From interactive displays to real-world science experiments, this visit checked all the boxes for STEM learning, fun, and environmental awareness. Plus, it allowed the troop to start their work on their Keep the Oceans Plastic Free patch. If your troop or group is looking to dive into fun, make sure to keep reading to learn more about Ocean Encounters.

A Perfect Match for Girl Scout STEM Badges

The Ocean Encounters exhibit is more than just a visual journey. It’s a fully immersive learning experience that aligns perfectly with Girl Scout badge requirements.

During their visit, the troop learned about:

• Marine ecosystems and the five zones of the ocean
• Conservation and how human actions affect the delicate ocean ecosystems
• Bioluminescence and more!

Through guided activities and interactive stations, the Girl Scouts explored how marine scientists study underwater life, helping them to real-world environmental issues.

Ocean Encounter Exhibits Not to Miss:

When entering the exhibit, make sure to pick up a “Test The Waters” pamphlet and pencil. You’ll go from station to station, learning & exploring the deep. How do coral reefs protect us? Can you identify various fish?

As you explore, huge LED screens project videos of the ocean that will have you marveling at the life below the deep blue.

Other favorites:

• Inflatable pirate ship for sliding and bouncing
• Build-your-own LEGO ship
• Live demonstrations from Discovery Cube staff
• Explore the kelp forest playground

After you enjoy Ocean Encounters, make sure to head downstairs to the Discovery Cube Sea Lab. The recently added exhibit offers hands-on fun with a touch tank filled with sharks and other sea creatures.

Ocean Encounters Dates & Times

Expand on your summer beach days with an educational and interactive visit to Ocean Encounters, happening now!

 Dates: Now Open – September 1
   Location: 2500 N Main Street Santa Ana, CA 92705 | Located at the Julianne Argyros Showcase Theater on the second floor
 Age: All ages are welcome
 Hours: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
 Price: Included with General Admission or Membership

Make sure to read this full guide to the Discovery Cube before your visit.

The Girl Scouts’ visit to the Ocean Encounters exhibit at Discovery Cube Orange County was more than just a fun field trip. It was a meaningful dive into STEM education and environmental stewardship. If you’re looking for an interactive science experience for kids, especially Girl Scouts, this is one field trip you won’t want to miss.

As a Cube Creator, I’m honored to share our experiences here and on social media. The mission of the Discovery Cube is one that makes me proud to support. Want to know more? Keep reading!

Inspire – Educate – Impact

“We inspire and educate young minds through engaging science-based programs and exhibits to create a meaningful impact on the communities we serve.”

Tickets to the Discovery Cube

Discovery Cub Membership

My family of six prefers to purchase memberships for family-friendly outings to save money. A Discovery Cube membership pays off in less than three visits. Our family membership includes parking and discounted companion tickets when we bring friends! Plus, we get discounts on retail purchases, camps, etc.

There are tiers for membership to suit your needs. Check out Discovery Cube Membership Tiers.

My favorite membership benefit is the ability to come and go! We prefer less busy days (obviously!). As members, we opt to skip holidays or first days of holiday breaks. Recently, the Discovery Cube rolled out Members Only mornings as an added benefit for passholders!

How to get into the Discovery Cube for Free

There are promotions throughout the year to get free entry into the Discovery Cube.

• Santa Ana Free Days – The first Tuesday of the month, Santa Ana residents can get 4 four tickets with government-issued ID. OC-only
• Bank of America – Museum on Us – Bank of America card holders can get 1 free ticket per cardholder on Sunday the first full weekend of the month. OC-only
• Members – Once you secure your membership, your unlimited visits are free!

For more opportunities, check out Discovery Cube Promotions. Make sure to follow the official Discovery Cube accounts on social media to be notified of more.

Plus, the Discovery Cube has teams of ambassadors for both locations. Check out #CubeCreators to find your favorite family-friendly influencers who will share updates and opportunities.

