The museum's philosophy is tactile. Children do not look at exhibits behind glass; they climb inside them. A real fire truck sits in the main hall. A water play area lets children experiment with dams, channels, and currents. A pretend grocery store teaches basic economics through the act of shopping. The exhibits are designed for children from infancy through early adolescence, with areas calibrated to different developmental stages. The approach reflects research on childhood learning that emphasizes physical interaction over passive observation, making the museum a place where mess is expected and noise is welcomed.

The museum's address on Woz Way reflects the deep connections between Silicon Valley's technology community and San Jose's cultural institutions. Steve Wozniak, who grew up in nearby Sunnyvale and has remained an active community figure, represents the kind of local philanthropy that has supported the museum since its founding. The museum has benefited from the region's wealth while serving a diverse population that includes many families for whom the museum provides free or subsidized admission through community programs. The purple building on the Guadalupe River is, in this sense, a bridge between Silicon Valley's prosperity and the broader community it inhabits.

The museum sits within Discovery Meadow, a park along the Guadalupe River that includes open green space, walking paths, and the Guadalupe River Park. The location connects indoor exhibits with outdoor exploration, allowing families to extend their visit into the surrounding landscape. The Guadalupe River, which has been the subject of extensive restoration efforts, flows past the museum on its way to San Francisco Bay. On warm days, the park fills with families moving between the museum and the river trail, a scene that captures something essential about San Jose: a city that is trying, with real effort, to create public spaces that work for everyone.