Monster Sensory Adventures Brings Brain-Building Play to Pasadena This October

Drop-in program uses messy play to strengthen children’s cognitive development through monster-themed activities
Published on Oct 12, 2025

[photo credit: Southern California Children’s Museum]

Every squish, pour, and scoop is building a brain. That’s the philosophy behind Monster Sensory Adventures, a drop-in program at Southern California Children’s Museum that transforms messy play into neural development throughout October.

Each weekday morning this month, a different monster character guides children through tactile experiences designed to strengthen cognitive foundations. From Goo Monster’s slimy laboratory experiments to Chef Monster’s soup-making sessions, the program turns sensory exploration into joyful learning.

The Thursday, October 23 session features Chef Monster leading “Stew-pendous Soup” activities, part of a carefully planned progression of themes. The month began with Goo Monster’s Lab during the first week, followed by Critter Monster’s Bug Bonanza and Harvest Monster’s Farm Party. Chef Monster takes over for the final two weeks, continuing stew-themed explorations through Halloween.

Parents can drop by anytime between 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday, without advance registration. The flexible format accommodates varying schedules and attention spans.

Monster Sensory Adventures will run Thursday, October 23 at 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Southern California Children’s Museum, 459 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. For more information, call (626) 657-0357 or visit https://socalkids.org/event/monster-sensory-adventures/2025-10-23/.