Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Long Beach, CA

Toddlers and preschoolers are little scientists, always conducting experiments in their ongoing mission to learn about the world around them. How many blocks can I stack before the tower falls over? What will happen if I pour this cup of milk on my head? How does sand taste? If you want to encourage your child's sense of wonder, head to the Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana.

The fun begins on the first floor, where you can move a tiny tornado with your hand or ride in an earthquake simulator. (Bella wasn't brave enough to try that one.) Also downstairs is a stream table where kids can bury their hands in sand and water. (This was one of my daughter's favorites. Of course she can play in sand and water at the park anytime, but whatever.) Upstairs in Kidstation, toddlers crawl through a submarine and "finger-paint" on a computer screen.

It was crowded on the day of our visit, so when Bella got a bit overwhelmed, we moved outdoors to the dinosaur exhibit. In Dino Quest, future paleontologists look for "fossils" and crawl through the belly of a dinosaur. I can't say I ever wanted to learn all about dinosaur poop, but to each his own.

The trip from Long Beach to the museum takes about half an hour. Parking is $3.00. Admission is $12.95 for adults, and $9.95 for kids 3 and up. The museum is open from 10:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. daily.