Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo
add photosThe Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo is a kid's place to think, create and play.
All Junior Museum and Zoo exhibits allow children to become physically involved and immerse themselves in the essence of life, to poke, to prod, to pull, to pick up, and to smell.
The Zoo is home to more than 50 exotic and native animals, of which at least half are brought into classrooms as part of the Junior Museum and Zoo's science outreach program with local schools. Some of the animals include bobcats, raccoons, jungle bats, hedgehogs, ferrets, snakes, and an owl.
17 Reviews for Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo
5
00 families found this helpful
"The Best ZOO for Toddlers"
We love it because it is perfect size where I can take the my 18 month old twins on my own without a stroller, the zoo has just the right kind of animals that makes my boys crazy! Awesome place when u have 1-2 hours to kill in a bright sunny afternoon. The Museum is more for slightly older kids, and it is super crowed on weekdays.
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0 families found this helpful
"Good when you just need a quick activity"
I have very mixed feelings about this place. This museum is admitted by donation only, which is nice because one probably won't end up spending too much time there. Although there are fun things to do it was very crowded in the morning and there aren't too many play areas. Big kids were pushing little ones out of the way and there were only 10 or so different activities in the whole museum so we spent a lot of time waiting to get a ball from the big kids. The zoo out side has about 10 animal in it. All in all if you need a cheap quick place to entertain your kids for an hour or so it is great, and it is fantastic for a small town to have their own place like this for children, but I wouldn't drive 30 minutes to go spend the day here.
0 families found this helpful
"Free and Fun"
This is a very small zoo but it's free! There is a bucket for donations at the front though. This place is especially great for really small kids that don't want to walk around a big zoo for hours. I think the biggest animal there was a bobcat. It is a perfect afternoon activity!
0 families found this helpful
"Dirty and boring!"
I was disappointed in this place. The place was dirty and smelled (inside and out). The animals were kept in small cages. The only animal having enough room was the rabbit. And there were not many animals. The worst part were the kids! I have never seen kids behaving so horrible. My daughter is 1 1/2 years. Several boys around seven years were taking balls away from her and their parents were not around or did not care. I guess those are the type of people who would hang out there. The only thing (other than the rabbit) we really enjoyed was the park next door.
0 families found this helpful
"Simple but great"
It's such a trek to go to San Jose or San Francisco to the museums there. Instead, head on over the little PA zoo and museum. It's not big, but they have some nice exhibits. It's probably good for a 2-3 hr trip with children < 7. Older kids might get a little bored.
'11
1 family found this helpful
"Fun time for the kids"
This is a cute little mini museum/zoo in a nice Palo Alto neighborhood. The best thing about this place? It's free. There is, however, a donation bin, though. Suggested donation is $3 per person, which still is not bad.
This is a fun place because the kids can run around inside playing and experimenting with all the exhibits they have (which is also educational) and then go outside and check out all the animals. In front of the museum/zoo, there is an area where the kids can run around and play on tree stumps. This area is nice because they can run around and tire themselves out so that you can go home and put them down for a nap. I also noticed some areas where you can also have lunch outside.
It looked like this place hosts birthday parties and offers classes for kids. Registration is in front as you enter the museum.
1 family found this helpful
"Educational and fun!"
We found this place through Trekaroo and the reviewers were right! We took our 5-year old son there and it was never a dull moment for him. There are several activities that teach the kids about creating and saving energy and there's an interesting little zoo in the "backyard". So it was both fun and educational. We got there at 10:10am and their small parking lot gets full fast. It's free, however, there is a $3 suggested donation for each person. It was money well spent for us!
One of the reviewers suggested eating at Hobee's at the Town & Country Center for lunch after a visit at the zoo. We can't comment on the food as we didn't end up eating there. There were lots of people waiting outside for a table. (There's just a lot of people at the Center, period!) I peaked inside and it's a small restaurant. We had our 9-month old baby in a stroller with us and maneuvering it between and around tables would be difficult. So if you plan to eat there, a heads-up for those who have hungry, cranky kids after leaving the museum & zoo--it can get a bit cramped in there and you may have to wait for a table.
