Pretend City Children’s Museum Irvine: Parent Tips & Review
Running out of fun ideas and excursions for your toddler? Then Pretend City is the place to take your curious tot! This post will help walk you through some tips to help plan your visit and make the most of your time there.
One of the things I constantly do is plan for my time off work. I’m a working mom, and as you know any time that you get off work is precious. Unless I’m planning for a stay-at-home day, I do not like this valuable mommy-daughter time to go to waste. On days where it’s only going to be and my toddler, I like to keep activities local to our area. I reserve the further distance outings for days where the hubby can join us. Planning this visit to Pretend City Children’s Museum in Irvine, CA was a no brainer for me. Located within OC, it was an easy drive for me.
Where is Pretend City Children’s Museum?
Pretend City is located in the City of Irvine, California. Ample and free parking is available at the museum. Freeway access is easily accessible and I love that it is near the Irvine Spectrum.
Why Visit Pretend City Children’s Museum?
First things first. You’ll want to visit their website to view Museum hours and ticket prices. I opted to visit on a Friday and they closed for a couple of hours in the afternoon (around 12pm) and reopened later in the afternoon. I figured the morning time would be better for us and so we arrived by opening time, 10am.
Let me walk you through our experience. I did a little online research and quickly fell in love with the concept of this children’s museum. It truly allows for free play and little kids get transported into real world scenarios, but all geared towards their engagement and learning. Kids get to pretend drive, work in a farm or orchard, grocery shop at Trader Joes, perform onstage and explore in a science lab. I mean what’s there not to love?
I really appreciated the attentiveness of staff. I was able to, in many instances, watch Mila from a distance and just let her roam freely in a safe and playful environment.
Favorite Pretend City Exhibits
Trader Joe’s Market
This exhibit was a replica of the real Trader Joe’s ‘s shopping experience in a pretend play format. Playing cashier and filling up the grocery cart was a kid-favorite.
Farm
Filling up a push-barrel and cart kids were able to pick fruits and vegetables with ample space. Kids also were able to socialize in this large area. Perfect if you have an only child.
Fire Station
This play area gave kids the opportunity to pretend they were in a real fire-station. A hit for the boys!
Stage
The performance stage was so much fun. Kids were able to perform, sing or play with the instruments available. There were even light stations and booths for them to play with.
Science Lab
The science lab was so much fun! My toddler had fun looking at shapes, slides and objects under a microscope for the first time ever!
Art Area
We didn’t spend much time here, but this was also a fun area that introduced my daughter to art and color palettes.
Beach
We didn’t hang out in this area, but still a fun sensory experience for the little ones!
How Much Time Do You Need?
Keep in mind the ticket grants you access for the first window, so for us that meant we’d get museum time from 10am-12pm. You are looking at about a 2-hour play session and can choose between morning and afternoon.
What to wear to Pretend City Children’s Museum?
Well let me begin by saying, this children’s museum is located in Irvine, California. So don’t be surprised be surprised by the occasionally well-dressed mommy you may find. For me, I like having a capsule-wardrobe so I opted for a casual chic look. And yes, I wore my Ked’s sneakers. I liked being able to move around, bend over and reach for things if my kiddo asked for help. Lot’s of moms sported athleisure and you really can’t go wrong with that. I think most moms are there for their kiddos and the pure enjoyment of the museum. As for Mila, you can see what she wore. Ked’s t-strap leather sneakers, what can I say – we are Ked’s girls! A nice top and biker shorts. I did opt to put her hair up so we didn’t have to worry about her hair getting undone, unraveled or in the way.
Best Age for Pretend City
The ideal age for children to enjoy this museum is:
- Toddlers
- Preschoolers
- Kindergarten
- Younger elementary school students
What to pack?
Momma, do yourself a favor and take a backpack. I didn’t take a stroller because Mila is old enough to walk around and really I wanted her to be tired out by naptime. My backpack had my essentials, plus
- Honest Hand Sanitizer
- Millie Moon Wipes
- Water (2)
- Toddler Snack
- Socks
Mila didn’t end up eating her snack, but as every momma knows always pack on the side of caution. You don’t want to get caught up with a hangry toddler. She honestly had such a great time and was so distracted by the fun. I offered a couple of times but she only wanted water.
I do want to add a little plug about the cafe area and family restrooms. We didn’t have a seat at the cafe tables because as mentioned, Mila was too busy playing. The family restrooms were clean and were tailored for little ones. They had step stools for toilets and wash sinks. Little details like that go a long way when you have a toddler that’s two and a half years old and is in the middle of potty training.
We wrapped things up at 11:45 about 15 minutes to closing and Mila left without a fight. In order to maximize our time at the museum I knew that I’d have to pack us lunch and that worked out great. I bought this handy car tray and have used it regularly for our “car picnic” meals. I packed a spare cool and comfy outfit for Mila to change to once we got back to the car. Our car was in a shady spot, I turned on the AC and we enjoyed our quick little car picnic lunch. Her lunch time is normally at 12pm so we stayed right on track. She enjoyed it and dozed off to her nap on the drive back home.
Tips for Visiting Pretend City
Here’s a list of top tips for preparing for a visit to Pretend City Children’s Museum:
- Arrive early
- Purchase tickets online
- Visit on weekdays
- Bring lunch
- Take advantage of family restrooms available
- Expect lots of walking
Is Pretend City Worth It?
Absolutely. There is so much value in allowing your child to engage in free-play in a well designed environment. There are so many educational benefits for your child by simply participating in each little area. The museum is clean and well-maintained. And some may even consider getting a season pass for return visits!
FAQ
Is Pretend City worth the admission?
Yes, it absolutely is! The amount of activities and time available to enjoy the various pretend stations makes the cost of admission worth it.
How long does it take to visit Pretend City?
2 hours is a good amount of time to dedicate to playing at Pretend City.
Can you bring food?
Yes, although you can plan to arrive before of after lunch which means you’ll only need to pack snacks for your little one.
Is Pretend City good for toddlers?
Pretend City is a good place for toddlers to visit.
What ages enjoy Pretend City?
Toddler through young elementary school age children is a good age-range for kids to enjoy Pretend City.
Is parking free?
Yes one of the great things about Pretend City is that parking is easy to find and free.
Are there nursing rooms?
Pretend City Children’s Museum in Irvine features a dedicated nursing area and quiet space for breastfeeding and bottle-feeding. This private, comfortable lounge is conveniently located between the Art Studio and the Marina exhibits.
The space offers a quiet retreat to feed, change, or calm your little one away from the busy play areas.
Can adults visit without children?
Adults cannot visit Pretend City Children’s Museum in Irvine, CA without a child for regular admission. The museum strictly requires that all adults are accompanied by a child to enter.
If you’re planning for other kid-favorite activities in Southern California you’ll want to read the posts below:
Planning your Trip to the Los Angeles Zoo – The Sun Queen Diaries
Visiting Knott’s Berry Farm with Kids: The Ultimate Family Guide – The Sun Queen Diaries
How to Maximize your Time at Hotel Del Coronado – The Sun Queen Diaries
Best Tips for Families Visiting Disneyland in the Spring – The Sun Queen Diaries
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