Best Ages to Enjoy Discovery Cube

Curiosity knows no age limit! With that said, we have found the majority of exhibits to be of interest to our kids as preschoolers through elementary-aged.

We love celebrating the various events at the Discovery Cube which include fun for a variety of ages. For example, Pumpkin Palooza in the fall has corn mazes, carnival games, trick-or-treating, and toddler “tractor” ride-on toys. My littlest loved in! My bigger elementary-aged kiddo rode bumper cares, and then moved on to the hands-on exhibits and the dance party.

Sensory-Friendly Mornings at the Discovery Cube

Children engage and explore in their own ways. We appreciate the Discovery Cube’s accessibility for all types of learners.

The Discovery Cube rolled out Sensory-Friendly Mornings every third Sunday of the month from 8 AM – 10 AM at both campuses.

What to Expect During a Sensory-Friendly Morning:

• Reduced crowds
• Sensory friendly maps
• Visual cue cards
• Welcoming staff allow guests independent exploration that targets specific interests and needs

*Free admission for one aide per family (with badge or medical ID)

The Sensory-Friendly Morning is ideal for little scientists on the autism spectrum. However, it’s a great opportunity for anyone who would benefit from reduced stimulation (yes, parents, that’s you, too!).

My timid toddler loves to explore and the Sensory-Friendly Mornings have been a perfect way for her to get comfortable at the Cube. At 2, she’s very uneasy about being anywhere indoors or dark. But we got to see the Winter Lights show during their Sensory-Friendly Mornings, and she not only experienced the full show but she participated!

Is Discovery Cube Good for Toddlers

It’s never too early to start a love of science! Little ones love hands-on exploration available at the Discovery Cube. There’s plenty to do!

Some of my toddler’s favorite exhibits:

• Dino Quest, especially the sand area
• Rainforest Area
• Sea Lab
• Physics Labs, especially the car raceway and the cloud rings

Don’t miss the water play patio for a toddler-sized retreat.

With a toddler, I plan on spending a few hours each visit. All that fun can work up an appetite. The Bean Sprouts Cafe has the most adorable kids meals! Grab a Whoopsie Daisy meal with plant-based chicken tenders arranged as a flower with veggies & ranch or Grilledzilla, a grilled cheese with veggies.

Must-See Exhibits at Discovery Cube OC

The Cube, as we call it, has permanent and visiting exhibits. Let’s dig into our favorite permanent exhibits!

Permanent Exhibits

Dino Quest

Reopened in 2024, the reimagined Dino Quest features handheld Dino Tracker devices that allow you to complete one of four engaging missions. There’s also a Dig Excavation pit filled with sand and the tools needed to unearth “fossils.” Find out more about Dino Quest.

Sea Lab

You’ll sea so many cute creatures at the Sea Lab. The hands-on tanks have sharks and other fish to safely touch. Staff shares facts, plus tips for safely greeting sea life.

Eco Challenge: Discovery Market

It’s like Amazon Fresh without the price tag. Go on a challenge through a grocery store and scan products to answer questions. The kids love pushing the carts and taking their photo at the end.

You can find a full list of permanent exhibits on their website.

Discovery Cube Address

Orange County:

2500 N. Main Street
Santa Ana, CA 92705

Los Angeles:

11800 Foothill Blvd
Sylmar, CA 91342

Discovery Cube Hours

Both Discovery Cube locations are daily from 10 AM-5 PM.

A visit to Discovery Cube Orange County is more than just a day of fun—it’s an opportunity to ignite curiosity, inspire a love of learning, and create unforgettable memories with your family. With its wide range of hands-on exhibits and interactive experiences, the Cube offers something for everyone, from young explorers to lifelong learners. So, plan your trip today, and get ready to embark on an adventure that’s as educational as it is exciting!

As a “Cube Creator,” or Discovery Cube ambassador, I receive complimentary admission to facilitate this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

What to Expect at Pumpkin Palooza at Discovery Cube OC

This separate-ticket experience consists of two main parts: the pumpkin festival & the dance party. Plus, you’ll get to enjoy all of the Discovery Cube’s exhibits when you visit, including the newly updated Dino Quest.

