KID FRIENDLY MUSEUMS IN AND AROUND LOS ANGELES!
You don’t even have to travel far to explore some of the best kid-friendly museums. From exploring the cars and trains to animals and dinosaurs, from playtime to hands-on-educational opportunities, these fabulous L.A. and Orange County museums offer children of all ages the best in discovering history, science, technology, music, culture, art, and learning.
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles
Los Angeles
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles is an extensive natural history museum with beautiful dramas of North American and African mammals, and a hands-on, interactive Discovery Center with live animals, shells, rocks, bones, insects, and other specimens. Watch for special exhibits like butterfly pavilion, and spider pavilion.
There is an easy stroller access on the north side of the building.
Address: 900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90007
Contact: (213) 763-3466
Hours: Every day 9:30 am - 5:00 pm
Admission: Adults $12.00; Child (Ages 2-18) $5.00; Students $9.00; Under 2 are Free
Membership: Family $99.00; Family; Plus $129.00; Patron Family $220.00
Parking: $12.00
La Brea Tar Pits & Museum
Los Angeles
The La Brea Tar Pits in Hancock Park had pits of tar in which animals got stuck and died during the latter par of the last Ice Age (10,000 to 40,000 years ago). The animals thought the black pools of tar were water and got stuck. The black ozee preserved the bones that have been excavated, and are still being excavated today. Explore the tar pits, go inside the Museum to see what paleontologists have found, and get the inside story of the La Brea Tar Pits and experience how an actual Ice Age dig site works. The Museum also houses animal skeletons, including mammoths, mastodons, dire wolves, saber-toothed cats, and a variety of birds.
While you are there, make sure to catch Titans of the Ice Age 3D. In this exciting 3D adventure, discover an icy world on the brink of extinction, where humans share the frozen tundra with majestic beasts. Encounter some of the Earth’s most awe-inspiring mammals, from saber-toothed cats and dire wolves to giant sloths and the iconic mammoths that lived 10,000 years before modern civilization. Take your lunch, or grab something nearby, and have a picnic in Hancock park right in the middle of the La Brea Tar Pits, and roll down the hills with the kids, which is one of the kids' favorite things to do when they visit.
Address: 5801 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036
Contact: (213) 763-3499
Hours: Every day from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm
Admission: Adults $12.00; Child (2+) $5.00; Students $9.00; Under 2 are Free. Excavator Tour is free with museum admission; Additional tickets are required for Ice Age Encounters, and Titans 3D. Buy Tickets
Free Days: Receive free Museum admission the first Tuesdays of every month (except July and August) and free Museum admission every Tuesday in September. We recommend reserving free tickets in advance to guarantee Museum entry and to skip the line, as the museum experiences high attendance on the free days. Reserve your tickets
Membership: Individual $59; Dual $79; Family $99. Choose your level
Parking: $12 flat rate. The Museum's parking lot is located at the corner of Curson Ave. and 6th St., directly behind the museum. Enter from the western side of Curson Ave.
California Science Center
Los Angeles
The California Science Center is a dynamic destination where families, and children can explore the wonders of science through interactive exhibits, live demonstrations, innovative programs and awe-inspiring films. The Science Center offers self-guided experiences of Permanent and Special Exhibit galleries, Big Lab interactive programs, and IMAX Movies. The IMAX Theater is great for older kids. The Discovery Rooms are filled with cool hands-on experiments like a kitchen, a garden, construction site, and a kid-sized TV studio with costumes, which are perfect for exploring for kids 6 & under. After your exploration, you can enjoy a meal from one of the dining options located on the Science Center's 1st floor or grab a snack at the IMAX Theater's concession stand.
Address: 700 Exposition Park Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90037
Contact: (323) 724-3623
Hours: Open daily from 10 am to 5 pm.
Admission: Admission to the Science Center's permanent exhibition galleries is Free. IMAX tickets: Child (4-12 yrs) $5.25, Adult $8.50. For Space Shuttle Endeavor viewing timed ticket are required. Buy Tickets
Membership: Explorer $65; Discoverer $150; Adventurer $350; Pioneer $550. Choose your level
Parking: Parking is $12 for cars and "yellow" school buses, and $30 for Charter buses and oversize vehicles. Or leave your car at home, and take public transit! Exit the Metro Expo Line at the Expo Park/USC Station. The Science Center is located 0.2 miles walking.
