Santa Fe Children's Museum
Santa Fe Children's Museum
4
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
About
Experience exploration, adventure, art, community, and culture at the Santa Fe Children's Museum. With over 35 exhibits and daily programs, it's the perfect day out for all ages.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
113 reviews
Excellent
48
Very good
34
Average
18
Poor
10
Terrible
3
Legalstorms
Stevensville, MD28 contributions
Dec 2022
My 8 year old really enjoyed the bubbles and a few of the other activities. My 11 year old was bored out of his mind. Recommend this for young kids only. My 8 year old only lasted for an hour. Expensive for an hour of play.
Written 9 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GoPlaces31550
Santa Clara, CA1 contribution
My daughter had a conference in Santa Fe< New Mexico and needed me to babysit while she was in meetings. I was worried about what I was going to do with a two year old for a whole day. I looked up the Santa Fe Children's Museum before I left home. It was difficult to find the museum because the signs are not that apparent but the museum itself is awesome. My grandaughter walked in and was thrilled from the beginning.
She painted her face, played dress up, looked at animals, played with magnets, made art projects, played on climbing structures. We stayed for over three hours and she was fasinated the whole time. We only left because I felt it was time to eat. She was so upset. There is no place to buy food at the museum and no eating facillities nearby. They have a great area outside for eating, however. The next time we go I'll pack a lunch and let her stay the whole day.
June L. Glenn-Lawson, MD
She painted her face, played dress up, looked at animals, played with magnets, made art projects, played on climbing structures. We stayed for over three hours and she was fasinated the whole time. We only left because I felt it was time to eat. She was so upset. There is no place to buy food at the museum and no eating facillities nearby. They have a great area outside for eating, however. The next time we go I'll pack a lunch and let her stay the whole day.
June L. Glenn-Lawson, MD
Written 18 October 2003
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
saintba
Buenos Aires, Argentina7,326 contributions
Jul 2011
I always hate posting negative reviews but I have to say the really over the top glowing posts are totally exaggerated on Trip Advisor. I'd strongly agree with the poster that said this was not worth the money or time and when he said it's hard to believe they charge the same price for children as adults. I'll go one step further and say I can't believe they even charge kids at all. The only kids they don't charge for us kids less than 12 months old. Many Children's museums around the country don't charge for kids under 2 or 3.
We've been to all kinds of Children's Museums around the country. From really fabulous kids museums like the amazing one in Tampa, Florida to decent ones like the one in Portland but this one here was probably the worst one we've been to.
Funny reading people post things like "human size bubbles". The reality is a stainless still pan full of big bubble sticks only there wasn't enough bubble solution so you couldn't even make any bubbles at all! (That was our experience and everyone else today).
They had a very tiny amount of animals. The ones they did have I felt sorry for as the fish were in very small tanks. Same as the two turtles and a big snake in a tiny glass container. Other things consisted of just some tanks with rocks at the bottom with some plastic balls floating in it.
Not to mention some things were just outright dangerous. For example, outside in the back yard they had this pump that kids could pump up and down and water would come out. Well, it was broken so while our daughter was pumping it.... the part totally came off in her hand. She could have gotten hurt. I saw the same thing with the girl after us even though we warned her mother to be careful. So this place needs to fix that ASAP.
This facility is really small compared to other places around the country and there isn't many things to do in them. Definitely it's not worth the $9 per person, IMHO. Even on Sundays at the $5 a person price...I think they shouldn't charge kids under 3 as there isn't nearly enough to do or see.
Definitely if you go, go on a Sunday and pay the discounted price. But even then, have reasonable expectations as this really is a tiny place with not much to do or see. The other over the top positive posts seem like people that have never taken their kids to other Children's museums before...
We've been to all kinds of Children's Museums around the country. From really fabulous kids museums like the amazing one in Tampa, Florida to decent ones like the one in Portland but this one here was probably the worst one we've been to.
Funny reading people post things like "human size bubbles". The reality is a stainless still pan full of big bubble sticks only there wasn't enough bubble solution so you couldn't even make any bubbles at all! (That was our experience and everyone else today).
They had a very tiny amount of animals. The ones they did have I felt sorry for as the fish were in very small tanks. Same as the two turtles and a big snake in a tiny glass container. Other things consisted of just some tanks with rocks at the bottom with some plastic balls floating in it.
Not to mention some things were just outright dangerous. For example, outside in the back yard they had this pump that kids could pump up and down and water would come out. Well, it was broken so while our daughter was pumping it.... the part totally came off in her hand. She could have gotten hurt. I saw the same thing with the girl after us even though we warned her mother to be careful. So this place needs to fix that ASAP.
This facility is really small compared to other places around the country and there isn't many things to do in them. Definitely it's not worth the $9 per person, IMHO. Even on Sundays at the $5 a person price...I think they shouldn't charge kids under 3 as there isn't nearly enough to do or see.
Definitely if you go, go on a Sunday and pay the discounted price. But even then, have reasonable expectations as this really is a tiny place with not much to do or see. The other over the top positive posts seem like people that have never taken their kids to other Children's museums before...
Written 10 August 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HarpistSantaFe
Santa Fe205 contributions
Mar 2020
The permanent collection is fascinating but not interesting to children. AND - it is displayed too high for them to even see! I have been there with young people many times, and they are completely bored. The visiting exhibits are usually worthless. This was a nice tax dodge for the grantors, but a poor example of a children's museum.
