Exploratorium

The Exploratorium turns science, art, and human perception into active play. Its Pier 15 campus has more than 650 exhibits across six spacious indoor and outdoor galleries. Children do much more than look at displays.

They can shape soap films, make colored shadows, balance a beach ball in moving air, stand beside a miniature tornado, build a self-supporting arch, examine Bay organisms, and discover how sound makes patterns. The museum publishes suggestions for toddlers, children ages 4 to 7, older children, and teens, so mixed-age families can split up briefly around a gallery and still find worthwhile activities.

Plan on two to four hours, which is the museum's own typical-visit range. Younger children may need breaks because the building covers 3.3 acres and offers a large amount of sensory input. Strollers are welcome in the galleries, and loaners are available first come, first served.

Changing surfaces are available in nearly every restroom. Families may breastfeed anywhere, ask for a private space, or use seating placed around the museum. The Tinkering Table and Catalyst Coffee Lab provide food, and families may bring snacks for designated outdoor eating areas.

Reentry is available with a hand stamp.

Arrival needs some planning. The F streetcar stops in front, Embarcadero BART is a 10- to 15-minute waterfront walk, and the Ferry Building is about a 10-minute walk away. Nearby parking is operated by outside companies, and spaces are not guaranteed.

General daytime admission is currently $39.95 for adults and $29.95 for youths ages 4 to 17; children 3 and under enter free. The Tactile Dome costs extra and requires a reservation. Thursday's 6:00 PM-10:00 PM After Dark program is adults-only, so families should use daytime hours.

Most of the visit works well in rain, but bring layers for outdoor galleries and changing San Francisco weather. Always check the official calendar for special hours and closures before leaving home.