Why Los Angeles is the Perfect Destination for Science Lovers

Los Angeles is a vibrant hub of interactive and educational experiences for children, offering countless opportunities to explore science in engaging ways. With world-class institutions, kids can get hands-on with STEM concepts, space exploration, and prehistoric discoveries.

Science museums in Los Angeles transform learning into an adventure, sparking curiosity through interactive exhibits, live demonstrations, and immersive experiences. 

Top Science Museums in Los Angeles for Kids 

1. California Science Center — Exposition Park 

FREE
This one should be obvious! The California Science Center is LA's number one science destination for families. It's also completely free, making it very popular. It is the home of the famed Endeavour space shuttle, (which is currently off-exhibit). Currently, the science center is creating a new space for the shuttle where it will be displayed in an upright (go-for-launch) position.

Whenever we visit, we love saying hi to "Tess", a 50-foot human body that performs a 15-minute show highlighting all the different organs in our bodies and how they work together. We also love looking at the different planes in the air & aircraft exhibit, and marveling at the sea life in the kelp forest (a tunnel with extensive aquariums on either side). 

2. Natural History Museum Los Angeles — Exposition Park 

Real dinosaur fossils?! The Natural History Museum will fascinate everyone in your family. The archeology finds are incredible. In addition, the Natural History Museum has plenty of mesmerizing dioramas and an interactive discovery wing with plenty of hands-on fun. Seasonal exhibits include a beautiful butterfly pavilion in the springtime and a spooky spider pavilion in the fall. 

 
Stargaze and interact with free exhibits. Photo courtesy of the Griffith Observatory

3. The Griffith Observatory — Griffith Park 

FREE
Want to see the "real" stars of Hollywood? The perfect way to get your astronomy fix is a visit to the Griffith Observatory. Admission is free, though visits at the Samuel Oschin Planetarium do cost extra. However, it is free to go inside and explore. You'll want to spend a few minutes staring into the all-too-hypnotizing Tesla coil. The exhibits in the observatory are interactive, educational, and memorable, and the views of Los Angeles are out-of-this-world, by day and by night. 

4. Discovery Cube — Sylmar & Santa Ana

This sweet science museum has two locations in Sylmar and Santa Ana. At its location in the valley, Discovery Cube is the perfect place to learn about environmental science, meteorology, and more. The Discovery Cube has permanent exhibits studying everything from the Santa Ana winds to physics in hockey to the LA water system. A planetarium helps kids visualize the solar system, and every December, the Science of Gingerbread is an educational holiday hit. 

Like its sister museum in Sylmar, the Discovery Cube OC introduces kids to all manners of science, including archeology, oceanography, physics, and environmental science. While some exhibits overlap with the LA location, the OC museum is larger and features a massive outdoor dinosaur exhibit with animatronics and an interactive fossil dig called Dino Quest. The "tide pools" inside the museum allow kids to touch rays, sand sharks, and tidepool creatures, and Artemis Adventures is a space-focused science exhibit where kids can re-imagine the moon landing. 

5. Page Museum at the La Brea Tar Pits — Mid-Wilshire 

I'll admit that it took me a while to drag my kids down to this iconic LA spot. However, once I did, I was 100% sold! The Page Museum is incredible. The fossil collections and reconstructions of ice-age-era mammals will leave you in awe. I can't believe they found all these creatures in tar pits smack in the middle of Los Angeles! It seems like something out of a hit TV show (and it is.. in addition to being real!). We loved our visit and learned so much about the archeology in these pits. As a plus, there is an incredible grassy hill on the premises for plenty of wild play before or after your visit. 

6. Kidspace Children's Museum — Pasadena 

A personal favorite, Kidpsace exposes kids to physics in their outdoor exhibit, Physics Forest. There are also plenty of other ecological, agricultural, and zoological elements inside and outside this darling space. My kids have learned all about force, speed, and balance while playing with the interactive exhibits outside, and at various times of the year have learned about snakes, butterflies, and sea creatures inside the Kidspace pavilion (the focus of this pavilion changes seasonally). 

7. Columbia Memorial Space Center — Downey 

The Columbia Memorial Space Center in Downey is a fun, hands-on museum where kids can explore space and science through interactive exhibits and activities. They can build and program robots, learn about astronauts, and even try landing a space shuttle in a simulator. It’s the perfect place for young explorers to discover the wonders of space while having an out-of-this-world adventure. 

The Columbia Memorial Space Center is open Tuesday - Saturday, and admission is only $5.  he center hosts several family-friendly events each year, including astronomy nights  and family night.

Hidden Gems: Lesser-Known Science Museums

RELATED: Awesome Under-the-Radar Museums for Kids in Los Angeles

Every nook and cranny at MOXI has hands-on science exhibits. Photo courtesy of MOXI museum

8. MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration & Innovation — Santa Barbara 

There is a fantastic, science-based kids' museum in Santa Barbara. It's easily one of the best things to do with kids in Santa Barbara. The MOXI has interactive STEAM-focused fun for all ages. The Fantastic Forces Courtyard, the Sound Track inside a giant guitar, and the Light Track are just a few of the great exhibits in this beautiful museum. 

9. Sloomoo Institute of Los Angeles — Mid-City

Is there anything more fun than studying chemistry with some stretchy slime? Chemicals react to make slimes of all different varieties and textures at this interactive attraction in LA. You can even stand under a waterfall of slime if you dare! Sloomoo also uses slime to explore the five senses, engaging smell, touch, sight, hearing, and taste (okay, maybe not taste) at various times during your tour. 

10. The UCLA Meteorite Museum — Brentwood 

FREE
The fifth-largest collection of meteorites in the United States is located in our very own city at UCLA. This collection is curated by cosmochemists and explains the process of how meteors are formed. This small museum is located in the geology building on UCLA's campus, and admission is always free. 

Take Your Kids on a Science Adventure in Los Angeles

Visiting science museums in Los Angeles is a fantastic way for families to bond while exploring the wonders of science together. With hands-on exhibits, exciting demonstrations, and interactive displays, these science museums make learning fun for all ages. Whether your child loves dinosaurs, space, or robotics, there is something to spark their curiosity. 

Plan Your Next Family Science Adventure Today! 

Before planning your science museum excursions, be sure to check each museum’s website for the latest information on exhibits, hours, and ticketing. Many museums offer rotating displays, special events, and hands-on activities that can enhance your experience. Checking ahead ensures you won’t miss out on any exciting, limited-time exhibits or need-to-know details like reservations or discounted admission days. Plan a trip to one of these incredible museums and enjoy a day filled with discovery, creativity, and endless fun!