The Exploratorium
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48 Reviews for The Exploratorium
5
20 families found this helpful
"Better for older kids (7+)"
This museum has a lot of interesting exhibits and I recommend it for kids who are into science. It is great for a rainy day as everything is indoors and contained. It's not so good for young kids and in some ways there is too much there so it's hard to focus. Also you need to get there early otherwise parking is a nightmare!
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'11, '12
3 families found this helpful
"Great Hands-On Fun for the Entire Family!"
This was my kind of place! My kids LOVED touching everything! They enjoyed making their own hurricanes and stepping on the rocks to see how loud they were. They went in the sound room and made lots and lots of noise. They took pictures of their shadows and ran around in the pitch black tactile dome (for an extra fee of about $20). They LOVED making huge spirographs, which took a long time to wait in line for (again for a small fee of about $.25-$.75 depending on how many colors you wanted to use.) The food in the cafeteria was expensive. I didn't plan to spend $15 on lunch for myself, but on the plus side, it was all organic. The kids loved the superstition exhibit and got to break glass and drink water from a toilet drinking fountain - I wouldn't touch that one! It was very hands on and very hard to get them out at the end of the day. Worth every penny!
1 family found this helpful
"Hands On Science Fun!!"
The Exploratorium can be very overwhelming and very crowded. I recommend giving yourself a minimum of 4 hours to play around in this place, although it can also be an all day thing. Tons of interavtive fun hands on activities for kids of all ages. There are really great things for toddlers, but I think it is almost too much for them, especially when you are trying to get your money's worth. I would say it is best for ages 5+. I remember enjoying it myself for the first time as a teenager on an honor society fieldtrip.
0 families found this helpful
"Whoo! Go science!"
This is an amazing place to visit! It was a tad busy when my family and I visited, but there was always something to learn and something to do. It was a very fun experience and will definitely go back. We were there for about 4 hours, but didn't have enough time to see everything. HIGHLY recommended for toddlers through teens!
0 families found this helpful
"Teaching Kids to Love Science!"
If your kids already love science, The Exploratorium is a must, but even if they don't, they might after an afternoon in this museum! The Exploratorium is almost entirely composed of hands-on/interactive exhibits. The exhibits are located by category and include Astronomy, Culture, Earth, Everyday Science, Human Body, Listening, Living Things, Material World, Mind, and Seeing. With all of that variety, there is something to interest everyone in your family. This museum is even fun for the parents as they get to play and explore with their children. My husband had at least as much fun as the kids. :) Our favorite exhibits were Mind and Human Body. I would plan to spend about 4 hours at the museum. Try not to get too absorbed with one exhibit or you might miss out on all of the others!
0 families found this helpful
"great place for your kids to learn sciences."
It's a great hands-on museum for kids to learn sciences. It's suitable for kids of all ages. You just need to take your kids there and let they play and learn. If you are nerdy, it's also good for you too. A lot of experiments to do and you will never be bored. But sometimes, the museum get over-crowded, so plan ahead to make it better.
0 families found this helpful
"Very fun"
when i went here with my two kids and my sister and her two kids and some other of my family, we all enjoyed it. it was even fun for all for of the kids that came along because we wanted them to. younger kids might not enjoy it as much as older kids.
1 family found this helpful
"Amazing for older kids"
I've been to this museum both as a kid and now with my children.
The exhibits are definitely older-kid friendly. Follow the recommend age of 5+ or your little ones might be bored. There are a few things toddlers/preschoolers can get involved in such as the massive bubbles and making their shadow stick to the wall, but overall, the majority of the hands on exhibits are made with reading children in mind, who are aware of science and it's general laws. If you have a mix of ages, don't skip this to appease the younger ones if you can afford it. This museum is part of the San Francisco City Pass (http://www.citypass.com/san-francisco) and this makes it a much more affordable option.
0 families found this helpful
"Pretty cool museum"
Science. Is. Awesome.
I've been to a few science museums in my life, but this was the first time I'd been to the Exploratorium (after living here for six years, blasphemous, I know). The Exploratorium was a bit different from what I was used to, with its open warehouse setup and smaller size.
Many of the exhibits seem on the older side, but still educational and serviceable. They do have a notable piece of new technology, though - a high-speed camera. You can set the delay speed after a drip of water and take a super high-res picture of the splash!
0 families found this helpful
"Crowded yet educational"
The exploritorium is one of the most broad hands on museums in the bay. The Exploritorium offers deminstrations by staff everday, including a cows eye disection (eweew). The green shadow box is a must for everyone. Take a lunch too and enjoy it at the palace of fine arts. It's often crowded so try and go early on weekdays.
