KidsOutAndAbout San Francisco

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Mon, Apr 6: Spring Break Spirit Week - Children's Fairyland
Sat, Apr 11: Model Trains - Roaring Camp
Sat, Apr 18: Butter & Egg Days Parade & Festival - Petaluma Downtown Association

Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:

One of the best things about spring is that it turns all of us into treasure hunters.

After a long winter, we adults start scanning the world for signs that life is returning: We notice the first mist of green in a forest's understory, the first brave crocus, the first daffodil. If we point out loud, kids catch on quickly, drawn by the thrill of seeking what winter was hiding even just a few weeks ago, and they're ready to find magic behind every tree.

Of course, in certain parts of North America, spring can be stingy in early April: The calendar may insist it’s here, but the yard is still beige, the trees are still bare, and the only things blooming outside are spreading patches of mud. But there’s no rule that says spring surprises have to come only from Mother Nature! That’s one reason I’m such a fan of egg hunts.

Last year, I wrote an extremely popular step-by-step article showing how to Turn Easter Into a Treasure Hunt, complete with a printable PDF of rhyming clues. It’s right there waiting for you, ready to make you look like a genius with practically zero effort. And if you want to kick it up a notch and invite a crowd, our article Easter Egg Hunts: Tips and Tricks for a Great Party lays out the strategies for what may be the easiest, fastest, best-bang-for-the-buck kids’ party on Earth. Sure, egg hunts feature prominently in our culture's Easter traditions, but they needn't belong only to Easter, they're a wonderful diversion anytime, in any context.

Spring is a season that proves there’s treasure everywhere. Sometimes the universe provides the fun for us. And sometimes we create it ourselves.

—Debra Ross, publisher of KidsOutAndAbout.com, co-author of The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build Strong Communities

KidsOutAndAbout.com: Discover more. Do more. Connect more.

If you like my publisher's column, you can easily scroll through past columns in the "Notes from Deb" section of our site.

Blue Bear School of Music

- Come make some music at Blue Bear this summer! We have rock band camps for everyone from beginners to total shredders, and also DJ, production, and songwriting camps for the non-rockers of the world. Curriculum is designed to be fun and slyly educational, and every camp culminates in a performance on Friday for friends and family. We'll see you there!

Toddler Storytime

Toddler Storytime is a 20-30 minute program that uses stories, songs, fingerplays, and movement to help young children ages 1-3 years old develop word and sound recognition, gain background knowledge of how the world works, and encourages families to build social connections with other parents and children.

Light Play Studio - The Exploratorium

Join us for this limited-time tinkering experience for all ages! Experiment together as a family, and prepare to be surprised by your own ingenuity. Leave your mark with highlighters and UV light. Turn familiar shadows into strange creatures and landscapes, and create colorful portraits with long exposure photography. Plus, immerse yourself in surprising artworks that play with color and perception, and explore 700+ hands-on exhibits that will delight the whole family.

Easter Egg Hunts - Lemos Farm

The farm will be open for the Easter Season! We will host numerous large family Easter Egg Hunts at the farm from March 21st though Easter Sunday. All Eggs hunts will be included in the price of admission. Tickets also include unlimited access to Pony Rides, Train and Hay Rides, Petting Zoo, Farm Slide and bounce houses, Tractor Town, Haunted House, and the Car Barn. We will gather in front of the main entrance prior to each hunt. Please remember to bring your own basket.

Family Farm Day - Slide Ranch

Join us for a fun-filled day of farm activities. Want to enhance your experience? Add on camping for an additional fee and sleep under the stars! Slide Ranch's Family Farm Day is an exciting 3.5-hour program, 9:30am-1:00pm, featuring goat milking. Other activities may include visiting our chickens and ducks, harvesting herbs and veggies in our garden, hiking spectacular coastal trails, tidepooling, and more. Discover Slide Ranch's feathered, furry, and wooly friends with your whole family.

Eggstraordinary Easter Egg Hunt - Roaring Camp

The Easter Bunny makes a stop at Roaring Camp. Hop aboard the Redwood Forest Steam Train to Bear Mountain for an Easter Egg Hunt and participate in Easter activities in Town.

Veterinary Hospital Tours - Oakland Zoo

This behind-the-scenes tour will take you through a facility designed to accommodate all current and future animals at Oakland Zoo, from small birds to large tigers and grizzly bears. It features radiology and surgical suites, a small laboratory, a pharmacy, wide transportation docks, and LEED Gold certification.

