Updates abound! No more lines makes entry a breeze, easy-to-clean flooring means shoes can stay on, and relaxed age restrictions mean everyone’s welcome. Plus, moms can nurse in a new, secluded nook and restrooms are now all-gender and family-friendly.
Curiosity Grove
This completely reimagined educational playspace features vibrant, animal-filled murals that bring California’s diverse forest ecosystems to life, interactive, science-themed games and toys, and a variety of kid-friendly public programs.
![Kids playing with the colorful wall puzzle in the new Curiosity Grove](https://docent.calacademy.org/sites/default/files/styles/manual_crop_square_460px/public/assets/images/exhibits/curiosity-grove/1200x900_kids-at-pvc-wall-1.jpg?itok=7XZ8ecmT&c=575f6fd4e8d52b683a6bdde148661f61)
What's new?
![A young explorer emerges from a secret hiding place below the climbing tree in Curiosity Grove.](https://docent.calacademy.org/sites/default/files/styles/manual_crop_square_460px/public/assets/images/exhibits/curiosity-grove/900x900_curiosity-grove-under-tree.jpg?itok=5X_7uCVX&c=c417e56e8cd7aed777dc01e7ee821ee4)
Space for adventure
Each area in Curiosity Grove is designed to build skills and promote play. Activity tables with puzzles and blocks encourage fine motor play, a tree tunnel activates high energy and gross motor play, and foam climbing elements and mats make the space comfortable and accessible for infants, too.
![Inside Curiosity Grove at the Academy, with kid-friendly activities on display](https://docent.calacademy.org/sites/default/files/styles/manual_crop_square_460px/public/assets/images/exhibits/curiosity-grove_4205x2803_activities-arranged-on-floor_230821.jpg?itok=rHtahBjh&c=84cc56ae5faf780bd0a757c6b1b29c70)
Different every day
You can always find something new to explore in Curiosity Grove. Whichever day of the week you visit, your little ones can look forward to a new set of books, tabletop activities, plush and puppet animals, costumes, and magnet wall activities.
![Portrait of illustrator Alexander Vidal, the artist who created the woodland murals in Curiosity Grove.](https://docent.calacademy.org/sites/default/files/styles/manual_crop_square_460px/public/assets/images/exhibits/curiosity-grove/900x900_curiosity-grove-vidal.jpg?itok=sIgyMtVb&c=c417e56e8cd7aed777dc01e7ee821ee4)
About the muralist
The man behind Curiosity Grove's magical murals is LA-based illustrator and designer Alexander Vidal. His favorite part of creating these murals? Showing all the amazing creatures who call California home.
Curiosity Grove is open daily, 10 am-4 pm. It's located right next to the Lab Junior Store on the main floor.