When I was in California, we went to the Children’s Museum of Sonoma County a couple times and had a great time. The place was overrun with adorable little kids having fun with the multitude of activities available. It’s a great option if you need something to do indoors, or want to arrange a play date.

Off we go to the museum!

The biggest attraction for Camden is the helicopter. It was an actual medical helicopter that is now retired and available for the kids at the museum.

I’m not sure what this yarn art is about but it’s colorful and pretty.

There is a vegetable garden on the left and place where kids can sort vegetables.

There is this pretty pond and lots of plants and flowers.

You can pretend you are a caterpillar that hatched from the egg and made your way down into the cocoons.

There is a nice picnic area outdoors too. Notice the pretty pillars along the walkway.

The most popular area though was the water play with various streams, tubs with activities, and water toys.

It was chilly and I wouldn’t want to play in water but the kids didn’t seem to mind at all.

Indoors is very pretty with colorful decorations and activities anywhere you look.

Look at all the colorful decorations, and the train tracks overhead. The black thing on the blue stand blows air and if you aim it right, you can balance a ball on the air stream.

More train tracks and activities, and a bench popular with grandparents.

I started by walking around downstairs looking at the various activities.

One of my favorite activities was right inside the entrance. You take one of the soft yard balls and put it in a tube entrance. It gets shot up the tube by air and pops out above to land on the floor at your feet. There are various valves where you can change what tube it goes to.

The model trains were very popular.

Camden, being a lover of trains, was of course very interested in this section.

There is a dentist office. Here a dad was helping his kid brush all those alligator teeth.

There is also a hospital room, complete with a baby incubator and baby doll.

There is also a bee room. The wooden structure in the middle is an actual working hive. There is a tube leading to the outdoors and you can watch the bees come in and out. There is also a magnifying glass to help you hunt for the queen but no one was able to spot her.

The tools and hardware section was also popular. ‘

The kitchen seemed to be almost as popular with the little boys as it was with the girls.

In the back, downstairs, is the toddlers area. Shoes are not allowed and there is a height requirement. It’s a good place for the little ones to play without worrying about being overrun by any bigger kids.

Outside the toddler area is a bench, a good place for a mom to hang out with a baby.

The toddler area is a lot of fun.

Camden is playing with his friend.

Camden makes a new friend

Whenever we feel busy we can think about this mom trying to get shoes back on four little ones with the help of another little girl.

Just outside the toddler area is the puppet theater

There is just as much fun stuff to do upstairs, so don’t miss it!

You can use this cool light pen to write on the wall!

One day there was story time in front of the cool light board.

There is something that looks like the sole of a flip flop. You use it to slap the pipes which make different notes so you can play tunes.

Use this gun thing to shoot bursts of air at the shimmering curtain out there.

This little guy was having a great time playing with the hardware on the board.

If you push the red button, the train whistle blows.

The train was also popular.

Here comes the train!!

I think he would have stood there all day pushing that train whistle.

We had a good time at the museum, and it was really fun to see all the kids enjoying themselves. One of the days was Veterans Day and school was out, so the museum was very well attended. There was a line out the door waiting to come in as we left. I’m glad Sonoma County has made this available to the community. It’s clearly being enjoyed by many.

I think I’m caught up on California news and pictures. My daughter and her husband are taking care of the kids on their own this week which I’m sure is challenging at times, but they are doing great and I have no doubt that they will be just fine.

Next up, news and pictures from Seattle and the newest baby!