Farmstand - Blue House Farm

Our Farmstand is open year round and stocked with already harvested veggies, flowers, heirloom dry beans and preserves all organically grown here at Blue House Farm! We also carry sourdough bread and pastries from Rosalind Bakery, local pastured eggs from Antonio & Sons Farm, chicken, pork, and beef products from our friends at Root Down Farm and Markegard Family Grass-fed, organic seasonal fruit from Frog Hollow Farm and Blossom Bluff Orchards, local honey from State Street Honey, and lots of other goodies from our coastside community!

Earth and Arbor Day Festival - City of Cupertino, California

Cupertino’s Annual Earth and Arbor Day Festival is an interactive event that invites community members of all ages to learn about environmental issues and solutions in a family-friendly atmosphere. Consistently attracting thousands of attendees and dozens of partner organizations, the Earth and Arbor Day Festival features hands-on activities, live entertainment, and delicious food served by local food trucks.

CHRS Presents Retro Roadshow- Playing with the Future

CHRS is collaborating with Retro Roadshow to put on an amazing event around Sci-Fi, radio, broadcasting, and vintage electronics. We will begin with 45 minutes of presentation guiding attendees through the interconnected history of Science Fiction and Video Games.

FREE Dinosaur Eggscavation: Eggster's Egg Hunt and Learning Festival

Come search for dinosaur eggs at Eggster's 32nd Annual Egg Hunt and Learning Festival, a fun, free educational event that consists of activity booths, performances, and egg hunts to provide young children with positive experiences on a college campus to encourage them to pursue higher education. This year's theme is Dinosaur Eggscavation, so join us at the Campanile Esplanade on the UC Berkeley campus as we explore the prehistoric world.!

iD Tech Camps

iD Tech: The World's #1 STEM Summer Camp! BattleBots® Camp? You can only get it here. Roblox Camp? We've got that and more in our Summer '26 lineup. Register today at the top-rated tech camp for 25 years and counting! iD Tech is the very best experience built around your child—their interests, their skill level, their goals for the future. Trusted by 75+ of the world’s top universities and over 1,000,000 parents, iD Tech is where kids and teens learn from the best—coding, game dev, robotics, and more. The future starts at iD Tech! Click here for more information about your local iD Tech opportunities! Virtual camps are also available!

Free Spring Mini Photo Session with Shoott - Shoott - Broadway, New York, NY, USA, 04/02/2026 to 04/04/2026, See link for times
Toddler Plus Storytime - Main Library - Children's Department, 04/03/2026, 10:30am
Family Storytime - Alameda Free Library - West End Library, 788 Santa Clara Avenue, Alameda, CA 94501, 04/04/2026, 10:30am
Family Storytime - Main Library - Children's Department, 04/04/2026, 10:30am
Free International Call for Art 6x6 - Rochester Contemporary Art Center (RoCo), 137 East Ave, Rochester, NY 14604, 04/04/2026, 12pm- 5pm Wednesday through Sunday, and 12pm-9pm on Fridays
CHRS Presents Retro Roadshow- Playing with the Future - California Historical Radio Society - Central Avenue, Alameda, CA, 04/04/2026, 1 pm to 4 pm
*FREE* Dinosaur Eggscavation: Eggster's Egg Hunt and Learning Festival - Sather Tower, Berkeley, CA, 04/04/2026, 10:00AM - 3:00 PM
Easterfest Brave Church - Brave Church San Ramon - 20801 San Ramon Valley Blvd, San Ramon, CA 94583, 04/05/2026 to 04/06/2026, 9am - 12pm PDT

2026 Guide to Summer Camps in the San Francisco, CA area

The KidsOutAndAbout annual guide to summer camps in the San Francisco area is back! You can search by date, age, or categories like day/overnight, sports, drama, music, theatre, arts & crafts, technology, robotics, horseback riding, preschool, & more. Our guide puts summer fun right at your fingertips!

Preschool, Day Care, and Toddler Programs In and Around San Francisco

Parents have an abundance of choices when it comes to PreK and day care options in the San Francisco area! Use our Big List to help find the best one for your kiddos and check our events calendar to find Open Houses where you can meet teachers and tour the schools.

Escape Rooms in and around San Francisco

Looking for a thrilling family-friendly adventure in the San Francisco? Escape rooms are interactive, puzzle-packed experiences where you and your team work together to solve clues and complete your mission-all before time runs out! Whether you're escaping a spooky cabin, cracking a high-stakes heist, or breaking a magical curse, escape rooms offer exciting, screen-free fun for kids, teens, and adults.

