Pretend City Children's Museum

Pretend City Children's Museum Pretend City is an interactive children’s museum.
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Welcome to our online community where you will have access to a wide array of educational tid-bits and take home DIYs that will help you engage, encourage and empower your child's education and developmental growth through their imagination and hands on activities! Every post and activity has been hand selected and designed to educate our parents on the importance of play and exploration just like every exhibit in our museum! We are excited to have you part of our growing community and look forward to you sharing your learning experiences with us!

DAF Day | October 8, 2026 Turn your generosity into the power of play! As a nonprofit, Pretend City raises approximately...
10/07/2026

DAF Day | October 8, 2026

Turn your generosity into the power of play!

As a nonprofit, Pretend City raises approximately 30% of the funds needed each year through the generosity of donors, corporate sponsors, and community partners who believe in the power of play. And play is just the beginning. We also provide:

▪️Free developmental screenings for children under five and a half.
▪️Neurodivergent Family Nights — always free for families.
Museums for All admission for families receiving SNAP/WIC benefits.
▪️Title 1 school children with free field trips.
▪️Baby Steps and Toddler Town engages infants and toddlers in intentional, age-appropriate activities that nurture healthy development.

This DAFday, support the above through your Donor-Advised Fund (DAF)!

🔗Give through your DAF portal or find more information here: https://www.pretendcity.org/donor-advised-fund

Together, we see a world where every child and parent discovers the joy of learning through play – building confidence, curiosity and life skills for a future full of possibility.

When a child is first born their family teaches them, their family is the first community they're part of, and their fam...
10/07/2026

When a child is first born their family teaches them, their family is the first community they're part of, and their family is their biggest champion. At Pretend City, we see what happens when families play side by side: parents and caregivers learning alongside their kids, connecting with one another, and finding the resources they need to feel supported.

We are building a place where every family belongs, with free developmental screenings, neurodivergent family nights, and resources that help parents feel confident every step of the way. We vote for the policies that strengthen and support families, because when parents and caregivers have what they need to thrive, children do too, and so does the community we all share.

Hoedown Throwdown Party at Pretend City 🤠Grab your boots and get ready to dance! Join us for a Mickey’s Country Farm-ins...
10/07/2026

Hoedown Throwdown Party at Pretend City 🤠

Grab your boots and get ready to dance! Join us for a Mickey’s Country Farm-inspired hoedown in partnership with Disney Music Group.

Enjoy dance parties, music, hands-on activities, and more!
FREE Admission for the First 200 Guests

📅 October 16
🕙 10 AM–11:30 AM
Doors open at 10 AM

Free admission is available for the first 200 guests starting at 10 AM. Regular admission will be available after capacity is reached.

Walk-ins only. Online tickets will not be available for this event.

🎵 Listen to the soundtrack featuring “Hoedown Throwdown” wherever you stream music.

*Event & Details are subject to change.*

Join us in celebrating your birthday party like never before! Make your children's dreams come true with an unforgettabl...
10/06/2026

Join us in celebrating your birthday party like never before! Make your children's dreams come true with an unforgettable experience at Pretend City Children's Museum!

Get ready for a day filled with laughter, excitement, and joy.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to make your children's dreams come true. Book your birthday party with us now and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Birthday Party Includes:
- Party Host
- Admission for up to 25 guests
- Unlimited Play
- Pretend City Members receive a 10% discount on birthday party packages

🦇Kick off Halloween before we open to the general public with an exclusive Members Morning!🕷️Meet creepy crawler friends...
10/03/2026

🦇Kick off Halloween before we open to the general public with an exclusive Members Morning!

🕷️Meet creepy crawler friends from OC Department of Education
🎃 Create pumpkin art
👻 Enjoy ghostly face painting
🕺Do the Monster Mash!

Stay and trick or treat in the city once the museum opens for the day!

🕥Trick or Treat Times during General Admission
10:30am, 12pm, and 2:00pm

*Included with your active membership. No registration required, just bring your photo ID and check in as usual.
Costumes encouraged but not required*

10/2 - Happy White Cane Safety Day! Today, we are partnering with to recognize the white cane as a symbol of independen...
10/03/2026

10/2 - Happy White Cane Safety Day! Today, we are partnering with to recognize the white cane as a symbol of independence, safety, and mobility for individuals who are blind or visually impaired.

10/4 - Join author and Executive Chef Glenda Galván-García for a special storytime inspired by La Enchilada Completa. Families will learn about the rich traditions of Mexican cuisine, enjoy a live guacamole demonstration and tasting, and explore how food brings people together.

