Natural History Museum 2013

I decided to finally take advantage of the "First Tuesday Free" at the Los Angeles Natural History Museum. You do have to pay for parking and they will ask you if you'd like to make a donation, but it beats paying full price admission in addition to parking. The museum was not very crowded; it seemed that there were a few small school groups, but we managed to cross their paths and not end up in the same place at the same time.

I went with friends when Ellie was a toddler and we visited as a family a few years ago. In that span of time, the museum has changed a great deal. This is not a negative thing; the museum has gotten better with each updated exhibit. We had not been since the new dinosaur hall had opened up, and this is one of the main things we wanted to see. There was a nice variety of displays, a couple of interactive activities, and lots to read about. Thomas the T-Rex was great. We also enjoyed reading about the dinosaur dig that uncovered a large area of egg nests in South America.

Baby T-Rex

T-Rex skull

The kids' answer to this question was the Flood of course. This was the first time that I've seen a scientific explanation having to do with a wide-scale water event. The proof is there!

Thomas the T-Rex

Grandma joined us

Hello!

This adult leg bone is as big as Josh!

Where's Perry?

I was also excited to visit the California History exhibits downstairs. This was a bit of a disappointed, however, as half of the displays were closed off. I guess more changes are in store! But the sections having to do with the Indians, explorers and the Missions were open. Since this is what Ellie and I had just studied, it was perfect.

Chumash Indian Village

Cabrillo's ship

The animal pictures are mostly Ellie's. These were her favorites.

The kids really enjoyed the gem and mineral gallery. They spent time on the interactive screens looking up minerals. Ellie took lots of pictures, especially inside the vault where the precious jewels were on display. Josh was on the look out for the gems he is reading about in his book series. He found all of them except Lapis Lazuli. We later found this in a display in the gift shop.

California minerals

Fabulous opal

Crystal ball on loan from the Smithsonian

Can't get over how HUGE this guy is!

These were Zuni carvings. Ellie took these pictures.

The kids' discovery area has been moved upstairs. It is a large, bright room and holds the same things as before. There was the addition of the dinosaurs Many were having fun taking pictures with the T-Rex skeleton. And they do a type of show in the adjoining gallery which we missed.

Let go of my son!

I'll get that bad tooth out; just hold still. . . 

Ellie enjoyed the display of sea shells. These are a couple of her pictures.

Josh and I read aobut Totem Poles when we studied the Northwest Indians. It was cool for him to be able to see one.

We covered almost all of the museum and were pretty tired by the afternoon. I know we'll go back again. Each time will show us something new we didn't see before or take the time to read. So glad that these free days are offered. Until the  next time!