Birthday Party Locations in and around San Francisco

There are lots of places to have a birthday party in the San Francisco area! Start thinking outside the box! KidsOutAndAbout has dozens (and dozens) of ideas! In addition to venues in San Francisco, there are places in Oakland, Alameda, Pacifica, San Leandro, Walnut Creek, Hayward, Dublin, and San…

Top 20 Places to Take Kids in and around San Francisco

2025's best places to take kids in the San Francisco Bay area. Early each summer, thousands of parents vote in the KidsOutAndAbout survey of the Top 20 Places to Take Kids. Our Top 20 results page is an annotated list of the winners, both of the top 20 slots and of the three category winners: Who won for Top Arts Educator, Top Sports Educator, and Top STEM Educator?

Have a great weekend!

Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella

KidsOutAndAbout.com
Discover more. Do more. Connect more.

170 Office Park Way
Pittsford NY 14534
US

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🌷So much spring family fun at Pinstripes!

2026-03-27T14:00:44-04:00

Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:

Spring has officially sprung at Pinstripes, and they've lined up several special ways to celebrate together as a family.

Easter Bunny Brunch Easter Weekend

Pinstripes is welcoming the season with its annual Bunny Brunch. Their all-you-can-eat brunch brings a mix of great food and family-friendly fun for an easy way to gather and enjoy the holiday together.

Save your seat for Bunny Brunch!

All-You-Can-Eat Experience

Families can enjoy a full all-you-can-eat brunch featuring brunch favorites, including carved prime rib, mini waffles, macarons, and other sweet and savory options. DIY mimosa kits are also available for adults looking to add something extra to the experience.

Meet & Greet Moments With The Easter Bunny

During brunch, the Easter Bunny stops by for photos and quick visits with the kids. It’s low-key, not overwhelming and no long lines or rushed snapshots. Perfect for families who want to celebrate the holiday together without the hassle.

Save your seat for Bunny Brunch!

April Kids Club

April 11

Before Brunch On Saturday, April 11th, Pinstripes kicks off the weekend with their monthly Kids Club before brunch. Little ones can dive into spring-themed crafts and get their faces painted for just $5. Bonus: kids who attend enjoy brunch for free!

$6 Kids Meals

April 20 through April 26

Already dreading the post-spring break blues? Pinstripes is making it easy to get the family out of the house with $6 kids meals! This deal's available for just one week, so start planning your post-spring break fun today!

Plan Your Visit

Make the most of your family time together this spring at Pinstripes!

Best,

Debra Ross
Publisher
KidsOutAndAbout.com

We periodically send special editions of the KidsOutAndAbout.com e-newsletter to showcase an important upcoming event or opportunity. This is one of those! Thanks for being part of our community!

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Pittsford NY 14534
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KidsOutAndAbout Bay Area Newsletter 3/26/26: Tour Guide

2026-03-26T09:01:08-04:00

KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter

San Francisco KidsOutAndAbout Newsletter
March 26, 2026

*Easter Events and Activites
*80 Easter Basket Ideas That Aren't Candy
*Tips for Hosting An Easter Egg Hunt
*Create A Clue-Filled Easter Egg Hide-and-Seek

Post your organization and events to our site (It's all FREE!)

Thu, Apr 9: Wander Woods Spring Festival at California Academy of Sciences
Sat, Apr 11: Oakland’s Magic Kitchen - Children's Fairyland

Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:

Before I had kids, one of my colleagues told me that fundamentally, a parent’s job is to point. At first, you point physically: You point at the waterfall and say “waterfall,” at the moon and say “moon,” at the flower and say “flower.” You’re helping a child connect sounds to objects, words to concepts, language to reality. But later, and really all the way through, the pointing becomes more metaphorical. Parenting is the ongoing work of connecting your child’s growing capacity to understand with a world that is, to them, forever expanding. As I had Madison and Ella, I came to think of this as being a tour guide to the world.

A good tour guide needs to know the landscape, of course. But even more important, a good tour guide needs to know the traveler. What can this particular child see right now? What are they ready for? What do they care about? What frightens them? What delights them? It's useful to remember that kids haven’t actually been here before: The world is brand-new to them over and over again, so what feels ordinary to us is often astonishing to a child. Tour guides who are doing their job well pay close attention to who their audience is and what they know, and that makes the pointing easier and more fun.