10/6 & 10/11 - Halloween Baby Steps! Celebrate the spooky season with your little one! Come dressed in your favorite Halloween outfit for a fun morning of play and discovery. Dedicated to children 18 months and younger.

10/11 - Celebrate Indigenous People's Day with Journeys to the Past, presented by . Through storytelling, songs, traditional instruments, and hands-on cultural objects, families will learn about Native American history.

10/13 & 10/22 - Neuro Night! Join us for sensory friendly trick-or-treating in the City!

10/15 - Cooking in the City! with


10/16 - Hoedown Throwdown Party with Disney Junior

10/17 - Latin drum Circle with

10/18 - Join authors Carter and Kathryn Lim for a special Storytime featuring Copy Cadie. After the story, books will be available for purchase and signing by the authors.

10/21 - Our wonderful Empowering Readers OC reading mentors are bringing the joy of storytelling to Pretend City, where imagination comes alive and every corner invites discovery.

10/25 - 10/31 - Come dressed in your favorite costume and celebrate Costume Week at Pretend City!

10/30 - Calling all little monsters! Celebrate Halloween’s Eve at Pretend City with a day of dancing, trick-or-treating, laughter, and imaginative play. From collecting treats around the city to enjoying a fun-filled puppet show, there’s something for every little pumpkin. 🍬

10/31 - Get ready for a spook-tacular Saturday! Enjoy Halloween music with the Philharmonic Society, decorate a mini pumpkin, and try a mad science experiment. Costumes are encouraged! Please note we will not have trick or treating this day.

Today was White Cane Safety Day in the City! Thank you to Beyond Blindness for coming and sharing your blindfolded obsta...
10/02/2026

Today was White Cane Safety Day in the City!

Thank you to Beyond Blindness for coming and sharing your blindfolded obstacle course. Today we learned about all of the five senses, and took home some great resources from our friends. ✋

The obstacle course was a great way to teach our citizens about empathy, understanding, and a fresh perspective. 💛

Pretend City is looking for its next mayor!This is the ideal opportunity to discuss local government, elections, and wha...
10/01/2026

Pretend City is looking for its next mayor!

This is the ideal opportunity to discuss local government, elections, and what it entails to be a leader in a community.

Encourage your child to think about what it means to be a mayor. Why would they make a great mayor, and what changes would they like to make to Pretend City?

If your child is interested in running for:
-Must be a member or ambassador of Pretend City
-Submit a video (20 seconds to 45 seconds long) of your child explaining why they should be elected as Pretend City’s next mayor.
-Email the video to [email protected] or direct message (dm) us the video by October 10th
-Campaigning opportunities will be available!

Voting Details:
-Online voting will be held from October 28th to November 3rd.
-In-person voting will be held on November 3rd
-The winner will be announced on Nov. 4th.

If your child is elected, they will be able to help light up the City for our annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on December 6th and participate in other special events throughout the year.

‘Twas the night before October!!! 🎃 We adore Halloween time. 🤩 We hope you all are ready to celebrate the 👻 Spooooooooky...
09/30/2026

‘Twas the night before October!!! 🎃 We adore Halloween time. 🤩 We hope you all are ready to celebrate the 👻 Spooooooooky Season here at Pretend City!

Giveaway time! We're giving away a family of 4 tickets to Irvine's Pretend City Children's Museum Costume Week!Here's ho...
09/30/2026

Giveaway time! We're giving away a family of 4 tickets to Irvine's Pretend City Children's Museum Costume Week!

Here's how to enter our giveaway:
1. Follow on Instagram
2. Like this post
3. Tag friends in the comments you'd like to bring to Pretend City!
4. Bonus entry: Share this to your stories!

Each tag will count as an entry into our drawing. We’ll choose ONE winner for 4 tickets to Pretend City!

The giveaway closes on 10/10.

Must be 18+ years old to enter. Winners will be notified via DM by our account. This giveaway is not sponsored, endorsed or, administered by, or associated with Instagram.

Join us for spooky fun and costume week at Pretend City!

Dress up your little ones up and enjoy $2 off child admission!

Offer valid on🗓️: 10/25-10/31 (not valid on weekends)
🎟️ Tickets must be purchased at the door; no adjustments on pre-purchased tickets.

🎃

Address

29 Hubble
Irvine, CA
92618

Telephone

+19494283900

Website

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