Written 17 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jks355
Oakland, CA6 contributions
Jan 2014 • Family
The facility of the museum is adequate for a small town and very attractive, but most of the staff appeared to feel visitors were a nuisance, especially the child visitors. There were almost too many rules to assimilate , but if you forgot, a surly staff person was there to harshly remind you. My granddaughter duly noted that people should be nice to children in a children's museum. I have never before felt that I was imposing on a museum for just existing. It was a uniquely unpleasant experience for a place that was supposed to be fun. Please note, we were very well mannered and obedient visitors, who ended up feeling like we were very unwelcome. The museum's stated mission is to build upon a child's natural sense of joy and discovery, but the actions of staff eliminated any chance of that. Who runs this place?
Written 12 January 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Buffalogirl41
Santa Fe, NM431 contributions
Jan 2014 • Family
I am torn as I write this review because I LOVE the Children's Museum and I recommend it to families. Unfortunately, our last experience was not great mainly because of the museum staff. We spend about 3 hours at the Museum with a group of friends for a birthday party. During that time we were scolded and lectured at least five times. When a couple of us were chatting (our kids were with our spouses within our view) museum staff told us not to stand in groups because it sends a message that we can just leave our kids unattended. When I was in the infant area with my child and her cousin museum staff asked that we didn't take over the infant area (meanwhile an unattended four year old came in an whacked my child in the head with a toy and no one said anything to her or her parents. I still recommend the museum, but I think they need to talk to their staff about being a bit more welcoming and hospitable to paying customers.
Written 26 January 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelingGrrr
Walla Walla, WA19 contributions
Sept 2014 • Family
The Santa Fe Children's Museum is easy to get find, very close to the Plaza. The staff are interactive and as nice as can be. The variety of exploration is amazing. There are caminos (paths) for the children to explore and look at produce throughout el jardin. The green house was being updated as was the tree house but my kids still played for hours. Make ten foot high bubbles, read in the sun room, put on a play on the stage, spell with magnets on a large wall, pull yourself up on a self-pulley. Don't forget to get dirty in the sand and dirt outside. Make music in the garden. Explore and watch your kids' imagination at play!
Written 23 September 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
zoomswift5k
Burleson, TX2 contributions
Jun 2014
it was free today, my kids had a gr8 time, would be worth 2x regular admission. My son with autism was in sensory heaven with the water related items. More like a learning amusement park then museum. Kids ages 7, 5, 3
Written 15 June 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PH
Houston, TX510 contributions
Mar 2019 • Family
While the place looks small, they have everything a kid would want. They have a lot of outdoor space for amphitheater, look out tower, sensory garden and more. Too bad it was snowing when we were there. They also have a giant bubble pan for kids to make bubble. Water space for kids to design boat races. I love the art area is under natural sunlight, that is greatly appreciated! The train table is cute and nicely made, the pretend play area is great for little kids. I think over all the space is great for kids 7 and under. Definitely worth the money for us.
Written 31 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carlisticeday
Brockport, NY94 contributions
Jul 2017 • Family
This little gem has a LOT for kids to do. All of it is interactive; all of them hold some degree of hands-on fun for almost any age.
As others have commented, it's decidedly low-tech...and that is a good thing in my book!
It is smallish, and some of the exhibits are not particularly well suited for kids with disabilities. Also, some of the exhibits need some brushing up — not all that functional. But for the money, it's a great find.
(Frankly, I don't understand the comment on this site about a "lack of things for the children to do". No, there aren't any video games, if that is what you are looking for...!)
One drawback I thought was that the online site has no pix of the place! For what it's worth to y'all: there's a wet area (a bubble table, a couple of clear water tables, and a place to stand to surround yourself with a big bubble); a Lego bench; a foam block building space; a couple of gravity/ball rolling activities; a machine where your kid can try to lift her/himself using different pulley setups; a wind column with various materials for making and testing stuff; a small-kid area with a climber; a pendulum that "paints" with green sand on a black table; a light table with curious black (magnetic?) sand; a dress-up/puppet stage; and a snake exhibit. All that inside. Outside, there was more stuff that we didn't get to, including a seed planting space, a coloring area, an electric train and some kind of tower that kids can climb.
As others have commented, it's decidedly low-tech...and that is a good thing in my book!
It is smallish, and some of the exhibits are not particularly well suited for kids with disabilities. Also, some of the exhibits need some brushing up — not all that functional. But for the money, it's a great find.
(Frankly, I don't understand the comment on this site about a "lack of things for the children to do". No, there aren't any video games, if that is what you are looking for...!)
One drawback I thought was that the online site has no pix of the place! For what it's worth to y'all: there's a wet area (a bubble table, a couple of clear water tables, and a place to stand to surround yourself with a big bubble); a Lego bench; a foam block building space; a couple of gravity/ball rolling activities; a machine where your kid can try to lift her/himself using different pulley setups; a wind column with various materials for making and testing stuff; a small-kid area with a climber; a pendulum that "paints" with green sand on a black table; a light table with curious black (magnetic?) sand; a dress-up/puppet stage; and a snake exhibit. All that inside. Outside, there was more stuff that we didn't get to, including a seed planting space, a coloring area, an electric train and some kind of tower that kids can climb.
Written 19 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What about activities for a 4 year old with cp....he’d be in a stroller....
Written 7 March 2018
Could be difficult to get around. A lot of stairs and obstacles. Pretty crowded as well, so not sure it would be the best in my opinion. Sorry!
Written 8 March 2018
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