Bowers Kidseum
1802 N. Main St.
Santa Ana, CA
714-480-1520

The Bowers Kidseum is located at the corner of Main and 18th streets, just south of the Bowers Museum of Cultural Art. In case you're wondering, yes, the building was a bank at one time. The Kidseum is a hands-on, cultural center designed to assist kids, ages 6 to 12, in developing an appreciation of art and the ways of life in African, Asian and Native American cultures.

Kids will love trying on unusual masks from around the world; playing unique musical instruments like deer-hoof shakers, African drums and string instruments; and dressing up in a wide variety of ethnic costumes in the theater area. The Time Vault, which was an actual bank vault, has an incredible mural on the wall. Inside, kids can play cowboy on the workbench horses or grind make-believe corn with a stone mortar and pestle.

In addition, children can play games from foreign lands, work on geography puzzles, put on a puppet show, tell stories and make art projects. Note: Older kids will appreciate going through the galleries at the Bowers Museum located down the street while young children will enjoy the hands-on quality of this museum. Signs do ask for a gentle touch.


Related venue / performance space:
Bowers Museum



Hours: Thu.-Fri., noon-4 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., 11 a.m.-4 p.m.