Things to do with kids in Irvine

Irvine is the center of Orange County family life: a miniature city for ages 1–6, a farm where a tractor takes you strawberry picking, a park with a hot-air balloon, and 15 minutes away a little train under century-old oaks, a $2 zoo, and 15 more to tide pools on the coast.

A perfect day for a 2-year-old: the little supermarket at Pretend City, then the duck pond and playground at Heritage Park, then strawberries at the Tanaka Farms stand; or the giant pigs at free Centennial Farm. For bigger kids: the train, pedal boats and OC Zoo at Irvine Regional Park, then starfish in the tide pools at Crystal Cove or Corona del Mar. The Great Park balloon flies on weekends when the weather allows, and its big playgrounds work any time; in October the whole family goes to the Irvine Park pumpkin patch, and from March to June to Tanaka for strawberries.

• 6 places
• 3 free
• 6 stroller-friendly
• closest is 10 min away