Los Angeles Destination: Travel Town

If your little one's eyes light up at the sight of a train, Travel Town is an absolute must-visit destination. This hands-on museum offers preschoolers the rare opportunity to explore real locomotives and vintage rail cars up close—transforming picture books and toy trains into tangible, exciting discoveries.

What You'll Need

• Comfortable walking shoes for your child (there's lots of exploring!)
• A small backpack or bag for snacks and water
• Sunscreen and a hat (the grounds are mostly outdoor)
• A camera or phone to capture memories
• Lightweight jacket (mornings can be cool)

How to Do It

1. Plan your visit during off-peak hours. Arrive mid-morning on a weekday if possible, so your preschooler can enjoy exhibits without overwhelming crowds. Check the museum's website for current hours and any special closures.

2. Start at the main locomotive display. Let your child approach slowly and observe the massive trains from different angles. Ask open-ended questions like, "What color is this one?" or "Where do you think this train goes?" to spark curiosity.

3. Encourage hands-on interaction. Many cars and engines allow children to climb aboard, peek inside, and sit in engineer seats. Supervise closely while letting your preschooler explore independently—this tactile experience is the whole magic of the visit.

4. Take breaks for snacks and shade. Bring along simple snacks and water to keep energy levels up. Find a shaded picnic area to rest between exploration sessions, especially with younger preschoolers who may tire quickly.

5. Engage with interactive elements. Point out details like wheels, couplings, and windows. Let your child touch safe surfaces and listen to the sounds around them. Some areas may have buttons to press or levers to move—perfect for sensory learning.

6. Follow your child's interests. Don't try to see everything in one visit. If your preschooler is captivated by the caboose, spend extra time there rather than rushing through the full grounds.

🎓 Skills Your Child Will Develop

Observation Skills — Examining real trains teaches children to notice details and ask questions about the world around them.

Spatial Awareness — Climbing in and out of rail cars helps preschoolers understand how their bodies move through different spaces.

Language Development — Talking about what you see builds vocabulary as children learn new words like "locomotive," "caboose," and "coupling."

Social Confidence — Exploring an exciting new environment supports independence and courage in unfamiliar settings.

Tips & Variations

• Bring a toy train along. Compare your child's toy train to the real ones—this helps connect play at home with real-world learning.
• Visit multiple times. New details reveal themselves on repeat visits, and familiarity helps younger preschoolers feel more confident exploring.
• Combine with nearby activities. The museum is close to other parks and family-friendly spots, so you can build a full afternoon adventure.

My Two Cents

There's something magical about watching a two or three-year-old press their face against a century-old railcar window. This destination transforms trains from screen time to a fully sensory experience—and honestly, the wonder on their faces makes it worth the drive. It's one of those activities that costs little but delivers big memories.

Questions to Ask Your Child

Use these open-ended prompts to extend the learning during or after the activity:

• "What was the hardest part? What made it tricky?"
• "What would happen if we made the rules a little different?"
• "Can you teach me how to do your favorite part?"
• "What would you add to make this even more fun?"
• "What did you notice while we were doing this?"
• "How would this be different if we played it outside?"

There are no right or wrong answers to any of these questions. The goal is to keep the conversation going, model curious thinking, and give your child practice putting their experience into words.

Making It a Learning Moment

The best activities for preschoolers look like play but work like school. As children run, build, sort, and create, their brains are mapping space, practicing sequencing, building vocabulary, and learning to regulate emotion — all at the same time. Your role during the activity matters enormously: children whose caregivers narrate, question, and celebrate alongside them develop language skills 6–8 months ahead of those who play alone. You don't need to teach directly — just being present, curious, and enthusiastic is enough.

Adapting for Different Ages

Ages 2–3: Simplify the rules significantly — focus on one or two steps maximum. Short attention spans mean the activity should be flexible and forgiving. Follow the child's lead rather than directing the play.

Ages 4–5: Add challenge and structure. Introduce counting, sequencing ("first... then... finally"), or light competition (racing against a timer rather than against each other). Ask them to explain the rules to a younger sibling.

Mixed ages: Let older children be the "helpers" or "teachers." Explaining something to someone else is one of the most powerful ways to solidify a child's own understanding.