Children's Fairyland
Vibrant, longtime amusement park pairing a storybook motif with rides & theatrical performances.
Children's Fairyland is rated 4.5 / 5 from 1,511 Google reviews and sits about 783 m (10 min walk) from 12th St Oakland station.
General overview
About Children's Fairyland
Children’s Fairyland is a storybook-themed family amusement park on the shore of Lake Merritt in Oakland, with whimsical sets, gentle rides, puppet shows, animals, and live entertainment aimed primarily at young children. The information below is based on general/training knowledge and has not been live-verified.
- One of the oldest continuously operating theme parks in the United States, opened in 1950.
- Storybook sets and play areas inspired by nursery rhymes and fairy tales.
- Small rides suitable for young children, including a carousel and other family attractions.
- Puppet theater, live performances, musical entertainment, and seasonal programming.
- Located beside Oakland’s Lake Merritt and the Gardens at Lake Merritt.
Things to do here
Storybook sets and play areas
Explore colorful, walk-through environments based on fairy tales, nursery rhymes, and children’s stories.
Children’s rides
Gentle amusement rides designed mainly for preschool and elementary-age children; height and age restrictions may apply.
Puppet theater
Fairyland is known for live puppet performances and theatrical storytelling. Show schedules vary by date.
Live entertainment
Musicians, performers, costumed characters, and special events may be presented during operating days.
Animal encounters
The park has historically included small animals and child-friendly animal features; availability can change.
Lake Merritt visit
Combine the park with a walk around Lake Merritt, visits to the nearby gardens, or other downtown Oakland attractions.
Allow extra time for parking and entry, especially on weekends and during school holidays. The park is beside Lake Merritt and is accessible by public transportation, including nearby BART and AC Transit connections, though a walk from transit may be required.
Check the official website for operating dates, event schedules, ticket availability, and any reservation requirements before departure.
This overview is general knowledge, not confirmed against an official source — verify hours, prices and entry rules before you go.
Photo gallery
See it before you go
Most asked
How to reach
Children's Fairyland is about 783 m (~10 min walk) from 12th St Oakland station on the BART (San Francisco Bay Area).
Before you go
Good to know
Verify tickets, seasonal hours, entry rules, and special events on the official website before visiting.
Pair it up
Also near this station
Drake's Dealership
Restaurants · 7 min walk
★ 4.6
The Cathedral of Christ the Light
Places to visit · 7 min walk
★ 4.7
Oakland Marriott City Center
Hotels · 10 min walk
★ 4.2
Courtyard by Marriott Oakland Downtown
Hotels · 11 min walk
★ 4.1
The Gardens at Lake Merritt
Places to visit · 12 min walk
★ 4.6
Oakland Museum of California
Places to visit · 15 min walk
★ 4.7
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to Children's Fairyland from 12th St Oakland station?
Children's Fairyland is about 783 m (roughly 10 min walk) from 12th St Oakland station on the BART (San Francisco Bay Area). Use the directions link on this page for turn-by-turn walking directions.
What is Children's Fairyland rated?
Children's Fairyland has a Google rating of 4.5 out of 5 from 1,511 reviews.
What's near Children's Fairyland?
Also within a short walk of the same station: Drake's Dealership, The Cathedral of Christ the Light, Oakland Marriott City Center.
Is Children's Fairyland wheelchair accessible?
Yes — Google lists the following accessibility features for Children's Fairyland: wheelchair-accessible entrance, wheelchair-accessible parking, wheelchair-accessible restroom.
Is there parking near Children's Fairyland?
Google lists these parking options near Children's Fairyland: paid parking lot, free street parking, paid street parking.
Is Children's Fairyland good for children?
Yes — Google lists Children's Fairyland as good for children.
What ages is Children’s Fairyland best for?
It is designed primarily for young children, especially preschool and early elementary ages, though families with older siblings can still enjoy the shows, storybook settings, and atmosphere.
Are adults allowed to visit without children?
The park is intended for children and families. Admission and entry policies for adults visiting without children should be confirmed directly with the park.
Is Children’s Fairyland indoors or outdoors?
It is primarily an outdoor park, so comfortable shoes, sun protection, and weather-appropriate clothing are recommended.
Can I bring a stroller?
Strollers are generally useful and commonly used in family parks, but some ride entrances, paths, or performance areas may require them to be parked in designated locations.
Are rides included with admission?
Regular park attractions and many rides have historically been included in general admission, but special activities or events may cost extra.
Does the park operate every day?
Not necessarily. Operating days are seasonal and may exclude certain weekdays or winter dates. Check the official calendar before visiting.
Can I bring my own food?
Policies can vary. Confirm current outside-food, picnic, allergy, and birthday-party rules with the park before packing a meal.
How long should a family spend there?
Plan on roughly three to five hours, or most of a day if you want to attend several performances and combine the visit with Lake Merritt.
Is parking easy?
Parking can be limited and competitive around Lake Merritt, particularly on weekends. Public transit, rideshare, or arriving early may be preferable.
Is the information current?
No. This response was prepared from general training knowledge without live web verification. Prices, hours, events, policies, and facilities may have changed; confirm details on the official website before relying on them.
Data and photos from Google Places, generated August 23, 2026. Ratings, hours and prices can change — confirm anything time-sensitive before you go.