When children can learn about different cultures, people and historical events from other times and places, it widens their awareness of the world around them. They also learn new things and develop new skills through inquiry, observation, dialogue and a direct physical relationship with objects and spaces.
Here is a list of 9 awesome Museums for kids that offer free or cheap admission days. The free days are a great chance to educate the kids while they are having fun.
700 Exposition Park Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90037
The California Science Center offers fun and informative exhibits presented in interactive worlds. Through hands-on experiences in the galleries, you'll learn about human inventions and innovations, the life processes of living things and more.
Some of the coolest features are the Ecosystems and The Endeavor systems, an underwater plant touch pool, and a rot room with all the different sound effects. Admission to the Science Center's permanent exhibition galleries is always FREE (excluding IMAX and Special Exhibits).
10899 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90024
The Hammer is dedicated to providing families with a comfortable and engaging experience for all ages. Admission to all exhibitions and public programs are FREE every day. Free tours of special exhibitions led by Student Educators are held Saturdays at 1 p.m.
You can also enjoy Hammer's Projects while visiting. Projects are single-gallery exhibitions highlighting the work of contemporary artists from around the globe, often presenting new work at a pivotal moment of an artist’s development. Ongoing since 1999, Hammer Projects is a signature series within the Hammer’s exhibition program.
5814 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90036
The Craft & Folk Art Museum is an invaluable contributor to Los Angeles culture, exhibiting current artists with intriguing perspectives and distinctive practices. CAFAM offers consistently unexpected exhibitions of compelling work that takes traditional techniques in new, often surprising directions.
Admission is “pay what you can” on Sundays from 11 am to 5 pm. There is two hour street parking within a block of CAFAM as well. Children under 10 are always FREE.
250 S Grand Avenue,
Los Angeles 90012
At the Theater of Disappearance you will view objects that seem to be in search of their place in time. The Permanent Collection brings together landmark works of post-war art, and recent acquisitions. This iteration of selections from the Permanent Collection highlights the depth and breadth of artworks from MOCA’s renowned holdings of over 7,000 objects. Another highlight of MOCA is the Dollhouse which presents a selection of works that document notions of domesticity.
General admission to MOCA is free courtesy of Carolyn Clark Powers.
4700 Western Heritage Way
Los Angeles 90027
The Autry National Center focuses on Native American and Western US history. Kids adore the chance to pan for gold, to be in a cowboy movie, and fascinated by the newest permanent exhibit, California Continued.
Located in Griffith Park, the Autry is FREE to the general public on the second Tuesday of every month from 10am - 4pm.
5200 Zoo Dr.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
At Travel Town Museum, you will learn about railroad history particularly the Los Angeles area. There are plenty of antique cars and trains where children can climb on and get inside. There is plenty of space to play and explore, or sit around and picnic.
Travel Town Museum is always FREE to public from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm Mondays through Friday, and from 10am to 5pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
5905 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90036
The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) has been devoted to collecting works of art that span both history and geography, mirroring Los Angeles’s rich cultural heritage and uniquely diverse population. LACMA is the largest art museum in the western United States with a collection of over 135,000 objects that illuminate 6,000 years of art history from new and unexpected points of view.
The Museum is always free for youth (12 & under) and Teens (13–17) Residing in L.A. County, and for L.A. County residents on weekdays after 3 pm with valid ID. Bank of America debit or credit card holders get get free admission on the first full weekend of every month.
The second Tuesday of each month is also FREE for the general public.
Also, if you sign your children up with the NexGen program, each child gets FREE admission for themselves and one adult, any day of the year. LACMA free days do not include admission to special ticketed exhibits.
455 S Lake Ave, Ste 103
Pasadena, CA 91101
Southern California Children’s Museum is founded by a small, hardworking group of parents with galleries for Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Farm to Table, and My California exhibits. The museum is for kids of all ages.
The admission is FREE for children under 1, and $8 for adults and children 1 and over. Admission is only $3 for EBT card holders.
480 N Arroyo Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91103
There is always so much to do at Kidspace Children Museum. The hands-on exhibits inspire children to be the innovators and creators of tomorrow. From the bottle rocket, tennis ball launcher, and pulleys, there are activities to touch, teach and nurture children's love of science.
Discover adventure and uncover possibilities in the Arroyo Seco Exhibit. This latest enhancement to the Museum features 8 additional interactive exhibits in the Kidspace Gardens designed to connect your child with nature and inspire imaginative play.
For the little ones (ages 0-3), a space is designed to inspire wonder, stimulate exploration and prompt interaction between children and their parents. Crawlers and early walkers can enjoy the tactile nature of the Shiny Stream, exploring different surfaces, climbing and sliding.
Kidspace is opening up its doors for free on the first Friday of every month. Advance reservations are required at kidspacemuseum.org. Tickets are released 2 weeks prior to the date of visit.
Please always verify the status of free days before your visit. You should also check for parking costs and other details. Keep in mind that free days may not include specially ticketed exhibitions.
To find more kids friendly museums, click here.
If there are any omissions or errors, please feel free to drop us a comment below.
