What Is MOXI: The Wolf Museum of Science + Innovation — and Is It Worth Visiting with Kids?

MOXI has three levels of engaging, interactive fun. At its core, it's a kids' STEM discovery museum, similar to Kidspace in Pasadena, or Discovery Cube in LA or the OC. It combines hands-on exhibits with scientific and creative concepts to engage young minds. Your children won't even know how much they're learning because they'll be having a blast. This museum is best for elementary school-aged kids, ideally, 5-12-year-olds, and all three floors at the MOXI have something for every age, but I would say that kids ages 5-10 are in the sweet spot.

How Do You Explore MOXI with Kids Without Getting Overwhelmed?

The MOXI is neatly divided into 3 floors, each with its own themes and attractions. We started from the ground up, spent a solid 4.5 hours on-site, and the kids were weepy when I said it was time to go. The exhibits are very engaging and keep their attention for a long time, so I suggest making your way through levels 1, 2, and 3, and then coming slowly back down to catch anything you missed on the way up.

Insider tip: The Innovation Lab closes 30 minutes before the rest of the museum (4:30pm), so if you didn't stop in when you started on floor one, budget your time accordingly. 

What Are the Different Floors and Areas at MOXI?

The First Floor

When we arrived, my kids rushed into the Fantastic Forces Courtyard to check out all the physics-related contraptions and try their hands at launching balls and parachute men. We could have stayed in this open-air spot for longer, but they were eager to go inside and experiment with sound at the Sound Track. Walk along a path to measure the volume of your footsteps, or hold onto a heart monitor that will automatically tap a drum to the rate of your heartbeat. Go inside a giant guitar. Learn about Foley artists and try your hand at adding sounds to one of your favorite films. This room is all about how sound works, where it comes from, and why that matters. 

While we didn't make it into the Innovation Workshop, I saw plenty of kids emerging with cardboard creations. One child even constructed a record player out of boxes and old CDs! The Innovation Workshop accepts guests in 30-minute sessions all day to create some pretty amazing crafts out of recycled goods. Entry to the workshop is included with admission, but crafts are recommended for kids ages 4 and up. All materials are included, and MOXI accepts donations of recycled goods regularly to help fuel the creativity. 

The first floor is also home to the Tech Track with the mesmerizing and inspiring Sheldon Family Handprint Globe. Towards the Fantastic Forces Courtyard, there was another arts and crafts table set up where kids were making keychains to take home. 

The Second Floor 

There are several sets of stairs (or an elevator) to take guests up to the second level of MOXI. This floor is home to an adorable soft play Crawlers' Corner perfect for the littlest visitors, and a Quiet Cave for those with sensory issues or anyone feeling a bit overstimulated.

My kids' favorite part of level two was the Speed Track. This exhibit involves constructing a race car, then sending it up a large race track, only to watch it plummet down the other side to cross the finish line. Kids can manipulate the track and change out parts on their cars to try to win the high-speed race. My children did this for over an hour, and there was a great little bench where I could sit back and watch. 

My kids also loved the marble roller coaster on this level, as well as the stop motion studio. My daughter even made a friend, and together they created a mini-film! Outside floor 2 is the Mountain View Terrace, where kids can sound train whistles or measure the decibels of nearby (real) trains. 

Moving towards the back of the building, there are building brick walls set up next to a small area with chairs and tables for snack breaks. Beyond this is the Light Track. This curtained-off space plays with different scientific facts about light. My kids got a huge kick out of the "shadow" room, where a bright flash leaves a temporary "shadow" on the walls every few seconds. 

The Third Floor

In my opinion, MOXI gets better the higher you go. The Sky Garden was my kids' (and my) favorite part of our adventure. In fact, this might be the best spot in the city, with beautiful views, salty air, and plenty of family-friendly entertainment. There is an expansive water play area called Whitewater with different tracks to maneuver the flow. There are Big Blue Blocks on a turf field ready to be constructed. If you head towards the front of the patio, you'll find a semi-circle of different telescopes looking out towards the city.

