Kid-friendly places in Rancho Cordova

A newer Anatolia park with three playgrounds and a splash pad right next to them, so nobody has to choose. The splash pad runs in the warm months only.

Kitchen suites with pull-out sofas, a few minutes' walk from the Sacramento Children's Museum. About as easy as a base gets with little kids.

Rancho Cordova's biggest park, by the American River trail, with three playgrounds and tons of grass and picnic spots. There's a parking fee on summer weekends.

All suites with full kitchens, gas grills outside and a grocery service, close to the Sacramento Children's Museum.

A big indoor playground that works for a wider age range than most: a three-level climber, ninja and obstacle courses for bigger kids and a separate toddler area. Grippy socks required.

A play museum built for kids up to about eight, which means everything is at their height and nothing is behind glass. It's in Rancho Cordova now, not downtown, and weekday visits end early.

An old-school diner by Highway 50 with breakfast all day, and a kids' menu of dollar-size pancakes, corn dogs and grilled cheese.

The neighborhood pizza place where Rancho Cordova's youth teams end up, with a big patio and a dining room built for a loud table.

Indoor black-light mini golf with pirates and mermaids, plus an arcade, so it works when it's 105 out or pouring.

Ride-on miniature steam trains over a mile of track, trestles and all, run by volunteers in Hagan Park. Public ride days are one weekend a month in the warm months, plus a pumpkin train and a Santa train, so plan around them.