Indoor places for a rainy day in Berkeley
Updated October 2026
Rain in Berkeley? Here are 8 places where the weather honestly doesn't matter: a hands-on science museum up in the hills, the kids’ section of the central library, two climbing gyms, drop-in paint-your-own pottery, a small play space with a climbing structure and ride-on toys, a toy shop you'll want to browse, and a board game café.
Design Quest for building and testing things, an Animal Discovery Room, and one of the best views of the bay from the terrace. Open Wednesday to Sunday; $20 covers everyone from three upwards.
A giant children's section downtown with storytime and artist-led sessions, and it costs nothing.
A climbing gym near Downtown Berkeley recommended for rainy days.
A climbing gym in North Berkeley suggested for a rainy-day outing.
Paint-your-own pottery with drop-in studio time, so you do not have to commit to a class or a date.
A small South Berkeley play space with a climbing structure, ride-on toys, and a climbing wall geared toward young kids.
A Berkeley toy shop and kids' bookstore, the one people send you to for the thing you cannot find anywhere else.
A board game cafe, so there is something to do at the table while you wait for food.
Easy meals
Toddler playgrounds
Up in the hills