We went yesterday for the first time, my youngest two and I. I had a harder time finding it because I was expecting it to be an actual museum building, not a storefront in the middle of the street... More

We went yesterday for the first time, my youngest two and I. I had a harder time finding it because I was expecting it to be an actual museum building, not a storefront in the middle of the street across from the Woolworth's. When we walked in, I thought, "This is it? Well, I guess it's only $10 and we don't have to join." The girl at the front counter was sweet. We went in. I thought for sure that we'd be there a max of maybe 1/2 hour, since I thought my 5 year old boy would be bored. There were only two other kids there. It was super quiet, so I thought, well this isn't good because that means no one comes here. I asked the front counter girl and the other two mothers about this place, and they told me that since the weather was so nice that no one was coming, and that most of the people had already come and gone that day for an earlier class. AH HA! 1 and 1/2 hours goes by without me noticing and most especially, without my preschooler noticing. I looked down at my watch, and I was shocked by how long we'd been there. So I joined ($70 got me two households and 3 kids for a whole year, including reciprocity at 17 other kids' museums, 8 free guest passes, 3 free classes, newsletter, etc). I was then told about all of the other wonderful offerings (Spanish classes, a toddler/preschool class a few times per week, TONS of activities for kids, etc), and I was just simply amazed. After having had a Seattle Children's Museum membership and letting it lapse because we all found the museum way too boring after a few visits (and too hard to get to and park), I'm so glad that we've found the Tacoma Children's Museum. I agree with the other reviewer who said that this is better than Seattle - MUCH better, by leaps and bounds.
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We've visited on a few occasions and my daughter has really enjoyed it. It is small, but they offer some fantastic play areas! I loved the garden area most. She enjoyed playing there and the... More

We've visited on a few occasions and my daughter has really enjoyed it. It is small, but they offer some fantastic play areas! I loved the garden area most. She enjoyed playing there and the experience. In all honesty, I like this one much more than the Seattle Children's Museum/
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The Children's Museum of Tacoma is smallish but offers tons of terrific educational programming and hands-on exhibits. There are always art projects, dress-up clothes, a playhouse, and so much more.... More

The Children's Museum of Tacoma is smallish but offers tons of terrific educational programming and hands-on exhibits. There are always art projects, dress-up clothes, a playhouse, and so much more. Older kids can experiment with gravity, friction and movement as they drop balls into a variety of tracks, My kids' love the grubby garden where they can 'harvest' carrots, potatoes and more ... the area has a little produce market and cafe area where kids children can pretend to serve lunch to their parents. On rainy NW afternoons, I LOVE being able to take my kids to the museum ... they have fun, the place is safe, quiet (even when it's busy it's nothing like a sane day at Odyssey!) and staff is super friendly. Admission is $5 for adults and kids 1-12. Under 1 is free ... and there are special deals on the 1st Friday of every month and late afternoons. Memberships start at $60 and are a great investment for families that need out-of-the-house playtime.
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