Zimmer Children's Museum
Los Angeles
The Zimmer is a hands-on museum of discovery. The goal for the Zimmer Children's Museum is to provide a unique opportunity to share values, ethics, and cultures while demonstrating community responsibility and sensitivity. The museum has an area called Play Land just for toddlers. There’s a ton of cool things to do, from driving an ambulance and piloting a plane, to jamming with instruments or playing the massive pinball machine. Encourage your children to try any of the exhibits and fun projects. The museum encourages little children starting at six months to participate and offers non-toxic paint for all art projects. There are art exhibits and classes on most days, and various festivals and Sunday family programs. Check the programs
Address: 6505 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 100 Los Angeles, CA 90048
Contact: (323) 761-8984
Hours:
Monday-Thursday: 10am-5pm
Friday: 10am-4pm
Sunday: 12:30pm-4:30pm
VIB Hour (under 2 only): Wednesday, 9am-10am
Members Only Hour: Friday, 9am-10am
(Check the calendar for closures)
Admission: Adults: $7.50; Children 1-17: $7.50; Children under 1 are free
Grandparents: free on Thursdays when accompanied by a grandchild
Free Days: Call (323) 761-8910 to find out when the next Open Door Day is and to make a reservation.
10 Visit Pass: $50.00 Good for 10 visits for any guests 1 and over for one year.
Membership: Basic $109; Plus $139; Premium $179
Parking: Free parking is available in the visitor lot on the west side of the building. This parking lot has limited spaces, and is available on a first come, first serve basis.
Skirball Cultural Center
Los Angeles
The Skirball features an extraordinary museum, changing exhibitions, engaging music, theater, comedy, film, family, and literary programs, Zeidler's Café, Audrey's Museum store, and an interactive family destination inspired by the Noah's Ark story—all in a stunning architectural setting designed by renowned architect Moshe Safdie. Play, climb, build, explore, make believe, and make friends–all while exploring a floor-to-ceiling wooden ark, filled to the rafters with whimsical animals.
Address: 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90049
Contact: (310) 440-4500
Hours:
Tuesday–Friday, 12:00–5:00 p.m.
Saturday–Sunday, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Closed Mondays and holidays
Last entry to Noah’s Ark is at 4:00 p.m.
Last entry to other Museum galleries is at 4:30 p.m.
Admission: $12 General; $9 Seniors (65 and up), $7 Full-Time Students and Children over 12; Free to Members and Children under 2. Advance tickets to Noah's Ark are highly recommended on weekends and during school breaks, including for Members. No need to reserve advance Noah’s Ark tickets for children under 2.
Free Days: Every Thursday. Noah’s Ark tickets on Free Thursdays are available on a walk-up basis only and distributed first-come, first-served, subject to availability (no advance tickets). Admission to Ruby Gallery exhibitions, located outside Zeidler's Café, is Free to all every day.
Membership: Household $65; Family $110; Family Plus $175; Lifecycle $350. Choose your level
Parking: Free on-site parking.
Los Angeles
The Mission of Petersen Automotive Museum is to explore and present the history of the automobile and its global impact on life and culture using Los Angeles as a prime example. At Petersen Automotive Museum you get to drive into the world of the automobile in lots of different ways. There are interactive exhibits, art projects, automotive awareness workshops and more. Through a ground-breaking partnership with Disney/Pixar, you can be a part of the Cars Mechanical Institute, inspired by the animated film CARS. At this permanent Exhibit you can learn about the mechanical systems that make cars work. You can also paint and personalize virtual cars as well as race and color their own Cars character to take home. And the littlest car enthusiasts can zoom toy cars around a racetrack.
Address: 6060 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90036
Contact: (323) 964-6331
Hours:
Sun – Fri – 11:30am – 6pm
Saturday – 11am – 6pm
Admission: Adults $16; Seniors $13; Child (3-12) $8; Students (13-17) $13.
Membership: Students $51; Individual $90; Dual $114; Family+ $168. Choose your level
Parking: Parking is free for the first 30 minutes and $13 flat rate thereafter.
Los Angeles
The Broad is a contemporary art museum founded by philanthropists Eli and Edythe Broad on Grand Avenue in downtown Los Angeles. The Broad is home to more than 2,000 works of art in the Broad collection, which is among the most prominent holdings of postwar and contemporary art worldwide. While you are there, you must check out Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirrored Room–The Souls of Millions of Light Years Away. This must-see installation only accommodates one visitor at a time for 45 seconds each. Be sure to download The Broad’s free mobile app so you can have guided tours including a family tour for kids called Looking with Levar.