Insider tip: Bring an extra shirt along on your trip. Whitewater is not a splash pad, but littles can easily splash water on themselves and get quite wet. There are dryers nearby to help restore clothes to their original state, but throwing on a new shirt may prove to be easier. 

And, temporarily for the winter, there is Seaside Sock Skating. This is where we spent the bulk of our visit, and it's the thing my kids keep bringing up when we remember our Santa Barbara day. The rink comes down January 20th, but it will be back next year for plenty of winter fun with an ocean view. There is ample seating in the Sky Garden, so parents can kick back and observe while the kids play.  

Is MOXI Good for Babies? 

MOXI is stroller-friendly, and the Crawlers' Corner soft play area is a great spot for the tiniest adventurers. Insider tip: Infants under the age of 2 enter for free, so you only have to pay adult admission if you choose to check it out. 

That being said, the rest of the museum is designed for bigger kids. If you are bringing your baby to Santa Barbara for the day, and can only choose one activity, I'd opt for the Santa Barbara Zoo or the Santa Barbara Sea Center over MOXI. 

What Should You Do at MOXI With Toddlers? 

If you are bringing a baby or toddler along, plan to camp out in the Crawlers' Corner on floor two. Kiddos ages 2 - 4 may not find much to engage their attention on the first floor, as most of the exhibits are scientific and a bit complex. My three-year-old absolutely loved the Speed Track, Light Track, and Building Block Walls. Then, of course, you have to take them to the Sky Garden. Nothing delights littles like playing with running water, and there's plenty of that at the Whitewater exhibit.

Insider tip: Tuesdays are for toddlers at MOXI, where they have a special toddler-focused morning from 9am - 12pm. If you're worried about your kids getting lost in the melee of overactive elementary-aged kids, this is a great way to visit the museum. 

What Should You Do at MOXI with Older Kids? 

Bigger kids should prioritize a session in the Innovators' Workshop, where they can make an awesome craft to take home. My older boys really loved the Speed Track on the second floor. Don't skip a floor with your big kids—they'll find something to capture their interest on every level. 

Which MOXI Exhibits Can You Skip? 

As I said above, we didn't make it to the Innovators' Workshop, as my two youngest weren't the right age for it. I think my boys would have enjoyed creating and crafting, but if your kids are under five, skip this. The museum is small, so the exhibits are not overwhelming. It's easy to cover just about everything in a few hours. If you don't want your kids to get wet, skip the Whitewater exhibit in the Sky Garden. My littles loved it, but they did end up with sopping wet shirts. 

Full disclosure: I went to MOXI alone with my four kids. While most of our visit was wonderful, we were there on a crowded holiday week, and I got quite overwhelmed trying to keep track of all four of them on the first level. If you are bringing your kids without help, the second and third levels are easier to monitor. Our experience would have been much better if the crowds had thinned out, but there were a lot of people, and policing all four of my kids to take turns with other guests at multiple exhibits at the same time had my head spinning. 

What Are the Best Insider Tips for Visiting MOXI with Kids? 

• Strollers and wheelchairs are welcome inside, and there is an elevator for easy transport between levels. 
• Weekdays are typically lighter than weekends here, though you may run into field trip groups from time-to-time. On the MOXI website, staff update a field trip and group meter for the week, so you can know what to expect on any given day that you plan to visit. This is really helpful for avoiding crowds. 
• Because the museum is small, it can feel crammed when there are too many people in one exhibit (and this can cause conflict as kids wait in line to try different exhibits). If the museum starts to feel overwhelming (noise levels can get high), head to the Quiet Cave on the second floor for some respite from the chaos. The Sky Garden also acted as a breath of fresh air (literally), and there was ample seating for parents. The second level has several benches for weary legs. 
• I wish I had known how crowded it would be before we arrived, and I also wish that I had brought one extra adult with me. It would have made bathroom trips easier and given us more flexibility in allowing the kids to explore the exhibits that they most enjoyed. 

