CuriOdyssey — Attraction in San Mateo

Had a birthday party here -- oh my goodness was it a delight! All the kiddos had a complete blast. Make sure you bring in your own water (the classroom we rented did not have a sink but we knew that ahead of time). No balloons, no pinatas, no glitter, no confetti. In other words, minimal, easy peasy birthday party set-up and all you really need to plan is when to eat cake/cupcakes. They have a little sign at the entrance to the classroom area wishing your kid a happy birthday and telling everyone to make sure they go to the front desk to get their wristbands before joining the party. We brought face paints and temporary/sticker tattoos. The kids loved getting their faces painted like their favorite animal and the temporary tattoos (also a huge hit) included Frozen, Paw Patrol, zoo animals, unicorns and rainbows. :) All the entertainment is right there for all to enjoy -- some of the adults stayed back in the classroom to talk while others took the kids all around. Highly recommend. Pro tip: make sure everyone prints out the parking passes at home and puts them in their car BEFORE they enter the parking lot. Lovely, low-stress high value birthday party spot! Staff was incredibly helpful, happy, excited for our little's birthday. Wonderful...

It's a pretty small zoo/activity center for small children.

Zoo: all the animal cages are nicely designed so you can always treads down the animals (while other zoo you get frustrated trying to find animal only to find out they are sleeping in the back.) That have staff around providing educational facts and chat with children. I also think it's super awesome whenever they have petting activities they have hand sanitizer and pumps right into each child's hand server petting.

Activity center: it's like a mini version of Explortorium in SF. It's great for little kids to play, but it does get crowded sometimes and children will fight to get on the stool to play. Parents are advised to keep track of their children as well as monitor their behavior.

Overall: it's a great small half day trip location. Your family can enjoy the entire park in 2-3 hours, right before your child's naptime. There is a small gift shop that sells refrigerated foods and drinks, no cafe or anything. There are few great picnic spots so pack some sandwich with you.

If you have annual membership to other bay area museums/zoos make sure you check with their staff to see if you qualify for half price...

CuriOdyssey is a hidden gem for families in the Bay Area, offering a perfect blend of hands-on science exhibits and close-up wildlife encounters designed especially for younger kids. Nestled within the scenic Coyote Point Recreation Area, this science museum and zoo creates an engaging, low-stress environment where children can explore everything from magnetic walls and light experiments to playful otters and native California animals. The exhibits are thoughtfully designed to encourage curiosity and interaction, making learning feel like play. Highlights include the immersive ViewPoint exhibit hall, the inclusive Whooosh! Playground, and daily animal feedings that captivate both kids and adults.

It’s an ideal half-day adventure that feels both educational and entertaining, with plenty of outdoor space to picnic, roam, or watch planes fly overhead. The compact layout makes it easy to navigate with toddlers, while older kids can still find plenty to enjoy. Whether you're visiting for the first time or returning like many do, CuriOdyssey offers a refreshing alternative to larger, overwhelming science centers—and definitely earns a...