Bay Area Discovery Museum
add photosFree First Wednesday of each month, 9 am - 4 pm.
27 Reviews for Bay Area Discovery Museum
12
21 family found this helpful
"Best Children's Museum for kids 1-6"
So we've lived in several US cities and seen some great kids museums. This one is by far the best I've seen for little kids--older ones might get bored. There's a train and boat room for pretend play, an art room to get messy (paint/glue/sand), some water to splash their hands in, giant blocks to build with, and one of the best playgrounds I've seen--with a shipwreck to hunt for treasure, a gravel pit, a real boat to explore, and a fantastic nature trail to name just a few. There are a few exhibits geared toward older kids, but little ones are the main focus--Oh and one specific building is only for 40" and under--and it is great too! They let you bring in food, and have food for sale, so you're covered either way. The setup is multiple buildings, each with a seperate theme--which I love becuase I have 2 small ones and if I lose sight of one, it minimizes the search area. Though, because of the multiple buildings, I would skip this if it's too cold/rainy/windy. Anyway, this is my favorite place in the bay area for little guys and I can't say enough good things about it.
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1 family found this helpful
"SO much fun"
My daughter loves this place so I love this place. It really has enough for them to do that you can sit back and relax while they burn off all their energy. Dont expect them to make it home awake! It is also located in one of the most beautiful overlooked places in the world. There are arts, tot spots, tot outdoor area, train museum, big kid play ground that deserves a landscaping achievement award, and more!
0 families found this helpful
"Too expensive"
We just came back from our trip to the Bay Area Discovery Museum. I can't say it was a complete disappointment, but I was definitely unimpressed. My 2 year-old was too old for the tot areas. She did like the outside stream with floating fish. The art exhibits did not have that much to do (we have all the things offered there at home, I hoped they'd be more creative with the activities). The staff was unwelcoming at the exhibits.
Overall, if we paid about $10 for the museum, I would feel much better about it, but $28 for two adults and a child is just too much.
0 families found this helpful
"Can't wait to go back!"
We took our kids, 2 and 3 yr olds, here a few weeks ago. The tot spot is amazing. Our 2 yr old played in the outdoor stream with the fish, literally for hours. Great outdoor playground, both boys loved the tonka trucks and the boat you can climb in! Awesome views!
'11
1 family found this helpful
"Meh... expensive."
I brought my 18 month old daughter here on a mid-week excursion. The new toddler area was fine, but nothing I would drive across the bay and pay $18 for. The space itself is cool, but it seems like most moms come with groups, so their kids all play together. The space and toys are actually not that stimulating for individual kids.
We did enjoy the outdoor fort area. Charlotte loved walking around and watching the big kids, and there were plenty of neat little hidey places to have a picnic lunch.
0 families found this helpful
"Great indoor & outdoor place"
We enjoyed the museum a lot. My son especially loved the train display. There are exhibits located in different buildings. There was also a seperate art area. They have a large outdoor activity center with slides, sand area, structure for cars, etc. I liked the fact that they have an area only for toddlers. This is a nice area where you can let your little toddler run and play without worrying about older/bigger kids around them. I think my only disappointment was the lack of a food area. I think there was a small cafe but it was not open when we were there. However, they do have plenty of benches and areas where you can bring your food and have a picnic. Overall decent childrens place.
0 families found this helpful
"Bay Area Discovery Museum"
Took the whole family there. Located in a very beautiful spot in the Bay Area. There was plenty to do for the little ones. Would definitely recommend this place for a day of fun. Especially if you have little one, there is a full interactive area for toddlers.
0 families found this helpful
"Best Day Out in Years"
We have 3 children ages 1, 3 and 6. There were activities for each of them to keep busy including a completely intereactive tots display. My 1 year old especially loved the train display. However, each display seemed to have something for each of my children. It was a great place to spend the day!
2 families found this helpful
"Your kids will love it!"
We were looking for something different to do with the kids and found this very charming museum for kids. We loved the area specifically designated for children under a certain height. If you have little ones you know how stressful it can be when older kids can unknowningly get too boustrus around younger children. All the exhibts are very hands on and everything seemed well maintained. Many of the activities are outside so plan accordingly if the weather doesn't seem to be coorperating. There is only one eating establishment and it only serves "healthy"/"organic" food for the family. No french fries or hamburgers. Please contat museum about bringing your own food, not sure if you can. We loved it because it was small and manageable with our two boys. We don't like getting worn out early by the large museums and then feeling like you didn't get your money worth because everyone ran out of steam before seeing everything. Very cute museum!! Great views of the Golden Gate Bridge!!!
1 family found this helpful
"Love the Tot Spot"
We started taking our son here when he was 18 months old. The tot spot was an immediate hit! Both the indoor and outdoor activities there kept his attention longer than any other place I have taken him. And I love that the tot spot is for "little" kids only. Great outdoor playground too - the best part is the Tonka trucks (our son loves to race them down the nearby ramp rather than fill them with stones). An indoor eating area would be nice for those windy/chilly/rainy days!
0 families found this helpful
"Very charming kid place"
We have not been many times to the Bay Area Discovery Museum but every time we did, my children always had a great time. There have often special performances going on. The indoors exhibitions are really interesting and the indoors ones will keep your children busy for a long time while you relax, admiring the view. They are free every December 26th so that is a good moment to check them out,.
