Cayton Children's Museum

Cayton Children's Museum is a 21,000-square-foot play museum on Level 3 of Santa Monica Place. The museum identifies ages 0 to 8 as its main audience, and the exhibits use movement, pretend play and art rather than long display labels. It is fully indoors and works well when beach weather turns cold, hot or rainy.

Babies and toddlers ages 0 to 2 have an enclosed Launch Your area where they can crawl, climb over soft hills, look in mirrors and practice walking. Older children can dress as firefighters, climb into a recycled Coast Guard rescue boat in a ball-pit sea, investigate a real helicopter, jump for a slow-motion replay or create in the art studio. Daily drop-in programs are included with admission.

Current examples include 15-minute music and movement sessions, rotating sensory or puppet activities and a late-afternoon story time. These are designed mainly for toddlers through early elementary ages.

The museum is open Wednesday through Monday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Standard admission is $16 online or $18 for a walk-in, with free entry for children under 1. Twilight admission after 4:00 PM is $10 online or $12 at the door, but that leaves only one hour before closing.

Advance reservations are strongly recommended. The museum says walk-ins may wait during peak periods and notes that weekends, holidays and rainy days can be especially busy.

Strollers aren't allowed in the museum, but a stroller-parking zone is provided. This creates an extra unloading step for families with babies. Family restrooms are near the ball pit and security checkpoint, with more restrooms near the art studio. Changing tables are in wheelchair-accessible stalls. A dedicated nursing room is not listed.

Parking Structures 7 and 8 sit next to Santa Monica Place. The first 90 minutes are free, fees apply afterward and the museum does not validate. Elevators connect the parking levels to the mall. Allow about two to three hours for open play and one or two scheduled drop-ins.