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!