Address: 221 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90012
Contact: 213-232-6250
Hours:
Mon Closed
Tues & Wed 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Thur Sat 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Sun 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Admission: Free. Visit ticketing portal to book your free advance general admission tickets.
Parking: Parking for museum visitors with validation from The Broad is $15 for three hours on weekdays (after three hours, an additional $5 each 15 minutes, maximum of $25) and $15 weeknights after 5 p.m. and all day weekends.
Autry Museum of the American West
Los Angeles
Discover the art, history, and cultures of the American West! Located in beautiful Griffith Park, the Autry features world-class galleries filled with Native American art and artifacts, film memorabilia, historic firearms, paintings, and more. Throughout the year, the Autry also presents a wide range of public events and programs—including lectures, film, theater, festivals, family activities, and music—and performs scholarship, research, and educational outreach. The Autry’s collection of more than 500,000 pieces of art and artifacts includes the Southwest Museum of the American Indian Collection, one of the largest and most significant collections of Native American materials in the United States. Kids adore the chance to pan for gold, to be in a cowboy movie, and fascinated by the newest permanent exhibit, California Continued.
Address: 4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Contact: (323) 667-2000
Hours: Tuesday-Friday: 10 am-4 pm; Saturday-Sunday: 10 am-5 pm. Closed Mondays.
Admission: Adults: $14; Students (with current ID) and Seniors (60+): $10; Children (3-12): $6; free for children under 3; AAA members receive 10% off adult admission and Autry membership.
Free Days: Second Tuesday of every month. Free individual BOA cardholder admission first full weekend of each month. Free on New Year's Day.
Membership: Individual $55; Dual $65; Family $75; Family Plus $125; Turquoise $175; Copper $250; Shell $500; Silver $1250. Choose your level
Parking: Free. Across the street at the LA Zoo Parking lot.
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Los Angeles
This world-class art museum is a wonderful introduction to art for kids of all ages. The Boone Children’s Gallery is a free, creative space where visitors of all ages are invited to explore the art of brush painting. No prior art-making experience is necessary. Friendly and helpful staff introduce painting techniques, offer tips, and even provide high chairs for very young artists. Visitors sit at communal tables in this fun, family-friendly, and resourceful place to relax, create, and make new friends. While you're here, explore Material Play, a collaborative artwork made by families and artist Zheng Chongbin.
Address: 5905 Wilshire Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90036
Contact: (323) 857-6000
Hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 11 am–5 pm
Friday: 11 am–8 pm
Saturday, Sunday: 10 am–7 pm
Closed Wednesdays, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day
People Residing in L.A. County
-
Free | Members
-
$20 | Adults
-
$16 | Seniors (65+) & Students with valid ID
-
Free | 17 & Under
-
Free | After 3 pm, Mon-Fri
People Residing outside L.A. County
-
Free | Members
-
$25 | Adults
-
$21 | Seniors (65+) & Students with valid ID
-
Free | 17 & Under
Free Days: The Boone Children's Gallery is free and open to the public until 5 pm on selective dates. The Boone Children's Gallery is closed on Wednesdays.
Membership: Students $30; Individual $60; Dual $110; Friend $250. Choose your level
Parking: $16 per day. Parking for LACMA is located at the Pritzker Parking Garage on Sixth Street. Parking is free after 7 pm entry.
Los Angeles
The J. Paul Getty Museum seeks to inspire curiosity about, and enjoyment and understanding of, the visual arts by collecting, conserving, exhibiting, and interpreting works of art of outstanding quality and historical importance. The J. Paul Getty Museum at the Getty Center in Los Angeles houses European paintings, drawings, sculpture, illuminated manuscripts, decorative arts, and photography from its beginnings to the present, gathered internationally. The Getty Villa in Malibu houses approximately 44,000 works of art from the Museum's extensive collection of Greek, Roman, and Etruscan antiquities, of which over 1,200 are on view. Both the Getty Center and Getty Villa host family friendly events almost every day of the week.
The Getty Center features several gardens and fountains, and landscaping for public enjoyment, including a cactus garden at the South Promontory, fountains in the Museum Courtyard and the Tram Arrival Plaza, shaded hideaways, and spectacular views of the Santa Monica Mountains, the Pacific Ocean, and Los Angeles.
Address:
The Getty Center: 1200 N Sepulveda Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90049
The Getty Villa: 17985 Pacific Coast Highway, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
Contact: (626) 449-9144
Hours:
The Getty Center: Tue–Fri, Sun 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m.–9 p.m. Closed Mondays
The Getty Villa: Daily 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Closed Tuesdays
The Getty Center: Admission to the Getty Center is always free.
