OC Fair's Imaginology is a free STEAM event held for families, kids and teens held every year in April! This year, Imaginology is happening April 13 & 14, 2024. It focuses on STEAM education and hands-on learning that's actually really fun. There will also be music and dancing performances!
At Imaginology, kids and their families will discover a world of wonder when it comes to science, technology, engineering and math. Visitors can also take part in a variety of fun and educational hands-on activities that are all hosted by OC Fair Event staff. These activities are designed to inspire and encourage exploring academic and career paths.
Jump Ahead To...
I have been taking my children to OC Fair's Imaginology since they were toddlers. Not only is it fun, it's FREE! It's one of the best FREE annual family events that happens in Orange County.
What Can you Do at Imaginology?
Check out all the fun to be had! The demonstrations and hands-on activities focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math, and Agriculture. Here’s is a list of the booths that you can find at this years Imaginology:
Action Gallery North
- Academic Chess - Learn chess strategy.
- AmSTEA - Make your own elastic bounce balls.
- Costa Mesa Fire Department - Learn about fire safety.
- Costa Mesa Police Department – Info about field operations and SWAT vehicles.
- Harbor Soaring Society- Enjoy Virtual flight simulators and make paper gliders.
- Orange County Aerial Arts - Aerial and acro classes and Aerial circus show.
- Pretend City - Rigamajig and sensory activity.
- Segerstrom Center for the Arts - Art demonstrations and crafts.
- Wild Science - STEAM show and demonstration.
Action Gallery South
- American Opal Society - Gem and opal displays & coloring pages.
- AoPS Academy Irvine - Solve puzzles and Rubik’s cubes for prizes.
- Art Steps - Free mini art lessons.
- Camp Galileo - STEAM tall towers build!
- Child Creativity Lab - Create your own take-home robot magnet.
- Children’s Museum at La Habra - Live insect display, sensory table and Rigamajig.
- theCoder School - Learn to write code using computer software.
- Costa Mesa Sanitary District - Waste sorting demonstration and activities.
- Excel Academy Charter - Make your own kazoo using raw materials.
- Farm Fresh Foods - Win a prize and learn about healthier food options.
- Girl Scouts of Orange County - Space themed coloring activity.
- Irvine Ranch Water District - Use meters to determine water levels in soil.
- Job’s Daughters - “Cat-a-plinko”
- Lake View Elementary School - Make your own rocket using a 3D printer.
- Leaf Filter - LeafFilter gutter protection.
- Oak Canyon Nature Center - Taxidermy animals, furs, bones and more.
- Orange County 4-H - Create stick puppets and creative writing kits.
- Orange Country Scroll Saw Association - Scroll saw demonstration.
- Oui-Connect - Learn about foreign exchange programs.
- Raising Cane’s - Prize wheel with prizes.
- The Reptile Zoo - Fun interaction with reptiles from around the globe.
- Santiago Canyon College – Child Development Department - Learn all about the brain. Color and construct brain hats.
- School of Astonishment - Enjoy family-friendly magic shows & learn cool tricks.
- Scholastic Book Fair - Children’s books available to purchase.
- techATTACK - Robotic demonstrations. (Saturday only)
- Whimsical World - Browse children’s books.
- Wonders of Wildlife - Live animal and artifact displays. (Sunday Only)
- YMCA of Orange County - STEAM games and activities.
- Youth Art Competition Exhibitions - Display of youth-created murals, posters and unique creations using cardboard.
Centennial Farm
- At-Home Science Kits by Vanguard University
- Create your own tornado in a bottle and learn how to start a garden with seed paper!
- Blacksmith - Learn about blacksmithing.
- Centennial Farm Volunteers - Available to answer questions.
- Dig for Roots - Dig for various root vegetables.
- Garden Touch Tables - Learn how crops grow. Childs can feel and touch various types of crops.
- OC Beekeepers - Learn about bees and what beekeepers do.
- Oxen Demonstrations - The use and history of oxen.
- Radish Planting - Children learn what it takes to plant a seed.
