Way to Play Day at Pretend City, Nov. 13

Pretend City Children's Museum in Irvine sets aside one Friday a month for something most museum days do not offer: a chance for parents and caregivers to check in on how their child is growing. Way to Play Day lands on November 13 this month, and it is one of the more practical entries among the upcoming events Los Angeles and Orange County families can put on the calendar.

When: Friday, November 13, 2026 (confirm hours with the museum) Where: Pretend City Children's Museum, 29 Hubble, Irvine, CA 92618 Price: Not listed, check with the museum

What Way to Play Day is

Way to Play Days are held on the second Friday of every month. According to the museum, the day lets parents and caregivers complete free health screenings, including developmental, dental, vision and speech checks. Local child development experts are on site to share information and answer questions about a child's progress.

That makes it different from the museum's usual play days. The building is still a child-size city, so kids can try on grown-up roles while the adults in their lives talk through milestones and concerns with someone who works in the field.

Who it suits

The format is a good fit for families with toddlers and preschoolers who are curious whether their little one is on track, or who have a nagging question about speech, vision or teeth that has never quite made it to a pediatric appointment. It is also a low-pressure way to meet specialists without booking a separate visit.

If you are building a list of things to do in Los Angeles area with kids this fall, this belongs next to the usual story times and park days, with the bonus that it is useful as well as fun.

Getting there and planning

The museum is at 29 Hubble in Irvine, which is Orange County rather than Los Angeles County, so budget for the drive and weekday traffic on the 405 and 5. The museum's regular hours run Wednesday through Sunday, and its recurring listing for Way to Play Day shows a late-morning window, but the LA Parent calendar entry lists only the date. Call the museum at 949-428-3900 or check its calendar before you go to confirm the time, which screenings are offered that day, and whether admission or a reservation is needed.

Bring your child's pediatrician information and any questions you have written down, since the experts on site will do the most for you when you arrive with specifics. The museum also runs other family days through the month, so it is worth asking whether one lines up with your visit.

For more kid-friendly outings, browse the family events section of the site.