The exhibit area is relatively small and at first seems a little sparse. But that's the beauty of it. The combination of a small exhibit area with just a handful of wide-open interactive displays means adults have an easier time keeping track of kids. In 1941, the museum moved into its present location at 1451 Middlefield Road. City funds cover upkeep costs, and private donations cover just about everything else, says director Rachel Meyer.
Parents can reserve the area for birthday parties.
The museum is targeted at children ages 2 to 12, but little kids will likely get the most out of the indoor exhibits. The real treasure is the adjacent zoo. It's unbelievably clean and built around a charming butterfly garden, which smells so sweet it's easy to overlook that wild animals live in this quaint little paradise. Alexander the goose, however, snaps you back to reality with a high-pitched squawk that startles and tickles unsuspecting toddlers. The zoo boasts a small but impressive collection of reptiles, pheasants, bats, raccoons and a bobcat named Rufus.