The Museum is Growing:

The Paso Robles Children’s Museum is expanding in 2026 with the opening of its basement level as a new interactive play space. This project will increase the Museum’s indoor exhibit capacity by nearly 50 percent, providing critical year-round programming space and ensuring families have access to engaging educational experiences during periods of extreme weather.

The new basement exhibit area will focus on Paso Robles Agriculture, creating an immersive environment where children can explore the connections between farming, food production, natural resources, and the local community. Through hands-on play and discovery, young visitors will gain a deeper understanding of the agricultural systems that shape Paso Robles, the Central Coast and contribute to everyday life.

To date, three grants totaling $45,000 have funded the development of three interactive exhibits that are currently nearing completion. These exhibits include:

• A fruit-picking experience where children harvest fruit from trees and grapevines while learning about local crops and agricultural practices.

• An agricultural bike path that guides children through scenes representing the region’s farming landscape.

• A pollinator exhibit that playfully demonstrates the essential role bees play in supporting pollination.

Together, these exhibits introduce children to key concepts including crop production, pollination, food systems, and the importance of agriculture to the Paso Robles region.

The basement expansion will also provide space for an additional two to three exhibits as funding becomes available, allowing the Museum to continue building a comprehensive Paso Robles Agriculture learning experience. This investment will significantly enhance the Museum’s educational offerings while creating new opportunities for children and families to connect with the agricultural heritage and future of our community.