Charlotte, Sophie, and Finn’s Mouseventure at the La Brea Tar Pits

La Brea Tar Pits

It’s a big day for sisters Charlotte and Sophie as they embark on their first-ever adventure at the La Brea Tar Pits. They’ve heard so much about it, but what they didn’t know is that they’re in for an extra-special surprise—Finn, the brave little mouse from our Mouseventures series, has joined them for the journey! With Finn leading the way, this adventure is about to get even more exciting, full of ancient discoveries, family fun, and Mouseventure magic.

As soon as Charlotte and Sophie arrive, they spot Finn near the towering mammoth statues, waving them over with excitement. “Are you ready for an adventure?” Finn asks, his tiny mouse voice full of energy. The sisters grin and follow him into the Tar Pits. With Finn as their guide, they start their Fossil Quest. Together, the trio uses a special kids' map to track down fossils hidden throughout the grounds.

Photo Credit: Jennifer Saxton

Finn darts between the bubbling tar pits, pointing out ancient bones sticking out of the earth while sharing fun facts. Sophie, wide-eyed, follows Finn’s every move, while Charlotte reads out clues from the map to make sure they’re on the right track. Suddenly, Finn’s eyes light up, and he scurries ahead. "Look, I found a saber-toothed cat fossil!" he exclaims, his voice full of excitement. The girls giggle at the sight of their mouse friend hopping up and down in joy.

Finn then pauses, standing proudly next to the fossil, and adds, “Fun Fact—did you know the saber-toothed cat is California’s official state fossil?” Charlotte and Sophie’s eyes widen with surprise as they marvel at the discovery. “Wow!” Sophie says, “I didn’t know that!”

Finn nods, his whiskers twitching with pride. “That’s right! These big cats roamed California during the Ice Age, and now they’ve earned their place as a symbol of the state’s ancient history. Pretty cool, huh?” The sisters beam with excitement, ready to continue their fossil-finding journey with Finn.

As they move along, Finn adds, “By the way, you see all that bubbling goo? It’s not really tar—it’s actually asphalt, the lowest grade of crude oil!” Sophie leans in closer, wrinkling her nose, “But it smells so bad!” Finn laughs and nods, “That’s because of the natural breakdown of hydrogen sulfide, which gives off that rotten egg smell. It’s a little stinky, but that’s how you know there’s a lot happening beneath the surface!”

With noses pinched and big smiles on their faces, Charlotte and Sophie continue their journey, more curious than ever about the world hidden in the gooey pits around them.

Finn leads them to the Fossil Lab, where the sisters get an up-close look at what real paleontologists are working on. “Check this out,” Finn whispers, “The scientists are working on specimens from Project 23, a treasure trove of fossils that was discovered in 2006 during the construction of a LACMA parking lot!” Charlotte and Sophie lean in closer, fascinated as they watch the experts carefully clean and study the fossils.

“Can you believe it?” Finn says, “All those fossils, hidden beneath the ground for thousands of years, were uncovered by accident!” Sophie’s eyes widen with amazement, “So they’re still finding new fossils?” Finn nods enthusiastically, “Absolutely! They’re uncovering remains of animals like mammoths, saber-toothed cats, and even tiny insects.”

The Fossil Lab buzzes with activity as Charlotte and Sophie watch scientists uncover pieces of the past. Finn, always full of fun facts, adds, “The work here is ongoing, and they’re always making new discoveries. It’s like a never-ending treasure hunt!”

Charlotte and Sophie are thrilled to witness this behind-the-scenes peek into the world of paleontology, feeling like true explorers themselves. With Finn’s guidance, they leave the Fossil Lab inspired, knowing that the past is still being uncovered right beneath their feet.

