Exploratorium in San Francisco

One of the highlights, if not the most favorite spot of our San Francisco trip was our visit to Exploratorium. When we were planning our itinerary, we knew on our last day it was going to be rainy. Exploratorium was the perfect indoor destination for kids, while rest of our family enjoyed their downtime after a busy and exhausting week in and around San Francisco. I assumed it was going to be fun for kids, but I never expected it to so good that kids want to go back to San Francisco just to visit Exploratorium again.
Exploratorium is located at Pier 15. We took a MUNI streetcar near a stop from our hotel. We arrived around 10:30 am. The ticket prices for adults ($29.95) were a little bit expensive in my opinion. Kids under 3 are free. Kids between 4-12 are $19.95. For kids, the price was totally worth it.
We visited Exploratorium on a Friday. There were many student groups visiting. I was worried that it was going to be quite crowded inside. However, Exploratorium is quite big. We observed where school kids were and decided to start from the opposite end. After we got our tickets and entered, these fun “water fountains” welcomed us. Of course, kids had to try them.
Exploratorium has 600 on-hands exhibits. When I say hands on, I mean there is not one structure, exhibit or activity that kids can not either push a button, touch, manipulate and even construct. Therefore, the visit takes time but in a good way. Kids never got bored, or complained that they were bored. They tried everything one or more times. I just let them be because we had no where else to be.
Exploratorium has 6 main galleries. Livings Systems in East Gallery is one of them. You get to explore living things from cells to organisms ecosystems. Not photographed here but development and evolution of fungi exhibit was very interesting.
A couple of months ago our family visited the San Francisco Exploratorium: The Museum of Science, Art and Human Perception located at Pier 15. We have visited before but it has been awhile I had forgotten how much there is to see and do here.
The month we visited it was Moon Month, they were celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Apollo Space Mission. There were great exhibits for them to learn about what does the moon have to do with the tides? When lunar eclipses happen and why? There was a giant life size moon to snap a photo of, my pictures do not do it justice, it was super neat. I did not capture as many photos as I had hoped because I was trying to keep an eye on my children who were exploring everywhere. This museum is large and there are tons of places to run off to and explore. Which I am extremely happy that they enjoyed themselves and had an interactive experience. I loved glancing over and seeing one of them reading and that look of amazement on their face. I love watching them having fun "while learning". Be sure to check out their website for the calendar of events or special exhibits.
They had things to do and read on your own as well as sections, areas, with Exploratorium Staff who would explain and assist with different exhibits. There was a painting exhibit that you would sign up for and then come back at your time slot.
One of my boys favorite areas was an area they were able to use objects and light to create pictures with shadows. My little guy loved the giant bubbles he was able to make. They also had a ton of fun with all the musical exhibits.
I loved the exhibits that made you think about your perception. There was a drinking fountain that was a toilet. It was clean water, it was a perfectly fine drinking fountain, but who wants to drink out of a toilet. There was another exhibit that had sports jersey's of specific people and it asked how did seeing this jersey, this team, make you think. It is thought provoking on how we react, respond, and think based on perception. My husband and I had great conversation about this exhibit. That is another great thing about this museum, it is not just for kids, adults can have an amazing time here too, it is a neat place to explore for all ages.