480 N Arroyo Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91103 (Physical Address)
360 N Arroyo Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91103 (Parking Address)
Hours:
- Monday (9 AM-4 PM) Tuesday-Sunday (10 AM-5 PM)
Admission Prices:
- Adults and Children = $15.50
- Seniors (62 and over) = $13.50
- Children under the age of 1 are free
- Musuems for All = $3 per person for up to 4 people (valid calfresh or EBT card with photo ID must be presented up entry)
Overview
Kidspace is an utterly spectacular Children’s Museum, located in Pasadena just across from the famous Rose Bowl. In fact, of all the Children’s Museums our family has visited in the Southern California area, I would suggest that only the New Children’s Museum in San Diego comes close to being as amazing as the Kidspace Children’s Museum. The museum is located within the Brookside Community Park and also gives visitors the opportunity to check out the incredible Reese’s Retreat, pirate themed playground, a short walk from the museum.
As for the museum, the grounds sit amongst a 3.5 acre campus, filled with tons of hands on exhibits for kids ranging in age from 1-10 years old. Amazing mosaic tiles greet visitors as they enter into the museum.
Although it seems that most of the exhibits are permanent, there is always the possibility that some exhibits will rotate or change, as is the case with most children’s museums.
Regardless, there will undoubtedly always be something new and exciting for kids to partake in here. While there are a few indoor spaces that feature exhibits, the highlight of the museum has to be the outdoor spaces that the museum makes use of. From a stream and water play area, to a “Hawks Nest” and Tike Track, countless outdoor exhibits leave for an array of areas for kids to spend the day exploring. In all, over 40 hands on exhibits exist in the Children’s Museum. This is truly a magical Children’s Museum that kids and parents alike, will be blown away by.
Features
Below, I will describe the exhibits that were present during our visit to give others an idea of what they can expect when visiting. Most of these exhibits appear to be permanent but there is always a chance that exhibits can rotate and different installations may be present when others visit in the future.
Los Trompos (The Spinning Tops)
The first area that visitors will encounter when visiting Kidspace is Los Trompos. Colorful, woven spinning tops allow children the opportunity to climb inside of or spin around on these wonderful spinners.
Physics Forest
Next to the Los Trompos area is the Physics Forest. This area is a hands-on, science themed area that allow kids a chance to explore levers, pulleys and momentum.
Robert’s Pavilion
Robert’s Pavilion is located directly in front of the Los Trompos area upon entering Kidspace. This is the only indoor area of the museum and features four main areas inside. A “craft cabin” room is available for kids to use their creativity using arts and crafts. Additionally there is a “butterfly kaleidoscope” area as well as a “romp and rollers” area that features a cool jeep that kids can climb in and a little tunnel crawling area that leads to the floor below.
The last indoor exhibit is the super cool “climbing tower”. There are some cool little woven swings for kids to climb into before heading into the climbing tower.
This tower is large and colorful as it weaves its way high above before ending in a rainbow room with lookout windows. Kids will have a blast climbing up this tower.
Road Trip
Directly outside of where the indoor exhibits are is the “road trip” exhibit. The main attraction here is the trike tracks, winding their way around a small highway track and across a makeshift bridge that resembles the golden gate bridge.
There’s a mini car wash and fueling station as well. Kids will take the drives seat here in individual or two seater trikes. Just behind the “road trip” area is a campfire where kids can sit and play some musical instruments and sing along with campfire songs.
Arroyo Adventure – Arroyo Pequeno and Arroyo Grande
This exhibit is sure to be the highlight of Kidspace for most kids. Here kids can splash and run up and down a long, winding stream carved into rocks. At the end of the stream is a small wading pool, backed by a covered picnic shelter which emits a waterfall flowing from the top of it, into the wading pool.
Make sure to bring a change of clothes for the kids, as well as a towel and possibly water shoes. In addition to playing here, realistic animal sculptures introduce kids to animals native to Southern California.