Spring is the perfect season to practice pointing. In spring, the world changes fast enough for kids to notice. Buds swell and burst. Birds return. Tiny green things push up through the dirt as if by magic. Day to day, the world becomes visibly more alive. If we point it out, kids can catch it happening in real time.

And spring does not arrive quietly. It comes as an avalanche of the senses: color, smell, birdsong, mud, wind, sunlight, thunder, petals, pollen, rushing water. So maybe that’s part of the job, too: not just to point, but to lean into it. To stand beside our kids in the rush of it all and say, Look! Here it comes.

—Debra Ross, publisher of KidsOutAndAbout.com, co-author of The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build Strong Communities

KidsOutAndAbout.com: Discover more. Do more. Connect more.

If you like my publisher's column, you can easily scroll through past columns in the "Notes from Deb" section of our site.

Camp Invention 2026

The all-new 2026 Camp Invention® program, Spark, is coming to curious kids in your community this summer! Rising K-6 campers will collaborate with friends to tackle hands-on, open-ended challenges. They’ll team up with robotic capybaras, ride the waves of entrepreneurship, uncover the power of protecting their ideas and build a DIY space rocket! Each experience is designed to spark confidence, build persistence and create unforgettable summer memories. Visit invent.org/save/camp to secure your spot! Register using CIFUN25 by 3/31 to save $25 or CIFUN20 by 4/28 to save $20 when you register. Interest-free payment plans are available, making camp affordable for all families.

Brandeis School Of San Fran

Camp Brandeis delivers an engaging, activity-packed experience with in-depth STEM, arts, and sports blocks every day, plus 1 field trip per week to exciting Bay Area destinations via private bus. Campers rotate through visual and performing arts, hands-on STEM, and sports/movement, guided by unique two-week themes that shape learning and exploration. Each week features special events like foam parties, bouncy houses, magic shows, visiting performances, sweet treats, and joyful Friday celebrations. Led by warm, experienced counselors and teachers, our program fosters togetherness, friendship, and growth, grounded in our core values of Kindness, Integrity, and Service.

The Batman Armory: Movie Props and Costumes from the Bronze Armory Studios - Cartoon Art Museum

See replicas of the batsuit worn by Michael Keaton in 1989’s Batman; the Val Kilmer Panther Batman and Sonar Batman suits; the George Clooney Batman; Christian Bale's Batman from The Dark Knight; and the Ben Affleck Bat Armor from Batman vs. Superman. Numerous replica hand props and weapons from all the films and some from the 1960s TV show starring Adam West will also be on hand.

Mother Goose on the Loose

This fast paced lap-sit program for little ones and their caregivers includes songs, nursery rhymes, knee-bounces, and movement to help develop important pre-literacy skills. This class is appropriate for infants through 2 years old.

Light Play Studio - The Exploratorium

Garden Party - Children's Museum of Sonoma County

Come to Garden Party and join Farmer Emily to help us maintain a thriving edible garden. Through hands-on science and art activities, you will learn more about sustainable gardening practices you can use beyond our walls in your own home garden. There might even be something to harvest for your next meal!

Toddler Plus Storytime

Toddler Plus Storytime is a 20-30 minute program using stories, songs, fingerplays, and movement to help young children ages 2-3 years old develop word and sound recognition, gain background knowledge of how the world works, and encourage families to build social connections with other parents and children. Toddler Plus Storytime is a bit longer and more complex than what is typically presented during Toddler Storytime and is perfect for children about to enter preschool.

Easter Egg Hunts - Lemos Farm

Saturday Science Drop-in Workshops - Randall Museum

Get enthralled by simple science topics presented through project-based activities. Most classes produce a fun project to take home and continue the discoveries.

Summer Hot Dog Productions - City of Palo Alto, California

These outdoor performances are perfect for families. Upcoming showings include Free to Be… You and Me. Food and drink are sold onsite by the Friends of the Palo Alto Children’s Theatre. All Summer Hot Dog Productions take place in the “Secret Garden” at the Children’s Theatre.

Magic Tree House - De Anza College Planetarium

In Magic Tree House: Space Mission, a mysterious "M" sends the intrepid Jack and Annie on a fun-filled journey to discover the secrets of the Sun, Moon, planets, space travel and more. Aligned with early elementary information skills learning objectives, this beautifully produced show is a winner with Magic Tree House fans of all ages.

