We're exploring Sacramento through the perspectives of local families and individuals with different accessibility needs. In this guest post, Kayla Guzman, a Sacramento parent, shares her experience visiting the Sacramento Children's Museum with her son, Westley, highlighting the activities, amenities, and thoughtful details that made their visit enjoyable.
So, if you’re anything like my family, you might feel a little antsy about trying new things. It’s not because you aren’t interested, but because there are a lot of factors to consider when planning an outing with your kiddo, especially when they need specific accommodations. When we walked into the Sacramento Children’s Museum, we were immediately greeted and made to feel welcome and at ease. The main room had an open-concept layout, with various stations set up around the room for different interests and styles of open play.
One of the things I really enjoy about spaces where activities aren’t super rigid is that my son, Westley, can explore at his own pace and in his own way. He has a routine when visiting an unfamiliar place: He walks around the perimeter first to check out everything available to him, then settles on something familiar or comforting before feeling ready to try something new. For Westley, one of those comforting things is BOOKS. He absolutely loves them and has been known to take every single book off my family members’ shelves when we visit! He’s incredibly curious, loves looking through every page, and is especially drawn to stories with big pictures and lots to explore.
Luckily, there were various book stations throughout the museum, but the jackpot was in the interactive space that included a large board-game-style activity on the floor, animal figurines, videos to watch, dress-up clothes, and of course, an entire collection of books. I’m not going to lie, we spent quite a bit of time over here (but luckily, there were places to sit). Westley wanted to look through every book available. Thankfully, there were plenty of options, so he could take his time exploring without feeling rushed or needing to hurry along so someone else could have a turn. We attempted to spark his interest in the giant board game and some of the other activities, but they weren’t quite his preferred style of play yet. However, if you have a kiddo who enjoys board games or learning fun facts about different things, this would be a great spot to explore.
After that, we made our way back into the main room to check out some of the other stations. One really cool setup had a camping and s’mores theme, complete with tents and a pretend campfire. Westley isn’t super into pretend play, but if you have a kiddo who is, this would be a great place for them to let their imagination run wild. There was also an area with various musical instruments and a stage, along with a little vet office. And since Westley really enjoys throwing things at home (and honestly, he has pretty decent aim!), I was able to introduce him to their version of cornhole. That caught his attention for a bit, and he picked up on throwing the hacky sacks into the holes pretty easily.
Another one of his favorites was the rock-climbing wall and slide exhibit in the middle of the main room. It featured a climbing area, a slide down to the bottom, and a tunnel underneath it all. If you have a kid who loves the playground as much as mine does, they’ll probably enjoy this one, too. It was a great opportunity for Westley to climb, slide, and show off his skills. We also spotted a giant wall filled with lights that you could control just by touching them, along with a large, landform-shaped table featuring trains and tracks. With so many different activities available, there were plenty of opportunities for kids with different interests and play styles to find something that appealed to them.
I really appreciated the attention to practical needs throughout the space. If you have a medically complex or disabled kiddo, you know that using bathrooms outside of your home can sometimes be challenging. The bathrooms here had individual stalls with full doors and locks, and each private space included both an adult-sized toilet and a child-sized toilet. There was also a changing table area with wipes provided, which I thought was a nice touch. We also found sanitizing stations throughout the museum, along with cubbies for storing bags and personal items if needed. These might seem like little details, but when you’re planning an outing with a kiddo who has additional needs, they can make a big difference in how comfortable and manageable the experience feels.
Finally, be sure to keep an eye out for their sensory-friendly play days! These low-cost sessions are designed for children with disabilities or sensory needs and their friends. They take place twice a month for 90 minutes, on the first Monday and third Thursday of each month. When we visited, the space wasn’t too overstimulating for Westley, so visiting during regular operating hours may also be an option for some families, depending on their child’s individual needs.
Overall, I appreciated having a space where Westley could explore at his own pace, spend time doing what he loves, and have opportunities to try something new without pressure. Sometimes, that’s exactly what makes an outing a success!
