DAY TRIP Kidspace Children’s Museum

Kidspace Museum started in 1979 at California Institute of Technology, whose ingenuity and high-tech aspirations inspired the museum to become one of the foremost interactive learning experiences nationwide. Its first production, “Making Senses,” was a community project by the Junior League of Pasadena to stimulate education. The group designed the exhibit to feature robotics and neon light displays that would attract younger students to education.

They expected 2,000 visitors. They got 10,000.

That success propelled the museum to open in 1980 on the Arroyo Seco parkland with interactive, hands-on exhibits. Eventually organizations from NASA, the Art Center College of Design, the superintendent of the Pasadena school district and UNOCAL got involved and provided guidance for the fledgling museum.

After more success, the museum moved to a bigger campus with land leased from the Pasadena school district and was later incorporated as a private, nonprofit children’s museum.

GETTING THERE

Take the I-405 north for more than 10 miles to the I-605 north and remain on that for another 10 miles.

Exit onto the I-5 north toward Los Angeles and travel until you reach the CA-110 north toward Pasadena. Take exit 31A Orange Grove Avenue and turn right. Follow until Charter Oak Street and make another right. Turn right at Grand Avenue and then right at South Arroyo Boulevard.

HOURS

During June, July and August the museum is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. All other months, the museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding holidays. During the UCLA football season the museum is closed on Saturdays when the team plays home games at the Rose Bowl.

ADMISSION

General admission is $8 for adults and children, free for children younger than 1. Those who become members with the museum get a free year of admission, discounts on store merchandise and other privileges. Self-guided group visits are $6 per person and $8 for those using the discovery program. Teachers get in free.

THINGS TO KNOW

Kidspace offers a few things to know for patrons before they come to the museum. With 14 gardens on site, allergies can be a problem; if there is a problem, alert Kidspace staff immediately. Kidspace provides helmets for those who wish to ride on their Trike Track. At Kidspace the chance of getting wet is high, so the museum recommends wearing appropriate shoes and clothing, as well as bringing a change of clothes.

INDOOR SPACES

The Kaleidoscope features mirrored, multicolored tunnels, The Climbing Towers allow kids to get a bird’s-eye view of Kidspace, Dig Deeper Gallery ventures into nature’s stories, and Early Children Learning Center has special activities for children 4 and younger.

OUTDOOR SPACES

In the outside activity areas, Kidspace offers gardens, the Stone Hollow Amphitheater, water playing areas and climbing structures. Also offered is the Trike Track where children can learn road safety on the museum’s tricycles and Kirby’s Kids Corner is the outdoor arena for children 4 and younger.

— Daniel Tedford