0 families found this helpful
"Great fun for all ages"
My husband, 2.5 year-old and I made a trip to the Exploratorium a few months ago and were pleasantly surprised! We thought there wouldn't be much for our toddler to do, but she absolutely loved it! We had to pull her out kicking and screaming when it was time to go. The museum had a great variety of hands-on exhibits, and from what I understand, they are always changing them. Make sure to bring a picnic and enjoy lunch on the grass outside the Palace of Fine Arts too. This was well worth the price of admission!
0 families found this helpful
"Lots to do"
This place has so much to do you will be overwhelmed trying to take it all in. It is more geared for older kids. My 1.5 year old had fun but didnt really get what was going on with all the science set ups. It is very educational and fun. It is also near a beautiful beach and pond for people when they get claustrophobic:)
0 families found this helpful
"My husband and I loved it"
As many of you understand, it does not make any sense to take a kid who is younger than 4-5 years old to this museum. Our daughter is only 2.5 years old and she may have found something she would like in the museum, but would not get even 10% of the benefits the museum has to offer.
On the other hand, my husband and I really enjoyed the museum with all of its cool things to explore.
0 families found this helpful
"The Best with the kids"
Fun for everyone, and the kids will have such a blast, they won't even realize it is educational! This is a hands-on science adventure. Discover the workings of the human body, space, time, the earth, communication, the arts and much more. My family loves to come here whenever possible. They are always adding new exhibits, so it never gets boring.
0 families found this helpful
"Kids Love it"
This place is huge, but there's not really a lot to see, though you could easily spend an afternoon playing with all the fun stuff they do have. There's lots of hands-on experiments and fun things to touch so kids really enjoy it. Certain times can be really busy though, either with tourists or school trips, so be patient.
0 families found this helpful
"The Exploratorium RULES!"
I can guarantee that your kids will LOVE this place. My husband and I had a great time fiddling with the different exhibits also. The only bad part is the food they offer. The food is really not good at all and the bad part is that there isn't really anything nearby either. So you are kind of stuck with their poor selection of choices for lunch. My advice is to pack a lunch if you can.
0 families found this helpful
"The Exploratorium"
My two sons,enjoyed an field trip to this destination The Exploratorium An place to learn,with family and friends.explore new facts with mom and dad. Become an expert on an subject with imagine.to fill the mind of an child,at an early age can open up the senses and confidence they need to succeed.interests, and curious young minds. science ,planets,our universe.made them want to know even more .asking questions,seeking answers.
1 family found this helpful
"Really amazing experience"
Ok, I'll admit I hit this one before I was a Momma, but I cannot wait to take my little ones to The Exploratorium in a few years.
Friends of ours lived in the Berkeley/ San Fran area and made sure to take us here on a visit. A terrific hands-on science museum for kids and adults alike.
If you're there, the Tactile Dome is a must-do! Tickets seem pricey (see their website for current prices), but the money is well worth it. A building in itself (a dome, really) inside the museum, visitors must navigate through the Dome in total darkness, using only touch. The walls and floor are covered in common objects, every room has a theme (I won't ruin the experience by giving examples). Take your time and feel it all...see how much you can identify!
The Tactile Dome isn't for visitors with mobility problems, sadly. There are a few other restrictions and cautions on their website. For those who are willing and able, the experience is unforgettable. What a gem!
0 families found this helpful
"One of the best..."
We go at least once a year. It is a great half day possibly full day depending on how into it the family gets. Cost is very reasonable and you can picnic out side in a beautiful park. Location is very central and easy in and out. Parking can be rough some days.
Hands on science exhibition. Kids learn and explore and they just think they are playing. I have a great time with the exhibits myself. Teens my get bored in a few hours. Great for the under 15 crowd and curios minds.
0 families found this helpful
"AWESOME!"
My husband (a science teacher) and I took our three-year old to the Exploratorium on a weekday. I thought the exhibits would be too advanced for our toddler, but he had a BLAST turning knobs and dials, playing with hovering balls, standing in a fog machine, catching his shadow on a flash wall, playing with magnets, watching waves, and playing instruments! We had the BEST time engaging with him at the exhibits and watching him wander, wonder and explore. There was so much to do that we could have stayed all day. We picnicked outside near the Palace of Fine Arts, and the fun continued at the little guy chased seagulls and geese around the lagoon. Later that night, he said, "Mommy, there's wasn't science at the museum; there were kids' things." When I explained that the "kids' things" were "science things," he replied, "I love science!" My husband beamed. What an AMAZING day!
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