My daughter had a blast at Cayton Children's museum!!! We have been here many times and each time…read moreis better than the last. We will definitely be back in the future.

I rarely leave reviews, but this experience left our family extremely disappointed…read more We were visiting the children's museum, when my husband, who is a Santa Monica police officer and assigned to the area, stopped by to say hello while actively on duty and in full uniform. He entered the museum without issue, and staff allowed him inside. At no point was any "no weapons" policy explained to him. While there, the interaction between my husband and the children was honestly so heartwarming. Kids flocked to him, excited to meet a real police officer. He handed out stickers, took photos with children who asked, and created such a positive, sweet moment for families and kids. It was one of those genuinely special interactions that helps children feel safe and build positive relationships with law enforcement. Unfortunately, that moment was completely ruined when a manager approached and told him he had to leave because he was carrying his service weapon, despite being an on-duty officer in full uniform. Had this policy been clearly communicated at entry, that would have been one thing. Instead, he was allowed in, warmly engaging with families and children, only to be asked to leave afterward in a way that felt unnecessary and upsetting. I respect that businesses can have policies, but the inconsistency and lack of communication were disappointing. More than anything, it was sad to see such a positive interaction for children abruptly cut short. Experiences like these matter because children benefit from positive relationships with the people who serve their communities, whether that's police officers, firefighters, mail carriers, or other public servants. Those everyday interactions help kids feel connected, safe, and familiar with the people they see in their neighborhoods. What should have been a lovely memory and a meaningful community moment for my kids turned into an uncomfortable and disappointing experience for our family.

Of course I always Yelp before I go anywhere but I found it interesting there were no recent…read morereviews for The Activity Center. We were invited to a 5 year old birthday party and it's a cool spot. There's lot of fun activities such as air hockey, basketball, a doll house. magnetic tiles, jumbo jenga tiles, foosball, a VR headset, an art room, big screen TV, and a crafts table. Yes, there's lots of stuff to run around and play with and to fit whatever interest your LO's heart desires. My LO just turned 3 so a lot of the games really weren't for her but she LOVES crafting so we spent most of the time at the craft table The art room looked cool but would be cramped if a bunch of kids ran in there There is a connected room with a long table where the kids eat and pizza and cake are served The owner and his family are super nice and helpful. One star off for no longer having a parking lot. My friend said it had been converted to an outdoor play area but we came on a day it had rained so maybe that's why it wasn't available for the party. Parking is a pain but persistence paid off and I found a spot two blocks down. Be careful of permit only parking areas I don't live in the area so I don't see myself coming often but it think it's a neat place to take your kids but I feel age 5 and over would appreciate it more

For less than $100/day per child, you can enroll your child in a day camp from 830am-5pm. They…read morealso have a 3pm or was it a 330pm option for less. You can also throw a bday party. I took 2 kids (not mine) age 7 to this camp. The facility is huge with different rooms, activity areas, and even a kitchen to make lunch as a group. The day the kids went, it was lasagna rolls. Before choosing this place, I looked at other day/summer camps like Zooga or options like Pamper N Play. I asked some questions via email and they were pretty fast in responding and being very helpful. Upon arriving, there were a couple kids who were "regulars" and all seemed happy and excited to be there. The facility looks like a very equipped community center/rec room. Clean, well maintained, a huge plethora of toys to keep a kid very busy. During the day they leave the venue to go to the beach, a local park, zip lining, etc. Seems very well run, organized, and they start the day off by having a meeting as a group to talk about the day's schedule and activities. I came to pick up the kids 15 min early and they were having such a good time, I let them play until it was time to go because they did not want to leave. Worth trying out to see if your kid enjoys it!

Went for the soft opening of two bit circus in promenade a couple of years ago, and it was really…read morefun! I'm surprised they closed down! They have a ton of fun arcade games, both nostalgic and new ones. They also have integrated VR into their experience. I really enjoyed it!

Great place to have fun with family and friends! They have escape rooms, VR, 3D experiences, and…read moreplenty of multiplayer games. There's also a full bar and decent food. We had a great time competing against each other and enjoying all the different activities. Definitely a fun spot for a night out!

A quaint aquarium right at the heart of the SMP, (Santa Monica Pier) serving the community by…read moreteaching guests all about the different sea life they have thriving there! I took my son, (9yo) and he had a blast! There were a few touch tanks, a cool lil gift shop, and vital information all around! If you're looking for another fun activity to do at the SMP, I definitely recommend visiting Heal the Bay Aquarium; you will not be disappointed!

***This review is for gift shop only***…read more My eldest daughter and I were at Santa Monica Pier for the Heal the Bay beach cleanup volunteer event recently. After the event, I wanted to offer my patronage and support them on their wonderful cause. I found their standalone gift shop that happens to be near the centralized restroom area. I saw a shirt that I liked, but the lady behind the counter suggested I check out their gift shop located inside their Heal the Bay Aquarium as they have other shirt selections. I took the lady's recommendation. Upon arrival at their main gift shop, they did not carry the shirt I wanted. Btw, it's a very small aquarium and gift shop. We headed back to the standalone gift shop location and they were closed. OMG... I was so bummed! I guess both gift shops have different operating hours. I didn't get my shirt and I don't know when I'll return to Santa Monica Pier. I guess I was not meant to buy that shirt at that time. Until we meet again, be good my shirt!

