A few weeks ago I spent the afternoon at a place in Los Angeles I had always heard of but had never been to… the Zimmer Museum. I was hosting an event for Ruckus Reader and it took place inside the only children’s museum in Los Angeles. I know… the ONLY children’s museum? Hard to believe, but it’s true. And the sad part is… most people don’t know about it.
Inside a building on Wilshire Boulevard houses this incredible tacticle museum that introduces children to a wide range of exhibits. As you walk in the front door you are immediately met by an airplane that the kids can actually climb on and play in.
But the first floor of the museum doesn’t even begin to give you a taste of the treasures down below. A staircase winds down to the basement level and opens up onto a magical playroom.
The great thing about this museum is that there are so many different levels of play for the kids. They can hone their cooking skills in the pretend kitchen, pretend they are a firefighter by dressing up in jackets and boots, experience an actual boat used during Hurricane Katrina and jump and play in a ball pit.
The museum is specifically geared towards kids 0 - 8 but I think my 12 year old had just as much fun exploring as did the younger kids. Personally, I was blown away… and more than a little annoyed that I didn’t know about this magical place when my kids were younger. If you are looking for something to do with small children this summer (or anytime), I highly recommend you plan to spend some time at the Zimmer Museum.
I was compensated by Ruckus Reader for hosting an event at the Zimmer Museum, but was not compensated by the museum in any way. All opinions are my own.
Looks like fun. I took my son there many moons ago, before Hurricane Katrina, so that part looked new to me. Museums are an awesome way to get children interested in science and other experiences, and a great place to go if the kids are antsy and it’s too hot for the local park or playing outside - they usually have air conditioning!
Small correction though - I do know of another children’s museum in LA County: http://www.kidspacemuseum.org in Pasadena, which is also an awesome place to take kids.
Yes, there is the Kids Space Museum but it’s in Pasadena… not Los Angeles.
That looks so wonderful. Is that really a museum? This is the only museum that lets children play inside. Most of the museums that I know, they don’t allow people to touch the displays.
Technically, a museum is a place of learning and Zimmer definitely fits the bill. Kids don’t do very well they are told not to touch so this is pure fun for them… and they learn a thing or two as well.