Best Children's Museums in the Mid-Peninsula: A Guide for Families

Best Children's Museums in the Mid-Peninsula: A Guide for Families

If you're searching for fun and educational activities for kids in the Mid-Peninsula, you're in luck! The San Mateo Peninsula is home to some of the best children’s museums in the San Francisco Bay Area, offering interactive exhibits, hands-on learning experiences, and engaging activities that make learning fun. Whether you’re in San Mateo, Burlingame, Redwood City, Palo Alto, or Menlo Park, there’s a perfect spot nearby for your next family adventure.

From science and nature exhibits to historic aircraft and hands-on history lessons, here are the best children's museums in the Mid-Peninsula that your kids will love!

1. CuriOdyssey – San Mateo

📍 Location: Coyote Point, San Mateo

If your child is curious about science and nature, CuriOdyssey in San Mateo is a must-visit! Located at Coyote Point, this museum blends STEM learning with wildlife encounters, offering:

• Physics-based exhibits where kids can explore concepts like motion and gravity

• Live animal encounters featuring owls, otters, and more

• Outdoor play areas and nature trails for extra fun

Perfect for younger kids, CuriOdyssey is an engaging place where learning feels like an adventure.

👉 Best for: Preschoolers and elementary-aged kids who love animals and science

2. Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo – Palo Alto

📍 Location: Palo Alto

For a hands-on science and animal experience, visit the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo. This newly renovated space features:

• Interactive exhibits that encourage kids to experiment and play

• A mini-zoo with over 50 species, including bobcats, turtles, and birds

• A family-friendly environment, ideal for kids under 10

Located near Stanford University, this museum is a fantastic stop for families spending the day in Palo Alto.

👉 Best for: Preschoolers and early elementary students who love animals and interactive science exhibits

3. The Museum of American Heritage – Palo Alto

📍 Location: Palo Alto

If your child enjoys history and technology, the Museum of American Heritage is a hidden gem. Here, families can explore:

• Vintage gadgets and classic inventions from the early 1900s

• Hands-on workshops, such as printing press demonstrations and electronics activities

• Rotating exhibits on innovation and engineering

This museum is great for older kids who love learning about how things work.

👉 Best for: Kids who enjoy hands-on tinkering and historic technology

4. Hiller Aviation Museum – San Carlos

📍 Location: San Carlos

Does your child dream of becoming a pilot? The Hiller Aviation Museum is the place to be! This aviation-focused museum features:

• Historic aircraft, including helicopters, early planes, and modern jets

• Flight simulators, where kids can experience what it’s like to fly

• Cockpit exploration, letting young visitors sit in real planes

For little ones fascinated by airplanes and space, this museum is an unforgettable experience.

👉 Best for: Kids who love airplanes, engineering, and hands-on exploration

5. San Mateo County History Museum – Redwood City

📍 Location: Redwood City

For an exciting dive into local history, visit the San Mateo County History Museum. Housed in a stunning historic courthouse, this museum offers:

• Interactive exhibits on the Gold Rush and early settlers

• A recreation of an old general store, where kids can play shopkeeper

• Engaging displays that bring the past to life

It’s a great spot to teach kids about the history of the San Francisco Peninsula in an immersive way.

👉 Best for: Kids who enjoy role-playing and history-themed activities

Plan Your Next Family Adventure!

The Mid-Peninsula has so many family-friendly museums that make learning fun and engaging. Whether your child loves animals, science, airplanes, or history, there's a museum that will spark their curiosity. Next time you’re looking for things to do with kids in San Mateo County, check out one of these incredible children’s museums!