- Shearing and Weaving - Goat and sheep shearing. Spinning and weaving demonstrations.
- Take-Home Terrarium - Children will be able to make their own succulent terrarium.
- Veggie Stamps - Decorate bags with stamps shaped like vegetables.
Centennial Farm – Millennium Barn
- California AVIAN Health Education Network - Outreach booth provides poultry-related information
- Chick Petting - Kids can pet a real chick.
- Chocolate Milk - Centennial Farm will be selling chocolate milk from local dairy.
- Goat Milking - Goat milking demonstrations.
- The Great Egg-Scape - Kids can learn about how a chick develops and hatches and general chicken care.
- Imaginology’s Pet Vet - Activity where children take on the role of veterinarians and care for animals through play.
Heroes Hall
- Fort Blisters Boot Camp - Navigate an obstacle course and participate in boot camp-like activities.
- Hands-On History - Genuine military artifacts from World War I through the present day.
Los Alamitos Building
- Horizon Hydrogen Grand Prix - Build your own race car using Hydrogen!
Livestock
- OC 4-H Livestock Competitions and Exhibits - 4-H youth will showcase their livestock in shows and displays.
- OC Equestrian Vaulting - Horseback vaulting demonstrations.
Maker Square
- Aqua-Tots - Water safety tips, prize wheel and a raffle for a free month of swim lessons.
- Girls Inc. of Orange County - Science of light interactive exploration activity.
- Imaginology Hands-on Activities - Play with clay, create a kelp forest and more!
- Orange County Musical Arts - Play with clay, create a kelp forest and more!
Outdoor Activities
- American Cetacean Society/Newport Whales - Use a “blubber glove” to see how marine mammals survive in cold water.
- Brain Builders - Interact with robots and LEGOS.
- Buena Vista Virtual Academy - Learn computer coding with iPads and Ozobots.
- CA Department of Fish & Wildlife - Cast a fishing pole.
- City of Newport Beach Camp Newport - Build and create a robot or track system.
- Life’s Toolbox - Plant seed or seedlings. Make string art.
- Hoag Hospital – Learn about water safety at the beach. (Sunday only)
- Imaginology’s Hula Hoop - Exercise using Hula Hoops.
- International School for Science and Culture - Learn how to build a peaceful society through the pursuit of STREAM.
- National College Resource Foundation - Visit the STEAM mobile to make 3D-printed items.
- Orange County Head Start - Craft activity.
- Orange County Model T Ford Club - Model T exhibit cars.
- Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control - Interactive games and giant inflatable mosquito.
- Orange County Registrar of Voters - Learn about upcoming elections and voter registration.
- Orange County United Way - Information booth.
- Philharmonic Society of Orange County - Interact with orchestra instruments and iPad.
- Recess Revolution - Build and play with a trailer full of loose objects such as tires, cardboard, buckets, tubes, fabric and more!
- Sky River Butterflies - Experience a world of butterflies.
- St. Cecilia Catholic School - Create a maze using marbles, straws and plates.
- Urban Workshop - A complete range of tools and equipment at your command so you can work on your projects. Youth classes available.
Imaginology Scavenger Hunt
Make sure to join the Imaginology Scavenger Hunt. Pick up a card from the Imaginology Info Booth at the Entrance. Kids can go on a hunt throughout Imaginology to find exhibitors and get their scavenger hunt card stamped. Make sure to return your completed card by 3:30 p.m. to claim a prize
Imaginology: When and Where
Here are the details of where and when Imaginology is happening in Orange County this year:
- Imaginology takes place Saturday, April 13, 2024 and Sunday, April 14, 2024
- Hours are: 10am – 4pm
- Admission is FREE
- Parking is $12
- The address is:
Imaginology at the OC Fairgrounds
88 Fair Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92626 - Food will be available for purchase.
- Click here for the Imaginology home page.
Is Imaginology Worth it?
YES!!!! This is one of the best FREE events that happens in Orange County each year. There are tons of booths with crafts and activities for the kids. The OC Fair provides a lot of space, so it doesn't feel that crowded. It makes a great activity for the whole family.
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