It’s no secret that Los Angeles is home to some seriously world-class museums. But once you get beyond the big names, there might be more than you expect. 823 of them, to be exact.
“It depends on what you consider Los Angeles, and what you consider a museum,” said Todd Lerew, author of the book Also on View: Unique and Unexpected Museums of Greater Los Angeles. “But right now there are 823 throughout the greater LA region. If you limit it to LA County, you’re looking at about 500.”
Lerew began exploring LA when he moved here for a masters degree at CalArts. “In 2017, I decided that since I’d already been to about 200 museums throughout the greater LA region I should just find and visit every single one as a matter of research, and also because of my kind of obsessive personality. So that is when I ended up going to places that I would have not normally been drawn to, including children’s museums.”
We all love a Kidspace hang, but with summer coming up I figured we could all use a few deep cuts to visit with little ones. Lerew walked us through his top ten child-friendly museums in the greater Los Angeles area for interesting day trips all summer long:
Penny Pickles Workshop in Temecula
Taking children on an imaginary journey through a mad (but friendly!) scientist’s laboratory, Penny Pickles Workshop is the kind of immersive experience that seems destined to become a core childhood memory. Part science museum, part theater workshop, it’s the perfect blend of magic and fact.
The Museum of Make Believe in Laguna Beach
Founded by artist Geoff Mitchell and writer Amy Mitchell, the Museum of Make Believe offers visitors young and old the chance to wander through an enchanted fairy forest, with detailed dioramas, paintings, ceramics, and olfactory elements for true sensory immersion. There’s even a scavenger hunt for curious young explorers.
Southern California Railway Museum in Perris
“I’ve Been Working on the Railroad” on repeat at your house too? Might be time to take a trip to the Southern California Railway Museum. There are historic trains to explore, and even themed rides like Harry Potter, Thomas, and the perennially popular Polar Express train at Christmas. Bonus points if you take the Metrorail down for full immersion.
Flight Path Museum and Learning Center at LAX
Eating In & Out and watching the planes take off is a time honored time wasting toddler tradition, but you can take things to the next level at LAX’s official museum. With exhibits on the golden age of aviation, flight crew uniforms, and even flight stimulator training, children under the age of 12 can explore for free.
Valley Relics at the Van Nuys Airport
Located in two hangers at the pocket-sized Van Nuys Airport, the Valley Relics Museum offers a deep dive into valley nostalgia with a truly staggering collection of historic artists. There is also a fantastic collection of playable retro video games and arcade games kids will love.
LA Fire Department Museum in Hollywood
Did you know that the official visiting policy of the LAFD is that you can call any station and request a tour from the captain on duty? For something a little more in depth check out the LA Fire Department Museum, which offers visitors a free exploration of the history of fighting fries in LA
California Citrus State Historic Park in Riverside
Dedicated to the history of citrus growing in California, the California Citrus State Historic park has groves of trees, historic buildings, interpretive exhibits, guided tours, and yes, you can sample the fruit. Designed to resemble a city park from the 1900s, it’s a fascinating trip into California history.
International Printing Museum in Carson
If you’ve got more of an indoor kid, the International Printing Museum might be the move. Housing one of the world’s best collections of antique printing machinery, the museum is always hosting hands-on exploration of the art of printing—everything from screen printing and calligraphy for beginners to a typewriter festival.
Columbia Space Center in Downey
Located on the site of an old plant where all the Apollo Mission command and service modules were built, the Columbia Space Center is dedicated to STEM exploration of all kinds, with a robotics lab, HD computer lab, and wide array of interactive exhibits.
Raymond M. Alf Museum of Paleontology in Claremont
The only nationally accredited museum on a secondary school campus, the Raymond M. Alf Museum of Paleontology. Even cooler—95% of the collection of fossils was collected by Webb School students on so-called “Peccary Trips,” where they dig for fossils in California and beyond, a rare chance to experience the work of young scientists in action.
What are your favorite museums to explore with kids? Drop a comment below!
What’s Happening This Weekend
Today!
Take in a little night music at the Descanso Gardens, where their free Summer Music and Dance series will be kicking off from 4:45-6:45. Wander through the roses in the twilight, listen to the bands, and don’t forget to stop off at the train garden before you go.
Friday 6/12:
It’s the first ever Backseat Babies meetup at the La Brea Tar Pits for KCRW Summer Nights! We’ll be set up on a picnic blanket with a cooler full of juice boxes and pouches, good music, and good vibes.
Saturday 6/13:
The Hollywood Bowl with kids in the summer is such a vibe, and this weekend they’ll be hosting the Blue Note Jazz festival. Score some cheap seats in the nosebleed sections and pack a picnic—I highly recommend grabbing some sandwiches and interesting Armenian sodas from Sahags Basturma on your way over.
With the World Cup around the corner, there’s never been a better time to be a soccer mommy. This Saturday, the always fun Academy Museum is hosting a Fútbol Free Day, with free admission, free fruit (yes please), and free screenings of movies like Shaolin Soccer and Offside.
It’s LAist’s Super Fun Saturday at The Autry Museum, an all-day bonanza of music performances, storytime, bubbles, swag, and sunshine. Grab a bench in the shade and let little ones boogie down before grabbing lunch from a food truck.
Sunday 6/14
The Huntington Garden on the weekend is always a vibe, and this week they’re hosting a free with admission Open Studio event with three opportunities for hands-on artmaking. Return this upcoming Wednesday for rice planting at the Japanese Heritage Shōya House.
Get hands-on with that greenery at the Craft Contemporary’s Plants, Prints, and Paints Plant Lab. Take a neighborhood tree walk and give thanks to the trees before crafting a leaf print to take home.
For something a little more energetic, LA Pride is rounding off pride month with the gigantic and inspiring Pride Parade. Music, drag, dancers, giveaways—LA Pride has got it all.
And News You Can Use:
This weekend marks the start of the LA Parks and Rec free summer lunch program. Now through the end of July, free lunches will be available for anyone under the age of 18 at parks and rec facilities throughout the county, with no application or proof of income necessary. Just show up, chow down, then hit the park.
Bonus pro-tip for our lil sports fan, Backseat Babies reader Patrick Green has launched an all-ages sports podcast called World Wide Web of Sports which he says is for “sports-loving kids and the adults who drive them to practice.”
I’ll see ya at the BB meet up!
Grammy Museum is free for ages 17 and under and you can record music with the whole family