Play at Habitot’s Little Town Experience in Bay Street

Habitot Children’s Museum, a long-time {510} Families partner, has launched a new exhibit to delight our children: Little Town Experience. Located in Bay Street Emeryville, it’s filled with STEM-embedded stations for hands-on discovery play, crafts, and imagination stations.

Little Town Experience

Kids are invited to float around and move from station to station. The Little Town Experience is like that Richard Scarry book come to life with all manner of ways to pretend to be a grown-up. Does your toddler want to play as a brave firefighter checking on the burning house? The fire engine and costumes let all children be heroes.

The pizza oven and prep table are ready for your latest creation of bacon pizza while the grocery shop includes real shopping carts and pretend food aplenty.

An expanded infant-toddler area allows for music and movement classes on the weekends in addition to the padded floor and play zone. And the train table is always popular!

In the back room, children can make facilitated crafts, sculpt with play dough, or color on the chalk wall.

{510} Families Visits the Little Town Experience

I brought my three-year-old niece to the little town on a weekday afternoon. She enjoys imaginative play and was thrilled by the opportunity to “play Mommy” with the grocery store as well as the chance to climb aboard the fire truck and get lost in the wiggle wall.

All in all, we spent an hour there but they could have easily played for 90 minutes or more.

The space isn’t too large, so keeping a stroller at home or in the car is probably best. Bench seating is spotted around the rooms to allow caregivers a little rest. There are smocks and an accessible hand-washing station to keep everyone clean. The staff is exceptional! They are extremely friendly and helpful — demonstrating the various activities at the stations and entertaining kids.

Note: Habitot can be rented for birthdays and other private parties. Info is available on Habitot’s website or contact [email protected]

The Bottom Line

This interactive experience is a wonderful option for kids who love dramatic play, arts & crafts, or fire trucks. It’s small enough for one parent to manage with multiple kids. (Though, there aren’t windows or ways beyond standing in the doorway to have a clear line or sight if kids are in both areas at the same time). It’s best for the toddler and preschool age group, but big siblings will also have fun. A variety of open hours work well with schedules. My kids closed down the building and have been asking to return — I’d say that’s high praise!

Discover more outings for kids in Emeryville >

Plan Your Visit to Habitot’s Little Town Experience

Location: 5689 Bay Street Emeryville

Hours: Friday-Monday 10 am to 5 pm. Open through December 31, 2024. Other weekdays are for groups by advance reservation only.

Tickets: $20 per child. Children under 12 mos old are free when accompanied by a paying sibling. Accompanying adults free with the purchase of a child ticket. $3 per child for EBT cardholders at the door. Please show your EBT card and ID. This is a timed-session event; walk-ups with space available. Credit card/ATM only for walk-ups. If you register less than 24 hours of your event, please bring Eventbrite tickets with you.

Parking: There is ample parking in the multi-tiered garage, but it is kinda complicated to pay for it. Either remember your parking stall number and use the pay station machine before you shop -OR- use the proprietary payment app on your smartphone.

Public Transportation: Easy access from BART via Emery Go-Round stops at Ohlone Way and Christie Ave. AC Transit bus lines run along Shellmond and Hollis streets.

Nearby Food and Playground: Bay Street Emeryville is filled with family-friendly food and play options, including Tipsy Putt, Humphrey Slocombe, Barnes & Noble and Shake Shake. The Emeryville Public Market and  Christie Park (aka Whale Park) are also a short distance away. Read more about kid-friendly fun at Bay Street >

Thanks to Habitot Children’s Museum for creating great spaces for our kids and for sponsoring {510} Families. Visit their website for more info >>