Winding Willow Lake – Rocky Ridge Campground and Climb-Across Rock Wall
The “Winding Willow Lake” exhibit may just be my favorite. It’s broken up into a few different areas but begins with an area consisting of blue kinetic sand to signify water and a row boat for kids to climb in. The area also has some fish toys in it.
Just past here is a campground with a plethora of imaginative play opportunities for the kids. Tents disguised as camper vans allow kids to climb inside and pretend camp. Kids can use their imaginations around fake campfires to cook the large play fish on pretend fire grates.
Coolers and many other accessories are set up as well to make this an incredible area where kids imaginations will run wild with outdoor enthusiasm.
Just past here is a large, very nice climbing wall that kids will enjoy. Lastly, a fun animal dress up area exists with some bear costumes among other animal costumes.
Hawks Nest Climber
Next to the Arroyo Grande water play area, is the “Hawks Nest Climber”. This area features a tree house type structure with walkways/ramps that lead to a lookout overlooking the Arroyo Grande exhibit.
Muddy Boot Farm
This is another phenomenal area of the museum. This outdoor, farm themed exhibit features a chicken coop and interactive farm themed activities. Kids are encouraged to grab a trowel and wheelbarrow and get down and dirty on the farm. Wandering the farm, kids can pick and choose whatever pretend fruits and vegetables they would like to pick. From there, they can head over to the farm stand to prepare, sort, weigh and sell their harvests. Kids will have a blast, yet again, using their imaginations in this wonderful, pretend play exhibit.
Kidspace Museum Store and Bean Sprouts Cafe
Come in to the museum store and check out the large array of souvenirs and toys before grabbing something to eat at the Bean Sprouts Cafe. This Cafe offers a broad spectrum of food, from vegan and vegetarian to gluten free, dairy-free, nut free, soy free and egg free food options. Hot food service comes to a halt 30 mnutes before the grounds close.
Scout’s Story
Our daughter, Scout, just recently turned 2, as well as having her cancer placed into remission two months ago. Just over a month ago, Scout’s central line was removed from her chest and Scout was cleared to resume all normal activity. The past year, since Scout was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, has been quite a whirl wind and although we are struggling to get past what we have recently endured, we are doing our best to regain some normalcy in life. On this day, we were super excited to get outside with Scout and head to the Kidspace Museum, an activity that a few months prior, we would not have been able to partake in, since Scout was in active treatment.
Our day would start just across the street from the Kidspace Museum. While waiting for the museum to open, we decided to let Scout play at the exceptional pirate themed playground (Reese’s Retreat) at Brookside Community Park. While we had a hard time convincing Scout to leave here, we finally succeeded and made the short walk towards the Kidspace Museum. We passed through the pretty, mosaic lined tunnel and started to explore. Getting here when the museum opens is a huge plus and it was nice to meander the grounds in a bit of solitude.
Scout’s Day at the Kidspace Museum
Scout wandered from one area to the next until we came upon an extremely nice surprise. In front of us was a huge stream area (Arroyo Grande) that kids could crawl and wade through. I was not aware that this exhibit was part of the museum so of course we were not prepared with a towel or change of clothes, but that would be okay.
Since Scout has been an infant, being in water has been such a big part of her life. She sees water and lights up and begs to get in. At 15 months old, when Scout was diagnosed with Germ Cell Neoplasm and a central line was placed in her chest, being in water was completely stricken from her life. Finally, as her central line was just removed, Scout can finally get back to one of her favorite activities. We spent a huge portion of our morning watching as Scout climbed up and down the stream. At the top of the stream was a small wading pool that Scout kicked and splashed in. A massive smile lit up Scout’s face as she attempted to mimic the way in which other toddlers were playing.
The “Winding Willow Lake” (camping/nature play area) exhibit was another of our favorites on this day but the Arroyo Grande water play area was unquestionably the highlight of not only our day but many other families as well.
It was such a breath of fresh air to be able to bring Scout here on this day. The fact that the majority of the exhibits at the museum are outside and nature based is a massive plus. Overall, we were once again thankful for this day as a family and for the memories that we were able to make.
July 24, 2023