Parking is $15 per car; $10 after 3:00 p.m.
The Getty Villa: Admission is free; Parking is $15 per car upon entry;
Each ticket allows you to bring up to three children ages 15 and under with you in one car.
Los Angeles
The mission of Travel Town is to educate the public about railroad history as it pertains to the development of the Southwest Region of the United States, particularly the Los Angeles area. At Travel Town Railroad, you can travel around the Travel Town Museum two times. After riding the miniature train, you can explore dozens of old time railroad locomotives and cars. On the 2nd Saturday of each month, guided tours are offered.
Address: 5200 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Contact: 323-662-5874
Hours: Daily 10 am - 4 pm
Admission: Free; Train rides are $2.75 per person.
Membership: Travel Town Engineer - $35; Junior Engineer - $35; Railroad Track Gang - $60; The Streamliner Membership - $100; The Little Nugget Club - $250; Restoration Partner - $500. Choose your level
Parking: Parking is free.
Los Angeles
Griffith Observatory is an icon of Los Angeles, a national leader in public astronomy, a beloved civic gathering place, and one of southern California's most popular attractions. It is 1,134 feet above sea level and is visible from many parts of the Los Angeles basin. At Griffith Observatory, you can look through telescopes, explore exhibits, see live shows in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium, and enjoy spectacular views of Los Angeles and the Hollywood Sign.
Address: 2800 East Observatory Rd., Los Angeles, CA 90027
Contact: 213-473-0800
Hours:
Tuesday - Friday12:00 noon - 10:00 p.m.
Saturday - Sunday10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Mondays Closed
Admission: Admission to the building and grounds is always free.
Parking: Parking near the Observatory and on Western Canyon Road costs $4.00/hour.
Los Angeles
Discovery Cube is a new discovery center with hands-on science education that delights, challenges, and encourages kids. This non-profit museum dedicated to teaching STEM proficiency, early childhood education, healthy living, and environmental stewardship. Discovery Cube offers permanent exhibits such as Planetary Research Station, Science of Hockey, 3D Theater, Helicopter Tour, Discovery Market, Race to Zero Waste, Aquavator, Inspector Training Course, and park-science, and new interactive exhibits that change every few months.
You can also host birthday parties at the cube exploring two floors of interactive exhibits and celebrate your special day in the Birthday Party Zone. The cube also offers several different summer camp programs that give kids of all ages the chance to investigate science through fun and one-of-a-kind experiences.
Address: 11800 Foothill Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 91342
Contact: 818-686-2823
Hours: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm daily except for Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Admission: $12.95 online price or $17.95 at the door.
Membership: Individual $60; Family (One Year) $99 Choose your level
Parking: Free Parking onsite.
Santa Ana
The GRAMMY Museum explores and celebrates the enduring legacies of all forms of music; the creative process; the art and technology of the recording process; and the history of the GRAMMY Awards, the premier recognition of recorded music accomplishment. Kids will enjoy seeing photos, hand-written lyrics, costumes, and more. You can even play electronic musical instruments at the “Roland LIVE” section.
Address: 800 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90015
Contact: (213) 765-6800
Hours: Monday – Friday 10:30am – 6:30pm, Saturday – Sunday 10am – 6:30pm
Admission: Adults $12.50, Youth $10.95 (6-17 Years), Kids under 5 are free.
Membership: Individual $50, Family $125
Parking: There are nearly 4,000 parking spaces immediately adjacent to L.A. LIVE, and more than 16,000 parking spaces available within a 7-10 minute walk to the district.
Pasadena
Nestled in Brookside Park next to the historic Rose Bowl, Kidspace Children’s Museum is an industry leader in the field of informal, free choice learning whose mission is to nurture the potential of all children through kid-driven experiences, inspiring them to become joyful, active learners. Kidspace is designed for children ages 10 and under to play and have memorable experiences with their caregivers.
In its 40-year history, Kidspace has served over 5-million guests in the greater Los Angeles area. Located on nearly three and a half acres, Kidspace has more than 40 hands-on exhibits, beautiful outdoor spaces, programs, and special events that are designed to encourage a child’s growth and development through exploration of natural environments, investigation in science, and artistic expression.
