Whimsy Willow, located in a classic Victorian in Alameda, is a preschool on weekdays and transforms into a creative, innovative indoor-outdoor play space on weekends and holidays. Filled with crafts, toys, and books, the space is thoughtfully designed for children from crawling to age 6.
The bright indoor space at Whimsy Willow is intentionally divided into dedicated areas, starting with a craft station at the front. Kids can sit down and create to their heart’s content using a wide variety of materials. Beyond the craft area, there are multiple rooms to explore and play, host a tea party, shop at the market, build with blocks, read a book, or zoom around with cars. One room is specially designed for crawlers and younger children, featuring cushioned floors, soft surfaces, and sensory toys that are perfect for little ones to explore safely.
The outdoor play garden is just as lovely as the inside: spacious and full of places and activities to explore. There’s a large playground structure with a slide, a sand area, games, playhouses, and smaller climbers. Under the tent, a large craft area is stocked with plenty of supplies, giving kids even more opportunities to get creative. My kids loved moving back and forth between the indoor play area and the outdoor craft station, then over to the playground.
My 3 and 7-year-olds had a great time here and can’t wait to return. While older kids can enjoy crafting and some of the other activities, this space is primarily geared toward kids 6 and under. Whimsy Willow also offers a variety of family activities and is a popular venue for birthday parties. If you’re headed that way, check out 25 things to do with kids in Alameda to make the most of your time on this cute little island.
Plan your visit to Whimsy Willow
Upcoming Open Play:
- Feb. 14: Valentine’s Party, 10 am to noon
- Feb. 15: Valentine’s Volcanoes, 2–4 pm
- Feb. 21: Ice Play, 2–4 pm
- Feb. 22: Winter Fun, 10 am to noon
- Mar. 1: Active Art, 10 am to noon
*Check their website for private events closures, and for additional hours and events
Price: $18 per child, for 2 hours of open play
Location: 1523 Willow Street, Alameda
Parking: Free street parking
Best Ages: 6 months to 6 years
Bathrooms: Yes, on-site and very clean
2 thoughts on “Whimsy Willow: Fab Play Space & Garden in Alameda”
Looking for things young children can do when raining and during the pandemic
There are not many indoor destinations for typically rainy day fun, but we have found many cool places to get soaked if you’re up for it.