On the Road Since 2021
Following the pandemic closure and subsequent sale of Habitot’s former location in downtown Berkeley, we pivoted in mid-2021 to presenting our hands-on exhibits, art, and maker programs at full-day outdoor events in dozens of community locations throughout the East Bay. Thousands of new families, including many babies born during the pandemic, have been introduced to Habitot’s hands-on experiences.
Search for Permanent Home Continues
The search for a permanent home continues, and Habitot will consider any East Bay location with strong civic and community support for our relocation. Please contact our Site Committee at info@habitot.org to identify properties or property owners willing to work with Habitot on a permanent location.
Where to See Habitot Now
• Pop-Up Mobile Museum Events (ongoing)
Habitot has “popped up” in over forty community locations in parks, at libraries, schools, and other venues for children and families — as far east as Livermore, south as Fremont, north as Pittsburg, and west as our historical home in Berkeley. Our goal is to reach a diversity of families all over Alameda and Contra Costa Counties.
We offer our beloved Waterworks exhibit with its rivers and ponds, our ever-popular Rocket Launcher, our Imagination Playground with its giant blue blocks, our Paintable Art Wall, a Baby Ball Pit, a Ball Run, and a rotating variety of art and maker activities that engage 1-5 year olds (and older siblings) for hours of play.
Timed-entry tickets for each event are available on Eventbrite. Walk-ups are admitted on a space available basis. Upcoming event dates and full descriptions of our pop-up museum event activities are here: Locations & Dates.
• STEM, Arts, & Crafts Days
STEM, arts and crafts activities feature seasonal themes and celebrations. Habitot partners with libraries, schools, and other venues for families to present these smaller-scale events. The events are free to attend although pre-registration (which helps us plan for supplies) may be required. Walk-ins are admitted on a space available basis. Locations & Dates.
• Temporary Indoor Museum in Emeryville CLOSED
In 2023, motivated by the desire to provide continuous programming for young children and families, we sought vacant spaces for temporary indoor locations. The owners of Bay Street Emeryville stepped up and provided Habitot with a 2,800 square foot indoor tenant space. Habitot was open in this space for 18 months through December 31, 2024.
Following a year of presenting our Space Station experience, we refreshed the indoor space in June 2024 with our “Little Town” exhibit. Its hands-on play stations include a fire engine, a “burning” building, a grocery store, and a pizzeria. These invite kids to become firefighters, market cashiers, and pizza chefs. There was also an expanded Infant Toddler area, a Rocket Launcher, an Art Studio, a Wiggle Wall climber, and a Maker Space!
New Temporary Indoor Locations Sought
New temporary indoor museum locations are being sought for our exhibits and play and learning programs until we find a permanent home. Donated space with a minimum of 2,500 sq. ft. is required. Please contact our Site Committee at info@habitot.org to identify properties or property owners willing to offer space for temporary use.
Mobile Museum Available for Corporate Events
Habitot offers Pop-Up events as Corporate Employee Events. For more information, check out our Corporate Employee Pop-Up Event Page!
Thank you to our Mobile Museum Supporters
For our 2023-24 Mobile Museum tour, funding is provided by Specified General Fund for the Museum Grant Program under the California Cultural and Historical Endowment.
The 2022-23 Mobile Museum tour has been supported by Kaiser Permanente, the City of Berkeley, the Institute for Museum and Library Services, the Alameda Art Commission, and Chevron.