Are There Special Events or Programs at MOXI That Families Shouldn't Miss? 

Make sure you plan a MOXI visit during the winter, when Seaside Sock Skating is set up in the Sky Garden. This is the perfect SoCal winter activity, blending a traditional holiday pastime with the seaside breeze and views. Also, MOXI is renowned for its epic pajama Noon Year's Eve party on December 31st every year. Kids can ring in the new year without a late bedtime at this daytime celebration. 

All summer long, MOXI offers amazing STEM and science day camps for little learners. The museum also hosts shorter spring break and holiday camps throughout the year. 

How Much are Tickets to MOXI - and How Can Families Save Money? 

Regular admission to MOXI is currently $25 for adults 13 and up, and $20 for children 2-12. Infants under 2 enter for free. If you plan to come often, consider purchasing a membership to the museum. A family membership covers 2 adults and all children in the household for $165 annually. 

How Can You Get Discounted or Free MOXI Tickets? 

EBT Cardholders can gain admission to MOXI for only $1 per family member, up to four guests per visit, through the Museums for All program. If you are an EBT cardholder, visit the front desk and present your EBT card along with a photo ID to take advantage of this program.  If you are coming with more than 10 people, consider booking a group tour to access a special group rate. Group rates must be secured in advance of your visit. 

If you are a teacher within Santa Barbara or Ventura counties, just present your ID at the front desk to secure free admission for yourself. While subject to capacity restrictions, on most days, families can receive a $1 discount per ticket if they take the bus or train to the museum. Just present your bus or train tickets at the front desk. 

Are you a member of a science museum that is a part of the ASTC Travel Passport Program? If so, you may be eligible for free admission for up to 2 adults and up to 2 children when you visit MOXI. ASTC museums that comply with the regulations must be more than 90 miles from MOXI, and residents must live more than 90 miles from MOXI. Admittedly, this program can be a bit complicated, and more information is available here. 

Where Do You Park for MOXI and Is It Easy with Kids? 

When you plug MOXI into your Google Maps or Apple Maps, it will take you to the front entrance of the building. Unfortunately, the front entrance faces State St. on a busy thoroughfare, and there is no parking (or stopping) allowed. There is very limited parking directly behind the museum, and neighborhood parking on the streets. This is where we parked (for free). It was about a five-minute walk from our parking spot outside a residence (in a sign-designated parking zone) to the museum.

MOXI suggests finding parking at one of the Santa Barbara city lots. There is one right next to the railroad, directly adjacent to MOXI, and only a three to five-minute walk. Typically, the first 75 minutes at any Santa Barbara City lot are free, and each additional hour is $3. Persons with disabilities who have a valid placard receive 2.5 hours of free parking. If you opt for public transportation, such as using the bus or taking the Amtrak (it stops just steps from MOXI), you can present your bus or train ticket for a $1 admission per person. 

Can You Eat at MOXI? What are the Best Food Options for Families? 

MOXI does not have an on-site cafe. If the kids are getting really hangry, there are snacks and drinks available in the museum store. The good news is that if the kids are starving, you are welcome to leave the museum, grab a bite on State Street, and head back in. Just make sure to keep your receipt to present upon re-entry. One caveat: If the museum is at capacity, returners may need to wait or come back another time.

There is a Starbucks directly across the way, or Rusty's Pizza Parlor is right next door. If you're up for a short walk, head east on the pathway under the 101 Freeway and you'll end up in the heart of Downtown Santa Barbara, with bakeries, taco shops, and ice cream parlors galore. 

While I couldn't find MOXI's snack policy, we did bring some snacks into the museum, and no one seemed to bat an eye. On the second level, there were tables and chairs set up near the building block walls for a snack break. My kids also broke out their Veggie Straws in the Sky Garden. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting MOXI with Kids