10 Best Museums for Kids in San Diego

Located in the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Chula Vista, the Living Coast Discovery Center is a natural habitat containing countless species of diverse plant and animal life.

We suggest you start by getting some fresh air while walking the easy, mile-long trail through the park. Walking the trails is completely free, but you can elevate your experience by buying a ticket and enjoying the other educational materials provided at the Discovery Center.

One of the most impressive parts of the park is Raptor Row, which is a haven for birds of prey. It’s not uncommon to see a keeper walking past with a hawk or falcon on their arm, though it’s also fun to birdwatch. There’s the Shorebird Aviary and Eagle Mesa, plus educational nature installments like the Compost Garden and the Native Pollinator Garden.

Your kids can also learn about coastal marine life at the Living Coast Discovery Center’s aquarium! Not to be missed, the park has a shark and ray experience and a turtle lagoon, where kids can watch live feedings.

Do you have a child who’s interested in trains? If so, the San Diego Model Railroad Museum is a must-visit attraction! The museum features intricate model railroad exhibits that recreate local sights as they were back during the days of the Transcontinental Railroad.

See the majesty of the Tehachapi Pass and the Cabrillo and Southwestern rails, and explore the Freight and Flora exhibit for a close look at San Diego plant life in miniature. Kids can let their imaginations run wild at the Toy Train Gallery, explore the on-site library, and take home a cute souvenir from the museum gift shop.

The San Diego Model Railroad Museum is especially enticing for parents vacationing on a budget, as kids 12 and under can visit for free with an accompanying adult! If you’re looking for the complete experience, we suggest pairing these savings with a Go City San Diego pass and a room at one of the best budget-friendly hotels nearby so the whole family can have a blast without breaking the bank!

Kids of all ages can benefit from early exposure to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields, especially when they have the chance to learn about science in fun and engaging ways!

The Fleet Science Center takes education to a whole new level with over a dozen kid-friendly exhibits and experiences. Featuring plenty of opportunities for kids to play and flex their creative muscles, the museum employs everything from life-size dioramas to VR technology to deliver lessons in innovative ways.

Stop by the movie theater in the Fleet Science Center to watch films about the depths of the ocean and the furthest reaches of space. There are also exhibits designed specifically for younger children at Kid City, which features many hands-on activities for kids 5 and under.

Other experiences include interactive lessons on electricity in the So Watt exhibit, the Space Gallery, an exhibit on San Diego’s water, and showcases of optical illusions. Each exhibit teaches guests of all ages about the miraculous forces that make up our natural world and the ways in which humans interact with them.

Air and space exploration captures the imagination of many kids. If you’re visiting San Diego with kids who are interested in science, we highly recommend a visit to the San Diego Air and Space Museum.

One reason this museum is considered one of the Best Things to Do in San Diego with Kids is its excellent 4D movie theater. Opened in 2010, this 3D/4D theater was the first of its kind in the city, with seats that move and other immersive effects that let you feel like you’re not just watching the movie but experiencing it first-hand.

After watching a show at the theater, be sure to check out the other exhibits in the museum. Marvel at its collection of spacecraft and aircraft, from fighter jets and reproductions of early gliders by the Wright brothers to the Apollo 9 Command Module. Learn about the pivotal role some of these aircraft played in military conflicts at the World War I and II galleries, or check out Moon Base San Diego for a taste of what it’s like to live on the moon!

Looking at its famous beaches and laid-back vibe, you might not realize it, but San Diego County has a long and storied military history, much of that with the Navy. With a visit to the USS Midway Museum, you and your family can get an in depth look at the naval history of San Diego, which has been a key location for the US Military for decades.

The museum is located inside the real USS Midway aircraft carrier, a now-retired ship that was involved in multiple military operations during Operation Desert Storm and holds the distinction of being the longest-serving aircraft carrier in the 1900s. Climb aboard and tour exhibits on its military exploits, or sit inside a real fighter jet on the hangar bay. You can even watch a short film about the Battle of Midway, the ship’s namesake.

With its focus on education and its many engaging exhibits that let kids experience what it’s like to set sail on a real US aircraft carrier, the USS Midway Museum is one of the overall Best Things to Do in San Diego with Kids, especially if your family loves exploring museums!

Young kids sometimes struggle to enjoy a typical adult focused art gallery like the Institute of Contemporary Art San Diego or Museum of Contemporary Art (Downtown), but with more hands-on attractions specifically geared toward encouraging a love of art in kids, the New Children’s Museum is the perfect way to spend an afternoon in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter.

