Redwood Discovery Museum (612 G St., Eureka; 707-443-9694) is the answer to a parent looking for an educational activity that truly engages their child’s sense of wonder. The interactive exhibits encourage visitors to let off some STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math). Hands-on play ignites a life-long love of knowing stuff. Watch your child have fun learning, then ask you for more. The Redwood Discovery Museum offers afternoon programs like Mad Scientists for the kid who must make a volcano, as well as Makers Space so your child can create what they want without you having to provide materials. Or clean up all that paint. Closed Wednesday because everyone who works with that much energy must recharge themselves. Admission for Humboldt residents ages 2 and over is $7, $4 for EBT recipients and $10 for non-residents.
As adults we get to be responsible for childhood joy. One of the delights of childhood can be found in the Take a Trinket, Leave a Trinket box located in front of Humboldt’s Hometown Store (394 Main St., Ferndale; 707-496-0588). This repurposed newspaper box opens to reveal a selection of teeny treasures. Watch little faces light up as their eyes feast on a collection of baubles. Make sure they bring a trinket to trade, something of little monetary value that can fit in the palm of their hand. Leave a plastic tyrannosaurus rex or a shell bracelet — you get it. This is a fun way to teach them about sharing and recycling as they trade a tiny charm that makes them yawn for one that makes them giggle. The trinket trade box community art trend started during the pandemic and since then they have popped up all over, with 1,200 of them listed on the Worldwide Sidewalk Joy website. Visit Ferndale’s and see why kids love them.
Credit: Humboldt Insider
Want to witness contagious childhood joy? Take the family for an ice cream waffle cone at Arcata Scoop (1068 I St., Arcata 707-825-7266). The joy comes not just from child-pleasing ice cream made with fresh strawberries from Deep Seeded Farm, but by simply walking in the door. Colorful creatures carved by local artists enchant the little ones as you wait for your delicious treats. The giraffes are guaranteed to stop your kids in their tracks. Until they turn to see the galloping rabbit they can ride (if under 100 lbs). So many flavors but absolutely no corn syrup goo in sight. How about a waffle bowl with a double scoop of lemon poppyseed and vanilla honey lavender for you? Scoops walks its low carbon footprint talk, locally sourcing organic ingredients and offering reusable sample spoons. (Samples!) Ask about nondairy flavors like the delightful coconut sorbet. Staff will refill a reusable pint container, too. Though the soft ginger molasses vanilla ice cream sandwich, like the waffle cone, is its own edible package.
This article appears in Humboldt Insider Spring/Summer 2026.