0 families found this helpful
"Amazing fun "
This place is so much fun. It incorporates almost all of the bay area's many treasures into hundreds of hands on activities for the kids. So many different activities to choose from it was hard to get my son to leave. He was able to climb on sunken ships in the play area and find lost treasure, he explored the ports of San Francisco and even do a little construction and the golden gate bridge. First Wed. of every month is free. Making this great place available to all
0 families found this helpful
"Fun, but paying full price for kids and adults makes it a costly trip"
We've only been here twice, for the Halloween event both times, when our son was 1 and 2 years old. I think paying full price for kids age 1 and up is a bit silly, since there are not a lot of exhibits a 1 or 2 year old can take full advantage of. Still, we had a fun family day each time we went, and The Bay Area Discovery Museum is a fun destination now and then.
1 family found this helpful
"Great for Toddlers"
Our two year old loves this place, especially the Tots Spot play space. Good fun when weather is nice so the kids can roam freely outside without you worrying about cars/bikes hitting them. It can get crazy packed sometimes, especially during the summer and on free days. Pack snacks and a lunch as their cafe is horrible - bad selection and not so good food.
2 families found this helpful
"Not worth the money!"
I was expecting an "Exploratium for the toddler set" but basically got a playground (which you can get for free anywhere). The staff seem unhappy to be there (more focused on saying "don't do that" rather than engaging with or educating the kids. Don't plan on eating there - the cafe is sloooow and over-priced. Quite a "discovery" alright - just not a good one.
2 families found this helpful
"Major Disappointment"
The kids and I were so excited to go here, but it was a disaster. I was so disappointed, I asked for my money back and we left quickly.
When we went, my kids were 3 and 5; both of my daughters are tall, so they look older than they are. When we attempted to enter the pre-schooler area, and very nasty and mean employee who was guarding the door, yelled at us and told my 5 year old preschooler that she could not enter. What?!? He forced her to stand against a wall to be measured, and because she was slightly taller than the line, we were kicked out.
I was furious and disgusted. There's no leeway for kids who are tall but who fit the definition of "preschooler." Plus, there's absolutely no excuse for a child to be treated so meanly by an employee at a kids' play place.
Before we left, we tried the crafts area, which was also a bust. There just wasn't that much to do, especially after my preschoolers were banned from the preschool exploration area -- and banned on a rainy day when there were very few other families.
If you go, beware of the guards at the door. When I asked for our money back and complained about the guard, I asked why they don't divide kids by age instead of height. I was told "it doesn't work." When I pointed out that the age system works perfectly for the kids' museum in San Jose, I was simply sniffed at and told it's just too bad that my kids happen to be tall.
The kids' museum in San Jose is my friendlier and more fun all around. We'll never go here again.
0 families found this helpful
"Fun with the Family"
An extensive renovation and expansion brings more fun and education to kids. In a complex of historic buildings by the bay near the north end of the Golden Gate Bridge, the museum comprises a Media Clubhouse with games, art, music, animation, video projects, and more on the latest multimedia equipment; a science lab; a maze of illusions with optical tricks; and a fishing boat to climb aboard. Crawl through an underwater tunnel; make ceramics, crafts, and art projects; touch sea animals; develop photos; drop in on a workshop; or ride a carousel.
The newly enlarged Tot Spot offers indoor/outdoor, hands-on fun for toddlers including a walk-under waterfall. Lookout Cove is a new outdoor exploration area with a rocky shore, sea cave, and tidal pools. Little architects build and design high-rise construction.
Multicultural shows are put on in the new theater, from acrobats to plays and musical presentations. The museum store sells science projects and imaginative toys and books, and the cafe serves reasonably priced sandwiches, soups, and salads.
You can take a short walk by the bay and have a picnic on the lawn; don’t forget jackets, as it can be windy and cool.
0 families found this helpful
"great rainy day activity!"
This is a great museum and play place. There are structures to climb on and through, lots of friendly mommies and a GREAT crafts area. They have an area with stations where the kids can do art projects. If you can, it's a good idea to get a family pass. It's worth it (make up the difference with three visits in one year) and you can bring a friend with their kids that way. If you're not sure if it will work for your kid, go on the free day which is the first Wednesday of each month!
Check it out:
http://www.baykidsmuseum.org/home/
2 families found this helpful
"Archer hearts exploring!"
There were definitely too many favorites. Highly recommend the train room and the musical instruments area outside. He also love love loved the water area outside where they had little plastic fishies and frogs for them to play with. There's a lot of fun areas to explore and the membership is reasonable for the year. A must see!
1 family found this helpful
"My daughter Love, Love, Loves this place."
I have been taking my daughter here since she was 6 months old and she still loves coming here. I like the BADM because it is small enough for me to take her by myself and just let her do what she wants. There are things for babies, toddlers, and children to do and the weather is almost always perfect out here. It is a short drive over the Golden Gate Bridge. Parents do have to pay admission, but the membership is quite reasonable, or you can always go to their website and print a coupon before you go. We try to ge everytime the revolving exhibit changes. My daughter could sit at the little trout run forever and she's happy. The cafe is pretty reasonable if you don't feel like packing a lunch. I like to meet up here with several moms so we can catch up and let our kids roam free together.
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