“Affordable family fun,” said Mary Tran of Let’s Play OC! “If you’re looking for something inexpensive yet fun and informative to do on Santa Catalina Island, you’ll want to visit the Catalina Island Museum.”
All children, age 15 and under, receive free admission to the Catalina Island Museum every day.
Recently the museum introduced a treasure map to guide its young patrons through the galleries.
“Affordable family fun,” said Mary Tran of Let’s Play OC! “If you’re looking for something inexpensive yet fun and informative to do on Santa Catalina Island, you’ll want to visit the Catalina Island Museum.”
All children, age 15 and under, receive free admission to the Catalina Island Museum every day.
Recently the museum introduced a treasure map to guide its young patrons through the galleries.
The map includes photographs and questions that lead each child from one exhibition to the next. The answers are revealed within the text and artifacts on display. The completed map directs them to the Museum Store to receive a free gift.
“The museum is very interesting and free for kids, just $5 for adults which was well worth it,” read a recent review on TripAdvisor. “Heaps of great photos and stories. Our kids were given a treasure hunt questionnaire and a prize for completing it, which they enjoyed!”
The map has already exceeded expectations. Families can be seen throughout the galleries, working together to find the correct answers.
According to the Museum, numerous adults ask to complete the map as well.
“It is extremely gratifying for myself, and our entire staff, to witness these children so excited about the treasure map,” said Michael De Marsche, executive director of the Catalina Island Museum.
“The map allows each child to feel more connected to the island in which they live, or in many cases, where they are vacationing. Positive educational experiences such as this help create lasting childhood memories,” said De Marsche.
Once in the Museum Store, each child is asked to share his/her favorite part of the Catalina Island Museum. Most popular among the children so far is the story of Catalina’s first film star, an enormous sea lion named Old Ben.
Every answer is different and shows that the museum truly has something for everyone. Below are some of the most recent responses to ‘what was your favorite part of the Catalina Island Museum?’
“I liked all of it but my dad liked the curse of the Billy Goat!”
“The pictures of Old Ben and the cool writing about Wrigley.”
“I liked learning about all the things that happened in Avalon in the past and the huge sunfish that Zane Grey caught.”
“When I got to solve these problems.”
“The Beckman art was awesome!”
If you have not visited the Catalina Island Museum in the past month or so, you have been missing out. Grab the kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews and head to the museum today.
The Catalina Island Museum is Avalon’s sole institution devoted to art, history, music and film. The museum, its digital theater and store are located on the ground floor of Avalon’s historic Casino and are open seven days a week, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, the museum may be reached by phone at 310-510-2414 or at its website CatalinaMuseum.org.