Address: 480 North Arroyo Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91103
Contact: (626) 449-9144
Hours: Tuesday - Friday 9:30am - 5:00pm - Saturday & Sunday: 10:00am to 5:00pm (Open Mondays March 18 to September 2, 2019 - closed Mondays during Fall & Winter after Labor Day unless otherwise promoted for special events.)
Admission: $14 for adults and kids, infants under age 1 are free.
Membership: 3-month membership $95, 6-month membership $135, 12-month membership $199
Free Days: Kidspace hosts a free family night on the first Tuesday of every month (except in September) from 4 – 8 pm.
Parking: Free parking is available in Lot I
Hollywood
At Los Angeles Fire Department Museum, artifacts and equipment of all types are on display, dating from the 1880s through the present day. There are existing and under-development exhibits as well. Old Station 27 also includes a Fire Service Research Library and a learning center where fire and life safety lessons are shared with both children and adults.
Address: 1355 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028
Contact: (323) 464-2727
Hours: Saturdays from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm.
Parking: Limited free parking available only on Saturdays in Hollywood City Hall Parking lot.
Simi Valley
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation was created by President Reagan himself to share his principles. The Foundation features the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, the Reagan Center for Public Affairs, the Walter and Leonore Annenberg Presidential Learning Center, award-winning Discovery Center, and the Air Force One Pavilion. The museum features continually changing temporary exhibits and a permanent exhibit covering President Reagan's life. A full-scale replica of the Oval Office, a feature of most presidential libraries, is a prominent feature of this museum as well. Allow 2 ½ to 3 hours to enjoy all the galleries.
Address: 40 Presidential Drive, Simi Valley, CA 93065
Contact: (805) 522-2977
Hours: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. seven days a week
Parking: Free
Irvine
Pretend City Children’s Museum is “the world in a nut-shell.” It is designed for children to learn how the real world works. The museum is a child-size interconnected city built with rich educational intention, where children can assume various real-world roles. Through interactive exhibits and activities facilitated by highly trained professional staff, children learn foundational math, reading and science skills while fostering curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork. The Museum is a nut-free facility.
Address: 29 Hubble, Irvine, CA 92618
Contact: (949) 428-3900
Hours:
Sunday 11:00 am-5:00 pm
Monday 10:00 am-1:00 pm
Tuesday - Saturday 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Children over 12 months $12.50
Adult $12.50
Military & Family $9.50
Infant to 12 Months free
Membership: Family of 4 $225, Family of 3 $210, Dual $140, Individual $70.
Parking: Parking is free and available in the parking lot or behind the building. Additional street parking is available on Bunsen and Hubble.
Santa Ana
Discovery Cube is a new discovery center with hands-on science education that delights, challenges, and encourages kids. This non-profit museum dedicated to teaching STEM proficiency, early childhood education, healthy living, and environmental stewardship. Discovery Cube Orange offers permanent exhibits such as Mission Control, Helicopter Tour, Water Gallery, Inspector Training, Petersonville Healthy kitchen, Science of Hockey, Discovery Theater, Eco Challenge, and Planetary Research Station and other interactive exhibits and shows that change every few months.
Your can also host birthday parties at the cube exploring two floors of interactive exhibits and celebrate your special day in the Birthday Party Zone. The cube also offers several different summer camp programs that give kids of all ages the chance to investigate science through fun and one-of-a-kind experiences.
Address: 2500 N. Main Street, Santa Ana, CA 92705
Contact: 714-913-5040
Hours: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm daily
Admission: Adults $17.95, Children (3-14) $12.95, Children 2 and under are free
Membership: Individual $60; Family (One Year) $99 Choose your level
Parking: Free Parking onsite.
Santa Ana
Kidseum is a high-tech and interactive children museum with a focus on it's mission, "Igniting imagination through exploration," stressing the excitement of art, archaeology and world cultures. Check out the "Glow Cave" with its fun art making activities, ride the magical Wells Fargo stagecoach through time in the "Green Screen Time Machine," and explore archaeology like never before in the Archaeology Lab. New smart tables, smart boards, and computers offer visual stimulation and engagement.
Address: 1802 N. Main Street, Santa Ana, CA 92706
Contact: (714) 480-1520
Hours: Saturday-Sundays 10:00 am-4:00 pm, Closed Mondays
Admission: Kidsuem general Admission is $10 for adults and kids under 2 are free.
Parking: Parking Lots are available directly north and south of the museum for a $6 fee. Nearby metered and timed street parking is also available. Bowers Museum Members have the exclusive opportunity to purchase an Annual Parking Pass for $20.