Does your child love to pretend to cook and serve food in their own restaurant? Do they ask for your empty Amazon boxes so they can pretend to deliver packages? Do they like to play air guitar or sing into a hair brush like they’re a rock star?
In Orange County, there’s a place where they can do all these things, and so much more! Pretend City is a children’s museum in Irvine where kids can choose between dozens of play roles and activities all under one roof.
For my preschooler, this is paradise. On our first visit, she fell in love in Pretend City. She looked around, dazzled and shouted, “It’s a real city!” And to a child, it really looks like a miniature city.
A laminate floor road runs along the ground, as you travel from a Trader Joe’s complete with child-sized shopping carts and cash registers, to a farm with plenty of produce to grow and pick, to a construction site prepped with building supplies, and a stage ready with instruments and costumes. A UPS Store and a restaurant have realistic storefronts alongside a fire station and police station. There is even an art studio offering various projects and art supplies which rotate daily.
Pretend City is not just an indoor play area, it’s an experience. Each visit is a little different. Holidays of many cultures are celebrated in educational ways. Your child can perform “work” in each area, stamping their time card and earning pretend money. Story time and different performances are also offered. While my daughter has some favorite places to play, she usually tries something different each time.
During our latest visit, Talia cooked and served food to me at a Moroccan restaurant. The theme and decorations were recently updated from a German restaurant, and the details are impressive. The dishware, menu, pretend food, and wall colors were all changed. In the kitchen, there are recipe cards explaining how to prepare authentic Moroccan dishes, with all the ingredients available. Even the drink labels on the pretend soda fountain had been updated. This attention to detail is what makes Pretend City magical for little ones. To them, it feels very real.
You should definitely check out Pretend City with your kids if you’re in the Orange County area. If your children are anything like mine, you may find yourself purchasing a membership too!
Castles, Characters, and Crayons 