Discover the Science Near You!

Science museums make discovery fun and can lead to a lifelong interest. An afternoon at a science museum may set your child on the path to becoming a rocket scientist or electrical engineer.

A visit to a science museum can also make for quality time for a family. Without the distraction of computers and TV, you can focus on one another and create shared experiences and memories.

Print out a Bay Area listing of science museums and centers.

Tips for Museum Visits

Have you ever visited a museum and felt that everyone was running in different directions? Here are some tips to make your family’s visit fun and meaningful from start to finish.

• Try a scavenger hunt. To aid you in your museum visit, we have developed scavenger hunts for each of the museums to provide a fun, interactive way for your family to experience the exhibits. Click on the museums to your left to print up a scavenger hunt for your next visit.


• Plan ahead. Check out the museums listed to the left and let each family member take the lead in planning the visit to their favorite. 


• Find unique opportunities. When you arrive, find out if there are special events or shows going on by visiting the museum information desk.


• Spend time investigating. Encourage your child to spend time at the exhibits and read the information provided on the signs of her favorite exhibits. Ask open-ended questions like “Why do you think this is happening?” or “What would happen if…?” to help slow her down and encourage an exchange.


• Talk it over. Talk to your kids while you’re in the exhibit. Relate what you’re seeing with your child’s interests or experiences in his life.


• Set an example and ask questions. Ask your child, “What could we do to find out?” Asking questions and seeking answers is a powerful way to model how new discoveries are made. By looking online or enlisting help from an older sibling, relative, teacher, or museum staff see if you can find the answer, as a family.


• Make the connection. Is your child studying earth science, life science, or physical science in school? Let your child be the expert and explain to you the most fascinating concept she learned in class and how it relates to the exhibit.


• Follow up on interests. After a fun day at a museum explore some of the topics that your child enjoyed the most.


• Plan a trip to the library. Find books with related science experiments that your child can do at home. Check out Exploratopia by The Exploratorium.

• Get out the popcorn and watch a movie or TV show related to science.

  • Be sure to check out Quest, a KQED series that explores Northern California science, environment, and nature. 
  • The Discovery channel is a great place to explore TV shows like Mythbusters, Planet Earth, and Dirty Jobs.
  • Learn all about cats, dogs, and whales by watching TV shows on the Animal Planet.
  • NOVA on PBS features videos and podcasts on topics ranging from the Mysteries of Megavolcanos to the Kings of Camouflage.
  • The PBS series, DragonFly, offers fun experiments and games to play.

• Follow up with stories in the news.  Science News for Kids, offers timely items of interest to kids ages 9-14, including hands-on activities, books, articles, and Web resources.