Watch CBS News

Best Exhibits To See With Your Kids In Los Angeles

kwanzaa_header
(credit: Steve Cohn/skirball.org)

Living in Southern California, we are lucky to have an abundance of activities at our fingertips. When it comes to enticing your children to get out of the house and get excited to see exhibits, there are tons of great places to visit. These are the best exhibits you must see with your kids.

USS Iowa
(credit: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Los Angeles Museum | Battleship USS Iowa
250 S Harbor Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90731
(877) 446-9261
www.pacificbattleship.com

Located near Rancho Palos Verdes, The Battleship USS Iowa Museum pays tribute to the former vessel of one of the US Navy pacific fleet's ships and an area rich in maritime history. As a museum that is a fun family experience, the storied warship offers kid-friendly tours from the decks to the Captain's cabin, as well as other exhibits on board. The massive ship provides a glimpse into the past through a unique experience aboard the only battleship currently on the West Coast. Get to see what it was like living at sea for thousands of sailors over the past 70 years, while interacting with many exhibits and also take part in a scavenger hunt. Kids will love it! The USS Iowa is now in San Pedro at the Pacific Battleship Center where she sits to inspire and educate as a living monument.

Columbia memorial space
(credit: Jenni M./yelp)

Columbia Memorial Space Center
2400 Columbia Way
Downey, CA 90242
(562) 231-1200
www.columbiaspacescience.org

Whether your child is a fan of space exploration or not, a visit to the Columbia Memorial Space Center will certainly make them enthralled with it by the time they leave. With many exhibits to take part in, including robotic arms, seeing an astronaut suit in person, seeing the Gravity Well where kids can learn about gravity, and much more, there is plenty to see and do here. There are always events occurring here, too, so make sure to visit the calendar to see which one might appeal best for your child.

kwanza300
(credit: kidspacemuseum.org)

Galvin Physics Forest
Kidspace Museum
480 N Arroyo Blvd
Pasadena, CA 91103
(626) 449-9144
www.kidspacemuseum.org

At The Robert & Mary Galvin Physics Forest, children will be offered 12 exciting, hands-on exhibits created to inspire them to be the next innovators and creators of tomorrow. From the bottle rocket, tennis ball launcher, and pulleys, there are tons of activities to touch, teach and nurture children's love of science. The "Roller Coaster" will allow kids to construct a raceway and experiment with gravity, centripetal force and momentum, as well. There are plenty of other exhibits to take advantage of, too.

kwanza300
(credit: Desiree Eaglin)

Dinosaur Hall
The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
900 Exposition Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90007
(213) 763-3466
www.nhm.org

As one of the most astounding dinosaur exhibits in the entire world, The NHM's new Dinosaur Hall offers exhibits that will astound kids and adults alike. Inside are more than 300 real fossils, and 20 complete dinosaurs and ancient sea creatures. One of the centerpieces of the exhibit is the T. Rex growth series, or the only trio of different aged T.Rex specimens in the world. Kids will get to imagine what it was like to walk with dinosaurs and just how large they really were.

kwanza300
(credit: Steve Cohn/skirball.org)

Noah's Ark
The Skirball Cultural Center
2701 N Sepulveda Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90049
(310) 440-4500
www.skirball.org

Located between the city and the valley, The Skirball Cultural Center offers a terrific hand-made exhibit that hopes to inspire kids and adults alike to play, climb, build, explore and make believe. You'll get to explore a floor-to-ceiling wooden ark, filled to the rafters with whimsical animals. Share in a timeless story–and together envision a better world.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.