Every exhibit in the New Children’s Museum is designed with kids in mind, from the hand-braided Whammock to the colorful sculptures and giant slide of El Más Allá. Other installations include massive murals, explorable mazes, and even a sensory-friendly Breathing Room when kids need a break.

For families with kids 4 and under, know that you won’t feel left out at the New Children’s Museum! Multiple exhibits are toddler-friendly, so even the youngest kids in your group can play and explore! These include the larger-than-life food sculptures of Wobbleland and the sensory-focused Tikitiko.

Some installations are permanent, while many rotate and are replaced with new fixtures every year. With that in mind, we love this museum for kids even if you’ve visited before because there’s always something new to see and explore!

Filled with towering dinosaur skeletons and large geology collections, the San Diego Natural History Museum, often shortened to The NAT, is a must-see attraction for vacationing families. This four-story building offers kids and their parents endless opportunities for both fun and education.

Start your day off by learning about the archeological discoveries that have been made right in San Diego, including information about what Southern California might have looked like hundreds of thousands of years ago. Then step back in time to the Jurassic period and examine real dinosaur bones, learn about fields of study like geology and biology, and grab lunch at the Flying Squirrel Cafe.

The Natural History Museum also has its own 3D theater which plays various educational films. Other exhibits include the Living Lab, which houses small creepy crawlies like insects and snakes; the Hidden Gems mineral collection; and Coast to Cactus, a showcase of California’s incredible biodiversity.

For a local tip to paying less for admission, the best way to explore the museum and many other attractions around Balboa Park is with the All-inclusive version of the Go City San Diego pass!

Even among coastal cities in Southern California, San Diego’s seafaring history is especially interesting. Follow up a trip to the USS Midway Museum with a stop at the nearby Maritime Museum of San Diego to broaden your knowledge of the city’s Naval exploits and other shipping ventures.

Kids can learn how early sailors helped chart the Pacific Ocean and California’s coastline. Then take a cruise around the bay for some sightseeing, which is included with admission. And of course, no visit is complete without checking out the many ships on display around the harbor.

The Maritime Museum’s collection of ships has grown significantly since it opened in 1948. Notable vessels include sailing ships like the Star of India, submarines including the 555 USS Dolphin, and the Berkeley steam ferry.

There are also engaging exhibits on topics ranging from old sailor superstitions about sea monsters to the different eras of seafaring vessels, from sails to steam. You can plan to see vintage pictures from the Wish You Were Here postcard collection and the Wind and Water Photography Exhibit, or take a kid-friendly tour given by one of the museum’s guides.

Aquariums are an excellent way to learn about marine life. At the Birch Aquarium at Scripps, families can see unique and elusive creatures from the depths of the Pacific Ocean, including the Giant Pacific Octopus, sea turtles, sea dragons, jellyfish, and various species of tropical fish like the orange Garibaldi and various species of sharks.

Alongside taking the kids to see different marine animals in their exhibits, there are opportunities to play around the property too. Admire the Gray Whale Tale statue, hop inside a shark’s mouth at the Kids Shark Photo Booth, and get hands-on with the outdoor tide pools and touch tanks.

The Birch Aquarium at Scripps is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. It’s easy to fit in a trip to the aquarium after a day at the beach with a rental surfboard or a trip to other fun attractions like LEGOLAND California, San Diego Zoo Safari Park or the world-famous San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park.

It’s one of our team’s top tips to suggest you fill your family vacation with all the best activities the city has to offer with the help of a Go City San Diego pass!

Encouraging you kids to get outside and explore nature is one of the best ways to ensure they’re living an active, healthy lifestyle. There are plenty of outdoor playgrounds in San Diego, from the hiking trails of Sunset Cliffs Natural Park to the biking trails that crisscross through Balboa Park, but one of the best spots for fostering a love of the natural world with kids is at the San Diego Botanic Garden.

The gorgeous grounds of the botanic garden are teeming with plant life from near and far, including many species native to San Diego’s deserts and scrublands alongside more exotic settings. Traverse North America’s largest bamboo grove, look out over vistas filled with flowering trees and shrubs, and step into microclimates like the tropical rainforest and South Africa Garden, all without having to set foot outside of San Diego.

Bring the kids to the Children's Gardens for extra opportunities to learn and interact with nature. The property has three different gardens designed for kids where they can climb a treehouse in Hamilton’s Children’s Garden, balance on logs lining the Junior Quail Trail, and see a miniature railroad at the Seeds of Wonder Garden.