San Luis Obispo Children's Museum

San Luis Obispo, CA Print   Leave a comment

Description

San Luis Obispo Children's Museum has a ton of stuff to explore in a cute three-storey building in downtown San Luis Obispo. Themed rooms really encourage imaginary play. You could spend hours in here just letting your kids play by themselves. Or you can join in too.
On the second floor let your kids "serve" you at the cafe where there is fake food, plates, pots and pans, and diner stools where you can sit. In the fire station area, ride the fire engine, try on firefighter hats and coats and use the hoses to put out a fire. In the fruit market area, gather plastic fruits and vegetables into a basket and bring it to the cash register to be packed into a bag. At the bus, pretend to be the driver and enjoy the murals of the town. On the stage, stand in front of the fancy curtains in one of the dress-up outfits. In the doctor's office, listen to teddy's heartbeat. And this is only the 2nd floor!
Kids can climb up a netted area with circular stairs and look down on the typical shady San Luis Obispo scene out the glass. This museum definitely has that dark brick narrow-building San Luis Obispo feel. Kids can also ride on a huge smiley face that swings like a pendulum and recites numbers and letters in operatic tones. This pendulum ends up being kind of annoying because it keeps singing its tune even when no one is riding it.
On the first floor there are some interesting science areas that older kids will enjoy. Make a building and see whether it could withstand an earthquake. Stand inside a giant bubble that forms around you as you raise the bubble maker with a rope. Walk into a cave with crystals. Play with super strong magnets. Make a 3D clay animation video (this was one of our favorite ones, and so easy to do, with great results!) Play ball in a Wii-like manner on a big projector screen.
The third floor is attic-like and dark. Here you can find a quiet corner and play with toys or read books. There's also a life-size train, with really cool sound effects, that you can conduct at Jelly Bean Junction. A table with a Brio train set provides more fun.
There is an outdoor area that is colorful and surrounded by trees.
Overall this is a great place to spend an hour or two. It was a little stuffy the day we were there and we were glad to be out in the fresh nippy Central California air when we left.
After your visit you can walk around Downtown San Luis Obispo and check out the stores, restaurants, and the Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa.
While in SLO, don't miss out on the most amazing playground you'll ever see at Sinsheimer Park.

Photo Gallery

The cafe where kids can cook their parents a pretend meal!	The bus where kids can be the driver and passengers can ring the bell.	The huge rocking horse.
The fruit market, with farm fields mural behind.	The fruit market displays where kids can "shop."	The huge train kids can conduct with cool sound effects, and the Brio train table set.
The climby by the big window. You can roll a ball down an obstacle course from the top.	Outdoor play area.	A mom and daughter play in the outdoor area.
Hippo at the bottom of the stairs in the outdoor area.	A cave with bubbling water that is backlit with colorful lights.

Directions

The museum is located at 1010 Nipomo St, San Luis Obispo CA 93401, call (805) 544-5437.
From Highway 101 northbound, exit at Marsh St. From Marsh St, turn left on Nipomo St. You can park along the road or in the lot on the corner of Nipomo St and Higuera St. There are parking meters.
From Highway 101 southbound, exit at Broad St. Turn right on Lincoln St. Turn right on Chorro St. Turn right on Peach St. Peach St veers to the left and becomes Nipomo St. When you see the museum on your left you can park along the road. Or you can park in the lot on the corner of Nipomo St and Higuera St. There are parking meters.
Hours vary per season, call to be sure: 10-3 Tues- Fri, 10-5 on Sat, 1- 5 on Sun. Closed Mon.
Price is $8 per person, $5 for seniors aged 60+, and free for children aged 2 and under. Adults must have a child with them to enter.

This is an interactive map, you can zoom and move it.

Overall Visitor Rating:

Rick W 10/20/2009 19:28

really fun for kids- a great way to spend an afternoon especially when youve been outside enough