Wonder Studio New Summer Exhibit
Explore hands-on creativity at Pretend City Children’s Museum in Irvine, California with an immersive summer art exhibit where families can paint, build, and create together through play-based experiences.
Explore hands-on creativity at Pretend City Children’s Museum in Irvine, California with an immersive summer art exhibit where families can paint, build, and create together through play-based experiences.
Join us in a bilingual dance-along as we explore culture through stories, movement & play! TIMES: 11am ONLY About the play partner: Mommy & Me Vietnamese is more than just a popular YouTube channel, it’s a movement to help children learn about culture and heritage in a fun way while offering learning resources to parents in their journey […]
We’re opening the city just for toddlers! Climb, dance, problem-solve, and pretend your way through our miniature world, designed to support movement, connection, and big developmental leaps. Designed for children 19 months to 3 years. This program is exclusively for toddlers and their caregivers. No older siblings, please. *Registration is required, including members* Every Monday! 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM […]
Pretend City is OPEN Tuesdays for the summer. Starting 5/26 through 9/1. TIME: 10am - 4pm There will be No Early Entry for Members.
Dedicated to children 18 months and younger, Pretend City hosts TWO Baby Steps programs a month on the first Tuesday and second Sunday. This program is a great way to socialize your little one and offers new learning opportunities in a safe space. This is perfect for first-time parents who can engage with one another, […]
This summer, Pretend City Children's Museum teamed up with OC Waste & Recycling to bring hands-on vermicomposting education to young learners! ♻️🪱🌱 Through interactive presentations and activities, kids explore how worms help recycle food scraps into nutrient-rich compost, learning firsthand how small actions can make a big impact for our planet! Together, we’re making organics recycling fun, […]
Celebrate the diversity of families in our world and provide them with a space to artistically represent themselves! TIMES: 11 am, 1 pm, & 2:30 pm
Artists in Action invites families to explore creativity together through hands-on experiences led by real artists. Each visit offers new materials, fresh ideas, and playful ways for children to express themselves and connect through art. Times: 11am-12pm *Please note programming lasts 10-30 minutes. Included with museum admission Books will be available for purchase during the event. Space may […]
We’re opening the city just for toddlers! Climb, dance, problem-solve, and pretend your way through our miniature world, designed to support movement, connection, and big developmental leaps. Designed for children 19 months to 3 years. This program is exclusively for toddlers and their caregivers. No older siblings, please. *Registration is required, including members* Every Monday! 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM […]
Pretend City is OPEN Tuesdays for the summer. Starting 5/26 through 9/1. TIME: 10am - 4pm There will be No Early Entry for Members.
Artists in Action invites families to explore creativity together through hands-on experiences led by real artists. Each visit offers new materials, fresh ideas, and playful ways for children to express themselves and connect through art. Times: 11am-12pm *Please note programming lasts 10-30 minutes. Included with museum admission *Events and times are subject to change. Space is limited! Book your […]
Join us for a free evening where children and caretakers are invited to play in a sensory-friendly, neuro-affirming environment! We encourage the whole family to attend, and therapists can join as well. Neurodivergent Family Nights are held on the second Tuesday and fourth Thursday of each month from 5-7 pm (after we close to general […]
Celebrate the World Cup with a special storytime and activities at Pretend City featuring ¡Gooool!: A Soccer Book for Kids by Sí Sabo Kids. Families can enjoy soccer-themed fun, meet the authors, and attend a book signing. Times: 11 am & 2:30 pm *Please note programming lasts 10-30 minutes. Included with museum admission About Play Partner: Mike Alfaro is a Creative Director, […]
Way to Play Days are held on the 2nd Friday of every month. This event allows parents and caregivers to complete free health screenings including developmental, dental, vision, and/or speech. Local child development experts are on site to provide information and assist grown-ups with questions they may have regarding their child’s development.
Dedicated to children 18 months and younger, Pretend City hosts TWO Baby Steps programs a month on the first Tuesday and second Sunday. This program is a great way to socialize your little one and offers new learning opportunities in a safe space. This is perfect for first-time parents who can engage with one another, […]
Discover the traditional dances of Polynesian culture with vibrant clothing and rhythmic music in this celebration of the spirit of "Aloha." TIMES: 11am & 2:30pm About the play partner: Island Inspirations - Internationally award-winning performers take you on a memorable journey through Polynesia to discover the magic and traditions of its legendary people. Segerstrom Center for the […]
We’re opening the city just for toddlers! Climb, dance, problem-solve, and pretend your way through our miniature world, designed to support movement, connection, and big developmental leaps. Designed for children 19 months to 3 years. This program is exclusively for toddlers and their caregivers. No older siblings, please. *Registration is required, including members* Every Monday! 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM […]
Pretend City is OPEN Tuesdays for the summer. Starting 5/26 through 9/1. TIME: 10am - 4pm There will be No Early Entry for Members.
