Pretend City Children's Museum facts for kids
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| Established | 2009 |
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| Location | 29 Hubble, Irvine, California, U.S. |
| Type | Children's Museum |
Pretend City Children’s Museum is a special place in Irvine, California. It's a nonprofit museum, which means it focuses on helping people, not making money. This museum is designed to look like a small, busy city, with 17 fun exhibits where you can play and learn. Besides the exhibits, Pretend City also helps families and teachers. They offer tools and information about how kids grow and learn.
How Pretend City Started
Pretend City Children's Museum was created by two amazing people, Alexandra Airth and Sandra Peffer. Before the museum even opened its doors, they started a traveling program in 2007. It was called “Pretend City on Wheels.” This program brought museum fun directly to schools and events.
In July 2009, Pretend City launched a big program across the county. This program taught parents and caregivers how important it is for young children (babies to age five) to have regular check-ups on their growth and learning.
In November 2010, the museum received a special award. It was called “The Possible Dream” grant. This award helped Pretend City create programs for kids and families affected by autism. They even held special events twice a month, like fun relaxation classes and family days.
After the COVID-19 pandemic, Pretend City reopened safely in 2021. They made sure to follow all the health and safety rules.
Explore the City: Exhibits and Programs
Pretend City is like a mini-city built just for kids! The exhibits were designed by a famous person named David Rockwell. You can explore all sorts of places you'd find in a real city. The museum also offers special field trips and classes for groups.
What Can You Explore?
You can visit many cool places in Pretend City. Imagine playing in an Amphitheater, where you can put on a show! There's an Art Studio where you can get creative. You can also visit the Mind + Body Center to learn about staying healthy.
Other exciting spots include a Sandy Beach and a fun Restaurant Café. You can even visit City Hall and the Lobby. For those who love building, there's a Construction Site. If you like heroes, check out Emergency Services with a Dispatch Station, Police Station, and Fire Station.
You can also explore a Farm, a Gas Station, and a Trader Joe's Grocery Store. Learn about health at the Health Center, which has a Doctor’s and Dental Office. Don't forget the Marina, Orange Plaza, Our Home, and the UPS Store. Finally, the Imagination Playground is a great place to build and create anything you can dream up!
