Bowers Kidseum

The Bowers Kidseum is located at the corner of Main and 18th streets, just south of the Bowers Museum of Cultural Art. In case you're wondering, yes, the building was a bank at one time. The Kidseum is a hands-on, cultural center designed to assist kids, ages 6 to 12, in developing an appreciation of art and the ways of life in African, Asian and Native American cultures.

Kids will love trying on unusual masks from around the world; playing unique musical instruments like deer-hoof shakers, African drums and string instruments; and dressing up in a wide variety of ethnic costumes in the theater area. The Time Vault, which was an actual bank vault, has an incredible mural on the wall. Inside, kids can play cowboy on the workbench horses or grind make-believe corn with a stone mortar and pestle.

In addition, children can play games from foreign lands, work on geography puzzles, put on a puppet show, tell stories and make art projects. Note: Older kids will appreciate going through the galleries at the Bowers Museum located down the street while young children will enjoy the hands-on quality of this museum. Signs do ask for a gentle touch.

Searching for other fun but instructive children's museums? L.A. has its fair share. Try the Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana for fun and interactive explorations of the world of science. Pasadena's Kidspace Children's Museum is always a good bet for teaching kids about the fascinating inner workings of the natural world. Zimmer Children's Museum teaches young visitors about the importance of global citizenship, community responsibility and cultural sensitivity.

Tips: On Saturdays and Sundays between 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m kids can take advantage of free art labs, face painting and storytelling sessions, included with museum admission.

Related venue / performance space:
Bowers Museum

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