At Pretend City, we understand the value of play and want all caregivers and children to experience hands-on learning. We are happy to share our new Immuno-Safe Mornings, a dedicated time for immunocompromised families to enjoy our space while, most importantly, feeling safe. The museum will be open for guests who require a mask and/or […]
This summer, Pretend City Children's Museum teamed up with OC Waste & Recycling to bring hands-on vermicomposting education to young learners! ♻️🪱🌱 Through interactive presentations and activities, kids explore how worms help recycle food scraps into nutrient-rich compost, learning firsthand how small actions can make a big impact for our planet! Together, we’re making organics recycling fun, […]
Pretend City Children’s Museum and Parentis Foundation are partnering for something truly magical at We Read Wednesdays, where Littles and Grans read together! Our wonderful Empowering Readers OC reading mentors are bringing the joy of storytelling into the playful world of Pretend City, where imagination comes alive and every corner invites discovery. This partnership is so important because […]
Celebrate Freedom and Culture this Juneteenth, a historic day marking freedom and resilience. Children will learn about the significance of Juneteenth through storytelling, and music and movement. Celebrate culture, community, and history with us and don’t miss this vibrant celebration of freedom and unity. TIMES: 11 am - Chantrell M. Lewis 2:30 pm - UFirst Artist About the play […]
Join us at Pretend City for a real good workout with Fitness of Fire this Father’s Day! We’ll be honoring dads with exciting activities. It’s a day full of fun, connection, and memorable moments for the whole family! About the play partner: "Fitness On Fire is Orange County's Original Community Fitness Training Studio. Fitness On Fire has been serving the community of Irvine for 10 […]
We’re opening the city just for toddlers! Climb, dance, problem-solve, and pretend your way through our miniature world, designed to support movement, connection, and big developmental leaps. Designed for children 19 months to 3 years. This program is exclusively for toddlers and their caregivers. No older siblings, please. *Registration is required, including members* Every Monday! 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM […]
Pretend City is OPEN Tuesdays for the summer. Starting 5/26 through 9/1. TIME: 10am - 4pm There will be No Early Entry for Members.
This summer, Pretend City Children's Museum teamed up with OC Waste & Recycling to bring hands-on vermicomposting education to young learners! ♻️🪱🌱 Through interactive presentations and activities, kids explore how worms help recycle food scraps into nutrient-rich compost, learning firsthand how small actions can make a big impact for our planet! Together, we’re making organics recycling fun, […]
Artists in Action invites families to explore creativity together through hands-on experiences led by real artists. Each visit offers new materials, fresh ideas, and playful ways for children to express themselves and connect through art. Times: 11am-12pm *Please note programming lasts 10-30 minutes. Included with museum admission *Events and times are subject to change. Space is limited! Book your […]
Join us for a free evening where children and caretakers are invited to play in a sensory-friendly, neuro-affirming environment! We encourage the whole family to attend, and therapists can join as well. Neurodivergent Family Nights are held on the second Tuesday and fourth Thursday of each month from 5-7 pm (after we close to general […]
15-year old experienced baker Allie Su will introduce baking to our families by demonstrating how to make a surprise dessert. Her puppet, Skunky the Skunk, will assist her as well as entertain the children. At the end of the demonstration, you will have a chance to sample her (and Skunky’s) homemade dish! TIME: 2:30 PM About the play […]
Artists in Action with Chuck Jones Center for Creativity invites families to explore creativity together through hands-on experiences led by real artists. Each visit offers new materials, fresh ideas, and playful ways for children to express themselves and connect through art. Times: 11am-12pm About the play partner: Founded upon the time-honored philosophies of legendary, Oscar-winning animation director Chuck Jones, the […]
TIMES: 11am & 2:30pm About the play partner: Dancing Storytellers The dancing storytellers specialize in South Asian dances and stories with humor and theatricality. Their program, “Indian Mythology and Me,” delights students with mythical legends and stories. Their workshop, “Dancing in the Rain,” highlights South Asia's geography and weather patterns through Bollywood dance. And, their residency […]
We’re opening the city just for toddlers! Climb, dance, problem-solve, and pretend your way through our miniature world, designed to support movement, connection, and big developmental leaps. Designed for children 19 months to 3 years. This program is exclusively for toddlers and their caregivers. No older siblings, please. *Registration is required, including members* Every Monday! 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM […]
Pretend City is OPEN Tuesdays for the summer. Starting 5/26 through 9/1. TIME: 10am - 4pm There will be No Early Entry for Members.
This summer, Pretend City Children's Museum teamed up with OC Waste & Recycling to bring hands-on vermicomposting education to young learners! ♻️🪱🌱 Through interactive presentations and activities, kids explore how worms help recycle food scraps into nutrient-rich compost, learning firsthand how small actions can make a big impact for our planet! Together, we’re making organics recycling fun, […]