The Children’s Creativity Museum, located in San Francisco’s Yerba Buena Gardens, is a hands-on, multimedia art and technology experience for kids ages 2-12. Kids over 5 will appreciate the Animation Studio, Making Music Studio, and Mystery Box Challenge, while younger kids will enjoy the lower-tech interactive exhibits. Everyone will love the carousel and epic slides at the nearby playground. This is one museum sure to satisfy kids of all ages!
The Mission of the Children’s Creativity Museum is Next Generation Innovation
Our mission is to nurture creativity and collaboration in all children and families. We believe that creative expression, innovation, and critical thinking are core to fostering the next generation.
Various core studios and traveling exhibits keep the museum fresh and, well, creative at every visit. Create a video; sing karaoke with 2,000 choices; build a race track; admire other children’s art in the gallery; and always choose a different animal on the carousel right outside.
The Children’s Creativity Museum for Little Kids
Lil’ Critter City located right off the lobby, where kids under 5 can dive right into engaging, hands-on fun. From experimenting with wind tunnels and building with huge magnetic tiles in Fort Zump to curling up in the cozy reading nook or dressing up with costumes, props, and puppets in the theater, there’s plenty to explore. A soft play area designed especially for crawlers and little ones up to age 2 makes space perfect for the younger set.
While downstairs, be sure to check out the immersive art exhibit which invites visitors to use tablets to draw flower petals that bloom together in a shared digital field on a giant screen. The space feels playful for kids and surprisingly peaceful for adults. Before heading upstairs, stop by the Build the Future LEGO exhibit and the Mystery Box Challenge, where kids can design, build, and proudly display their creations in the art gallery.
Upstairs at the Children’s Creativity Museum
Pro tip: When heading to the second floor, use the spiral gallery ramp so kids can freely run up while enjoying the beautiful artwork and interactive exhibits along the way.
The upstairs area at the Children’s Creativity Museum offers more inventive hands-on opportunities for both big and little kids in the Making Music Studio. Younger kids will spend time building their own instruments with cardboard, pipe cleaners, rubber bands, etc. They can then dance around on the fun interactive dot carpet that plays music (though a bit too softly). There’s also an opportunity to dawn headphones and create your own music with computers and electronic keyboards with different instrument sounds.
Older kids will head straight for the Innovation Lab where they can create real stop-motion movies using LEGO and other figurines. This activity does take time and patience, so most little kids won’t have the bandwidth to complete a full movie (even if their parent really really wants to give it a try). There are also limited stations, so on more crowded days, there will most certainly be a wait. That being said, this is a super cool exhibit that your creative LEGO-loving kiddos will adore.
While the Innovation Lab is ideal for older kids, Track Makers is the perfect upstairs spot to keep little ones entertained, especially if you’re juggling two kids with different interests. With ball runs, car tracks, and a giant train table, kids can build and experiment to create their own epic courses.
Playground and Carousel
There’s an awesome playground just across the way from the museum. There are two epic slides and plenty of other climbing, running, and general getting-your-ya-yas-out areas to explore (including a tot lot section). Enjoy a mid-morning snack or lunch after you finish at the museum. Great for making a day of it.
And of course, your kids will also want to ride the historic LeRoy King Carousel. It’s beautiful and classic and the ride feels longer, but just as fast at the Tilden Park Carousel. $3 per person.
Plan your visit to the Children’s Creativity Museum
Location: The Children’s Creativity Museum is located in San Francisco at the corner of Fourth and Howard Streets in Yerba Buena Gardens. 221 Fourth Street, San Francisco, CA.
BART: The nearest BART station is Powell Street. Find parking suggestions here >>
Admission:
- Everyone age 1 and older: $20
- Under 1 year: FREE
- Members: FREE
- Book Your Tickets >>
Carousel Info: Right outside The Children’s Creativity Museum is the LeRoy King Carousel, a fully restored 1906 carousel. Your kids will notice!
$3 per person (good for one ride). Open Wednesday – Thursday from 12 pm – 4 pm and Friday – Sunday from 10 am – 4 pm
Food: Bring your own food and water. There is no food on site, there are some snack tables set up in the entry area but the outdoor courtyard is a lovely place to eat, especially on a mild day. Joyride Pizza and the food court in the Metreon are within walking distance if you get hungry.
For deals on admission:
The CCM participates in several programs for free and deeply discounted admission. See if you qualify.
- Creativity Museum offers free admission and carousel rides to EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) and Medi-Cal cardholders and their family members through the Museums for All program.
- Blue Star Museums offers free admission to active-duty military families.
- The Reciprocal Organization of Associated Museums (ROAM).
