Museum of Children's Art

MOCHA is a playful space for children to express themselves through art making with plenty of supplies and activities where they can create a creative mess.

Why Visit the Museum of Children’s Art?

The Museum of Children's Art is one of Oakland's many creative hubs. It is a highly loved spot by visitors and locals alike, as here, you are welcome to get messy and create art. It's not one of those boring museums where you merely go around staring at things, you actually GET to make art here. The whole place is a large, open studio where you can paint, create collages, build with clay, and experiment with art.

There's something for everyone here as they've got six creative stations like the Magnetic Post, Great Wall of Paint, fabric collage area, fingerprint exploration, Clay Station, as well as a Chill Spot. You can basically pick whatever looks interesting and get started. And the best part? All of the art supplies are provided, and participation costs only roughly $5. You can spend hours creating cool things here and then take what you've made home.

The atmosphere here is quite friendly and welcoming, with the staff assisting if needed, though they mainly let you explore alone. It's a really great place to check out if you're visiting with family, planning a birthday evening, a cute date, or even hanging with friends who want to do something different from the usual movie or coffee plan. Also, if you go between spring and fall, the entire outdoor space is bustling with food trucks and cafés, so you can stop for a bite afterwards. It's an extremely entertaining and budget friendly spot in Uptown Oakland that anyone who loves being creative will enjoy. 

• Entry fee: $12 for children, $6 for adults. Online registration are cheaper. 
• Opening hours: Monday- Friday, 10 am to 2 pm
• Average duration to explore: 1.5 hours to 2 hours

What to Expect at MOCHA

• Interactive Exhibits: Rotating displays of children’s artwork, often themed around social issues, cultures, or creative techniques.
• Art Studios: Participate in drop-in art activities, from painting and sculpture to digital art.
• Workshops and Classes: Join guided sessions for kids and adults, led by professional artists.
• Community Programs: MOCHA often hosts events, camps, and outreach programs, making it a hub for creativity and learning.

Tips for the Best Experience

• On-site parking is street-metered or in garages. The Ace Parking Garage at 525 14th St gives 10 minutes free, then charges around $12 hourly.
• The place has free wifi and you can also bring food, drinks, cake, and even beer or wine for adults. Just remember, nothing that needs heating or anything that sticks to the walls is allowed. 
• MOCHA also participates in the Museums for All program, which means families with EBT, WIC, or Medi-Cal cards can enjoy discounted admission.
• You can also host art parties here with packages costing $375 for 10 kids, $475 for 15 kids and $575 for upto 20 kids. Any additional children will cost around $20 each. Keep in mind that Cancelations made more than 72 hours before the event get full credit and late cancelations are charged a $50 fee, with no refunds issued.
• The museum hosts special Open Studio sessions on the first and third Saturdays of each month, which are very well liked by kids. They also offer field trips, art camps and workshops throughout the year, its advisable to check the website for further information.

How to Get There

By metro

When commuting by BART get off at 12th Street Oakland City Center Station for a short 2 minute walk to the location. 

By train

By Amtrak, the Oakland Jack London Square Station is about a 7 minute ride away. From there, you can easily connect to MOCHA by car or public transit.

By bus

Several AC Transit routes running along Broadway and 14th Street like 6, 18, 33, 72, 72M, 72R will drop you close to City Center.

By car

If travelling via car head to 1221 Broadway to reach the museum.

What Every Traveler Should Know

• Hours: MOCHA is typically open Tuesday to Sunday, but hours may vary. Confirm on their website before visiting.
• Admission: Affordable entry fees, with discounts for families, seniors, and groups. Some workshops may have additional costs.
• Accessibility: The museum is wheelchair accessible and welcoming to all visitors.
• Nearby Attractions: Pair your visit with a trip to Oakland’s Chinatown, Lake Merritt, or the Oakland Museum of California for a full day of exploration.