Children's Museums
Cayton Children's Museum
📍 395 Santa Monica Pl Suite 374 Level 3, Santa Monica, CA 90401🕐 Hours
| Monday | Closed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 10 AM–5 PM |
| Thursday | 10 AM–5 PM |
| Friday | 10 AM–5 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM–5 PM |
| Sunday | 10 AM–5 PM |
About Cayton Children's Museum
Educational play for ages 8 & under. Designed for children 8 & under, this museum boasts hands-on exhibits & frequent family programs. Located within a shopping mall in Santa Monica with direct proximity to Santa Monica Pier and Pacific Park amusement park, allowing families to combine museum visit with beach and shopping activities in one location. Rated 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,003 visitors.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Children's Museum
- Location
- Los Angeles, California
- Best For
- All ages
- Experience
- Hands-on exhibits focused on play, curiosity, and open-ended discovery
- Core Philosophy
- Play-based learning supporting emotional growth and community connection
💡 Did You Know?
- Located within a shopping mall in Santa Monica with direct proximity to Santa Monica Pier and Pacific Park amusement park, allowing families to combine museum visit with beach and shopping activities in one location
- Operates as a non-profit organization, offering WIC discount eligibility and year-round membership programs with advance ticket discounts ($2 savings when purchased online)
- Features designated sensory-friendly spaces including a dedicated area for breastfeeding/pumping mothers and a separate infant/toddler play zone, designed for inclusive family experiences
- Maintains a same-day re-entry policy with hand stamps valid until closing time at 5 PM, allowing visitors to leave and return to the museum within operating hours
💬 What Visitors Say
- Buy tickets online in advance to save $2 per ticket (reduces from $18 to $16) and skip ticket lines, especially important on weekends and federal holidays when wait times can exceed an hour
- Plan for 2+ hours minimum to fully explore exhibits like the fire truck, helicopter, food van, and train track building stations; your hand stamp is valid until closing (5 PM) so you can leave and re-enter the same day
- Bring your own sanitizing wipes and take advantage of the dedicated baby/toddler area and nursing/pumping room; the museum is particularly sensory-friendly for young movers with crawl nets, ball pits, and soft play areas
- Visit on non-federal holidays or weekdays to avoid hour-long entry waits; the museum is located in a shopping mall with easy parking validation, plus nearby restaurants and shops to extend your outing
- Consider the annual pass or membership programs for regular visitors; exhibits are thoughtfully designed for multiple age ranges and revisits as children develop new interests in offerings like art classes
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