East Bay Baby

Another storm system is moving into the Bay Area this week, making finding activities to do with your kids all the more challenging.  Here are a few indoor activities for kids and toddlers in the East Bay in case you want a break from having the youngsters destroy your living room.

Habitot Children’s Discovery Museum – housed in a basement type area in downtown Berkeley, this fun little children’s museum is targeted to the six and under set.  There are many inventive hands on exhibits for kids to play with, including a “grocery store,” an art studio, and a super soft gated infant area to protect crawlers and creepers from the hordes of rambunctious three year olds.  Admission is $8.50 per person – discount coupon here (babies under 12 months of age are free).  Beware the terrible parking situation in downtown Berkeley.  Also, the water play area at Habitot is not gated off, so beware lest your younger toddlers wander in and end up soaking wet (the perfect end to a rainy day)!

Lawrence Hall of Science – a museum in the Berkeley Hills, this has hands-on exhibits for all ages, plus a special play area just for kindergarteners and under.   Don’t miss the Animal Discovery Room (also known as the Bio Lab), which has an extensive collection of small reptiles, amphibians, insects, arthropods, and mammals to learn about.  Some of them you can even hold (with supervision)!  Admission is $12 for adults, $9 for kids 7-18, and $6 for kids 3-6 (kids 3 and under are free).  And you have to pay for parking with one of those annoying kiosk things.

Sadiedey’s Cafe – a cafe on Telegraph in Oakland which has grown-up food and coffee for you, and a play area for your kids!  Admission to the play area is $5.95 for crawlers to age 5, and $2.95 for each additional sibling (all day). Depending on the time, the cafe has a mother’s helper supervising the play area, allowing you to kick back and enjoy that mocha – check their calendar!