Los Angeles parents, prepare yourselves. The California Science Center has officially re-unleashed Dogs! A Science Tail, the wildly popular, deeply sniffable exhibition all about the science behind your pup’s strange-but-endearing behavior. If you missed it the first time around in 2019—or if your kids now have opinions, vocab, and their own pet theories about why dogs spin in circles before lying down—this is your second chance.
And no, you still can’t bring your dog. But you can crawl inside a dog’s brain, explore their super-powered senses, and try to outrun one (spoiler: you probably won’t).
Smell That? It’s Curiosity
The exhibition is full of hands-on experiences designed to help humans see, hear, and smell the world the way dogs do. From listening to ultrasonic sounds to examining canine skulls and fossils, it’s a multisensory playground that teaches real science under the guise of pure fun.
And yes, there’s Jeopawdy!—a trivia game hosted by none other than the voice of Alex Trebek (RIP), where visitors can test their dog knowledge in categories like “Working Dogs,” “Dog Myths,” and “Weird Stuff Your Lab Does at 2 A.M.”
This isn’t a dog park in a museum—it’s a surprisingly moving, thoroughly educational experience that connects the dots between animal behavior and human biology. Plus, your kid might finally stop asking if the dog understands English.
Walk Through the World of a Dog
In true Science Center fashion, the exhibition blends interaction and storytelling:
Navigate an obstacle course designed for a dog’s point of view.
Explore the jobs dogs have held over time—from hunting companions to modern search-and-rescue heroes.
Visit a “neighborhood” that explores how dogs bring communities together.
Share your own dog’s story digitally on the exhibit’s community wall (yes, even if your mutt has no tricks beyond “sit” and “steal socks”).
It’s also worth noting the Science Center is upfront about pet policy: no dogs allowed (except trained service animals). So while your four-legged bestie will have to sit this one out, your kids will probably come home with new reasons to love them even more.
Plan Your Pack Visit
What: Dogs! A Science Tail
Where: California Science Center, Exposition Park
When: Now open (general admission is FREE)
Why Go: Because your kid has 94 questions about dog noses and this exhibition has answers
Info: californiasciencecenter.org
Whether your family includes a rescue mutt, a golden retriever with a superiority complex, or just a dog-obsessed 7-year-old who pretends to bark at mail carriers, this exhibit is a tail-wagging good time—and yes, you’ll leave a little wiser.
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