Activity Center

Junior Rangers

Do you love trains and want to learn more about the Museum and the amazing railroad cars and locomotives? Are you between the ages of 7 & 12 years old? Then become a Junior Ranger today!

Explore the Museum & Become a Junior Ranger

Earn our Junior Ranger award by completing the activities in the Adventure Guide as you travel through the Museum. Learn about everything from smokestacks to the Lost Golden Spike!

If you wish to create a booklet, download the booklet version below. Print the booklet document double-sided, and then fold to create the paper book to complete the adventure.

Junior Ranger Steps

Download and print the Junior Ranger Adventure Guide, or pick up one up from the Museum's front desk.
Find answers to the questions you are asked by exploring the Museum, reading exhibit information. Park staff and volunteers will be happy to help you discover the Museum!
When you are finished, bring your completed activities to the Museum's front desk and receive your official Junior Ranger award.
Once you have taken the Junior Ranger pledge, you can help the hundreds of park staff and volunteers who protect and care for our California State Parks.

Download Adventure Guide

Download Booklet

Explora el Museo y Conviértete en un Guardaparque Juvenil

Gana nuestro premio Guardaparque Juvenil completando las actividades de la guía de aventuras mientras viajas por el museo. ¡Aprenda sobre todo, desde chimeneas hasta el pico de oro perdido!

Si desea crear un folleto, descargue esta versión en español. Imprima este documento a doble cara y luego dóblelo para crear un folleto para completar la aventura.

Pasos para ser Guardaparques Junior

Descargue e imprima la guía de aventuras Guardaparque Juvenil o recoja una en la recepción del museo.
Encuentre respuestas a las preguntas que le hagan explorando el museo y leyendo la información de la exposición. ¡El personal y los voluntarios del parque estarán encantados de ayudarle a explorar el museo!
Cuando haya terminado, lleve sus actividades completadas a la recepción del museo y reciba su premio oficial Guardaparque Juvenil.
Una vez que haya asumido el compromiso de Guardaparque Juvenil, podrá ayudar a los cientos de empleados y voluntarios del parque que protegen y cuidan nuestros parques estatales de California.

Descarga la guía de aventuras

Descargar folleto

Self-Guided Activity Sheets

Looking for ways to engage while you go through the Museum? Our activity sheets are made for school groups, families, or individuals to enjoy on a self-guided visit.

Discover the STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) behind the development of the railroad in California and the West.

Are you a family or individual? There are a limited number available at the front desk, as well as mini pencils, just ask! You can also print and bring them in yourself.

Are you a teacher or chaperone with a group? Please print enough copies for your group, as well as pencils. We unfortunately cannot provide the large volume needed for our school groups.

Activity sheets

Activity sheets are available for different grade levels in mind, but you are welcome to use whichever version is best for you or your students!

The activity sheets download as PDF files with two pages each. They are designed to be printed two-sided on one piece of paper.

Download Grades K-2

Download Grades 3-5

Download Grades 6-8

Download Grades 9-12

Story Time

All Aboard For Story Time

Let railroads help introduce and foster the love of reading for your little ones! All Aboard for Story Time! takes place inside the Museum every Monday of each month with readings at 11:00 a.m., year-around. This program is included with Museum admission.

This interactive and fun program is designed for toddlers and preschoolers, but all families are welcome. Museum volunteers and staff will read a different railroad-related book each month, followed by a related activity. Periodic Story Time programs will include special readings by community partners, which will be announced on social media.

Afterwards, the imaginative little ones can enjoy the Museum with their parents. Whether its toy trains or big locomotives, there is something to discover in the Museum that will thrill children of all ages!

Horses to Horsepower Activities

Digitally Adapted Program

Hop on board Horses to Horsepower to experience what it was like to build the nation’s first Transcontinental Railroad more than 150 years ago! Discover how Transcontinental Railroad reduced travel time, inspired innovation, encouraged western settlement, and enabled California’s agriculture industry to grow. The Transcontinental Railroad changed life in America forever.

View Program Activities The activities explore topics from the Horses to Horsepower (H2HP) field trip program.

Coloring Pages & More

Calling All Creatives!

Keep the magic of trains alive with these fun coloring pages. See below for coloring pages, and check back for updated content.

Tag the California State Railroad Museum Foundation in your completed artwork for a chance to be featured on our social media channels!

Dear Santa Letter

Thomas and Friends 1

Thomas and Friends 2

Bobber

Train with two carriages coloring page

Toy train coloring page

CSRM activity page 1

CSRM activity Fruit label

CSRM activity Fruit label 2

CSRM activity Mary Colter

CSRM activity Plate design

How The Railroad Changed The Circus Digital Book

Have you ever fed an elephant? Have you ever seen a person do tricks while riding a horse? When was the last time you saw a clown or acrobats flip high in the air? Have you ever heard a big band orchestra play? People used to do all of this and so much more in one day at the circus. Find out how the railroad changed the circus in this digital book!

Open Digital Book

Birthday Parties

Interested in Birthday Party events? Click below to learn more.

View Train Venues