The New Children’s Museum

Name: The New Children’s Museum
Address: 200 West Island Avenue, San Diego, CA, 92101, US
Telephone: (619) 233-8792
Price range: $$
Rating: 3.8

Where imagination meets hands-on play in a creative San Diego destination.

3.8(5 reviews)

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About

The New Children’s Museum in San Diego offers an interactive, hands-on environment designed to spark creativity and exploration for children. Featuring exhibits like sensorial activities, a tree house vibe, long slides, a circus play area, and a clay studio, it provides a space for kids to engage in playful learning. The museum hosts birthday parties with professional coordination, setup, and cleanup services, and organizes special events such as Mass Creativity Day with free admission and food trucks. Reviews highlight joyful, well-organized experiences alongside some feedback on exhibit maintenance and artistic themes. It serves as a point of interest for families and tourists seeking educational fun.

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Location

200 W Island Ave, San Diego, CA 92101, USA

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Information

200 West Island Avenue

San Diego, CA, 92101

(619) 233-8792 www.thinkplaycreate.org/

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Services

Interactive Exhibits

Hands-on activities like clay studios, light installations, climbing areas, and sensory play for creative exploration.

Birthday Party Packages

Full-service party planning with coordination, reserved parking, setup, decoration, and cleanup options for stress-free celebrations.

Special Events

Hosting events like Mass Creativity Day with free admission, activities, entertainment, and food trucks for community engagement.

Educational Programs

Structured workshops and activities for school groups and families to promote learning through art and play.

Family Memberships

Access passes for unlimited visits, discounts, and exclusive benefits for regular museum-goers.

3.80 · 5 reviews

Overall rating

Kaley Laughlin

via Google

· 10 months ago

Got here close to opening on a Saturday morning- no wait and not super busy. There were some cool things for my two kids to do (ages 2 and 5), but I agree with other reviewers who note the dark vibes and demonic symbols ALL OVER, but especially in a few specific exhibits. WHY is that necessary for a children’s museum? I had seen the reviews and was cautious about going, but wanted to give it a shot. Several exhibits are dark- and one is flat out scary — I think even my kids were feeling the bad vibes. My kids had an okay time but I had a pit in my stomach the whole time

Zuzu Madanat

via Google

· 10 months ago

You know... It was an interesting place. Was the staff friendly... Yes. Did our little ones have fun... Yes. But were there creepy paintings on the walls that seemed to not fit with a children's museum... Also, yes. Another issue we had was that most of the rooms and exhibits were in poor condition and borderline dangerous because of it. A lot of fabrics were torn and items that should have cushions were worn down. We did really enjoy the clay exhibit where our older son got to make some cool stuff. For the price... I think you would have more fun and your kids would be safer at one of the many other options in the area. My wife and I even said we could have had more fun with our kids at the park across the street. The kids loved it and interacting with the many kids there.

Sue Duong

via Google

· 11 months ago

06-14-2025 I was here on Mass Creativity Day (free admission) with my nieces. Because it was a special event, they had fun activities/entertainment and food trucks also. Below are some of the activities in the museum that children can explore: -Wobbleland for children ages 4 and under, limit to 10 ppl at a time, no shoes allowed -Clay Studio, no age limit -Prismopolis where you can explore color and light in your city

Anna Malkina

via Google

· 11 months ago

An unforgettable birthday experience at The New Children’s Museum! We had the most wonderful time celebrating our daughter’s birthday here. Everything was truly exceptional from start to finish. Our party coordinator was incredibly professional, kind, and attentive — she stayed in touch throughout the entire process, helped with every detail, and made sure we felt completely cared for and stress-free. The celebration was beautifully organized — every element was thoughtful, warm, and full of joy. The kids were absolutely thrilled! I loved how seamless the experience was: from the initial online reservation and email communication to the final moments of the party, everything was handled with such care and professionalism. We even received a lovely surprise — a beautiful keepsake book for my daughter to remember her special day. The reserved parking space in the garage was a great touch, and I really appreciated the option to add setup, decoration, and cleanup services for a small extra fee — it made the day truly effortless for us. If I could give more than 5 stars, I absolutely would. Everything was perfect — joyful, well-organized, and full of heart. Thank you to the entire team for making this day so memorable! 💖🎉

Margot ROBERT-AUMERCIER

via Google

· 1 year ago

What a fun modern experimental children museum! My 8yo son visited the museum in the summer and we loved all the areas. Very creative place with sensorial activities, little secret nooks, tree house vibe, long slides and a beautiful circus play area that is a bit strange and weird but so beautiful. Special mention to the knitted cocoon to climb. I think the place is perfect for kids under 8yo but we had a lot of fun!