Park Attractions

Favorite childhood stories come to life

Local architect William Russell Everitt designed our original storybook sets. His whimsical creations feature off-kilter walls, bright colors, and — most important — child-size proportions. We’ve added to and remodeled many sets over the years, but always in the original spirit.

Our best-known, and most-loved, sets include:

The Old Lady in the Shoe greets everyone who approaches our Fairy Gates.

Talking Storybook Boxes feature keyholes for Magic Keys ($3 in the gift shop) so you can listen to stories in English or Spanish.

Jack & Jill Hill is a bright green sliding hill that encourages physical and imaginative play.

The Jolly Roger Pirate Ship from J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan beckons older children (and adventurous little ones) into the crow’s nest above the rope ladder. Watch out for the crocodile!

Old West Junction features a livery stable, bank, jail, and water-tower slide. Kids can act out their favorite tall tales in fantasy play.

The Chapel of Peace gives parents and kids a place to relax. During Fairy Winterland in December, Black Santa Claus welcomes kids at the Chapel.

The Alice in Wonderland Tunnel twists and turns to bring young tunnelers into the playing-card maze. Tunnel windows show scenes from Alice’s adventures.

The Dragon Slide may look big and fearsome but this slippery slope is fun for kids over four. Sorry, no adults!

Willie the Whale spouts water from his blowhole and invites visitors to climb into his belly.

Peter Rabbit’s Garden is inspired by Beatrix Potter’s beloved tales.

Happy Dragon welcomes kids to climb all over his back as he lounges inside the gates. 

Fairy Music Farm Tunnel is a 118-foot-long journey of discovery with interactive musical instruments, a landscaped courtyard, and a series of murals showing fairies from different cultures.

Fairyland’s rides are designed to be colorful, fantasy-filled, and enjoyable for even very young children.

You’ll never find a “thrill ride” at Fairyland, but you will find fun and laughter.

Jolly Trolly: This kid-size train is our oldest ride, installed in 1954. It journeys past Old West Junction and through a tunnel. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Wonder-Go-Round: Installed in 1956, the carousel features Alice in Wonderland characters. Children must weigh no more than 90 pounds; children under 36" tall must be accompanied by an adult. 

Anansi’s Magic Web: This mini Ferris wheel, installed in 1975, resembles a spider’s web from the African folk tale. The maximum weight per cage is 90 pounds, and children must be shorter than 54". Sorry, no adults allowed.

Flecto Carousel: The Flecto Paint Company donated this bright carousel in 1997; it was completely refurbished and rededicated in 2016. Children must weigh no more than 70 pounds and be between 36" and 55"; no adults allowed.

Ride/Attraction Rules

• Lifting children over fences, and playing on fences, is prohibited.  
• For safety’s sake, stay on the outer portion of the fence while rides are in motion.  
• “Spot saving” or “line cutting” is never allowed. All riders must be in line at all times to access rides. If you or anyone in your group is found to be violating this rule, the Ride Operator may ask you to step out of line.
• Riders must: 
  • Meet minimum height requirements for rides. These minimum heights vary per ride.  
  • Have adequate head and neck control and the ability to sit independently in an upright position.  
  • Stay seated while the ride is in operation. 
  • Wait for our Ride Operators to open the gate before boarding and exiting.  

Take Fairyland home with you!

We have a beautiful gift shop at the park filled with Magic Keys, books, costumes, toys and more. Plus, we offer a more robust online store. Order from our online store and you can magically pick up your goods from our in-park shop on the day of your visit.

Give the gift of magic with Fairyland gift cards! Available now in the gift shop and online, Fairyland gift cards are redeemable for in store purchases or online shopping. Level up your gift-giving game with the gift of choice! From Fairyland attire and accessories, to Magic Keys, children’s books, and much more, the possibilities for perfect presents are endless!

Fairyland gift cards can be used at the Gift Shop or for online shopping only. It cannot be used to purchase tickets to the park, to purchase membership, birthday parties, summer camp, summer sleepovers, park rentals or be redeemed at Beansprouts Cafe.

Meet our friendly animals!

Animals have been an important part of Children’s Fairyland since we opened in 1950. Today, more than 15 gentle animals live in our park.

Want to help support one of Fairyland's most popular attractions? Donate items to help groom, engage, and treat our animals with loving care through our gift registry.

The Fairyland menagerie includes:

Cookie, our Nigerian Dwarf goat

Miniature donkeys, Gideon and Chiquita Bonita

Oatmeal and Raisin, our Olde English Baby Doll Sheep

Tilly and Sibley, two young chickens named after local parks

Puff, our "magic" bearded dragon

We offer volunteer opportunities in our animal department, especially for adults and mature teenagers with some experience in caring for animals. Get volunteer information.

Animal Policy

• Pets, or other animals are not allowed at Fairyland. One exception: Service animals that are trained to do work or perform tasks for, and to assist, an individual with a disability are allowed. All other animals, including emotional support, comfort or companion animals, are not considered service animals.
• Please do not feed our animals. They have a special diet and outside food can upset their tummies.
• Climbing animal fences and/or enclosures is prohibited.
• Be kind to our critters too. Harassing them is not ok.
• For the safety of our animals, and to keep our park beautiful, please leave all straws, and lids out of the park.

Discover how Mary’s garden grows
The gardens at Fairyland are sponsored in part by Dr. Earth, Inc.

Local nursery owner Arthur Navlet originally designed the gardens at Children’s Fairyland to bring the flora of favorite childhood stories to life. Now you can stroll by Mr. McGregor’s garden, visit Mary’s silver bells and cockleshells, and see some of the original plantings from 1950.

We use bay-friendly and integrated-pest-management gardening principles to keep our plants happy and healthy and to protect Lake Merritt. Vegetables from our organic garden feed our animals (and occasionally the staff).

There are also several rare plants dotting our landscape. The deciduous Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides), once thought to be extinct, is now growing strong near the Emerald City Stage.

Under the Dragon Slide, you’ll find Fairyland’s greenhouse, where many of our plants are propagated. If you’d like to take home a living memento of your visit, we have plants for sale in the plaza by our gift shop. The “Fairy Wand” plant is one of our favorites — can you spot it?

Garden clubs often visit to ask about our themed plantings. Feel free to do the same!

Bean Sprouts is a hip & healthy café that offers a variety of choices for the entire family including those who have picky eaters, allergies and other dietary challenges. Bean Sprouts’ award-winning Imaginibbles children’s menu empowers kids to make their own healthy choices. Grown-ups are delighted with equally tempting adult choices and a coffee bar! 

Bean Sprouts adheres to clean ingredient guidelines and features organic and sustainable foods, compostable packaging and eco-friendly design.

Check out the menu!

Café Hours:

• Wednesday and Thursday: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Closing one hour earlier on these days)
• Friday, Saturday, and Sunday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Bean Sprouts Recognized for Exceptional Service to Guests with Allergies 

Bean Sprouts was awarded the Best Food Allergy Innovation! The award, presented by AllerTrain, is a special recognition not only for Bean Sprouts but also for Children’s Fairyland as together we aim to serve the ever-increasing population of guests who have food allergies and sensitivities 

Access Bean Sprouts Allergen information here.