Some of you don’t know I grew up in Los Angeles so when I was a kid I would go to the Downtown Children’s Museum ALOT. It was one of my favorite places to go and so when I had kids I looked it up and found out it had closed years ago and the idea was it was supposed to be rebuilt at Hansen’s Dam. They had the land but no money so for years they had been trying to raise the funds. Last year or the year before the Cube in Orange County announced they were taking it over and they would get the funding together and so tomorrow they open.
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I think they did a wonderful job but it’s very different than what existed at the Downtown LA museum. That was more performing arts and TV based and this museum is very science and technology based with a big emphasis on Los Angeles with the DWP being big sponsors.
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I also think it’s going to be popular with younger kids; there were three sections younger kids seemed to be really into. They had a foam building room which is geared to kids under 5 but even my 9 year old loved. This was a permanent exhibit. Next door is a Dino exhibit which is a rotating exhibit and all my kids adored, though I think it’s geared to younger kids. They have a story area, bridges and egg to play with, a fossil area and some very cool table tops featuring dino's kids can move around and play with. Plus a dino art area. 
The other area my youngest really loved was this inspector exhibit. You go to this truck and rent an inspector iPad and then you go thru this house where you press buttons and mark things on your iPad, based on your age and how detailed you want to be in this house inspection.
My daughter is 3 and she could have moved into those three exhibits. They were also super popular with my older kids but there were also other exhibits the older kids really enjoyed as well.
There is a helicopter ride that simulates you flyer over different parts of Los Angeles. We went thru the sewer of one which was fun and pretty tame. We also flew over the LA Aqueduct and my daughter said it made her dizzy and she did not want to fly in a real helicopter.
There is a groundwater exhibit called the Aquavator which was really fascinating and really explains and helps you explore what groundwater is. That was one of my favorite exhibit because it was so cool.
There is also an exhibit with some fun features about the Hansen Dam. It just didn't seem that exciting to me but it features an interactive climbing wall and my kids seemed to really like that. It also includes some exhibits on power and winds explaining how the Dam gets its power and some canoes kids can play in.
Some exhibits we had seen before from the Discovery Cube Orange County is the electronical supermarket of the future which my kids all love and a recycle game that my 7 year old loves.
In February 2015 they will open an LA Kings exhibit and that will be on the 2nd level where right now they have some very cool exhibits of science projects for kids in 4th and 5th grade. They explore topics like molecules, sand, animals and sound waves.
For the rest of 2014, the admittance cost is just $10; in 2015 the rate will go up to $16 per person. The museum is selling memberships or just $99 for a family of 4 for the year.
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And in January the Dino exhibit will say good-bye and a Thomas the Train exhibit will take over.
The museum is located in Sylmar and is located at 11800 Foothill Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 91342 and is open from 11AM to 5PM on the 13th and 14th and 10AM to 5PM 7 days a week.Disclaimer: Macaroni Kid attended a media day on Sunday, and were guests of the museum.
