Cayton Children's Museum Celebrates Fundraising Success for Play-Based Learning Access
On May 31, 2026, the Cayton Children's Museum in Santa Monica, California, delightfully transformed into a vibrant venue for its annual fundraising event, "We All Play," raising more than $84,000 to increase access to play-based learning. This event, marking a joyful return after pandemic restrictions, gathered families, community figures, and brand sponsors, all united under the museum's initiative known as PLAY4ALL. The primary goal of PLAY4ALL is to democratize access to the museum through subsidized memberships and community-oriented programming, creating a world where every child has the opportunity to experience the power of play.
Guests at the event were treated to a backdrop of fun, flair, and familial warmth reminiscent of pajama parties, thanks to contributions from noteworthy brand partners like Kyte Baby and Jellypop, who provided cozy attire for attendees. The presenting sponsor, Babyletto, established a welcoming family lounge that served as the heart of the gathering, funded 80 PLAY4ALL memberships with their support. Throughout the day, families reveled in enriching experiences, including lively performances from The BeatBuds and engaging dance lessons with Emmy Award-winning choreographer Jennifer Hamilton. The event was further brought to life with storytelling sessions featuring comedian Adam Rose and renowned children’s author Evelina Ruimy. Notably, families were thrilled with a surprise appearance by Marshall from the beloved animated series "PAW Patrol," who added an extra layer of excitement; meanwhile, Freestyle generously supplied diapers and wipes across the museum to ensure comfort for all.
The day’s highlights included a heartfelt live reading of Laura Numeroff's classic tale, "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie." But the surprise didn’t end there; superstars Chrissy Teigen and John Legend delighted families by serving cookies and milk from Teigen’s renowned food brand. Cravings by Chrissy Teigen also featured an interactive experience dubbed "Chip's Cookie Café," where children had the hands-on opportunity to decorate their pretend cookies, providing memorable moments that extended beyond the event and into their homes.
Thomas Sullivan, the President and CEO of Cayton Children's Museum, expressed utmost gratitude and optimism regarding the success of the event, highlighting the essential role that play serves in supporting childhood development. He remarked, "The support generated through We All Play allows us to expand the reach of PLAY4ALL throughout Los Angeles by removing financial barriers and welcoming more families into the museum. This event was a powerful reminder that investing in children is something our community is eager to rally behind."
Founded in 1991, initially as the Zimmer Children's Museum, now re-envisioned as Cayton Children's Museum since 2019, it has established itself as LA County's flagship play-based children's museum. Spanning 21,000 square feet in downtown Santa Monica, the museum welcomes over 155,000 visitors annually, leveraging more than three decades of experience. Through a variety of exhibits, programming, and community partnerships, it harnesses the profound impact of play to support the social, emotional, and cognitive growth of children. The success of the recent fundraising event demonstrates not only the community's commitment to childhood education but also sets a robust precedent for future initiatives aimed at nurturing every child's right to play.
Guests at the event were treated to a backdrop of fun, flair, and familial warmth reminiscent of pajama parties, thanks to contributions from noteworthy brand partners like Kyte Baby and Jellypop, who provided cozy attire for attendees. The presenting sponsor, Babyletto, established a welcoming family lounge that served as the heart of the gathering, funded 80 PLAY4ALL memberships with their support. Throughout the day, families reveled in enriching experiences, including lively performances from The BeatBuds and engaging dance lessons with Emmy Award-winning choreographer Jennifer Hamilton. The event was further brought to life with storytelling sessions featuring comedian Adam Rose and renowned children’s author Evelina Ruimy. Notably, families were thrilled with a surprise appearance by Marshall from the beloved animated series "PAW Patrol," who added an extra layer of excitement; meanwhile, Freestyle generously supplied diapers and wipes across the museum to ensure comfort for all.
The day’s highlights included a heartfelt live reading of Laura Numeroff's classic tale, "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie." But the surprise didn’t end there; superstars Chrissy Teigen and John Legend delighted families by serving cookies and milk from Teigen’s renowned food brand. Cravings by Chrissy Teigen also featured an interactive experience dubbed "Chip's Cookie Café," where children had the hands-on opportunity to decorate their pretend cookies, providing memorable moments that extended beyond the event and into their homes.
Thomas Sullivan, the President and CEO of Cayton Children's Museum, expressed utmost gratitude and optimism regarding the success of the event, highlighting the essential role that play serves in supporting childhood development. He remarked, "The support generated through We All Play allows us to expand the reach of PLAY4ALL throughout Los Angeles by removing financial barriers and welcoming more families into the museum. This event was a powerful reminder that investing in children is something our community is eager to rally behind."
Founded in 1991, initially as the Zimmer Children's Museum, now re-envisioned as Cayton Children's Museum since 2019, it has established itself as LA County's flagship play-based children's museum. Spanning 21,000 square feet in downtown Santa Monica, the museum welcomes over 155,000 visitors annually, leveraging more than three decades of experience. Through a variety of exhibits, programming, and community partnerships, it harnesses the profound impact of play to support the social, emotional, and cognitive growth of children. The success of the recent fundraising event demonstrates not only the community's commitment to childhood education but also sets a robust precedent for future initiatives aimed at nurturing every child's right to play.
Topics People & Culture）
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