Pennypickle’s Workshop

Temecula has a hidden gem of a Children’s Museum – Pennypickle’s Workshop.  Located in Old Town Temecula, this science themed museum provides air-conditioned entertainment for kids and adults. This is not an ordinary Children’s Museum either. It is querky and full of imaginative rooms that were engaging for both of my kiddos. The preface of the museum is it is Professor Phineas T. Pennypickle’s home turned workshop – so each room has experiments and fun facts dedicated to an area of science.

Getting There

Pennypickle’s Workshop is located in Old Town Temecula at 42081 Main Street Temecula CA 92590. There is ample parking just before the bridge and right by the workshop that is free. We were able to get parking on the street. Going out to Temecula from the north or south side of base can take some time, traffic dependent – so make sure to check your map app of choice before heading to Temecula. Pack extra water bottles as well if you are used to coastal areas as it did get 15 degrees hotter inland.

Cost

Children under 3 are free, everyone else if $5 a ticket. If you get a group of 25 people or more (unit function?), the charge is $4 a person. An annual membership costs $25, and would definitely recommend this if you live nearby or plan to visit Temecula at least five times in a year.

They do not currently offer a military discount, but the cashier said that the workshop was changing funding sources and considering a military discount. They do offer a $1 off admission for teachers!

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“Penny Pickle” reminder to look for the interactive area!

What to Know

When visiting the museum, choose a two hour window session that you would like to visit. There are three sessions Tuesday through Saturday and two sessions on Sunday with other events from time to time. We went for session 1 from 10 am to noon. They limit the number of people there during those times to limit it from overcrowding, so check out to see if there a field trip scheduled on the day you want to visit as they may reach capacity and you will have to shift your schedule to a different session.

During the two hour session, there will be a presentation in the music room showcasing science experiments in a safe environment that kept my toddler’s attention. Make sure to listen for announcements when you are there. Throughout the session, move from room to room with its different theme and science roots and interact with the exhibits. This is the museum where you can touch everything – and I mean everything. The touch mats impressed and the kids didn’t want to leave the kitchen. For the older kids, there are clipboards of scavenger hunts just outside the library to help them engage and find everything (hint: when in doubt, look up).

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Scavenger Hunt clipboards

 

Humor is evident here – even in the signs in the bathroom! There are two family bathrooms with changing tables. The bathroom walls will look familiar to you if you used to subscribe to magazines like 3-2-1-Contact!

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This outing was a fun, affordable family morning. Due to the small size of it, it is somewhere kids can feel free to roam while their parental unit can still keep a close eye on them. The creative stations are fun and will spark questions – some you may not expect – like why were TVs so big in history?!

Looking for another family friendly outing in Temecula? Check out our write-up on Wilson Creek Winery. If you go for a later session, consider an early dinner at close by and delicious Luke’s On Front.

Have you been to Pennypickles Workshop? What was your favorite part?

 

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