I had the most pleasant Saturday morning and afternoon here!! I did arrive around 9:30 and there…read morewere only three parking spots left so definitely plan for that. But the bathrooms are clean! And the pool was so nice. Most of the kids stayed in the shallow end so it was really peaceful to read near the deep in and take a dip. 10$ for an all day pass, pretty hard to beat.

Cardboard Yacht Regatta at Annenberg Beach house pool What a…read moredelight. You make a cardboard boat and enter contest race at the pool annually

Went to the Art on Ocean event yesterday where Paint Lab was participating. So fun to see a local…read morestudio popping up to inspire the city. Lots of kids painting and a mural for everyone to be a part of. The staff did a great job managing the event given there was just one person running the show with a lot of interest. We stopped by to check out the mural and I've painted at the studio before. It's a really lovely place and I was excited to see such a good showing. There's so much creativity in Santa Monica and Ally is doing a great job fostering the nest generation of it!

We met Ally at the pier and she was the best vibe ever! We had so much fun at the pier she brought…read moreall vibes and encouraged us to let out creativity flow. Shes the best! So happy we ran into her today!!!

Big and Tiny has felt like home from day one. I first toured the school during the Palisades fires,…read moreand I was incredibly impressed by the grace, compassion, and professionalism of the entire team. Even as many families in the community faced unimaginable challenges, including the loss of their homes, the staff continued to provide a safe, nurturing haven for the children. The school administrators and teachers have created a warm, welcoming community for both students and families. The Spanish immersion program is fantastic, and the art curriculum does an excellent job of keeping the children engaged, creative, and connected to one another. Our daughter started at Big and Tiny in the Little School program at 18 months old and is now thriving in preschool. The environment is warm, down-to-earth, and truly reflective of the Santa Monica community. We couldn't be happier with our experience and highly recommend Big and Tiny to any family looking for a nurturing and enriching early childhood program.

Our family has been part of this school since COVID, and we've found a warm, nurturing, and…read moreempowering community for parents and our two children, one of whom is now going to an amazing independent school in Santa Monica thanks in no small part to Big and Tiny/10th St's curriculum, staff, and community. Yes, there are still parts of LA and SanMo left with soul and human commitment, and this is one of them!

One of the greatest classes for toddler in Los Angeles! Lots of imagination, relaxing and fun! I…read morewish they had a location in the Valley. We really enjoyed the classes. A+ highly recommended for parents who want to spend quality time with they child.

I took my four year old daughter to a Saturday morning Kids Revolving class and we loved it…read more Tiffany is warm and kind and very very patient. The content in the class is lovely for all ages, she plays soothing music, offers exercise and play activities that engage both parent and child and there is a time for massaging your child at the end. The other moms were so sweet too. I invited my best friend along and she enjoyed it as well. Kids 2-6 would benefit from this. Great for working moms who can enjoy such a nice wknd activity together.

We had our son's 3 year old birthday party there and it was wonderful! Clean venue, very helpful…read morestaff and everyone had a great time. Thank you again for making his day special!

We came to Fun Play World for a three year old birthday party. The space is very nicely lit and…read morehas bright, cheerful colors throughout. It feels clean and fresh. There are plenty of unique, distinct spaces for children to play. My daughter had fun playing in the main structure, and there a smaller ball pit as well. The long table set up for the kids meal was so cute. Make sure to bring your own grip socks; they are for sale for $4 too. Insider's Tip: Ample parking in the back

This was the original location of the outdoor epicenter where physical fitness became a public…read morespectacle. The Original Muscle Beach is next to the Santa Monica Pier and is an outdoor extensive gymnastics training area that serves gymnasts, acrobats and youth. Here you will find chinning bars at various heights, parallel bars, rings, a small jungle gym for children and a padded gymnastics area. Ocean Front Walk passes through here. Muscle Beach is the birthplace of the United States physical fitness boom that became popular in the 1950s. Venice Beach would construct a Muscle Beach years later. Even though I can't do most of these activities anymore, I still enjoy watching other people perform on the bars.

I have been to the Original Muscle Beach in Santa Monica multiple times, and it was always fun to…read morewatch people work out right on the sand. This spot actually started way back in the 1930s and is famous for kicking off the massive physical fitness boom across the country. Instead of the heavy weights you see down in Venice, this original area is filled with gymnastics equipment like rings, parallel bars, and climbing ropes. You will usually see a mix of intense athletes doing crazy flips right alongside regular people just trying out the bars. It is a really cool piece of California history that is still completely free and open for anyone to enjoy today.