Southern California Children's Museum image

Southern California Children's Museum

Tourist attraction Museum Non profit organization Childrens museum

Indoor play area with interactive activities for toddlers, such as a kitchen, teepees & costumes. People often mention kids, play, staff, space, room, hours, nice,


Address

459 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91101

Website

socalkids.org

Contact

(626) 657-0357

Rating on Google Maps

4.10 (186 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Friday: 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM
  • Saturday: 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM
  • Sunday: 12:30 to 4:30 PM
  • Monday: 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM
  • Tuesday: 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM
  • Wednesday: 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM
  • Thursday: 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: kids (14) play (13) staff (7) space (7) room (7) hours (6) nice (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 BollyPop L. 1 year ago on Google • 25 reviews
    Love this museum for kids! They have so many activities and events around the year. The staff is really sweet. I was invited to present Indian dance here recently and would definitely come back with my students. Highly recommend checking this out with your little ones.
    10 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Ijlal C. 1 year ago on Google • 114 reviews
    My son enjoyed the environment. For me, it is out dated especially considering Kid Space is a mile away.. The owners/ investors/ donors definitely need to reinvest in this museum. The staff members were very pleasant and helpful.
    7 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Chubby W. 1 year ago on Google • 260 reviews
    Great space for toddlers, not crowded at all. Friendly staff, very relaxing 😌 Nursing nap room too Spacious parking out back
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Miyako I. 8 months ago on Google • 64 reviews
    Compact but very well thought out and fun play space best suited for 1-3 year olds. Came here with an 18mo old and a 4yo and they were entertained. would say it was a bit disorderly because it was a rainy day and literally no staff in sight to moderate the individual stations. As other reviewers have said there are rowdy sweaty older kids running around and generally being disruptive such as kicking parts of the exhibits and playing tag etc. There should be safe spaces for the little ones. Plan to spend about 2 hours there. Very thoughtful touches for Moms like a quiet and secluded room for breast feeding, changing , and even naps (this quiet room was equipped with cribs and gliders for mom). Also a lunchroom. LaCroix, gogo squeeze, and madegood rice crispy treats available for purchase at ticket counter. Wish that there was a no shoes policy because some of the stations seemed a little dingy and in need of updating and a good disinfection. There's an interesting schedule of enrichment activities that rotates by the day of week and includes music, dramatic play, story time, mindfulness. Overall I'm glad I came here for a few hours in the morning and the kids had fun. $10 for all adults and non-infant children over 1.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Christa N. 4 years ago on Google • 22 reviews
    This is a wonderful place. My son loved all the sensory options here such as snow, slime at the messy play station, the red impression wall. There is a huge bounce house, excavating table, down hill race track, agility castle, slide, costumes, a charming little reading room, and a really nice nursing and diaper changing room. The cost is affordable and great for all the different experiences. You can also bring a lunch or they sell organic snack options also.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Dom N. 2 years ago on Google • 55 reviews
    Incredible spot right near downtown Pasadena. The play areas are adorable and remind me of a mini version of the Bay Area Discovery Museum in NorCal. Perfect for toddlers and early elementary kids. Lots of imaginary play areas that really engage kids and a very reasonable admission fee of $8. Great covid awareness and nearly every adult wore masks. Couldn’t ask for anything more!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Bruno B. 9 months ago on Google • 112 reviews
    Great place for toddlers. As pointed out by many other reviews, lots of opportunities for interaction and play. Wouldn't recommend for kids older than 4 or 5, but anyone younger than that will have a great time. If there are more adults together with the kid, it can get price very fast. My suggestion is to plan to take the kid on a day/time that just one person is taking care of them.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Gifford H. 1 year ago on Google
    Today was over 100F. The AC could not handle it and the crowd inside. There is enough variety for most toddlers. I think I was expecting more. So I, as an adult, would consider it average as far as a children’s Museum goes. Toddlers will find it fun. A place of last resort.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Kristin R. 2 years ago on Google
    Wonderful space for young children, their 10 visit pass is a great deal. It’s especially nice to have a indoor space nearby when it’s really hot outside. It’s very clean and the staff is always friendly, they also have a designated nursing room and changing table. On Saturday afternoons they have a sing along with instruments that the kids love.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Karina M. 4 years ago on Google
    Place Is full of amazing kids play stuff. Kids get to run and play all around. There's so much they can do. It's never ending
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 Aydar A. 1 year ago on Google
    This is not a museum in any sense. It is an indoor playground. $10/visitor. If the weather is nice outdoor playground is a better alternative. We went here only because it was raining cats and dogs. Speaking of which, the roof of this building needs work as it was leaking at several spots.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Sugaspice128 1 year ago on Google
    This place is perfect for my toddler. There’s plenty to explore and it’s not very busy during weekdays (not sure about summer holidays though). We also love the story times, craft stations and bilingual story times. Parking is easy (lot entrance is off of Los Robles). Changing tables in the bathroom for those who need it and there’s also a cute nursing room if you prefer not to nurse in public. Bring your own reusable water bottles because they have a hydration station you can use to refill bottles. Check their site for hours before you visit - it’s not the same everyday.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Elizabeth G. 2 years ago on Google
    My kids and I LOVE this place! It is so open (high ceilings) plenty of space for kids to run around and have fun! Love their new playground and displays especially the camping area! My boys had a blast! The staff is so friendly and interactive with my kids! Thank you so much. We will definitely be returning soon.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Cindy '. 9 months ago on Google • 51 reviews
    My daughter and my granddaughters visited. We all were very happy. My granddaughter, not the infant but the 2 yr 10 month old was very happy with her visit. She didn't want to leave but the 2 or 3 hours we spent there was a nice experience.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Paul T L. 1 year ago on Google • 15 reviews
    My child really loves playing in every section of the play space, and can stay here far longer than other play spaces or parks. The name is misleading, but it ts a great spot to waste a morning when you don’t have a plan. Can’t give five stars because the heating and cooling isn’t adequate.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 Ram M. 2 years ago on Google
    I was about to write a good review on this museum but then they kicked us out at noon. We asked why and the answer was because of the pandemic. Wait, what? What does pandemic has to do with closing the place really early I asked. And the (stupid) answer was that the board of directors decided this to limit the crowd. What does closing at noon has anything to do with limiting crowd as they don't limit the number of people entering earlier? So to summarize, the place is nice for toddlers but their operating hours are ridiculous.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 A F. 3 months ago on Google • 33 reviews New
    If you have young children, this is must stop while visiting Southern California. A colorful and engaging safe setting for young children and with an excellent team. This is also a very inclusive place where all families seem to be welcome - LGBTQ+ We met three of their team members - Two young women by the names of Rene and Carola and a young African-American woman whose name we think was Jasmin - All three were very welcoming and super helpful. Will definitely return!