Big Art Weekend - Bay Area Discovery Museum

Big Art Weekend is a member favorite that lets the artist in everyone shine! Bring the family for to get artsy with activities where they can splatter paint, mix mud, design (washable) tattoos, and more. We provide the supplies, handle the mess, and you bring the fun! Included with membership and general admission, it’s a creative adventure for all.

Free spring mini photo session with Shoott! - Bay Area - Shoott - Shoott, Broadway, New York, NY, USA, Friday, March 27, 2026 to Sunday, March 29, 2026, See link for times
Toddler Plus Storytime - Main Library - Children's Department, Friday, March 27, 2026, 10:30am
Family Storytime - Alameda Free Library - West End Library, Alameda Free Library, 788 Santa Clara Avenue, Alameda, CA 94501, United States, Saturday, March 28, 2026, 10:30am
Family Storytime - Main Library - Children's Department, Saturday, March 28, 2026, 10:30am
Family Storytime - Main Library, Sunday, March 29, 2026, 12:30pm

2026 Guide to Summer Camps in the San Francisco, CA area

Preschool, Day Care, and Toddler Programs In and Around San Francisco

Escape Rooms in and around San Francisco

Birthday Party Locations in and around San Francisco

Top 20 Places to Take Kids in and around San Francisco

Have a great weekend!

Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella

KidsOutAndAbout.com
Discover more. Do more. Connect more.

170 Office Park Way
Pittsford NY 14534
US

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KidsOutAndAbout Bay Area Newsletter 3/19/26: Discomfort Zone

2026-03-19T09:01:06-04:00

KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter

San Francisco KidsOutAndAbout Newsletter
March 19, 2026

Easter Fun

Post your organization and events to our site (It's all FREE!)

Sat, Mar 28: Summer Hot Dog Productions
Fri, Apr 3: Easter Weekend Celebration at Gilroy Gardens
Sun, Apr 5: Easterfest - Brave Church
Sun, Apr 12: Party for the Planet - Happy Hollow Park and Zoo

Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:

The first time I can remember having to take a public stand on anything was in eighth grade English. We were assigned an essay on a controversial topic and told we’d present our arguments to the class. When he handed back our papers, Mr. Schmidt added a twist: no reading. We’d speak from notes.

I was horrified. After school, I tried to negotiate my way out of it. “This makes me really uncomfortable,” I told him, hoping for mercy. He looked at me over his glasses. “That’s the whole point,” he said. “To get stuff done, you have to get comfortable being uncomfortable. Don’t worry, you’ll live.”

Mr. Schmidt was right. I didn’t die. And more important, I learned something that stuck: Discomfort isn’t a stop sign, it’s just part of the road, and all roads are bumpy.

That lesson shaped how I've raised my kids, too. Karate helped Madison and Ella distinguish between effort and injury. Long car rides taught them to rely on their own imaginations. Theater nudged them to stand however close to the spotlight they could manage, even when they’d rather disappear. And summer camps—those muddy, unpredictable, gloriously imperfect experiences—gave them countless chances to try something new and realize I can do this without the stigma that can accompany failing in other contexts.

Growth rarely happens inside the comfort zone, which is why I’m such a believer in giving kids opportunities to stretch beyond what feels easy. Summer programs are perfect for this, so that's why during "summer camp search season" we focus on showcasing the wide variety of camps and programs available in each area we serve. Here's the link to the portal page.

These days, as we approach the 25th anniversary of KidsOutAndAbout.com in June, I see that same principle playing out: The technology has changed, the business climate has changed, but the equation hasn’t. Discomfort still shows up right before something meaningful. And I still hear Mr. Schmidt’s voice in my head: Don’t worry, you’ll live.

—Debra Ross, publisher of KidsOutAndAbout.com, co-author of The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build Strong Communities

KidsOutAndAbout.com: Discover more. Do more. Connect more.

If you like my publisher's column, you can easily scroll through past columns in the "Notes from Deb" section of our site.

Camp Invention 2026

Art Making at The Foster Museum

All skill levels are welcome to find inspiration from Tony Foster's watercolor wilderness Journeys within the galleries. Bring your own art supplies such as graphite pencils or watercolor sets, nature journals or sketch pads, or borrow our colored pencil provisions. Spend time in our meditative galleries looking closely at Foster's artwork masterpieces, and making your own!

