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 cartoon production, short filmmaking, and computer studio, 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 one day; touch everything; sing karaoke with 2,000 choices; practice coding on robots; sketch and scan; 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
Kids under 5 years will jump head-first into all the engaging interactive stations in the downstairs section of the museum. Be it the old-school train table, telephone booths (with real telephones, which seemed to be lost on the kiddos LOL), or the cozy Storybook Park reading nook, the downstairs area is ideal for the younger set. The many opportunities for tactile exploration through creating art, taking pictures, building puzzles, and more will keep your little kids busy for way longer than expected.
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 along the way.
The upstairs area at the Children’s Creativity Museum offers more inventive hands-on opportunities for both big and little kids. 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 only so many stations (4-5), 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.
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.
Oh! And don’t forget to try the scavenger hunt sheet that the museum gives you at check-in. Super fun! And of course, your kids will also want to ride the carousel. It’s beautiful and classic and the ride feels longer than the Tilden Park Carousel. $5 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:
- Under 1 year: FREE
- Members: FREE
- Book Your Tickets >>
Right outside The Children’s Creativity Museum is the LeRoy King Carousel, a fully restored 1906 carousel. Your kids will notice!
Carousel Price: $5 per person (good for one ride) or $3 with paid museum admission.
Open Saturdays and Sundays from 11:30 am – 4:30 pm
Food: Bring your own food and water. There is no food or seating area on site, but the outdoor courtyard is a lovely place to eat, especially on a mild day. Joyride Pizza, Chipotle (in the Metreon), and Starbucks are within walking distance if you get hungry.
For deals on admission:
The CCM participates in a number of programs for free and deeply discounted admission. See if you qualify.
- The CCM participates in the Discover & Go program for FREE admission through the East Bay libraries when you plan ahead.
- 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.
