Thursday, February 17, 2005
Kidspace Children's Museum in Pasadena California
We recently visited Kidspace Children's Museum in Pasadena California. I want to share with you what we saw there. We had a great time and would like to visit again soon.
As you enter the building, you will pass through an amazing kaleidoscope tunnel with motion activated sounds, mirrors, mosaic tiles and interactive port holes. On the other side is the café, main entrance and central courtyard. The café has a selection of snack type foods.
The central courtyard, located just past the entrance, is a place to eat and play. There are tables and chairs and also a large open space for children to play with enormous playground balls. In some cases, the balls are larger than the children!
Inside the main building are twenty different exhibits. All of them are interactive. There is a replica of an ant hill to climb through, and trees to climb. There is a 45-foot tower to climb up that has transparent stairs shaped like raindrops. You can explore insect exhibits and a paleontologist dig complete with costume. You will even find a real bee hive. If your children love to collect natural objects, they can bring them to the Boone Foundation Nature Exchange to earn points to trade for other natural artifacts.
Outside, you will find a large paved area with a roadway for tricycle riding. There are a variety of wheeled vehicles, provided by the museum, of different sizes to ride along this path. Art tables with paint and other materials are often set up in the courtyard also.
Beyond the courtyard there are winding paths through beautiful gardens. You can explore the bat cave, interactive water and sand elements (bring a change of clothes and a towel!), and climbing structures. There is a large amphitheatre shaped like a frog that is used for performances, classes and demonstrations.
Near the entrance is a room that is especially for children younger than 4. It contains soft blocks to build with, small climbers, toys, balls and more. This is a sock-only environment.
The gift shop has a good selection of Kidspace tee-shirts, backpacks, hats and water bottles. They also carry a great selection of science toys, books and props.
Outside the museum, near the parking lot is the playground of Brookside Park. It includes two climbing structures. One is for older children with wiggly balance beams, tall slides, and long ladders. The other play structure is for younger children and includes a periscope, underground telephone, smaller slides and ladders as well as swings. This is a great place to begin or end your visit to the museum or have a picnic. There are bathrooms near the larger playground.
The museum offers several classes and field trip packages for different age groups. Information is available online and you can order an information kit by phone.
Membership packages are available. Members receive free family admission, discount admissions for guests, invitations to special events, store discounts, event discounts and e-mail updates. There are a few membership levels to choose from ranging in price from $100 - $250 per family.
Here is the important info:
Kidspace Children’s Museum
www.kidspacemuseum.org
480 North Arroyo Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91103
(626) 449-9144
Admission: $8 per person, Children under 1 Free
Hours: Daily 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Parking: Free
As you enter the building, you will pass through an amazing kaleidoscope tunnel with motion activated sounds, mirrors, mosaic tiles and interactive port holes. On the other side is the café, main entrance and central courtyard. The café has a selection of snack type foods.
The central courtyard, located just past the entrance, is a place to eat and play. There are tables and chairs and also a large open space for children to play with enormous playground balls. In some cases, the balls are larger than the children!
Inside the main building are twenty different exhibits. All of them are interactive. There is a replica of an ant hill to climb through, and trees to climb. There is a 45-foot tower to climb up that has transparent stairs shaped like raindrops. You can explore insect exhibits and a paleontologist dig complete with costume. You will even find a real bee hive. If your children love to collect natural objects, they can bring them to the Boone Foundation Nature Exchange to earn points to trade for other natural artifacts.
Outside, you will find a large paved area with a roadway for tricycle riding. There are a variety of wheeled vehicles, provided by the museum, of different sizes to ride along this path. Art tables with paint and other materials are often set up in the courtyard also.
Beyond the courtyard there are winding paths through beautiful gardens. You can explore the bat cave, interactive water and sand elements (bring a change of clothes and a towel!), and climbing structures. There is a large amphitheatre shaped like a frog that is used for performances, classes and demonstrations.
Near the entrance is a room that is especially for children younger than 4. It contains soft blocks to build with, small climbers, toys, balls and more. This is a sock-only environment.
The gift shop has a good selection of Kidspace tee-shirts, backpacks, hats and water bottles. They also carry a great selection of science toys, books and props.
Outside the museum, near the parking lot is the playground of Brookside Park. It includes two climbing structures. One is for older children with wiggly balance beams, tall slides, and long ladders. The other play structure is for younger children and includes a periscope, underground telephone, smaller slides and ladders as well as swings. This is a great place to begin or end your visit to the museum or have a picnic. There are bathrooms near the larger playground.
The museum offers several classes and field trip packages for different age groups. Information is available online and you can order an information kit by phone.
Membership packages are available. Members receive free family admission, discount admissions for guests, invitations to special events, store discounts, event discounts and e-mail updates. There are a few membership levels to choose from ranging in price from $100 - $250 per family.
Here is the important info:
Kidspace Children’s Museum
www.kidspacemuseum.org
480 North Arroyo Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91103
(626) 449-9144
Admission: $8 per person, Children under 1 Free
Hours: Daily 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Parking: Free
