It’s like Disneyland in Oakland. For babies! Who knew?
Connor Claire had so much fun at Fairyland yesterday. Among the things we learned, we learned that she loves puppet shows and sits attentively through them, and we also learned that she loves ducks! She met a cute duck couple named Valentine and Lucky and didn’t want to leave them.
If you ever make it out to Oakland, and you’re traveling with little ones, Children’s Fairyland is a fun stop. If Connor has her way, we’ll definitely be going back.
It was a ton of fun. It’s also right next to Lake Merritt, which is surrounded by a beautiful park and near lots of shops and restaurants.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Chrissy says
Such a pretty place and great pictures!! You look really pretty with the simple makeup. What color/brand of lipstick are you wearing?
Karen says
Thanks, Chrissy!
The lipstick is a new liquid lipstick by NARS, Powermatte, which is launching tomorrow on the NARS website and in NARS stores. The color is Star Woman. 🙂 I’ll have more swatches and a full review up in a few!
LindaLibraLoca says
I am pretty sure my kids would be all over that theme park as well. But my husband would be the most excited A child at heart.
Karen says
LOL, how cute! 🙂
Jane says
I miss those kind of adventures. There were many different places in the area to take Zack when he was little and he always enjoyed them. I think The Bronx Zoo was his favorite. A sixteen year old does not enjoy hanging out with the “old folks” anymore.
On another note, I am freaking out a bit because he passed the written part for his permit to drive and starts his required lessons next week. So much for my hair staying brown!
Be well! p.s. New fridge arrives today!
Karen says
Hi Jane,
Oh, wow! Driving is such a big step. He’s on his way… 🙂 I’m sure he’ll be cautious and careful, and that he’ll avoid fussing with his phone when he’s driving.
P.S. I’m weirdly excited about your new fridge. When we got ours a few years ago I literally did a happy dance in our kitchen, haha!
Kim says
It looks like you had a fabulous day! It reminds me of when the boys were small and we would go to Santa’s Village in NH. Clean, fantastic staff and perfect for little ones. 🙂 Children’s Fairyland looks like it’s the same kind of experience. So glad you guys were able to go and enjoy!
Karen says
Hi Kim,
The funnest part was seeing her have a good time. 🙂 She was so cute with the other kids! She wasn’t afraid to go up to them and say hi. I hope that she hangs on to that outgoing part of her personality as she gets older.
*tiny glittery tear* Why do they have to get older? WAH!
ChynnaBlue says
This post brought bank so many memories! I grew up in the East Bay Area and used to love Children’s Fairland when I was a kid. I remember the gnome blowing bubbles on the mushroom, the big green dragon at the entrance, and the playing card maze. Back then they had a story box at some of the attractions and you could buy a plastic key that would go into the box and “unlock” the recorded story. I remember the Anansi Web Ferris wheel that would tell you the story of Anansi the spider while you rode. And I loved the petting zoo! My cousin lives in the area and she takes her children there a few times a year and I always love seeing the pictures she posts, but she’s never posted this many. Thanks for the fun memories. I’m glad you enjoyed the park!
Karen says
Hi ChynnaBlue,
I saw some kids with keys and wondered what was up with them! I’ll have to get Connor one when we go back. 🙂 I bet your key still works.
Katie says
What a sweet, fun day! When my brother and I were little, we used to go on vacation every year to Ogunquit, Maine, a small beach village. Nearby in York Beach, there is an amusement park and zoo. It was just the highlight of our year! I’m a bit of a scaredy cat so I never went on the roller coasters (although looking back, they were small and barely scary), instead sticking to the Super Slide and carousel! We could just spend days and days there, and leave to have lunch at the Goldenrod restaurant outside the gates. My dad was actually taken there during his childhood as well, and his parents went during their teen years. I hope to continue the tradition when I have kids.
Karen says
That place sounds so sweet, Katie. A great place to make memories.
I hope you had a lovely Fourth of July. Did you get to see any fireworks?
Tatiana says
What a fun day! Thanks for sharing the cute photos of Connor with us.
Karen says
Thanks, lady! I’m hoping that we’ll get to go back soon. She really liked it! She was so cute, too, with the other kids. She wasn’t afraid of the big kids at all! She walked right up to several of them and said, “HI!”. It was the cutest thing. I can’t believe they have to grow up…
What did you guys do for the Fourth? Did your daughter come over?
Tatiana says
Yup, they grow up. Just remember to embrace and enjoy them at each age along the way. I never really wrote anything down or took a lot of pictures and now I sort of wish I had, so it’s good you already have all these photos of Connor.
I think (and I’m no expert) that it’s good to let them be intrepid and let them explore and test their boundaries, as long as you are there for them to come back to for safety and comfort.
Dear Husband and Dear Daughter both worked, so I exercised and then pulled weeds and laid down mulch. So much fun!
Donna says
OMG!! I used to go to Fairyland, the same one, near Lake Merritt, in 1959!! I’m so happy to see it is still there. Lovely pictures, thank you for sharing.
Karen says
Hi Donna,
You’re welcome. 🙂 It’s such a lovely place and I hope to make many good memories there with my daughter.
Are you still in the Bay Area?
Donna says
You’re welcome! No, not still in the Bay Area. We moved to Vermont in 1989 to raise our two sons. Which is why I love your blog, there are very few makeup counters in this State!
Chelsea says
Looks like Connor Claire had such a good time!
Becca M says
Is it weird that I think it looks fun even though I don’t have kids? Probably weird, but I embrace it! It looks charming and colorful and wholesome (except for that shifty eyed dragon. ?) Plus a snack stand means I’m in if I ever make it back Oakland way!
Kristen says
Um this place looks awesome! I’m jealous.
Alli says
Loved this! Always looking for places to take the little one! My son Gabe is maybe 2 months older than Connor Claire and I feel everyday with him gets better and better! I live in Texas and recently took him to an indoor jungle gym place called Safari Run. He loved it! Turns out the other two locations are in the South Bay, one in San Mateo and Sunnyvale. If you ever need to go there for any reason, might be a good place to take Connor Claire! Thanks again for sharing such a special day;)