In the Spotlight
Sacramento Zoo
Find tips for taking your preschooler to the Sacramento Zoo.
William Land Park
There's more to William Land Park than just the Sacramento Zoo, Fairytale Town and Funderland.
Mother's Support Network
Join the Mother's Support Network Playgroups to meet other preschool parents.
Crocker Art Museum
The Crocker Art Museum is the only major art museum in Sacramento. It’s built in the old Crocker family mansion and is a relatively small museum, perfect for preschoolers. Much of the art is from the Crocker’s collection from the mid 1800s. The Crocker Art Museum also showcases modern artists such as Irving Norman and Allen Ginsberg. In February 2007, an exhibition on the pictures Ansel Adams and Georgia O’ Keefe took in Yosemite in 1938 will be available. This exhibition may be something your preschooler can relate to and may enjoy.
Advantages of the Crocker Art Museum for Preschoolers
The museum is very small, so preschoolers won’t become tired or overwhelmed. Gives preschoolers a great exposure to art they may not have elsewhere.
The Crocker Art Museum has preschool-aimed programs such as the Gallery Activity Pack and Family Days.
Strollers are available for rent (free!) at the front desk.
Disadvantages of the Crocker Art Museum for Preschoolers
It’s difficult to keep preschoolers quiet, and many patrons want quiet while they study the paintings.Some of the art may be disturbing for some preschoolers, or you may find it objectionable; some of the art does feature violent scenes and/or nudity.
In the Californian and European Galleries, on the second floor, the floor is open to ceiling below. Though there is a railing around this hole, the railing is quite small and more for decoration than for safety.
Younger preschoolers will become bored very easily.
Older preschooler will also become bored after about half-an-hour.
Make Sure not to Miss
The Gallery Activity Pack for preschoolers is called the Totally Tots Museum Safari. It’s a scavenger hunt geared for preschoolers. You can get this at the Front Desk when you pay your entrance fee. Make sure you get the correct pack—they have an activity pack for older children that includes a pencil and is totally inappropriate for preschoolers.Totally Tots ArtBlast, which are performances and art activities geared toward preschoolers. Please check the website for more information.
For families on the second Saturday of every month, the Crocker Art Museum hosts a fun art-themed activity for families. It runs from noon to three. Please check the website for more information.
Recommendation of the Crocker Art Museum for Preschoolers
The Crocker Art Museum is great for older preschoolers. It’s a perfect place for your preschooler to get a taste of art. Watch for those moments when a piece of art catches your preschooler’s eye, and make the most of them.Do not expect to be able to study the art too much yourself; you will be busy corralling your preschooler around the museum.
Expect your visit to be relatively short; while your preschooler may enjoy seeing the art, they will quickly become bored.
The Crocker Art Museum is a great place for your preschooler to learn to be quiet around art so they don’t disturb the other patrons.
General Information
216 O St.
Sacramento, CA 95814
916-264-5423
http://www.crockerartmuseum.org/
Please remember hours and admission fees are subject to change without notice. For up-to-date information about hours and admission fees, please go to the website.
Please remember hours and admission fees are subject to change without notice. For up-to-date information about hours and admission fees, please go to the website.
Admission Fees
Adult $6
Senior $4
Students $3
Children 6 yrs and under: Free
Membership is available for free admission throughout the year. Costs range from $45-$10,000.
Free admission Sundays 10am-1pm.
Hours
Tuesday-Sunday 10am-5pm, Thursdays until 9pm
Parking
Park on the street in metered spots or in a small (and free!) parking lot on 2nd St.
Hello! I'm Theresa Halvorsen, your Sacramento correspondent for PreschoolRock.com. I've lived in Sacramento most of my life and am enjoying raising my preschool-aged twins in this city. There's so many preschool-friendly places in Sacramento. If you have any preschool-friendly places you'd like me to review, please contact me. And, of course, if you have any questions or concerns about this site, please contact me.