FAMILY FUN HIT LIST

If you’re traveling with kids in tow, you’ll fi nd Pasadena to be very accommodating when it comes to entertaining (and feeding!) the whole family. From hiking along easy-going nature trails and stargazing at the observatory to ice skating and cake making, there’s fun to be had for kids of all ages. The following activities are all kidapproved and sure to keep the smiles and laughs fl owing.

KIDSPACE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM

Geared towards kids age 10 and younger, the

Kidspace Children’s

Museum (480 N. Arroyo Blvd.; kidspacemuseum. org) features more than 40 hands-on, interactive exhibits and activities on their 3.5-acre indooroutdoor campus. Popular features include the Imagination Workshop, Climbing Towers and Physics Forest.

The Huntington Library, Art Collections and

Botanical Gardens (1151 Oxford Rd., San Marino; huntington.org) caters to kids with their Children’s Garden and robust array of workshops, camps, drop-in activities, tours and events. The Neon Retro Arcade (28 S. Raymond Ave.; neonretroarcade.com) is a blast from the 1980s and 1990s past—essentially, it’s an old school spin on “screen time.” Even the grown-ups will want to get in on the action, be it playing classic arcade games like Donkey Kong and Pac-Man or teaching the next generation how to play pinball. Bring the aspiring “Ace of Cakes” baker in your life to Food Network star Du Goldman’s DIY dessert design studio, Du ’s Cake Mix (165 S. De Lacey Ave.; du scakemix.com). You choose your flavor and canvas—cupcakes or cake—and all of the tools of the trade are provided, frosting included!

Southern California Children’s Museum

(459 E. Colorado Blvd.; socalkids.org) is a new place for the under eight set to play. Check the online calendar of events to plan a visit around a music class, sing-along or art party. And be sure to check out the onsite children’s boutique, That’s Darling. Founded in 1951, Whistle Stop (2490 E. Colorado Blvd.; thewhistlestop. com) is a classic model train and hobby shop that will wow young and old alike with its vast selection and displays.

Pasadena Ice Skating

Center (300 E. Green St.; skatepasadena.com) is the perfect place to cool down during the public skate sessions o ered daily. “Family Fun Saturdays” at the 190-acre Eaton

Canyon Natural Area and Nature Center

(1750 N. Altadena Dr.; ecnca.org) entail a family nature walk, story time, an animal presentation and crafting.

THEME PARKS WITHIN REACH

Pasadena is centrally located to all of the region’s major theme parks such as Universal Studios Hollywood (14 miles west), Six Flags Magic Mountain (36 miles northeast), Disneyland (35 miles south) and Knott’s Berry Farm (30 miles south).