Habitot Children's Museum — Attraction in Emeryville

I thought this place would be much like the Discovery Museum. Which is large and has multiple buildings for play spaces indoor and out for art, climbing etc.

I was kind of thrown off that it’s in a portion of a basement level. It has no windows 😳. It has a very mom and pop family business vibe. Some things have fallen through the cracks as far as maintenance, cleaning, updating. But I doubt any kids mind.

The space over all is a long room with about 5 designated areas for playing. There is also a little room for eating as well as a small room for reading/nursing. It can get congested quickly. We went on a rainy day and there was about 30 people there. It felt like the right amount to use the toys etc.

The staff are so nice and helpful. My daughter liked drawing on her face at a face painting station (crayons and sponges). She liked the water area too. I probably wouldnt head back for these things, but I’d say try it and see...

Went to the current pop up location in Emeryville. Small space but my almost two year old son enjoyed it nonstop for a little over an hour, which is how much time we often spend in a museum. One from had a spaceship with lots of buttons he was eager to press and explore. The other room had different art projects for varying ages/skills. My son attempted to make his own rocket, which he then could've practiced launching but didn't want to. Another table had homemade very soft play dough. And the last art table we explored had painting. The staff were super friendly and just the right amount of engaging. You can buy tickets online through event brite or pay in person using cash or your smartphone. I paid $12 for my son, and accompanying adults were free. Parking was either on the street (very busy) or in a nearby lot - both paid (but there was a shopping plaza a little bit away with free...

Really happy to see that habitot is being open to feedback…..went there years ago and loved it.. I do agree that the price isn’t equivalent to the experience….. when I went there it was the perfect place for my son’s ages at the time…..I disagree with the sentiment that safety is a concern as this isn’t a baby sitter…..this is a place where you and your toddler/s can play and explore with each other around other children of the same age group….the idea of parents sitting down drinking coffee on the phone while they have their children run around alone is sad and not the sentiment that I got from this place……it’s called a museum for exploration and imagination for young children to experience with the adults that brought them….i do think that there should be some sort of discount for lower income families…..it’s our jobs as parental figures to make sure that our kids are...