  • 1/5 Sry P. 2 months ago on Google • 18 reviews New
    Today we went there at 10:04 am , checked in and at 10:09 am , my kid did his toddler thing and cried said he didn’t want play there and go somewhere else. I went to talked to the manager to ask if she could give a refund. She said the $20 fee is non refundable. It would’ve nice if they can give us a gift card instead or anything but no, we left could not stay there with a crying child. Never going there again .

  • 4/5 Brian I. 1 year ago on Google
    Cool little place for kids to play, can also have parties here for them as well. Not open for very many hours, they close early around 3:30pm on Saturday. Get here early.

  • 5/5 Team H. 7 months ago on Google
    Wonderful interactive and creative stations that are both engaging and beautiful. I highly recommend attending a story and craft time if you can.

  • 4/5 Sonal P. 6 years ago on Google
    Great open space for the kids. $8 for adult might be a little pricey especially since we're there just only a company that kids to play. They have parking in the back! :-)

  • 5/5 Lindsay H. 2 years ago on Google
    My daughter loves this place! It’s the perfect size. Lots to do but small enough that I can always see where she is. It’s clean and the people who work there are very friendly. Highly recommend!

  • 3/5 Kathlena G. 2 months ago on Google • 3 reviews New
    They should have a more organized entry process. Today is raining. I bought a Play Pass online, drove and paid for parking ($10), get to the door only to be told they’re at capacity. This should be more clear on the website. Now I’m not sure what to do. A bummer.

  • 5/5 Audrie A. 2 years ago on Google
    My 3 y/o daughter and I had a blast. For being a Friday afternoon, it was not crowded. She had endless fun and we can't wait to come back. Much thanks to the friendly staff.


Call (626) 657-0357 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible restroom
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible parking lot
  • From the business
    • ✓️ Identifies as women-owned

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