As an adult living in LA, you probably thought you had a good sense of the museum scene. Then you had kids. Now you can bring your kids to your old favorites like the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and LACMA, but you can also bring them to a children’s museum, chock full of exhibits made just for their enjoyment and development. And there are plenty of great ones around the LA area—here are six of our faves.
1. Kidspace Children’s Museum, Pasadena
Where: 480 North Arroyo Boulevard, Pasadena, CA
Where: Just a stone’s throw from the Rose Bowl in Pasadena’s Arroyo Seco, you’ll find this children’s museum, which is home to 40 indoor and outdoor exhibits. With the Cali weather being so ideal, it’s no wonder Kidspace has taken advantage of their 3.5 acres and filled it with favorite exhibits like the Galvin Physics Forest (think giant science projects that teach kids about levers and pulleys), gardens with playful water features and a toddler-sized playground. Inside, find challenging climbers, an imagination workshop and Dino Dig, where your kids can play paleontologist for a bit, uncovering fossils and going on adventures in the vintage utility vehicle.,
Can’t-miss exhibits: Dino Dig, Arroyo Adventure, Galvin Physics Forest
2. Cayton Children’s Museum, Los Angeles
Where: 395 Santa Monica Place, Santa Monica, CA
As you probably already heard, the beloved Zimmer Children’s Museum has gotten a new home and a new name: the Cayton Children’s Museum. The 21,000-square-foot museum, just steps from the Santa Monica Pier, transformed a former food hall in Santa Monica Place into a fun and inclusive place for kids to learn about themselves and their community. A non-linear design opens the space up for free play and discovery, letting kids chart their own course through the more than 30 exhibits, which are housed in five “neighborhoods.” There’s a topography-themed area for kids aged newborn to two; an exhibit dedicated to first-responders, veterinarians and farmers; a space that focuses on the benefits of mindfulness, a giant net in the sky (that kids can explore!) and much, much more.
Can’t-miss exhibits: Reach For, Let’s Help
3. Southern California Children’s Museum, Pasadena
Where: 459 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA
Explore, play and learn (and get some pretty cute Instagrams while you’re at it) in this bright, open children’s museum in Pasadena. Dubbed “The Museum Without Walls,” this spot is just that! Little ones can throw on costumes, try their hand at musical instruments, whip up some (fake) food in the play kitchen, learn all about the “farm to table” movement and even go pretend camping in this giant space. There are also areas for block play—a favorite with kids.
Can’t-miss exhibits: While the museum is permanent, the experiences and exhibits are ever-changing as they continue to fundraise. Wild California opens in January 2020.
4. Discovery Cube OC and LA, Orange County and Los Angeles
Where: 11800 Foothill Boulevard, Sylmar, CA
Where: 2500 North Main Street, Santa Ana, CA
These sister science museums built especially with children in mind—the original is in Orange County and a second location opened in Los Angeles in 2014—provide curious kids with opportunities for scientific exploration. Hands-on exhibits that appeal to all ages abound at both spaces. Go on a virtual helicopter tour of California, explore weather patterns at the Planetary Research Station and learn how to be an eco-friendly shopper. We especially love Dino Quest at the OC spot (an outdoor area where kids can dig for fossils and learn about the Argentinosaurus) and Park Science in LA (take a virtual trek through the Hansen Dam Recreation Area, go rock climbing or try to withstand the Santa Ana winds). Keep an eye out for rotating exhibits and impressive events throughout the year, too.
Can’t-miss exhibits: Planetary Research Station, Helicopter Tour, DinoQuest (OC only), Park Science (LA only)
5. Pretend City, Irvine
Where: 29 Hubble, Irvine, CA
Pretend City likes to say “We Build Better Brains”—and that they do, through creating a micro-universe in which children learn how the real world works. It’s “the world in a nutshell,” a kid-sized city where kids can roleplay real-life roles. There’s a dentist office, a doctor’s office, a library, a post office, a farm, an emergency services area, a construction zone, a cafe (and a real cafe for actual food), a gas station, a marina, an art studio, a theater, a bank, a beach, a home and—the real crowd-pleaser—a pretend Trader Joe’s. They have employees throughout to help your kids learn real-life lessons as they play. They also have an imagination playground, where kids can build worlds out of foam blocks, for more traditional play. Our only question: where was Pretend City when we were kids?
Can’t-miss exhibits: Trader Joe’s, Construction, Imagination Playground
6. The Children’s Museum at La Habra
Where: 301 South Euclid Street, La Habra, CA
The Children’s Museum at La Habra opened in 1977 (at a historic train depot from 1923!) and was one of the only children’s museums of open on the West Coast during the ’70s—so it’s safe to say that they’re trailblazers. The 10,000-square-foot space exists to teach your kids all about the arts, sciences, other cultures and life in general. Got a little gearhead? They’ll love the historic 1942 caboose, replete with a restored interior and railroad artifacts, as well as the interactive, mini model train village. There’s also a nature room with “real” (taxidermied) wild animals, a working mini carousel (indoors!), a Kids on Stage dress-up area, a Science Station that lets kids dig for fossils and learn about clean energy, a STEAM Lab, a Preschool Play Park (for kiddos under five), a Family Art Center, and a bevy of rotating exhibits to keep your kids on their toes!
Can’t-miss exhibits: 1942 Caboose, Science Station, Carousel Room
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