Kidspace Children's Museum, Pasadena

Kidspace Children's Museum, located in Pasadena, is a nonprofit institution that offers a dynamic and enriching environment for children and families. Since its inception in 1979, Kidspace has been dedicated to providing interactive experiences that integrate the arts, humanities, and sciences. The museum's founding was marked by the pilot exhibit "Making Senses" at Caltech, and it has evolved significantly over the years.

Originally housed in the Rosemont Pavilion, Kidspace later moved to McKinley School from 1981 to 2002. Despite its modest size of 13,500 square feet, the venue was packed with innovative exhibits and programs that laid the foundation for lifelong learning. In 2002, Kidspace transitioned to a 3.5-acre outdoor campus in sunny Pasadena, where it now hosts nearly 380,000 visitors annually.

Kidspace is renowned for its more than 40 hands-on exhibits, which include water features and a multitude of creative play spaces. The museum offers an extensive range of free and discounted programs, field trips, and digital resources to ensure accessibility for all children and educators. The belief that joy is foundational to learning and development permeates the museum's philosophy. This joy fosters connections to art, music, discovery, and each other, nurturing confidence and optimism in young visitors.

Over the years, Kidspace has continued to expand with significant developments such as the Galvin Physics Forest in 2012, the Imagination Workshop, and renovations to the S. Mark Taper Foundation Early Childhood Learning Center in 2014. Additionally, the Arroyo Adventure was added in 2016, enhancing the museum’s offerings with new and engaging outdoor experiences.

The museum remains a vibrant center for joyful learning and is a cherished institution in the Pasadena area, continually inspiring children to explore the world with curiosity and kindness.