Children's Fairyland

Tucked away in the folds of Lake Merritt, a 10-acre park offers all the whimsy of a fairytale, minus the madness of an overcrowded theme park. Fairyland isn’t just about rides, though the pint-sized Ferris wheel is adorable and small enough for a toddler to feel safe on without mom or dad.

It’s more like a storybook coming to life, with interactive sets throughout the park that kids of all ages will be familiar with. At the park’s entrance, you’ll find a shoe with a roof and chimney, reminding you of “the old woman who lived in the shoe.” Three little pigs display their straw, brick, and stick houses in the park, and you can pretend to have a swordfight on a pirate ship inspired by Peter Pan before you slide down Alice in Wonderland’s tunnel. As you meander from memory to memory, you can travel with a key to turn on the story boxes, teaching more about the sets and the stories behind them.

Brought to life by the characters in books, Fairyland encourages reading and creativity. There are several little nooks throughout the park where you can sit down and exercise the imagination – a Reading Room lined with books, Arts and Crafts tables, an outdoor stage with live performances from the Children’s Theater, and a quaint seating area to watch the daily puppet shows.

Fairyland opened way back in 1950 and is run by a non-profit organization. This means you won’t be bombarded by advertising banners as you walk from the Dragon Slide to the Carousel, and the cost of admission is a low $7 per person. There’s food for the munching at Johnny Appleseed Café, with family-friendly prices for peanut butter and jelly, hot dogs, pizza and popcorn.

HelloMetro Tip: Fairyland has a strict safety policy. Even adults young at heart can’t get in on their own. Adults must be accompanied by children, and vice versa.


 

- by Renee M. Rutledge, San Francisco Reporter for HelloMetro  (Click to leave a message)

Renee M. Rutledge

Renee M. Rutledge currently writes articles on local travel and culture for Red Tricycle, Parents' Press, Oakland Magazine, and Alameda Magazine.