Pumpkin Palooza Festival

The festival combines spooky season and science in a kid-friendly space! Your Pumpkin Palooza ticket will allow you to enjoy:

• Bumper Cars
• Mazes
• Pumpkinology 101 – Hands-on activities like creating glow-in-the-dark slime plus pumpkin demonstrations

Dance Party

Join your host Jack-o-Lynn for an electrifying Pumpkin Palooza dance party! The projected pumpkin personality leads the party with popular music mixed with Halloween favorites!

The dance party is great for everyone from little ones celebrating their first Halloween to big kids ready to shake their pumpkin seeds.

Pumpkin Palooza Tickets

Your tickets include access to both the festival and the dance party. You’ll select your dance party showtime on checkout. This often sells out, so don’t wait to book your fun!

Presale Tickets

• Members can start buying tickets for $8 on 9/3/24.
• General admission tickets are available for $10 on 9/12/24. Don’t forget you need museum admission.

Regular Sale

Regular sale of Pumpkin Palooza tickets start October 4, 2024.

• Members tickets are $10 .
• General admission tickets are $12. Don’t forget you need museum admission.

2024 Dancy Party Showtimes

• Fridays through Sundays all October
• 11:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 1:30 PM, 2:30 PM, 3:30 PM

You’ll select date and time at checkout.

Sensory-Friendly Show: The Sensory Friendly show will take place on Sunday, October 20 at 9:45 AM.

Pumpkin Palooza Party Nights

In addition to the regularly scheduled daytime showtimes, the Discovery Cube OC also offers Pumpkin Palooza Party Nights after dark! On select nights, your visit is completed with a DJ spinning a wicked mix of monster mash-ups, eerie lights, and hauntingly good vibes!

• October 4 (Exclusive Member Event), 18, 29, 25, 26
• 6:30 & 7:30 PM

You’ll select date and time at checkout.

If you’re looking to carve out family time this Halloween, make sure to add Pumpkin Palooza at the Discovery Cube OC to your bucket list. For more information, visit Pumpkin Palooza at Discovery Cube.

As a “Cube Creator,” or Discovery Cube Ambassador, I receive complimentary admission to the museum. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Step outside Discovery Cube Orange County for an epic exhibition where a 16-foot Tyrannosauras Rex beckons you. Your first step should be picking up a hand-held Dino Tracker to go on one of four interactive missions.

Discovery Cube Dino Quest Missions

You’ll use your Dino Tracker to scan codes as you solve each clue.

• Dino Dig Adventure – Unearth the secrets hidden in fossils long ago. On this mission, you will discover what paleontologist find on an expedition like fossilized bones, eggs, and footprints.
• Junior Diggers – Train to become a dinosaur expert. This mission, designed for our younger paleontologists, will take you on a journey to find a baby Triceratops, a flying reptile called a Quetzalcoatlus, and a giant T-Rex.
• Adapt, Survive, Thrive – Explore the evolutionary journey that shaped these ancient creatures. On this mission you will explore the special features dinosaurs had to help them survive, like long necks, hollow bones, and body armor.
• Predator and Prey – Discover the strategies, adaptations, and challenges faced in the struggle for survival. Your mission? Survive and thrive in a world teeming with dinosaurs! Search for ancient creatures with sharp teeth, eyes on the sides of their head, and coprolite.

You can easily tackle multiple missions in a visit to the Discovery Cube. My kids did not want to leave this area!

Dino Quest’s Dig Excavation

Another popular element in the new Dino Quest is the Dig Excavation area. This large sand pit provides little discoverers an opportunity to excavate a T-Rex using shovels and brushes. Then, they can sort & report their discoveries.

My toddler spent almost an hour playing in the sand on each of our first two visits.

What Else Can We Do at Dino Quest?

In addition to the missions and dig pit, you’ll find adventure throughout the exhibit area.

