Fixed locationChildren's Museums

Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose

Name: Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose
Address: 180 Woz Way, San Jose, CA, 95110, US
Telephone: (408) 298-5437

Downtown San Jose / Discovery Meadow, San Jose, CA

Hands-on children's museum near downtown San Jose with indoor exhibits, seasonal outdoor experiences, and a strong play-through-learning focus.

Editorial Review

Why included

Better for curious, hands-on kids than pure climbers; this is a real museum visit with strong play value.

What we verified

operating status
hours
indoor exhibits
outdoor experiences

What remains unknown

Current fee or admission details

Profile updated August 3, 2026; source check April 6, 2026. Confirm hours, fees, and closures before making plans.

Plan This Visit

Best for

strong for toddlers through about age 9, with some appeal beyond that

Hours

Tuesday 9:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Visit style

hands-on museum visit

Birthday parties

Available

Profile

Strong profile coverage

Atlas Perspective

Editor's Take

Better for curious, hands-on kids than pure climbers; this is a real museum visit with strong play value.

Atlas Perspective

Best Fit

Best For

Families who want exhibits and imaginative hands-on play
Toddlers through elementary-age kids
Half-day museum outings with indoor and outdoor components

Less Ideal For

Kids who mainly want climbing structures and slides
Families looking for quick cheap drop-in play
Visitors who only want a padded soft-play environment

At a Glance

Venue type

Kids activity center

Age groups

BabiesToddlersPreschoolersBig kidsMixed ages

Play features

Pretend playSensory playMuseum exhibits

Family amenities

Food available

Birthday party options

Birthday partiesParty packages

Accessibility and comfort

Wheelchair accessible

Visit options

Open playDrop-in visitsMembership availableClasses or events

Price range

Mid-range

Toddler-friendly

Yes

Operator type

Museum

Play model

Mixed open play + classes

Supervision model

Mixed model

Max recommended age

Under 9

Structured classes or guided programming

Yes

Hours vary due to private events

Yes

Plan Your Visit

Hours

Mondayclosed

Tuesday9:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Wednesday9:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Thursday9:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Friday9:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Saturday9:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Sunday9:30 AM - 4:30 PM

FoodFoodShed Cafe is available on site

Visit StyleMuseum ticketed visit rather than playground-style drop-in

School Year HoursTuesday-Friday 9:30-13:00; Saturday-Sunday 9:30-16:30

Seasonal ChangesExtended daily hours are posted for spring break and other school breaks

Pricing Snapshot

Under OneFree

Admission Adult$18

Admission Child$18

Membership NoteFamily of four membership is promoted as paying for itself in about three visits

Senior Admission$16

About the Venue

Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose is one of the region's strongest play-based museum visits, with interactive indoor exhibits plus outdoor areas that extend the experience when weather cooperates. It is less of a padded playground and more of a hands-on learn-through-play destination for curious toddlers and elementary-age kids. Families who value exhibits, STEM play, and a fuller half-day outing will get more from it than those seeking a quick climb-and-slide stop.

Atlas Perspective