When you move to a city with your children, you are leaving all of their old haunts behind. Kids quickly develop a list of favorite things to do in and around town, and moving away from these activities can be stressful for your little ones. Finding things to do in your new city as soon as possible can help to alleviate this stress. Luckily, the Oakland area has no shortage of kid-friendly activities.
1.Children’s Fairyland
Think of Children’s Fairyland as the pre-cursor to modern-day amusement parks. With a few rides and plenty of exhibits, the park is perfect for children from infancy to age six. Themed play sets, food stands, and trains keep your kids busy for an entire afternoon.
2.Frog Park
If you want your kids to play in the great outdoors, Frog Park is the spot. Full of kids’ play structures, your little ones will tunnel, slide, and climb to their hearts’ content. Check out the wading pond on a bright, sunny day.
3.Recess
Recess is a sort of home away from home. If you do not have enough space in your house to hold hundreds of toys and large, expansive play areas, Recess can do it for you. Geared towards toddlers, the gym is separated into areas for walkers and non-walkers, offering a safe environment for young people of any age to romp and play together.
4.Exploratorium
Kids and adults alike love Exploratorium. The exhibits offer hands-on opportunities for fun and education. Science is made cool by the permanent exhibits, and children barely know that they are learning something as they play and interact with items throughout the building.
5.Chabot Space & Science Center
If your kids love planets and stars, Chabot is the place to go. Visit the exhibits and then head up to the telescope level. Not only can you and the kids look through telescopes, but there are plenty of low-tech activities on offer. Be sure to take in a show at the planetarium before you leave.
6.Lincoln Square Recreation Center
Designed for children of elementary age, this park is full of activities to keep little ones occupied for hours. A pirate ship is the highlight of the park for many children. Parents are quick to point out that the park is well lit and kept clean.
7.The Museum of Art and Digital Entertainment
This museum is a sort of modern-day arcade. You will find gaming systems from Atari to Xbox, and you can get your hands on all of them. There are rows upon rows of games to play. You and the kids can easily spend a whole day playing your favorite video games.
8.Totland Playground
Totland Playground is not your run-of-the-mill kids’ park. Aside from the standard swings and slides, this park has tricycles, scooters, and other wheeled-things for your children to ride. Balls to kick and sand to dig are also available.
9.Playland-Not-at-the-Beach
Get ready to spend a nostalgia-filled afternoon, and get ready to tell your children, “When I was your age…” over and over again. This center is filled with vintage boardwalk games, most of which are free to play. Skeeball is a favorite, allowing players to win tickets to turn in for prizes.
10.Pump It Up
Adults and kids alike are in love with Pump It Up. Bounce, climb, and play the afternoon away in this amazing facility. You are able to book birthday parties for kids and adults here; be sure to do so when the next birthday in your family rolls around.
The best way to get to know a new city is to get out and explore. Once you get settled in Oakland, put on your tennis shoes, get in the car, and get out there. You and your kids quickly feel at home when you discover all there is to do.
Robin Knight is an avid real estate blogger who offers information about local events and sights, such as things to do in Oakland.