Next, Finn takes Charlotte and Sophie to the Ice Age Encounter show. As they sit in the front row, Finn shares that this is one of his favorite parts of the museum. Suddenly, a life-sized saber-toothed cat puppet leaps onto the stage, and the sisters gasp in amazement. Finn smiles knowingly as the performance takes them through the world of Ice Age animals. With special effects and giant puppets, it feels like they’ve stepped back in time. As the show progresses, Finn points out facts about the majestic creature, whispering to the sisters about how it hunted and survived in the Ice Age. The combination of lifelike puppetry, dramatic storytelling, and stunning visuals creates a powerful experience that transports everyone back in time.

The performance wraps up with a roar that echoes through the theater, leaving Charlotte and Sophie buzzing with excitement. “That was amazing!” Sophie exclaims, her eyes still wide. Charlotte nods in agreement, “I’ve never seen anything like it!”

Finn smiles, knowing the Ice Age Encounter is a perfect way for families to step into history, if only for a short while. “Told you it’d be awesome!” he says, leading the girls back out into the sunlight, ready for their next adventure. (This one-of-a-kind multimedia performance is perfect for kids and adults alike, and it’s an unforgettable way to get up close with one of the most fearsome creatures of the Ice Age.

After the Ice Age Encounter, Finn leads Charlotte and Sophie to the Observation Pit, where a real fossil dig is underway. The sisters' eyes widen as they watch paleontologists carefully extracting ancient bones from the sticky tar. “This is where all the magic happens,” Finn whispers, his voice full of excitement. “It’s like piecing together a giant puzzle that helps tell the story of our world.”

Charlotte, ever the curious one, asks Finn, “How long does it take to dig up one of these fossils?” Finn grins, “It can take months, sometimes years! They have to be super careful so nothing gets damaged.” Sophie, on the other hand, is busy imagining herself as a paleontologist, dreaming of discovering a fossil of her own one day.

The Observation Pit buzzes with quiet activity as scientists work meticulously. Finn watches the sisters soak in the process, knowing he’s sparked their curiosity about the past. “Just think,” Finn adds, “some of the bones they’re finding were buried here for tens of thousands of years!”

After watching the paleontologists for a while, Finn declares it’s time for more fun. “Let’s head to Hancock Park!” he announces, leading the girls outside, where the wide open spaces and playground are perfect for their next adventure.

“I challenge you both to a fossil discovery race!” Finn says, and Charlotte and Sophie eagerly accept. The girls dash through the fossil-themed play area, digging in the sandbox and climbing over obstacles. Sophie uncovers a hidden "fossil," and Finn cheers her on. “You found it first! Great job, Sophie!” Meanwhile, Charlotte expertly navigates them through Finn’s "Tar Pit Tag" challenge, where they have to jump from rock to rock to avoid the imaginary sticky tar.

The sisters laugh and play, their imaginations running wild with Finn right by their side. It’s a day full of fun and adventure, where learning meets excitement.

To wind down from all the playground fun, Finn suggests they try one of the Tar Pits’ hands-on workshops. Charlotte, always the creative one, molds her own fossil imprint in clay, carefully pressing leaves and shells into her masterpiece. Sophie, with Finn’s help, builds her favorite Ice Age creature. “I think I’ll call this saber-toothed mouse ‘Finnasaurus,’” Sophie declares, making everyone burst into laughter.

Finn proudly admires their creations, knowing he’s helped inspire their creative sides. It’s been a perfect day full of discoveries, imagination, and learning.

As the sun sets over the La Brea Tar Pits, Charlotte, Sophie, and Finn sit on a bench, reflecting on their day. They’ve dug for fossils, explored ancient worlds, created art, and learned so much about the past—and they did it all together. Finn gives them a final wink, saying, “Remember, every adventure is a chance to learn something new and make memories that last a lifetime. I’ll see you on the next Mouseventure!”

With their first visit to the La Brea Tar Pits complete, Charlotte and Sophie leave with new knowledge, fun stories, and the joy of having shared the day with Finn, their Mouseventure guide. Wherever a next adventure takes families and friends, they know Finn will be there to lead the way.