Last updated: . This update checks selected Exploratorium hours, age, and visitor details; the family’s visit remains a historical account. Date information added October 28, 2026.
First published on August 8, 2018, this story describes our family’s visit and our children’s ages at the time. Planning notes were checked in October 2026; exhibits, admission and opening times may change.
The Exploratorium is an interactive museum at Pier 15 on the Embarcadero. Current daytime hours are Tuesday–Saturday, 10 am–5 pm, and Sunday, noon–5 pm; it is normally closed on Monday. Check the official visitor page for special dates, admission and current hours. Thursday After Dark is for adults ages 18 and over, so a visit with an older child belongs in daytime hours.
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This was, sadly, the only children’s museum we made it to. I love children’s museums and I would have loved to explore more. However, we ended up spending a lot of time at the skate park. Lucy got a new scooter at the beginning of the month and wanted to use it a lot. There were dreams of being an Olympic/BMX star on the scooter of course. There was a nice playground and the kids all loved it, so I went with it!
The Exploratorium is quite a destination for a family. It could easily be explored over multiple days and is mostly geared towards older kids. Really, only Lucy would be self-sufficient enough to enjoy the museum. They said on the website that toddlers will have enough to do, but I don’t really agree. Grace and Harrison were sort of out of luck. Grant and Lincoln needed me to constantly explain everything- nothing was quite entertaining enough for them on their own. There was a fun hanging balloon kind of thing that we could play hide-and-seek in, but I have to make sure there was no pushing/shoving/yelling. 🙂
Honestly, the kids enjoyed our picnic outside and chasing the pigeons about as much as anything inside! Haha!
This would have been a super fun date night. Or an older kid date. I wouldn’t take all my kiddos back there for many years, at least not alone.
Our experience above reflects how that visit worked for our family. The museum’s current tips for visiting with kids suggest toddler activities involving mirrors, bubbles and light. Strollers are welcome, and loaners are available on a first-come basis. Adults should stay with their children. The museum also lists rest areas and permits snacks in designated outdoor eating areas. Consider your children’s interests and how much hands-on help they will need when planning your visit.
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