Santa Cruz Children's Museum of Discovery
Capitola Mall, Capitola, CA
Capitola children's museum with 5,000+ square feet of interactive exhibits, daily programming, and a family-friendly mall location.
Photo 1 of 3. Interactive tunnel exhibit at Santa Cruz Children's Museum of Discovery
Editorial notes
What stands out
Good fit
- Toddlers and elementary-age kids who like exhibits and pretend play
- Families who want a museum-style rainy-day option near Santa Cruz
- Visitors who appreciate daily educational programming
Consider another option if
- Kids who mainly want slides, climbing, and arcade noise
- Families seeking a long all-day soft-play visit
- Visitors who only want an inexpensive quick drop-in
Know Before You Go
- Supervision model
- Mixed model
What to Expect
For kids
- Babies
- Toddlers
- Preschoolers
- Big kids
- Mixed ages
- Pretend play
For caregivers
- Mixed model
- Visit type
- Hands on children's museum
Read more about this location
Santa Cruz Children's Museum of Discovery, often called MOD, is a nonprofit children's museum inside Capitola Mall with more than 5,000 square feet of interactive exhibits. It is better for hands-on exploration, pretend play, and curiosity-led learning than for pure gross-motor climbing. For families on the Santa Cruz side of the region, it fills an important niche between a children's museum and an indoor play outing.
Hours & Admission
Posted hours
Check posted weekly hours
View full weekly hours
| Monday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | closed |
| Wednesday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Thursday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Friday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Sunday | closed |
Based on posted weekly hours. Holidays, private events, seasonal schedules, and special closures may differ.
Admission
| Visitor | Price |
|---|---|
| General Admission | $10 for children and adults |
Admission details can change. Confirm current fees before visiting.
Birthday Parties
Party or event options reported
Accessibility
Sensory Notes
More structured and exploration-led than a large commercial indoor playground
Location
1855 41st Avenue, Suite C10
Capitola, CA, 95010
Other options nearby
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Luv 2 Play San Jose
Large San Jose indoor playground with age-zoned play, a café, arcade games, and weekday-to-weekend admission options.
Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose
Hands-on children's museum near downtown San Jose with indoor exhibits, seasonal outdoor experiences, and a strong play-through-learning focus.
Sources & Updates
2 public sources on record · Last checked Apr 6, 2026. Time-sensitive details may have changed.
View source and update details
- Last check on record
- Apr 6, 2026
- Sources reviewed
- 2 public sources
Public sources
Checked: operating status, hours, exhibit focus, nonprofit status
Checked: admission pricing, location context
What changed
April 6, 2026
Verified museum hours, admission, and Capitola Mall location.