• Fossil Yard – The West Coast welcomes its first Quetzalcoatlus to be on permanent display. You can check out other dinosaur fossils as well.
• Fossil Detector Box – Use multiple hands-on methods to see how paleontologists use grids to map out of their dig sites.
• Geyser – Control a bubbling geyser with user-activated control.
• Stomp, Chomp, & Roar – Get out your dinosaur-sized wiggles crawling through a tunnel or stroll through the inside of a dinosaur.

How Much Does Dino Quest Cost?

Dino Quest is included with your admission or annual pass for Discovery Cube. Get Discovery Cube tickets.

Discovery Cube Hours & Location

Dino Quest at the Discovery Cube Orange County is now open. To help you plan your visit, consider these hours and location. Parking is $8.

Discovery Cube Orange County Location

2500 N Main Street

Santa Ana, CA 92705

Discovery Cube Orange County Hours

Every day from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

The dino-mite fun of Dino Quest is now open! Get your Discovery Cube tickets now.

We received complimentary admission to facilitate this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Poppy and I were able to get a sneak peek at the Discovery Cube OC’s latest exhibit, DC SUPER HEROES, during their media event. No villains could keep our efforts to have a great morning at bay!

Perfect for preschoolers and elementary aged students, the exhibit is a hands-on exploration of teamwork, problem solving, and some serious fun.

Explore the DC Super Heroes Exhibit

The fun starts as soon as you step through the Hall of Justice, the superhero headquarters. We scanned our hands to ensure we were good guys. There were two mirrored areas to test out hero poses and try on capes. Poppy, always committed to a good theme, had come dressed as Wonder Woman. Although she’ll be quick to tell you that Batgirl and Supergirl are also her favorites.

Throughout the exhibit hall, decorated as the streets of Gotham City, visitors are treated to hands-on exhibits that are filled with engaging age-appropriate technology and large motor activities.

We squashed The Joker’s efforts to ruin the Bat Signal. Poppy collected a scavenger hunt card that required her to look through several locations for a bat clue. We worked together to put magnetic “jewels” back in a necklace in a jewelry store, identified fake flowers at the flower shop, and figured out the right keys to unlock the bank vault. Each mini mission provided a letter clue that could then be unscrambled.

My daughter will be starting kindergarten next school year, and the level of challenge was PERFECT! Not too complicated that she was frustrated by any elements, but wasn’t instantly obvious to her.

When she unscrambled the letters, she typed them into a computer and restored the Bat Signal.

Another favorite activity of hers was the Dive into The Docks where heroes seek out the secret base, Black Manta, and try to destroy it. We returned back to this section of the exhibit numerous times to test balance on flying fish shaped surfboards and hop from sea turtle to sea turtle. I love the my little caped crusader could get some energy out!

Other super fun activities included super hero training at S.T.A.R. Labs where she tested her speed with The Flash and dexterity with Green Lantern. She made it through the “laser” maze in The Museum of Ancient History and also captured The Cheetah in a motion-sensing video game.

Learning from Superheroes

In addition to having a blast, there was a lot of learning weaved throughout the exhibits. The superhero theme of the Discovery Cube’s exhibit encourages visitors to discover their own superpowers.

The exhibits great opportunities to explore elements like:

• problem solving
• teamwork
• STEM learning
• physics

Discovery Cube OC DC Super Heroes Exhibit FAQ

• The exhibit will be open May 25-September 8, 2019 at the Discovery Cube in Santa Ana, California.
• Discovery Cube Members can experience the event early during the Member Preview Event, May 19-25th from 11 AM – 3 PM.
• Admission to the exhibit in included with general admission tickets.
• Tickets for the museum can be purchased in person or online on the Discovery Cube’s website.
• Capes and costumes are welcome.

DC products are available for purchase in the museum gift shop. From books to PEZ dispensers, capes to magnets, there are gifts galore.

The Discovery Cube’s DC Super Heroes exhibit opens May 25th, 2019!