Fun things to do with a toddler or young preschooler in the Bay Area. We’ve rounded up all the best stuff to do with a three-year old in the East Bay and beyond. Need tips on area museums and fun destinations? You’re welcome!
Pushing a baby through a museum is all about the YOUÂ with occasional pit stops to feed or change your companion. But a two- or three-year old? They have very strong opinions about where you go and what you do. I wanted to create a guide to fun places in the Bay Area for preschoolers to help parents navigate the many awesome attractions from their level:
- Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science highlights for three-year olds
- Berkeley’s Habitot Children’s Museum is a must-do for preschoolers
- Oakland’s Fairyland, a first-timer’s guide
- Walnut Creek’s Lindsay Wildlife Museum, a guide for three-year olds
- San Francisco’s Exploratorium picks for three-year olds
- San Francisco’s Cal Academy of Sciences guide for preschoolers
- Sausalito’s Bay Area Discovery Museum, three is the sweet spot!
- San Mateo’s CuriOdyssey at Coyote Point: a super half-day trip with a toddler
- Monterey Bay Aquarium highlights for three-year olds
Do you  have an opinionated three-year old? If so, I’d love for you to add to the body of knowledge available to other parents.
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[Top photo originally by Megan Small but I pic’monkeyed with it; second photo by Heather Flett]
6 thoughts on “What to do with a three-year old in the Bay Area”
My three year old loves the Oakland museum. We have not yet been to many children’s museums but e likes the interactive aspects of the exhibits at the OMCA and the jazz musicians that play in the cafe.
Also we visit the Gardens at Lake Merritt a lot and e likes it as much as nearby Fairyland. It is a great spot to explore and have a picnic.
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Our kids also LOVE the Oakland Museum of California and you can easily extend your visit to the area if you include a walk around the lake and a stop for cookies and pizza at Arizmendi :). Everything in Tilden seems to be a hit with our toddlers (the botanical gardens, lake anza, little farm, inspiration point) as well as hiking at the Redwood Regional Park in the Oakland Hills since there is a creek and tons of fallen trees to walk on.
Another great outing is Jack London! You can check out the ships and cranes. Loud trains go by frequently. Have a delicious lunch at Authentic Bagel (bagel dogs are a hit with kids). And for a real adventure, rent a kayak and paddle over to Alameda to see the cool and colorful houseboats (one hour rental includes toddler life vests)!
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