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I’ve been meaning to go to DiscoveryCube for a minute. Bear is really into science (yay!) and I like for him to explore everything that it entails. Being a science nerd myself, I love exploring the stars, how things came to be, and why the world is the way it is. It’s really fun and I can channel my inner Sheldon Cooper.
I decided to take Bear there during the weekday since our weekends tend to be swamped with other activities. (Note: if you’re able to, I highly recommend taking your child there during the weekday. It’s not as crowded and you’re able to fully explore all of the exhibits without the rush of making room for other children.)
I really wanted to go to DiscoveryCube because of the Very Eric Carle exhibit, since Bear is familiar with the Very Hungry Caterpillar. But before we went to that exhibit, we explored other things:
We played a recycle game where we sorted electronics, recyclables, and trash. Trust, it’s much harder than it appears. But it was hella fun!
We went “grocery shopping” as we picked out fruits, veggies, and dairy. This is a wonderful sensory exhibit, though I think Bear was a bit young for it. This would be perfect for those who are at least six and older.
Bear wanted to pretend he was going whitewater rafting and well, I couldn’t argue with him. Maybe one day we’ll go.
This was a very cool exhibit. If you go on my instagram page, you’ll see this in action.
Bear didn’t quite know what to make of this but he did like seeing the planet.
They had a super cool L.A. Kings exhibit but Bear didn’t spend too much time in here. Gah! I like hockey so I wanted to stay but Bear had no interest. Maybe next time!
Bear being Bear.
And finally, the Very Eric Carle exhibit:
It’s a nice size exhibit. It takes up a good chunk of the second floor.
This little maze is a great IG photo opportunity.
Bear loved playing in the “grass.”
He was a little confused by the rocks and the spider web, but he did like it.
We both weren’t sure what that was but it was neat to play with.
Overall, it was a fun experience. The Discovery Cube does have a small cafe that offers both kid-friendly options and stuff for adults, so that was very cool. And of course, there is a gift shop.
Price is $17.95 for adults, $14.95 for children 3-10, free for those 2 and under. Mind you, you’re paying per adult, per child. This is something you might want to keep in mind if you have more than one child or adult visiting the Cube.
There’s also a pretty big park located right next to the Cube to have the kids get more energy out.
Pros:
- It’s science-based. This is a huge pro! Lots of sensory and learning activities for the kids and adults.
- There’s a lot for the kid(s) to do within the cube itself.
- Staff is very friendly.
- Huge park with three playgrounds located right next to the Cube.
- Plenty of parking around the Cube and park.
- It’s located in Sylmar, which is away from the hustle and bustle of L.A., and in a residential area. It’s a very serene place to visit.
- On the day you visit, you do have in-out privileges which is a huge bonus. And that’s something I really, really liked about the Cube. Please note, those privileges are only available on the day you visit.
- It’s a great tourist attraction.
Cons:
- The Cube would probably get super crowded during the weekend. Visiting during the weekday is your best bet.
- You can easily go through the entire Cube within an hour or less. That might not be worth the admission price if you’re on a budget.
- I think the Cube is best for kids between the ages of 5-10. I don’t think anyone younger than that would understand a lot of the dynamics and cool exhibits, though they do have an area for the little little ones right next to the cafe.
- The cafe, though it’s nice, was pricey. In fact, eating at the cafe cost more than our admission!
- Sylmar is a bit of a drive (we were in the car for about 30 minutes), so unless you’re in the L.A. area, you’ll really be going out of your way.
Since I take Bear to other science-based centers a lot (Kidspace in Pasadena, and the California Science Center in L.A.), I feel the Discovery Cube might be lacking in some areas in comparison to aforementioned ones, especially since the Science Center has free admission. However, I still think it’s a nice splurge and the Very Eric Carle exhibit was really cool to look at.
Bottom Line: It’s worth the splurge, but I’m not sure if it’s something I would regularly visit (they do offer memberships). For me personally, since we live so close to Kidspace, it makes more sense to get a membership there. However, if you’re in the L.A. area, specifically Sylmar/Arleta, La Canada Flintridge, it might not be a bad shake to get one at Discovery Cube.
Go get the kids out of the house, enjoy walking around (be sure to wear comfy shoes because you will be on your feet the entire time!), and have a nice break!
Looks super fun!