhibits to explore. The top floor is perfect for very young kids. A great place to go when it's too rainy outside to do anything else and kids 2 and under are free.
Written June 30, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sharon C
Redmond1 contribution
At this time (6/28/2008) the museum is still under construction. There were 5 stations installed (diner, fire truck, Dr. office, Dress-up stage, pendulum swing) and all were for younger kids. I had 5 kids (ages 5, 6, 8, 9, 11) with me and it was really only good for the 5 and 6 year old. Not worth the full entrance fee yet. For a discount, McD's is giving a $1 discount with happy meals.
Written June 29, 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
latindrummer2112
Visalia, CA88 contributions
Jun 2018 • Family
This was our first visit to this museum and I'm happy to say that it has some great things to offer. However, I would say that it's geared more toward little ones under 6. Older children may not be as engaged by the exhibits and activities. It's three floors of things to see and do, however I felt that floor space was lacking and the entire third floor is devoted to 4 year olds and younger (a toddleresque train theme room). Great location and easily accessible.
Written June 11, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Definitely, lots of hands on activities.
Written May 22, 2017
Do they doing anything for Halloween? Pls x
Written March 11, 2017
Vacationer287278
San Luis Obispo, California
Is museum participating in free museum day this Sunday, jan 29th?
Written January 25, 2017
I don't know about that day, but it does offer: FREE Moonlight Hours: Every Third Thursday from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Written January 26, 2017
Daily admission cost is $8.00 for adults and children, except children 2 and under whose admission is FREE. Admission is for all day, and guests are free to leave and come back throughout the remainder of the business day.
Written January 3, 2015
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