🎨 Museums for Kids in Santa Cruz, CA

This working marine research facility at UC Santa Cruz offers a perfect blend of hands-on learning and ocean discovery. Kids can get up close with sea stars and anemones in touch pools, marvel at the massive 87-foot blue whale skeleton, and explore aquariums showcasing local marine life,all while learning from real marine scientists.

NUMU offers a perfect introduction to art appreciation for young families, with rotating exhibitions housed in a charming historic mill building right in downtown Los Gatos. Best of all, admission is completely free, and the museum regularly hosts family-focused art programs and workshops that make creativity accessible and fun for kids of all artistic abilities.