Indoor Kids' Activities in the Bay Area of California

There is no shortage of ways to pass the days enjoying the scenic and diverse San Francisco Bay area. If you happen to be visiting on a particularly cold and foggy day and the typical outdoor tourists sights aren't going to cut it, there are plenty of indoor play structures and museums that will educate and delight your child.

  1. The Jungle Island

    • The Jungle Island (thejungleisland.com) -- a 26,000-square-foot indoor play area in San Jose -- offers plenty for your busy child to do on a rainy day. The facility boasts slides, ball pits, arcade games and structures for your little one to climb and crawl. Older children will also enjoy the bumper car rides and laser tag sessions. While the Jungle offers plenty for kids to do, it also has a large café where parents can enjoy fresh food from their kitchen while their children play.

    Children's Creativity Museum

    • The Children's Creativity Museum (creativity.org) in San Francisco is home to interactive labs, galleries and studios designed to spark imagination and guide a child in his creative process. In the Animation Studio, kids can mold their own characters out of clay and bring them to life on screen, creating a DVD they can take home with them. In the Music Studio, kids can pick a song and perform in front of a green screen -- allowing them to choose from different backgrounds -- and record their performances. The museum also provides workshops that teach kids everything from magnetism to raising a garden.

    Exploratorium

    • Exploratorium (exploratorium.edu) -- located on Pier 15 in San Francisco -- has four indoor galleries that will leave your child with no shortage of things to do. In the South Gallery, kids are able to explore everything from clocks to marbles machines with their hands. Discover ecosystems using scientific tools in the East Gallery or experiment with light and sound in the Central Gallery. Your child will be part of the exhibit in the West Gallery, where he can go to observe others and experiment with social behavior.

    Chabot Space and Science Center

    • Your child's inner-astronaut will love spending a day at the Chabot Space and Science Center in Oakland (chabotspace.org). Your day will be full visiting the exhibits -- where he can even try on his own astronaut suit -- attending shows at the planetarium and theater and gazing at the planets through special daytime telescopes at the observatory. The center also hosts workshops, family movie nights and science camps for kids.

    2. Previous:

    Next:

    • Restaurants That Are Fun for Kids in Orange County
      Dining out with children can be intimidating and frustrating. Impatient, picky eaters who have not yet mastered dining etiquette do not necessarily make the best dinner companions. However, dining out with kids can be enjoyable if you set them up for
    • Instructions for Folding Umbrella Strollers
      Umbrella strollers are lightweight and easy to use once you know how to fold and unfold them. They fit easily in any car or trunk and can even fit across the floor of the backseat if necessary. A few quick tips can help you fold confidently without g
    • How do children have to be sit in a regular seat car?
      Children need to be properly secured in a car seat until they meet the height and weight requirements for their state. Heres a breakdown:General Rules* Rear-facing: Babies and toddlers should ride rear-facing until they reach the maximum height and