Kidspace Children's Museum

Kidspace Children's Museum is a unique interactive space located in a scenic part of Los Angeles (in the Pasadena area). Spanning over 3.5 acres in Brookside Park, this incredible museum is recognized as one of the best places in the USA for family leisure and early childhood development.

Unlike traditional galleries, active interaction is encouraged here: the museum offers more than 40 exciting exhibits that turn science, art, and nature studies into an engaging game. The space is geared toward children aged 1 to 10 and includes both modern pavilions and unique outdoor play areas.

At the heart of Kidspace is a harmonious blend of an educational environment and the natural landscape. Visitors will find cozy greenhouses in the Fannie E. Morrison horticultural center and shaded pergolas draped with 150-year-old wisteria vines, creating the atmosphere of a true adventure park right within the metropolis.

For planning your visit to the Kidspace Children's Museum, it's helpful to have current contact information at hand. The museum is conveniently located near Pasadena's main traffic arteries, right next to the famous Rose Bowl Stadium.

Every visit to the museum turns into a large-scale exploration of the world around us. Young guests can climb into a giant hawk's nest, play in natural water zones, or experiment with rockets and massive levers in the physics forest. For the most curious, there is access to an active beehive and a giant ant tunnel where children can study insect life from the inside.

In the Arroyo Adventure zone, children have the opportunity to interact with nature itself: playing with mud, rocks, and sticks while learning about the local ecosystem. For creative minds, the Imagination Workshop is a place where ideas turn into real inventions. And for those who want to test their agility, there are climbing towers offering safe but exciting challenges.

One of the most vibrant new additions is the “A Forest Under the Sea” exhibit. Here, children can "swirl" in a school of sardines, help virtual dolphins, and get a closer look at marine life—from jellyfish to sea stars and otters—immersing themselves in the magical atmosphere of the ocean depths right in the middle of California.

Getting to the Kidspace Children's Museum is easy, as it is located in the famous Brookside Park, less than 10 miles from the city center. For drivers, it is most convenient to use the I-210 or I-110 freeways. A nice bonus for visitors is the availability of free parking right on the museum grounds.

If you prefer public transportation, take the Metro Gold Line to the Memorial Park station. From there, it is about a mile to the museum—a distance that can be covered on foot while enjoying the views of Pasadena, or by a short taxi ride. Local Pasadena Transit buses also stop right at the park entrance.

The history of Kidspace began in 1979 through the initiative of enthusiasts from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and the Junior League of Pasadena. The founders dreamed of a place where an interdisciplinary approach would combine science, art, and the humanities, giving children the opportunity to learn through tactile experiences.

The very first temporary exhibition, titled “Making Senses” and dedicated to robotics and neon displays, was a massive success. Instead of the expected two thousand visitors, more than ten thousand people attended, confirming the community's immense interest in this type of educational format.

By 1980, the museum found its first permanent home in the Rosemont Pavilion. Notably, many early exhibits were created in close collaboration with engineers from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and designers from the ArtCenter College of Design, setting a high scientific and aesthetic standard for all the museum's future projects.

To ensure a comfortable visit and give children enough time to try all the activities, it is recommended to set aside 3 to 4 hours. Given the abundance of both indoor galleries and extensive outdoor areas, rushing might prevent a child from fully immersing themselves in the exploration process.

If you plan to participate in creative workshops or explore the Arroyo Adventure zone in detail, it is worth scheduling a half-day. This will allow children to transition calmly between active play, water experiments, and nature observation without unnecessary stress.

The museum welcomes guests on a standard schedule: from Tuesday to Sunday, the doors are open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. It is important to remember that Monday is usually a day off, with the exception of certain holidays.

Operating hours may change depending on the season or special events. Before your trip, we strongly recommend checking the current schedule on the museum's official website to ensure your visit goes perfectly.

Exploring the surroundings of Pasadena can significantly enrich your trip. Near the museum and within a short drive, you will find many entertainment and educational locations for the whole family.