California Science Center, Los Angeles

When it comes to sparking kids' interest, few things fire up budding intellects like the up-close, hands-on exhibits at California Science Center.

• The natural world: Wander through the Science Center’s Ecosystems galleries - this area includes live animals and interactive exhibits. Immerse yourself in Earth’s ecosystems to discover how living things on our planet are interconnected with their environment.
• Out in space: Explore the Science Center’s unique collection of artifacts and hands-on activities to discover how humans design aircraft, spacecraft and space probes for specific tasks by using our knowledge of the principles of air, space and flight.
• The big screen: Standing seven-stories high and boasting earth-shattering surround sound, the IMAX Theater with Laser promises unrivaled image clarity. The rotating selection of films takes viewers around the world, back in time, and to the stars often in marvelous all-encompassing 3D.