New Children’s Museum in San Diego
When I think of a Children’s Museum the same things usually come to mind. A pretend play area. Maybe an art area. A pretend store. Usually some sort of water play. The New Children’s Museum will have you questioning all of those assumptions.
The New Children’s Museum is located in downtown San Diego. It is three stories of treehouses and creative spaces and little nooks. We have been to some pretty cool Children’s Museum but this is definitely one of the most inventive.
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When you enter you will see a huge open air space. The natural light throughout the museum is gorgeous, but that isn’t what your kids will appreciate.
They’ll love an enormous bed to jump on full of soft tires to stack and safe spaces to launch themselves onto a mattress. Have a kid who likes to jump on the bed or your couch? This is the room for them.
Outside on the patio there is a giant car with layers of paint. It’s simple, but genius. Who wants to come paint a car? Grab an art smock and brush.
Or feeling more like some small motor art? Try your hand at creating with clay.
Inside there is also an Innovator’s LAB. I should have started with this perhaps because you will want to pop in here and put your name to reserve a spot when you first arrive. On busy days you might have to wait an hour or two before you can get in. They have ever changing art activities and tinkering type activities led by one of their staff members.
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Or run up the stairs to the giant hammock or “whammock” – the most recent installation. This is where my kids always want to start and end.
Or have little ones there are also tot and preschooler designated spaces. Perfect for little ones and without the energy and size of big kids.
Honestly, that is just the start. There’s a cozy cool sand nook, there’s a huge treehouse like room, there are huge tracks where you can race cars and so much more. Something for everyone but all things that encourage open ended exploring, curiosity, creativity, and having fun.
Helpful Tips to Know Before You Go:
- They are open MWRFS 9:30-4 Closed Tuesday during the school year.
- There is a museum lot behind the museum. It isn’t large so it does fill up and you may have to find parking in one of the nearby lots – but take a lap even if there is a sign out front that says it’s full. Sometimes it’s not.
- There are great food options in their award winning cafe – they are also great with allergies.
- There are changing tables in the bathroom on each floor. There are also little bottom friendly toilets which is such a sweet little detail.
- There is a nursing space on the main floor as well.
