Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Oakland, CA

I took my 3 month old to Berkeley's BAMPFA and we had a fine time, I strolled him around, he fussed a little, napped a little then we had a cafe lunch. Taking a preschooler to a fine art museum is a whole different animal. You have to make it interesting for them.

What about a little scavenger hunt? (Heck, If I call grocery shopping a "scavenger hunt," that usually works, so why not for a museum?)  Print out some pieces of art you are likely to see on your trip and prime your preschooler to be on the look out.

Bring crayons and a small notebook. Whenever inspiration strikes, you'll want to be ready. And I do suggest that you hold onto the crayons so that there are no uncommissioned masterpieces left behind...know what I mean?

Run around before and after. It makes all that standing and looking more appealing. At the SFMOMA, there's the huge Yerba Buena Gardens, near Berkeley's BAM is a sprawling lawn with some benches to climb.

Hit Cafe Muse. Pick up a treat to eat on the green lawn. And do some more running.

Kids under 12 are always free. If you want to go on a slower day, avoid free-for-all days on the first Thursday of each month. [BAM visitor admission and location details]

See more tips for visiting an art museum with a tiny critic.
See my best ideas for taking a baby to a museum.