At some point in your parenthood, you’re going to have a dinosaur-obsessed kid, even if right now they’re into cars or princesses. You’ve read the books, seen the shows and bought the toys. Now blow their minds and take them to some of the coolest dinosaur spots in the Southland—we’re talking the popular Cabazon Dinosaurs (one of our favorite roadside attractions) and the dinosaur exhibit at the Natural History Museum. A field trip to sites featuring these ancient animals will thrill all dino-lovers—and they’ll learn a lot, too.
Flickr/Eric Allix Rogers
Where: 50770 Seminole Dr, cabazon, CA
The World’s Biggest Dinosaurs are a kitschy roadside attraction just a quick trip away. Visit Mr. Rex, a three-story, concrete beast with a fresh coat of paint. You can climb all the way to the top for a Pterosaur’s (i.e. an ancient flying bird’s) eye view of Dinny, their 150-foot-long Apato.
Insider tip: Take a great selfie of the kids fleeing these gentle giants. There are also dino kiddie rides where little ones can sit atop one and feel its slow movements.
Legoland California
Where: 1 Legoland Drive, Carlsbad, CA
Over on Explorer Island you can find the most elusive of dinos, the Coastersaurus. Waiting in line for this pint-sized roller coaster, you can play Eye Spy with all sorts of large, elaborate Lego dinosaur sculptures that are sure to thrill. Afterward, head over to the Dig Those Dinos attraction, where little paleontologists can grab a brush and uncover “bones” in a large sandbox. Whole skeletons and smaller pieces are there for kids to discover on their own, or as part of a team for collaborative learning.
Insider tip: After they’ve made the latest, greatest discovery kids can head over to the gift store stand and get a paleontologist Lego figure to take home for free.
Wonder of Dinosaurs
Where: 1815 Hawthorne Blvd, North Redondo, CA
If kids were to design their ultimate dinosaur experience, this would be it. Part play center, part museum and part educational experience, World of Dinosaurs in Redondo Beach has it all. Featuring museum-quality robotic and static dinosaurs, this self-paced exhibit is perfect for kids ages two to 12. An array of dino-themed activities will keep your kiddos engaged, learning and active. There are dinosaur bouncers, a dinosaur maze and even dinosaur mini-mini golf. Kids can pan for gemstones and ancient shark teeth, ride a giant dinosaur or race around on electric stuffed dinos.
Insider tip: Bring grip socks (otherwise you’ll have to purchase them at the door!).
Natural History Museum of LA
Where: 900 Exposition Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA
The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is the largest natural and cultural history collection in the western United States (impressive!), and its collections include nearly 35 million specimens and artifacts that cover 4.5 billion years of history. The Hall of Dinosaurs will thrill tiny paleontologists, allowing visitors to walk amongst 20 complete dinosaurs and sea creatures, and get extremely close to more than 300 artifacts. Littles will also love the Dinosaur Lab, where you get to watch real paleontologists at work restoring and investigating fossils!
Insider tip: There’s more than just fossils here! Watch footage of a real dinosaur hunting expedition and “excavate” specimens at multimedia stations.
5. Raymond M. Alf Museum of Paleontology
Where: 1175 W Baseline Rd, Claremont, CA
Referred to as a “hidden gem” of the Inland Empire, it’s the only nationally accredited museum on a high school campus in the United States. At just 4,000-square-feet, it’s the perfect size for young kids who might otherwise be intimidated by gallery upon gallery of large exhibits. It has one of the largest and most diverse trackway collections in the country in the Hall of Footprints.
Insider tip: Visitors can get a behind the scenes look at a working paleontology museum, a fossil preparation lab and a collections storage room via cut out windows in the walls.
The Dinosaur Farm
Where: 1510 Mission St, South Pasadena, CA
No Dinosaur Day is complete without a souvenir! The Dinosaur Farm in South Pasadena is absolute heaven for dino-lovers of all ages. Budding paleontologists will go crazy over the huge selection of all-things-dinosaur, from books, toys, puzzles, and models to clothing and room decor. The store also specializes in other educational toys, including musical instruments, dress-up clothes and building blocks.
Insider tip: They even have real fossilized dinosaur poop!
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