Holiday Fun for Kids at LA’s Best Museums

Holiday decorations have been stores for about three months now. Your tree is up, your holiday cards are postmarked and your kids’ Santa letters are written. Okay, neither are ours, but it is officially time to take advantage of all of the cool holiday-themed activities for kids at the greatest kids museums in the country (we may be a little biased).

photo credit: vbinla via Instagram

Getty Center: Holiday Lights
The tram alone is usually enough to get the kids squealing, but this season stop in the entrance hall on your way in for free hot apple cider. Then sip, stroll, and snap photos amid the magical trees and city lights below. Kids will love to hunt for the holiday light displays and projections going on throughout the museum.

When: Every Saturday from 5:30 p.m.-9 p.m. through January 4, 2015
Location: 1200 Getty Center Dr, West LA
Online: getty.edu

photo credit: Paul Kobayashi via Flickr

Kidspace Children’s Museum: Snow Days
Your kids want snow, but you live in LA for a reason, right? Now you can give them the snow they want without a road trip to the mountains. Grab what layers you’ve got, and head over to Kidspace for real snow play, live performances, experiments, activities and crafts. They’ll even get some education on the cold, fluffy stuff that falls from the sky (in other places, that is).  Heads up: when going between December 26-31, be prepared for heavy traffic in the Rose Bowl area. There will be parking attendants there to help you find your best parking spot.

When: December 26, 29 & 30 from 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m., December 27 & 28 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Location: 480 N Arroyo Blvd, Pasadena
Online: kidspacemuseum.org

photo credit: Discovery Science Foundation

Discovery Cube: Science of Gingerbread
The new Discovery Cube LA will be themed for the holidays with a stage show and a few learning stations, but the big event for the holidays is at Discover Cube OC with their Science of Gingerbread extravaganza. There are over 200 gingerbread creations to view from their annual contest, you can decorate holiday cookies (and eat them) and build a candy car to race in the Gingerbread Derby. Plus, Santa will be at the Cube on weekends.

When: Now through January 4, 2015
Where: 2500 N Main St, Santa Ana
Online: discoverycube.org

photo credit: Skirball Cultural Center

Skirball Cultural Center: Hanukkah Family Festival
Families of all backgrounds come to Skirball to enjoy the fun and meaningful Hanukkah Family Festival every year. You and your kids will love the unique musical and storytelling performances (Capoeira Brasil is showing off their musical, acrobatic and dance talents) and creating your own art to display (artist group Sorbet will guide your family in creating tin paintings and adding them to a collaborative installation). Heads up: if you want to see Noah’s Ark while you’re there, festival attendees get special one hour tickets on a first-come, first-serve basis.

When: December 14, 2014, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: 2701 N Sepulveda Blvd, West LA
Online: skirball.org

photo credit: courtesy of the Autry

Autry Museum: A Rancho Christmas
Round up your whippersnappers and mosey on over to the Autry for their down-home Christmas hoe-down, where your young’uns will celebrate the way the rancheros did, with scavenger hunts, dress up (with photo booth!), hands-on trade stations and the opportunity to create their own Rancho Christmas memento.  Giddy’up now.

When: Sunday, December 14 from 1 p.m.-5 p.m.
Location: 4700 Western Heritage Way, Griffith Park
Online: theautry.org

photo: Duke X. via Yelp

Reagan Library: A California Christmas
The whole family will glow with holiday spirit and Cali pride while gazing at the tree exhibits featuring trees adorned in “A California Christmas” theme. There are a few dozen trees, each of which represents tourist attractions, cities and natural landmarks.  History and holiday spirit in one!  Plus your car-obsessed child will go nuts over the Ultimate Car Exhibit which showcases over 25 cars from the Petersen Museum (if you’re suffering from withdrawal already from the Petersen’s year-long shut down).  While you’re here, be sure to check out Air Force One.

When: Through January 4, 2015
Location: 40 Presidential Drive, Simi Valley
Online: reaganfoundation.org

photo credit: The Zimmer Children’s Museum

Zimmer Children’s Museum: Winter Workshops
The Zimmer is the perfect place to take your kids for some holiday arts and crafts. On Tuesdays and Thursdays kids can make a snow globes, no-sew penguin pillows, build with Legos, and create art inspired by winter.

When: December 16-28, check schedule for workshop times and dates
Location: 6505 Wilshire Blvd., Miracle Mile LA
Online: zimmermuseum.org

-Shannon Guyton

What holiday happenings at museums are can’t miss activities for your family? Meet us in the comment section to spill the details.