Learning Activities

Make Your Own Carousel Animal

Have you ever taken a ride on the carousel at the Santa Monica Pier? Lit by 1,100 electric lights, the carousel plays organ music and carries riders on 44 hand-carved horses, 2 sleighs, 1 rabbit, 1 goat and 1 chariot with wheelchair access. Created by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company in 1922, it is the third carousel installed inside the Looff Hippodrome. Learn about the vintage carousel and make your own carousel animal here.

Santa Monica Mural Activity & Tour

The walls of Santa Monica buildings are rich with street art murals. Take virtual, walking or drive-by tours of all or some of the more than 130 murals and enjoy the colorful artwork. Our activity guide, suitable for kids and adults alike, lets you design your own mural and discover the themes and stories that murals tell from the safety of your home.  View the murals and create your own artwork here.

Origami House Activity & Tour

Take an interactive virtual tour of our 1897 Shotgun House, the last intact one in Santa Monica, and learn how to make an origami house. It’s a wonderful craft for adults and children alike. For this activity, you’ll need: square paper, markers, colored pencils, paint or crayons. Tour the little house and make your  origami house here.