Family Fun on the Central Coast – SLO County
Courtesy Of: Christy Byham of Kiddos a Go-Go
Indoor Fun with the Kiddos in San Luis Obispo County
El Nino has arrived! And although jumping in puddles everyday may be fun for the kiddos, spending every day out in a storm is just not realistic — neither is spending all day inside at home! Here are some ideas to help burn some energy on a rainy day in SLO County.
Paso Robles Children’s Museum
The Paso Robles Children’s Museum engages children in a joyful learn-through-play environment to inspire educational curiosity while honoring the heritage of volunteer firefighters. The facility is located in the heart of downtown Paso Robles and is home to over 10 interactive exhibits, including the Grape Stomp ball pit (pictured), the Firehouse Pizza Kitchen, and a Theatre Area, fully equipped with dress-up items, a stage, lights, and theatre chairs for the audience! There are also several craft tables available with different crafty, hands-on activities each day.
Additional monthly activities include Coffee & Cocoa, Lindamood-Bell Story Time, ART Empowers, and Lego Club.
Hours, pricing, and more detailed information can be found on their website.
San Luis Obispo Children’s Museum
The San Luis Obispo Children’s Museum was created to provide a fun place for children and families to explore, discover and learn through hands-on exhibits and programs. Three floors and an outside play area are full of exhibits for children ages 1-10. Take a virtual tour of the facility here. Unique, educational programs and activities are also scheduled throughout each week.
They offer free moonlight hours on the 3rd Thursday of each month from 5pm to 8pm. Hours, pricing, and more detailed information can be found on their website.
San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum
All aboard! The San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum was founded to preserve and present the railroad history of California’s Central Coast. The museum has many train displays and artifacts on display. They are continually working on the Central Coast Model Railroad which will depict portions of the Southern Pacific and the entire Pacific Coast Railway as they operated along the California Coast from Gaviota to Paso Robles.
The railroad museum is open every Saturday from 10am to 4pm. Hours, pricing, special events, and more detailed information can be found on their website.
Central Coast Aquarium, Avila Beach
The Central Coast Aquarium is a small public visitor center in Avila, just steps away from the beach and boardwalk. Expect a fun, hands-on experience that allows your children to explore the world of the ocean, beneath the surface. You and the kiddos can explore their exhibit hall’s touch tanks, which are home to dozens of species of marine animals from the commonly known sea stars and rock crabs to the unique gumboot chiton and purple sea urchin.
The aquarium also hosts special events including Mommies & Guppies, Coastal Clean-up Days, an Earth Day celebration, and more.
The aquarium is open Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 4pm. General Admission is $8, children under 3 are free. Hours, pricing, and more detailed information can be found on their website.
Indoor Play Area at Life Community Church, Templeton
The indoor play area at Life Community Church in Templeton provides hours of entertainment and has something for all ages. Head over on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 am to 2 pm
- Indoor Play Structure: The structure is great for climbing, has lots of tunnels, a large slide, and more! See this blog post for some photos.
- Bounce Houses: There is a large bounce house for older children and a smaller one for toddlers. Photos
- Play Room: The large play room for preschool-aged children is fully equipped with learning games, easels, toys, kiddie chairs and tables, and more! Imagine a preschool open for play!
- Indoor Games: There is a basketball court, foosball table, and more for older children.
- Caretakers: Yes, even caretakers have plenty of space to move around, or even sit and watch the kiddosplay, as the space has plenty of adult-sized seating!
Cost is $5 per child or $10 maximum per family. Click here for more information.
Central Coast Gymnastics, San Luis Obispo
Central Coast Gymnastics (CCG) is a state of the art children’s sport center in San Luis Obispo. They offer a wide variety of programs for children of all ages and ability levels. Click here for a link to their recreational and preschool class schedules. Freddy Flips is CCG’s Fabulous Friend (pictured above)! The kiddos love to give him hugs and high 5′s when they see him hanging out at CCG or around town!
Thrive Gymnastics, Atascadero
Thrive Training Center in Atascadero offers drop-in Parent & Me classes, and Preschool, Tumbling & Trampoline, Girls Gymnastics, and Boys Urban Acro classes. The Parent & Me classes are perfect for visiting and local families with children ages 10 months to 6 years. The program has no registration fee, no monthly enrollment, and you can attend as often as you’d like. Classes are $6 each. Click here for their class schedule and visit their website for more information on hours, pricing, and location.
San Luis Obispo County Libraries
Heading to the library is always a wonderful experience! Endless rows of books, cozy chairs, your own library card, and even some headphones with music and videos are available. Additionally, the San Luis Obispo County libraries have loads of fun, educational classes and activities, special events, and wonderful story time programs. Click here for a link to the special events including Craft Club, Lego Club, Wireless Weekends, Family Movie day, and more at the Cambria, Los Osos, Atascadero, Morro Bay, Arroyo Grande, Cayucos, and San Luis Obispo Libraries. Additionally, the Paso Robles Library has tons of puzzles, blocks, and games available to play with while you visit. AND a beautiful fish tank that’s always popular with the kiddos.
Here’s a great, comprehensive page that lists Story Time information throughout SLO County!
Here are a few more fun ideas: go bowling, catch a movie at a historic or new theatre, enjoy a matinee at the Melodrama, and/or shoot some pool at Hot Shots billiards. These are all fun family favorites on the central coast!
There is not a lack of fun things to do with the kiddos in SLO County, even on rainy or chilly days! What are your favorite things to do indoors with the kiddos? Let us know in the comments below!
Have fun and Go-Go!
Christy Byham
Owner, Kiddos a Go-Go
Kiddos a Go-Go is an online resource for family-friendly events and activities in San Luis Obispo County. Their website includes a comprehensive event calendar, links to important family-oriented resources, information about activities, lessons, museums, parks, and other things to do with children in SLO County. Like them on Facebook and follow them on Instagram, or Twitter to stay up-to-date on family fun!
