Visiting The Children’s Museum of Southern Oregon
A closer look inside The Children’s Museum of Southern Oregon in Medford, Oregon
The Children’s Museum of Southern Oregon is one of my kid’s favorite places to visit in Medford, Oregon. I think we’re there at least once a week, and sometimes we go there multiple times in one week because there are more things to do than we can fit into a single visit.
The Children’s Museum of Southern Oregon is located in Downtown Medford, Oregon at 413 W. Main St. Medford, OR. Parking is street side, and you’ll enter through the large black gates. The check-in desk is downstairs on the right side of the building. It never takes very long to check-in, but they do have a wooden gear wall to keep the kids entertained while you get tickets.
They sell admission tickets for one-time entry as well as annual family memberships. If you buy the one-day admission and decide to become a member, they’ll apply the amount already paid towards your membership! Check pricing and operating hours before you go.
They also offer discounted scholarship memberships for families who qualify. Per their website:
“Scholarships are available for Rogue Valley families that receive public assistance (CHIP, OHP, SNAP, TANF, WIC); licensed foster parents; student parents, and families working with local non-profits who’ve partnered with our organization (Family Nurturing Center, CASA, Healthy Start, etc).”
The Children’s Museum of Southern Oregon has three main sections: Inside Play, Outdoor Adventure Area, and the Annex across the street. It’s enormous- they have pretty much everything a child could ever want to play and learn. Don’t be fooled though, while the square footage alone would put the children’s museum as one of the best places to take kids to play in Southern Oregon- it’s the quality of the well thought out exhibits in each section that cement The Children’s Museum of Oregon as the very best place for kids to play in Southern Oregon.
Bigfoot oversees the Lumber Yard Exhibit at the Children’s Museum of Southern Oregon
Indoor Section of the Children’s Museum of Southern Oregon
Upstairs you will find a mind blowing amount of dramatic play areas. Each exhibit is stocked with high quality toys and equipment specific to that section’s theme as well as multiple children’s books on that subject area. The dramatic play areas include: a farm section, farm stand, and kitchen area, an ambulance, a doctor’s office, a hospital nursey, a climbing wall, a construction zone, a fire watch tower, an animal rescue and rehab, a camping area with canoe, a large train table, a large water flow table, an air flow tube area along the back wall, several light and sound exploration areas, a dress up and dancing area, and a block building section. There is a Makery which always has several art projects waiting for children to come create, and a classroom for special classes throughout the day like Lego Building or Fairy House Construction. The Children’s Museum also has an enclosed area dedicated to the smallest learners (age 3 and under). This toddler area has some amazing sensory walls, a kitchen, and a soft gathering area to sit and read one of their many excellent children’s books.
Aerial view of the Outdoor Adventure Area Exhibit at the Children’s Museum of Southern Oregon
Outdoor Section of the Children’s Museum of Southern Oregon
The Outdoor Adventure Area of the Children’s Museum of Southern Oregon opened last Fall. It has so many different play areas that sometimes we only play outside when we visit the museum.
A large sand play area greets you as you enter the outdoor area. A small river runs along the sandy beach, and the river was designed for children to walk along and play in the water. There are lots of sand toys to build sand sculptures or transport the sand. One of our favorite touches are the dinosaur toys who live in this area. It’s a lot of fun for the kids (and adults) to explore this new world as a T. Rex would. The Children’s Museum has lots of small touches through this space like animal footprints built into the concrete river bed.
Beyond the river sits a trike and bike course. There are a few different style bikes for kids to navigate through the track. Helmets are provided. Next up is the camping area. There’s a tent, camp kitchen, fire pit, and lots of other fun outdoorsy elements.
The music garden is filled with instruments for the children to create new sounds and fills the outdoor area with music. A large metal flower sculpture garden joins the music area.
The Outdoor Adventure area has a large acorn shaped play structure with slide. The design appears to be a nod to their logo. There are lots of other play areas to navigate like a rope climbing structure and tree stumps.
In the rear of the Outdoor Adventure area sits a large grassy hill. Children are always happily running up the hill and rolling back down it when we visit. There’s also a tunnel that runs through the hill that I personally believe is a perfect spot to pretend to be Hobbits. The far side of the hill has built-in seating to create an amphitheater area for concerts.
The Children’s Museum of Southern Oregon has thoughtfully included seating for adults throughout the Outdoor Adventure Area and even a few picnic tables for your family to gather.
The Outdoor Adventure Area is open year round and only closed during extreme weather and smoke events. Our family easily spends an entire afternoon there when the weather is nice.
Annex Section of the Children’s Museum of Southern Oregon
Across the street from the main building of The Children’s Museum of Southern Oregon is the Annex. The Annex houses the kid’s clay studio and the culinary studio. It is also a space for special events like birthday parties.
The Clay Studio offers free clay play with admission, and also has options for purchase like bisque ware painting and take home clay design. They offer workshops each month. Check out their Clay Calendar for what’s coming up.
The Culinary Studio offers a place for kids to learn about food and cooking and is included in admission. They have two programs: Fun with Food and Drop-In Kitchen. Check out their Culinary Studio Calendar to see what’s coming up.
The Children’s Museum of Southern Oregon ranks at the top my list for Best Things to Do With Kids in Southern Oregon. We are fortunate to have such a gem of a place for our kids to play and learn. If you haven’t been, make this a priority. Be sure to block off a few hours for your visit so your kids can explore all its different exhibits.
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