Pretend City Children's Museum

Pretend City Children’s Museum is a nonprofit children’s museum located in Irvine, California. The museum encompasses 17 interactive exhibits that simulate a small interconnected city. In addition to its exhibits, the museum provides community resources such as developmental screenings and tools for families, educators, and community agencies.

History


Alexandra Airth and Sandra Peffer established the Pretend City Children's Museum. Its first educational program was a mobile field trip experience in 2007 called “Pretend City on Wheels.”

In July 2009, Pretend City launched a 10-year countywide program designed to educate the community, parents, and caregivers about the importance of regular developmental screenings for children, specifically infants to age five. In November 2010, the museum was awarded “The Possible Dream” grant by The Festival of Children Foundation and OC Register, which funded autism programs and enabled Pretend City to hold two events a month for those affected by autism, such as creative relaxation classes, family autism day, and an autism workshop.

In 2021, while complying with the safety measures during the COVID-19 pandemic, Pretend City reopened.

Exhibits and Special Programs
Pretend City’s kid-sized environment contains exhibits modeled after a city and designed by David Rockwell. In addition to its exhibits, the location also offers educational field trips and classes.

Exhibits include: an Amphitheater, Art Studio, Mind + Body Center, Sandy Beach, Restaurant Café, City Hall and Lobby, Construction Site, Emergency Services with Dispatch Station, Police Station, Fire Station, Farm, Gas Station, Trader Joe's Grocery Store, Health Center with Doctor’s and Dental Office, Marina, Orange Plaza, Our Home, UPS Store, and Imagination Playground.