Kidspace Childrens Museum

We visited Kidspace Childrens Museum for the first time recently and we'll definitely be going back! As the name implies, this is a place for kids. If you are in the Los Angeles area and are tired of the same ol' play gyms and other play spaces, Kidspace is worth the trip out to Pasadena. It is located in the beautiful Brookside Park, part of the same park area as Arroyo Seco Park where the Rose Bowl is! So unless you are looking for traffic, don't try to go on days where there are big games at the Rose Bowl!

For those that don't know, Pasadena is a bit northeast of downtown Los Angeles or pretty much due east from the San Fernando Valley.

Kidspace Childrens Museum isn't a "museum" per se, in the sense that it doesn't have works of art or other collectibles. Instead, it is an exploratorium of sorts that has dozens of displays of various types which aim to be both fun and educational. There are inside areas and outside areas, there are more hardcore educational displays and more laid back relaxing and playing spaces.

When you first get there, you walk down a cool mosaic hallway with electrical displays in the walls. Right from the get go the kids were loving touching the electrical screens and seeing the "lightning" respond to their touch.

Beyond that is a big entry courtyard with shops, food and the ticket booth. Even here in the entryway, there is fun already starting to happen. During the summer, interactive water fountains that shoot little balls of water up out of the ground will entertain your little ones while you relax or enjoy lunch (bring a change of clothes if yours are the type that like to get wet!).

Of note, infants under 12 months are free and adults and children are about $10 to enter.

Beyond, there is a large indoor museum section which is full of various interactive and educational displays. Whether going below ground to explore an ants nest or viewing inside a real bee hive, the displays help to make learning about nature and science fun.

As we mentioned before, the displays vary from very play oriented, such as the fossil digging pit where kids can use tools to "unearth" fossils buried in the sand, to more detailed, like the bug and rock exploration room. Both are full of plenty of visual and tactile stimuli to keep young minds fascinated whether they are very young and just exploring, or a bit older and actually trying to learn.

Outside of this area in the back of the Kidspace Childrens Museum there are several fun outside displays and play areas as well. There is a small amphitheater, gardens with paths to explore, a river, bridges, tricycle paths and other play areas of various types.

Oh, and there are a few climbing towers that allow kids to climb up a couple stories and get a birds eye view. Don't worry, they are safe, the kids climb just a step at a time, so they can't fall far.

Again, our kids had a fun time at Kidspace Childrens Museum so you're probably will as well. For those of you in LA, it is a bit outside the city in Pasadena, but you can make a day of it and enjoy the park areas around the museum as well while you are there.

Kidspace Children's Center
480 N Arroyo Blvd
Pasadena, CA 91103
phone: (626) 449-9144

Hours:
Sept-May:
Tues-Fri 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Sat & Sun 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM

June, July & August:
Mon-Fri 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Sat & Sun 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Note: Kidspace is closed for some holidays and on some days that have large events at the nearby Rose Bowl. To be sure, call ahead or check their website before you go!