Cayton Children's Museum — Santa Monica, California

Address395 Santa Monica Place #374 (Level 3), Santa Monica, CA 90401

HoursWed–Sun 9am–5pm; closed Mondays and Tuesdays

PricesGeneral admission $18 walk-in / $16 online; twilight entry after 4pm $12 walk-in / $10 online; members and children under 1 free

Price notesOfficial prices from caytonmuseum.org admissions pages. PLAY4ALL hardship pricing ($6) — see perks.

Age notesPlay space designed for babies through about age 8 (venue descriptions); official pricing confirms free entry for children under age 1. Exact official age band Not confirmed.

BookingOnline tickets are cheaper than walk-in; walk-ups accepted when capacity allows.

Suggested timeAbout 2 hours

AccessibilityNot confirmed — official accessibility/sensory pages not fetched in this pass; no access tags claimed.

ParkingPaid parking in Santa Monica Place / downtown Santa Monica public structures; see official visit page

Hours in detailWednesday-Sunday 9AM-5PM (closed Monday and Tuesday). Closed on Thanksgiving (Nov 26) and Christmas (Dec 25) in 2026; special museum open days in 2026 include Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, July 3 (July 4th observed) and the day after Thanksgiving (official Visit page).

Tickets & bookingAdvance reservations are strongly recommended; daily entry runs 9AM-4PM and capacity is limited daily. Members have priority walk-in entry and expedited check-in; walk-ins may experience a wait during peak hours (weekends, holidays and rainy days).

ParkingThe museum is on the 3rd level of Santa Monica Place (395 Santa Monica Place, #374). Parking is in City of Santa Monica Structures 7 and 8, immediately adjacent: the first 90 minutes are free, with a fee after that; the museum does not validate. Easy-access and disability parking: Structure 8 off Colorado Ave on Level 5, and Structure 7 off Broadway on Level 4; elevators are near the mall entrance on all levels. Metro Expo (E) Line to Downtown Santa Monica station (Colorado and 4th).

AccessibilityThe entire museum is wheelchair accessible, including all bathrooms and water fountains; the museum meets ADA requirements. Santa Monica Place offers complimentary wheelchair loans on request via mall security (310-260-8399). Handicapped-accessible parking is available in the Santa Monica Place parking structures. Service animals are welcome - dogs trained to work or perform tasks for people with disabilities, kept under the handler's control; emotional support animals do not qualify and are not permitted. Museum staff receive ongoing professional development to support visitors with disabilities and their families.

Age notesThe museum describes its group-trip programming as ideal for kids ages 0-8. Rules: no drop-offs; children must be accompanied and supervised by an adult at all times, and adults must be accompanied by children; at least one chaperone for every five children; some exhibits have age restrictions posted on signage (official Visit page).

Family facilitiesFamily restrooms are located near the ball pit and to the left of the security checkpoint; additional restrooms are at the back of the museum near the art studio. Changing tables are in the wheelchair-accessible stalls in each restroom, and health regulations require all diaper changing to be done in restrooms. Mothers are welcome to nurse anywhere they feel comfortable; two designated areas in the Lounge provide more privacy.

Verified perk: PLAY4ALL — reduced admission for families experiencing financial hardshipPer the museum's official PLAY4ALL page: single-day admission is $6 per person (ages 12 months+) and an annual PLAY4ALL membership is $27.50 for eligible households — eligibility includes families receiving Medi-Cal/Medicaid, WIC, CalWORKs (TANF) or CalFresh, documented per the museum's eligibility letter process.