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Guide to Kidseum at the Bowers Museum

NOTE: The Kidseum is currently closed for renovation. Check back later in 2020 for more information.

Kidseum at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana is a one-of-a-kind magical space that takes you and your family all around the world. The Kidseum has interactive exhibits on world culture and art for “igniting imagination through exploration.”

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About:

Kidseum was specifically made and designed with little ones in mind. From their glow room, archaeology lab, green screen time machine, story room, craft area, high-tech interactive exhibits and so much more.

Bowers Kidseum was founded in 1994 that strongly “focuses on engaging children in an academically rich and developmentally appropriate environment where they can experience history, art, and culture.”

The space serves local schools, provides special tours, birthday parties, summer programs, family festivals, world culture exhibits, and special programs year round.  This is a wonderful place to bring little ones to actively engage them in world culture and archaeology

Hours:
Saturdays and Sundays 10am – 4pm
Extended Summer Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 10am – 4pm

Location:
Kidseum
2002 N Main St, Santa Ana, CA 92706
(Two blocks south of the Bower’s Museum)

Tickets:
Adult: $10
Ages 3 and Up: $6
Members: $2
Under 3: Free
-Free for Santa Ana residents every Sunday

Parking:
$6 fee or Parking Meters on the street

Scheduled Adventures
-Face painting all day
-Drop in Art Studio all day
-Live Storytelling in the Story Room
12:00-12:30 PM and 2:00 – 2:30 PM

Food:
The main Bowers Museum features the Tangata Restaurant “(or “mankind” in the tribal Maori language of New Zealand) features modern decor enclosed by glass walls, a ceiling framed with stuccoed beams, and large windows to allow ambient light to illuminate the main dining area. Located in the Bowers Museum’s Mission-style courtyard, the restaurant dedicates half of its seating to alfresco dining on two large patio areas.”

Come celebrate the Vietnamese Tet Festival that is currently open at the Bowers Kidseum in Santa Ana. This special exhibit allows parents and children to enjoy the sights, sounds, and beauty of Vietnam through one of its important celebrations of the year: Tet. Children will get to experience interactive exhibits that help them to gain appreciation for Vietnamese culture, heritage and daily experiences.

This interactive exhibit teaches little ones different instruments played in Vietnam, has an interactive kitchen with traditional Vietnamese fruit/food, an area to watch and create fireworks and and allows your little one to dress up in traditional clothing! Kids learn about the rich history of the Tet festival through various signs/boards in English, Spanish and Vietnamese.  Another area features testimonials of people talking about their Best holiday memories. There are so many rooms and interactive exhibits for your little one to experience, you’ll be there for hours!

Upcoming Special Exhibit:
September 29, 2018-February 18, 2019
“Bowers Kidseum will play host to Kings, Queens & Castles, a children’s chess exhibit co-created by The World Chess Hall of Fame and The Magic House, St. Louis Children’s Museum. This innovative, nationally traveling exhibit brings the game of chess to life and provides an engaging introduction to individual chess pieces and game strategy.”

For more upcoming exhibits and a calendar on fun activities for kids, please check out their online calendar!

The Bowers Museum

The Bowers Museum is just two blocks north of the Kidseum (very short walk). After the Kidseum, our family walked to the main museum and had a wonderful time participating in their July 1st Fireworks Fair. There was live music, face painting, parasol making, clay molding, food stands and so much more. The Bowers Museum is incredibly gorgeous with different exhibits throughout the building. If you have time after the Kidseum, I highly recommend checking out the Bowers Museum and even bringing some snacks to have a picnic in their great big courtyard and lawn.  Bowers has its own calendar of exhibits and special summer events happening.  Click here for more information!

If you’re looking for a fun and interactive museum for your little ones, check out the Bowers Kidseum in Santa Ana!  Your little ones will get to take a walk around the world and experience it all through all their senses!

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