A newer Anatolia park with three playgrounds and a splash pad right next to them, which runs in the warm months.
Kitchen suites with pull-out sofas, a few minutes' walk from the Sacramento Children's Museum.
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.
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.
An indoor playground with a maze, slides, a tots area, a light-up dance floor and a ride area.
Ride-on miniature steam trains over a mile of track, trestles and all, run by volunteers in Hagan Park, with a pumpkin train and a Santa train in season.
3 days
