Looking for a vibrant indoor playground in Santa Ana that’s especially toddler- and preschooler-friendly? Candeeland in Santa Ana offers just that—with a cute candy theme, padded climbing structures, and an affordable price tag that makes it easy to visit often. Here’s everything you need to know before you go.
📍 Address: 2800 N. Main Street, Santa Ana, CA 92705 (inside MainPlace Mall)
⏰ Hours: Mon–Thu 11am–8pm, Fri–Sat 10am–9pm, Sun 12pm–7pm
💰 Cost: $15 for 1 hour, $20 for 2 hours (ages 1–14); babies under 1 are free with paid child; 1 adult included per child; $3 per additional adult
🌐 Website: santaana.candeeland.com
🧒 Best for ages: 1–10
My Candeeland Review at Santa Ana
We went to Candeeland on a weekend afternoon with my 2- and 4-year-olds. It was definitely busy, but not overwhelming. The vibe felt kid-focused, and the space was clearly designed with littles in mind.
My kids were at the sweet spot for this place. At 2 and 4, they could enjoy both Little Land (for ages 4 and under) and the main play area. We played multiple rounds of hide and seek in Little Land, which has see-through vinyl windows so you can watch your kid build with giant blocks or crawl around while you take a breather.
They spent way more time in the bigger areas outside of Little Land—climbing through tunnels, scaling the obstacle course steps, and going up and down the little netted floors. My 4-year-old was fine playing independently, but my 2-year-old needed me to shadow him and wanted me to go down the colorful open slides with him.
We signed up for 1 hour, which felt like a good amount of time. That said, they easily could’ve played for 2—which seems to be the most popular option. We actually ended up staying around an hour and a half, since it took a bit of time to herd them out and stop for a bathroom break before leaving.
✅ Pros
- Budget-friendly admission compared to other indoor playgrounds
- Deals available (like discounted last hour and weekday Groupon offers)
- 1 adult is included for free with paid admission (finally! I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for my kid)
❌ Cons
- Limited time slots (1 or 2 hours per visit)
- Younger toddlers need a lot of supervision in the main play area
- Can get busy on weekends—not chaotic, but we did have to wait and take turns for certain areas
Candeeland Photos
What to Expect at Candeeland in Santa Ana
🏁 When You Arrive
- Remove shoes before you get to the front counter
- Pay and get a name tag showing your start and end time
- Announcements happen every 30 minutes to let you know when your time is up
- You can linger a bit (seems like the honor system) as you prep kids to leave
- Indoor slippers provided for bathroom use (limited pairs)
💵 Prices
How Much Does a Single Visit Cost?
- Kids Ages 1–14:
- $15 for 1 hour
- $20 for 2 hours
- Babies under 1: Free with paid child
- Adults: 1 adult free, $3 per extra adult
How Much Is a Membership?
$55 per child for unlimited visits each month (worth it if you go 3+ times)
Are There Any Special Discounts?
- Final hour of the day: $10 admission (compared to $15 for 1 hour)
- Groupon discounts often available for weekdays: Candeeland Groupon
⏰ How Long Can You Stay?
Admission is limited to 1 hour or 2 hour sessions. You’ll be given a name tag with your time window. Announcements every half hour remind each group when their time ends.
🎂 Is It a Good Fit for Your Kid’s Age?
What Ages of Kids Will Enjoy It?
- Best for ages 1 to 10
- Toddlers enjoy “Little Land” (for 4 and under)
- Older kids (up to 10) will love climbing and obstacle zones
Is There a Separate Baby or Toddler Zone?
Yes, “Little Land” is just for kids 4 and under with:
- Padded play
- Soft slides
- Ball pit
- Hamster wheel
🧦 Sock Policy
- Children must wear grip socks (bring your own or buy on site)
- Adults must wear socks too
🍕 Food & Drink Policy
- Outside food is allowed except desserts or drinks (I think they don’t want you to celebrate a birthday in here without booking an official birthday package)
- You can bring snacks or get food from the mall to eat inside
- They sell snacks like chips, cookies, popcorn, candy, soda, and instant noodles
- Indoor tables and chairs available to eat at
Candeeland is inside MainPlace Mall, so you can also grab food before or after your visit.
🎉 Birthday Party Options at Candeeland
I haven’t hosted a party here myself, but they do offer birthday packages. You can check pricing, availability, and what’s included on their official party page 👉 Candeeland Party Info
Plan Your Visit to Candeeland
📍 Candeeland Address (Santa Ana)
2800 N. Main Street
Santa Ana, CA 92705
(Inside MainPlace Mall on the second floor)
⏰ Open Hours
Monday–Thursday: 11am–8pm
Friday & Saturday: 10am–9pm
Sunday: 12pm–7pm
🔗 Website
🅿️ Parking
Free parking in the MainPlace Mall parking lot
📍 Waiver
Tips for Visiting Candeeland With Kids
- Bring grip socks for the kids to save some money (otherwise you’ll have to buy them there)
- Check out Groupon for deals on weekdays: https://www.groupon.com/deals/candeeland
- If you are local and can visit more often, they have a monthly unlimited membership that can save some money if you go 3+ times
- Least crowded on weekday mornings and early mornings. Tends to be more busy in the evenings and on weekends (when people tend to go to the mall)
Candeeland in Santa Ana: Is It Worth It?
Yes, definitely—especially for younger kids. Mine had a blast, and I appreciated that it didn’t break the bank.
Even though the visit is time-limited, it worked out. We’ve paid more for indoor playgrounds with all-day admission, but let’s be honest—we never come back once we leave. One to two hours is the perfect amount of time for toddlers anyway.
If your kids are in that 2 to 5 age range, this one hits the sweet spot.
That said, I think kids up to around age 10 could still have a lot of fun here—especially if they like climbing through levels and navigating obstacle-style play areas. Just keep in mind the design is geared toward younger kids, with most obstacles close to the ground.
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