Pretend City Children's Museum

“We have been here twice and both times were great but definitely overwhelming for my little one. We went for the Martin Luther King Jr. Event and they had a beautiful speaker who did activities with the kids. I was not able to pull my son away from the interactive car shop to be able to listen in fully but it seemed very educational and engaging. They have a full water play area with water aprons and a full sandbox with clean sand and sand toys. There is a fire station, police station, and a car mechanic station with tools that actually work to take off the wheels, change the air filter, and the muffler. There is also a gas station with cars. We spent most of our time in that area but in the front there is a whole art area and a small pretend trader Joe's to go shopping. They also have a little restaurant where the kids can make pretend meals and I basically sat at a counter and my son brought me dishes and it as great. Again it is a very overwhelming atmosphere so for sensitive kiddos I would definitely check out their special sensory days. It is loud and crowded but my son loved it.”

“Of all the places I’ve ever been with my grandsons, this is by far, my absolute, absolute, absolute favorite! The ingenuity, imagination, touch, ability, accessibility, interaction, there are just not enough words to describe all the types of play that Pretend City encourages and allows! I wish we could duplicate this place in every major city, I saw so many toddlers and young children working and playing together, no screens, no fancy electronic devices, just clean, imaginative, fun! If I could give a suggestion, just one suggestion, have a great place to take your toddler to Southern California families this would be the place I would recommend! Bravo to the amazing builders planners and workers here!!! I hope that other communities have a chance to visit and find a way to replicate this beautiful world in their world!!”

“Pretend City Children’s Museum is an absolute gem! ⭐️ From the moment you walk in, it’s nonstop fun and imagination. Every little “city” area is thoughtfully designed, super interactive, and perfect for letting kids explore, role-play, and learn through play. The space is clean, colorful, and easy to navigate, and the staff are friendly and welcoming. Kids can easily spend hours here without getting bored, and parents will love how engaging and educational everything feels. If you’re in Irvine (or nearby), Pretend City is a must-visit for families. We can’t wait to go back!”

“The most chaotic city I've ever been to. 😂 My kids had a blast exploring all the fun things. They loved the ups truck and trader joes most. They had at least one staff person in each area cleaning and putting stuff back to be played with again. It honestly really surprised me how well kept the place was. I recommend parents wear comfortable shoes because you'll be walking a ton! And bring a snack/water for yourself. They do a parade out to the front door about 15 minutes before closing which makes leaving so much easier. Will go back for sure.”