The children’s museum field has a long history of stepping up to support their communities in times of need. We’re heartened by the strength of California children’s museums as they offer children and families a retreat for playful learning to families affected by widespread fires in the state.

The Children’s Museum of Sonoma County in Santa Rosa, California, has dealt with the devastating impact of both fires and a flood in its community over the past three years. Throughout these challenges, the museum has pursued its mission to inspire curiosity and creativity through joyful, transformative experiences.

Even though the museum was closed temporarily due to nearby evacuations, they still put their community first by developing a resource list, as well as compiling a list of museums throughout California that are offering free or reduced admission to families affected by the Kincade fire.

Resources for Children and Families Coping with Trauma

In recognition of the effects fires have on the communities it serves, the Children’s Museum of Sonoma County has compiled a list of helpful resources for children and families coping with trauma. The museum provides this list as a reference tool and does not endorse or claim to have personal knowledge of the abilities of those listed.

• Therapeutic Play – Children
• Therapeutic Play – Parents
• WildFire, Support After an Emergency: Family Guide, Sesame Workshop
• Flood, Support After An Emergency: Family Guide, Sesame Workshop
• Community Provider, Support After an Emergency: Family Guide, Sesame Workshop
• Children & Recovery from Wildfires, Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation
• Resources to Help Families of Young Children Cope During Disasters, and Traumatic Events, First 5 Sonoma
• Helping Children After a Wildfire: Tips for Parents and Teachers, National Association of School Psychologists
• How to talk children about fire and earthquakes, before and after they happen, Los Angeles Times

Museums offering FREE Admission to Families Displaced by the Fire

The Children’s Museum of Sonoma County is updating this list in real time as it receives confirmation of museums offering free admission. This list may not include all museums offering free admission; list is current as of October 30, 2019.

Thank you to the following California museums for supporting our community:

• Bay Area Discovery Museum, Sausalito, 415.339.3900 (*BADM is under a Public Safety Power Shut-off, once power is restored they will offer free admission – check their website for updates)
• Habitot Children’s Museum, Berkeley, 510.647.1111
• California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, 415.379.8000
• Children’s Creativity Museum, San Francisco, 415.820.3320
• Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose, San Jose, 408.298.5437
• CuriOdyssey, San Mateo, 650.342.7755
• Junior Museum & Zoo, Palo Alto, 650.329.2111 (always free)
• MY Museum, Monterey, 831.649.6444
• Sacramento Children’s Museum, Sacramento, 916.638.7225
• KidZone Museum, Truckee, 530.587.5437 (*offering half off admission)
• Playzeum Yuba-Sutter, Yuba City, 530.763.5134
• Turtle Bay Exploration Park, Redding, 530.243.8850 (*offering reciprocal membership to Turtle Bay for all of current Children’s Museum of Sonoma County members, as well as a reduced admission rate for Sonoma County residents of $10 for adults and $5 for kids and seniors now through November 10th.)

These resources first appeared on the Children’s Museum of Sonoma County’s website.

The Children’s Museum of Sonoma County in Santa Rosa, California, provides hands-on, interactive exhibits and activities in a safe environment that are custom designed for families with children aged ten years old and younger. Follow the Children’s Museum of Sonoma County on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

The Association of Children’s Museums (ACM) champions children’s museums worldwide. Follow ACM on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.