Kidseum451

Especially appreciated by educators, Kidseum, which is part of Orange County's Bowers Museum, is more than an exhibit hall; it allows kids to have hands-on experience with world cultures. Thematic areas are filled with treasures that can be touched and played with.

Kids love crossing the creaky Rainbow Bridge to enter Kidseum. (Be sure to greet the great kachina on your way in).

The Art Lab provides kids the opportunity to make art related to the cultures presented at Kidseum. Projects such as Aztec head dresses, Japanese kites, Hawaiian Uli-Uli Rattles change frequently, and are offered on an ongoing basis.

The Community Room provides hands-on art classes and food tasting during cultural festivals. This area is also available for birthday party rental and other special events.

Kids try on masks from around the world in the Cultural Discovery section, where they can also play musical instruments (flutes, rattles, drums...even deer hoof shakers), and learn about other cultures through their puppets, toys, and games!

Everyone's favorite, though, is the Stage, where kids can dress up in costumes, hats, and shoes from around the world! Imagination runs rampant when they realize they can use the stage for theater and puppet performances.

Kidseum even has a special room to gather and listen to epics and folktales from faraway lands told by live storytellers!

Kidseum also runs a Summer Art Camp in July and August for kids ages six to eight, or nine to 12. The fee for members is $165, nonmembers $175, and includes tours to specific galleries at the main museum, art instruction and materials, storytelling, exploring all interactive exhibitions at Kidseum, and afternoon snacks for extended campers.