Experience Music Project/Science Fiction Museum050

This weird museum's 140,000 square feet includes galleries dedicated to music artifacts and exhibits, interactive exhibits, and the soaring Sky Church Concert Hall. Most exhibits here won't appeal to kids under five, although the interior of the museum is so visually arresting - an explosion of shiny surfaces, curving lines, and varied planes - that it's possible to keep a toddler busy just looking around.

If you have young children in tow, look for the Speaking Orbs on the second floor, a musical sculpture that plays when you wave your hands over shiny metal spheres. The sculpture Roots and Branches, a ceiling-high structure hung with more guitars than you've ever seen in your life, evoked a wow from our toddler, who also liked listening to the music available from several computer stations clustered around the sculpture.

Kids who are interested in music will find lots here to engage their imaginations. They can play instruments and record music in the Sound Lab, take a walk through modern musical history in the Milestones exhibit, and learn everything they ever wanted to know about Jimi Hendrix. Check out a cool-looking audio guide to the museum, included with admission.

Family-friendly programs here include the popular Family Days offered the third Saturday of each month from 11am-3pm, with activities including art projects, music demonstrations, special tours, and workshops. The pricey, multidisciplinary Experience Arts Camp for aspiring artists ages five to 16, is held during summer break. Click on the link above and then on Education for an application and/or scholarship information.

The building also houses the Science Fiction Museum - visit www.sfhomeworld.org for more information.