Little learners can unleash their curiosity and imagination in the newly created OMCA Kids: Nature Playspace. Located inside the Gallery of California Natural Sciences, the playspace is focused on the unique needs of children ages 2 to 5, along with their families and caregivers.
Play is critical to every child’s healthy development and the playroom offers something for everyone – from building materials and nature-themed puzzles to hands-on activities that spark creativity, wonder, and joy. Our youngest museum visitors can also discover the animals that make their homes in Oakland’s streams, hills, and backyards. The playspace gives families a fun, safe place to play, and to build community with other families.
Visitors ages 12 and younger receive free admission to OMCA, as long as they are accompanied by an adult over 18 years of age.
Families are encouraged to touch and play with many objects in OMCA Kids: Nature Playspace.A big, walk-through metal culvert provides a fun location to engage your senses with light and sound.Children can crawl through a hollow log while noticing what may live on or inside it. Explore the idea of biodiversity and nature in and around human homes. Learn about how people feed themselves with plants grown in window boxes or backyard gardens.Examine different natural objects on the light table. Looking at objects under light helps us observe features that might go otherwise unnoticed. Get face to face with live fish in our East Bay streams fish tank. Spot the differences and similarities between fish and notice their varied behaviors.
“With the opening of OMCA Kids: Nature Playspace, OMCA has become even more family-friendly. Little ones have their own dedicated area for exploring– a play-focused learning area designed for children ages two to five, plus their families and caregivers.”
-510 Families
OMCA Kids: Nature Playspace “…is just another reason why OMCA has something for everyone! It’s open, go check it out!”
-Berkeley Parents Network
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What to do with kids at OMCA
Get our kids’ activity guide for ideas on what to do during your visit.