0 families found this helpful
"Free and fun"
I like the Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo. I believe that was pretty smart to miss science and animals. I wished some of the animals had more place to roam around though. The science area is very entertaining. There is a nice park to run around after visiting the Museum/Zoo.
1 family found this helpful
"Great for toddlers!"
I took my daughter there today for the 1st time and she had a blast!!! The zoo area is shady and well laid out with various small animals, like a bunny, ferrets, sharks, and snakes. The indoor museum area has a buch of hands on exhibits. Will definately go back again.
1 family found this helpful
"Indoor/Outdoor Learning Fun!"
This is a long-standing favorite of our family. It is just the right size for young kids (0-6) and allows them to learn about science and animals while having fun playing, interacting with the exhibits and visiting the animals. It offers a great combination of indoors and outdoors time for the little ones and, just as importantly, is a relatively stress-free experience for the parents! The indoor space is compact and packed with inviting hands-on educational activities and the outdoor area is quaint and fairly shaded, with several cute corners to rest with the kids and little animals such as raccoons, bats, bobcats, owl, ducks, geese, bunnies, snakes, rats, fish, shark, peacock and many more. Our kids even had the opportunity, this past weekend, to pat a rather large Python that was taken out of its cage and displayed right in front of the entrance to the museum. The indoor exhibits tend to change roughly every 12 months. Currently the main theme is renewable energy. This is a lost-cost activity. There is no formal entry fee but they recommend a nominal donation. It is conveniently located in the heart of Palo Alto and is right next door to Rinconada Park and Rinconada Pool. After a visit you can picnic at Rinconada Park or go right around the corner for a family-friend meal at Hobee’s in Town & Country Center.
1 family found this helpful
"Great for small children...."
This place has been in Palo Alto since I was a child (over 27 years) The museum has a small section with childrens learning exibits, and then there is a door that brings you out to their "zoo".
The zoo is not your typical zoo. It has animals like owls, ferrets, bobcats, peacocks, and swans. The zoo is perfect for small children!
2 families found this helpful
"A regular hangout"
This is a well known hang out for parents of toddlers in the Bay Area. If you have a kid under the age of 5 you’ve probably been here, but it’s worth mentioning for the newly relocated or just visiting.
The PA Jr. Museum is a small, hands on, interactive facility full of kid friendly exhibits. Son especially likes the “plink-o” boards, and the ball tubes. There is also an outdoor zoo with ducks, fish, birds, and bunnies to look at.
Admission is free, but they request a donation to help fund future projects.
Also, Rinconada Park is located right next to the museum...great spot for after visiting the Museum since they have a nice little play park and picnic tables.
1 family found this helpful
"For little busy hands"
Toddlers love the interactive displays, magnets and touch plays. The little zoo outside is just right for close ups with animals without overwhelming roars. This little museum may be a bit crowded on weekends.
2 families found this helpful
"Junior Museum in Palo Alto"
Indoor area with interactive exhibits. Unfortunately, a few exhibits were "out of order" and waiting repair due to a limited staff. The zoo was very appropriate for the toddler crew. They also offer science and art classes for elementary students.
2 families found this helpful
"cutest little museum and zoo"
Love this museum and zoo. Our kids always have a great time playing with the exhibits (i.e - games and activities) and seeing the animals is lots of fun too. It is free although donation helps keep this gem open. Great way to spend lazy or rainy afternoon. The attached playground is fun too.
3 families found this helpful
"Small, cute, crowded"
The best thing about this is that it's free, and it's particularly good for small children (e.g. 1-5 years old) because you can let them run around. That being said, it is quite small and can get very crowded, especially when schools come in for tours. The animals on display are fairly common place but will still thrill little ones. Older children might find it slightly boring although the science exhibits are almost like a play land for little ones. Good for an hour or so. Afterwards, go to Rinconada park nearby or the newly refurbished Children's Library on Harriet Street (all walking distance).
3 families found this helpful
"Great place for small kids"
The newly renovated Junior Museum is a great place for just a small donation. A great spot for those who don't have time to take their younger kids to the more extensive Children's Museum in San Jose or Sausalito. Lots of fun animals from bobcats, geese, lizards, peacocks and bats. Can get crowded during non-school hours. New eco-friendly exhibit that teaches about alternative energy. No air conditioning, so you might not want to go on a hot day.
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