The Magic
Behind
The Gates
Unmissable Wonders Await
A favorite way to think of our park was summed up in San Francisco magazine. Children’s Fairyland, they said, is “as miniature and uncynical as a toddler’s beating heart.” We agree. Children’s Fairyland is, in many ways, a timeless reminder of the joys of standing three-feet tall.
Our magical mid-century 10-acre park is a fantasy world where young children can create, imagine, play, and learn all day long, located on the shores of Lake Merritt in Oakland, California. Buy tickets online or walk right up!
Explore this section to find out more about our famous storybook sets, 75-year history, and the dedicated people who make it all possible.
Enchanting children
for more than 70 years
Prehistoric Era
A "prehistoric era" for children's entertainment with limited options, as Disneyland and Nickelodeon TV did not yet exist. Amusement parks primarily catered to teenagers, with few options for young children.
Fairyland Opens
Fairyland opened its doors as one of the first parks designed for children, featuring fairytale sets, a carousel, pony rides, and a cotton-candy stand. Admission was between 9 and 14 cents, with costumed guides leading children through a fairytale landscape. All storybook sets were crafted by architect William Russell Everitt. Businessman Arthur Navlet, who owned a nursery, designed the park’s gardens, with some original plantings still thriving today.
Walt Disney's Visit
Walt Disney visited Fairyland and incorporated some of its ideas into Disneyland, which opened later that year. Disney also hired Fairyland’s first executive director, Dorothy Manes, and one of its puppeteers, Bob Mills.
Children's Theatre Program
Burton Weber, from the City of Oakland Parks and Recreation Department, created a program for young children called "Fairyland Personalities." This program is still part of Fairyland's Children's Theatre.
On August 29 and 30, 1970, in honor of the park's 20th anniversary, Frank Oz paid a return visit, accompanied by Bert and Cookie Monster, as the culmination of "Happy Week." The Sesame Street Muppets appeared twice on both days. Local newspapers also touted the fact that Frank Oz was one of the theme park's earliest patrons, attending on opening day at the age of five.
Nonprofit Status
With the help of the Lake Merritt Breakfast Club, Fairyland achieved 501(c)(3) nonprofit status. This allowed the park to apply for grants, receive bond funds, and accept donations to continue providing a family-centered, imaginative environment for children.
Fairyland Today
Children's Fairyland remains true to its mission as a magical fantasy world where young children can create, imagine, play, and learn. The park continues to offer affordable admission, with financial support allowing 4,000 low-income children to attend for free each year. Fairyland looks forward to a future filled with community support and joy for children.
Prehistoric Era
A "prehistoric era" for children's entertainment with limited options, as Disneyland and Nickelodeon TV did not yet exist. Amusement parks primarily catered to teenagers, with few options for young children.
Fairyland Opens
Fairyland opened its doors as one of the first parks designed for children, featuring fairytale sets, a carousel, pony rides, and a cotton-candy stand. Admission was between 9 and 14 cents, with costumed guides leading children through a fairytale landscape. All storybook sets were crafted by architect William Russell Everitt. Businessman Arthur Navlet, who owned a nursery, designed the park’s gardens, with some original plantings still thriving today.
Walt Disney's Visit
Walt Disney visited Fairyland and incorporated some of its ideas into Disneyland, which opened later that year. Disney also hired Fairyland’s first executive director, Dorothy Manes, and one of its puppeteers, Bob Mills.
Children's Theatre Program
Burton Weber, from the City of Oakland Parks and Recreation Department, created a program for young children called "Fairyland Personalities." This program is still part of Fairyland's Children's Theatre.
On August 29 and 30, 1970, in honor of the park's 20th anniversary, Frank Oz paid a return visit, accompanied by Bert and Cookie Monster, as the culmination of "Happy Week." The Sesame Street Muppets appeared twice on both days. Local newspapers also touted the fact that Frank Oz was one of the theme park's earliest patrons, attending on opening day at the age of five.
Nonprofit Status
With the help of the Lake Merritt Breakfast Club, Fairyland achieved 501(c)(3) nonprofit status. This allowed the park to apply for grants, receive bond funds, and accept donations to continue providing a family-centered, imaginative environment for children.
Fairyland Today
Children's Fairyland remains true to its mission as a magical fantasy world where young children can create, imagine, play, and learn. The park continues to offer affordable admission, with financial support allowing 4,000 low-income children to attend for free each year. Fairyland looks forward to a future filled with community support and joy for children.
Meet the Wizards behind the Curtain!
Here are some of the people who make Children’s Fairyland the special place it is.