Feeling the need to get the kids out of the house, but also looking for something out of the hot summer sun, we ventured to Teeny Town located in a fairly new multi-use complex in Union City, about a 30-minute drive from Oakland. Teeny Town’s indoor play space is designed for kids under 6, featuring a variety of pretend city buildings, a large ball pit with 2 slides, and a baby play area.
Teeny Town, Union City
Teeny yet mighty, the new Teeny Town in Union City packs a full village of kid-sized buildings and pretend grown-up trappings (laundry!) into a small space with large climbers and a ball pit. My 2-year-olds were delighted as soon as they saw the large ball pit; they sprinted off and jumped in…head first. This is a perfect spot for the preschool and toddler crowd.
The make-believe town is well-maintained, bright, and clean. It’s not too crowded on weekdays, and I found it easy to watch multiple kids by myself. Walks-in are welcome. Parking is free and easy, restrooms are on-site, and there are rows of tables near the entrance for the young ones to take a break for snacks.
Pro tip: Sign the waiver online in advance to save a bit of time at the entrance.
Heads up: No shoes allowed and socks are required. Grippy socks would be best since the padded floor was a bit slippery.
For an outdoor adventure, try Sunol with tiny ones!
What kids love about Teeny Town
After exploring the ball pit, my kids hopped into their cozy coupe mini cars and drove the winding road to the various stops within Teeny Town. Their tour included an ice cream truck, a grocery market, and a restaurant for a quick lunch. Of course, there were lots of detours back to the slides and ball pit. Somehow in their busy day, they still found time to do laundry and visit the doctor’s office. After about 2 hours, they reluctantly said goodbye to their new playmate as I coaxed them out of their new favorite town to head back to our not-nearly-as-fun grown-up-sized town.
Plan your visit to Teeny Town
There’s plenty of free parking in the lot located behind Teeny Town. Bonus: find free coffee and snacks in case you need a quick energy boost.
Ages: 12 months to 6 years
Location: 30707 Union City Blvd, Union City
Hours: Daily 10 am to 6 pm
Fees: $10 per child over age one for 1 hour of play; $20 for unlimited play.
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