THE SHORT SET: LITTLE MUSEUMS

In the name of exploring new worlds, and to ensure another working-mother-of-the-year nomination, this week I took my 6-year-old - let’s call him Nipper - to see L.A.’s miniature museums, where the learning is hands-on and the exhibits small enough to allow for plenty of free-range interpretive dance at the park afterward.

For a small museum, the Zimmer Children’s Museum (lobby level of the Goldsmith Jewish Federation Center, 6505 Wilshire Blvd.; (323) 761-8910) offers loads of imaginative opportunities. Budding hams -- aren’t they all? -- will love the Mann Theatre, where they can costume-up backstage for their (closed-circuit) TV debuts. Keeping with the museum’s Jewish heritage, there’s the giant tzedek pinball machine and future short-order cooks can practice flipping matzo at the Blue Bagel Cafe. My puppet-freak son commandeered a puppet show where a face-off between a puppet moose and cow ended with: “I’m gonna bite your ear off!” We got out of there before things turned ugly. STAR ECO Station (10101 W. Jefferson Blvd., Culver City; (310) 842-8060) is host to a wildlife rescue center that aims to teach children “knowledge and compassion for the Earth.” One hundred species of tropical birds (pictured), exotic reptiles, wildcats and marine animals live in the faux Mayan temple in a tropical jungle setting. The Bunny Museum (1933 Jefferson Drive, Pasadena; by appointment only; (626) 798-8848) is the home that affable, hare-brained Candace Frazee shares with husband Steve Lubanski and more than 23,000 bunny objects. It’s cramped, to say the least, but the bunny-filled rooms and the backyard are yours to roam. There are five real rabbits kids can pet, and you’re encouraged to bring vegetables to feed them. “But please,” warns Frazee, “no more carrots.” The Bunny Museum’s tight, bunny-packed quarters make for an experience high on wow-factor but low on physical exertion, so reward your kid for not breaking anything with a stop at the nearby Kidspace Children’s Museum (480 N. Arroyo Blvd., Pasadena; [626] 449-9144), which is big for a little museum, but perfect for a couple hours spent climbing towers, zooming around the trike track and running around the arroyo behind the museum.

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-- YoMama@latimes.com