Happiest Place on Earth: The Disneyland Story - The Walt Disney Family Museum

The Walt Disney Family Museum continues its celebration of the 70th anniversary of Disneyland with the debut of Happiest Place on Earth: The Disneyland Story, an original special exhibition curated by award-winning producer and Disney Legend Don Hahn with museum Director of Collections and Exhibitions Marina Villar Delgado. Inspired by the 2025 book, The Happiest Place on Earth: The Incredible Story of Walt Disney’s Disneyland, published by Disney Editions and written by Hahn and historian Christopher Merritt, this treasure trove of Disney history will take guests behind the scenes of one of the most groundbreaking endeavors of the 20th century—the creation and opening of Disneyland in Anaheim, California. Happiest Place on Earth: The Disneyland Story will be on view beginning Friday, November 14 in the museum’s Lower Lobby and Theater Galleries.

Toddler Storytime

DLUX Puppets' Peter Pan

Fly into Neverland with Wendy, Peter Pan and Tinker Bell in this new original, multimedia adaptation! In their adventures, with the Lost Boys and Captain Hook, Wendy learns that a brain filled with fear has little space for dreams. Using popular songs from the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s, stunning digital scenery, life sized puppets and live performers, children receive a valuable message, and adults enjoy a wonderfully entertaining show for audiences of all ages!

Rainforest Weekends - Roaring Camp

Learn about California's own Coastal Redwood Forest, aboard a 100 year old steam train. Along the journey, hear fascinating information about the coastal redwoods and their ecosystems from docent specialists.

The Moon - De Anza College Planetarium

Have you ever wondered what makes the Moon so special? Apart from the Sun, the Moon is one of the brightest objects in the sky and it’s the second place, other than the Earth, that humans have set foot. Come and learn about the Moon’s phases, craters and other characteristics that make the Moon a very special place. Family Audience - Children 5 and older.

Bay FC Home Games

Bay FC is a San Francisco Bay Area-based professional women’s soccer team competing in the NWSL since 2024, playing home matches at PayPal Park in San Jose.

Sound Bites: STEM activites for KIDS

Come record yourself talking into a microphone in a radio studio! This drop-in workshop is designed especially for kids and teens. No prior experience is needed, and participants can stop by anytime during the two-hour window

Toddler Plus Storytime

Free Spring Mini Photo Session with Shoott - Shoott - Shoott, Broadway, New York, NY, USA, Friday, March 20, 2026 to Sunday, March 22, 2026 - See link for times
Toddler Plus Storytime - Main Library - Children's Department, Friday, March 20, 2026 - 10:30am
Family Storytime - West End Library, Alameda Free Library, 788 Santa Clara Avenue, Alameda, CA 94501, United States, Saturday, March 21, 2026 - 10:30am
Family Storytime - Main Library - Children's Department, Saturday, March 21, 2026 - 10:30am
Sound Bites: STEM activites for KIDS - California Historical Radio Society, Central Avenue, Alameda, CA, USA, Saturday, March 21, 2026 - 10 am to 12 pm
Springtime Workshop Grades K-6 Cartoon Art Museum - Cartoon Art Museum, 781 Beach Street, San Francisco, CA 94109, United States, Saturday, March 21, 2026 - 11:00 am–1:00 pm
Family Storytime - Main Library, Sunday, March 22, 2026 - 12:30pm

2026 Guide to Summer Camps in the San Francisco, CA area

Preschool, Day Care, and Toddler Programs In and Around San Francisco

Escape Rooms in and around San Francisco

Birthday Party Locations in and around San Francisco

Top 20 Places to Take Kids in and around San Francisco

Have a great weekend!

Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella

KidsOutAndAbout.com
Discover more. Do more. Connect more.

170 Office Park Way
Pittsford NY 14534
US

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Bay Area KidsOutAndAbout Summer Camp Newsletter- March 2026

2026-03-17T12:34:24-04:00

Summer Camps in the Bay Area

Arts, Crafts, & Cooking Camps

San Francisco KidsOutAndAbout Summer Camp Newsletter

March 17, 2026

Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:

Here at KidsOutAndAbout.com, we love promoting summer camps as a way for kids to learn, expand their friendship circles, and have fun without the pressure of grades or consequences. Local summer camps have pulled out all the stops to ensure your kids have a great time.

After getting inspired by the camp descriptions below with programs for preschoolers through teens, head over to our Week by Week Guide to Summer Camps and what's been posted so far for 2026. Bookmark that main portal page to get where you need to go quickly to search by date or subject. New camps are being added constantly, so check back frequently.

I hope you enjoy our special-edition camp newsletter, and that you forward it to your friends who may also be shopping for summer camps. We'll be back with your regularly-scheduled weekly newsletter on Thursday!

—Debra Ross, publisher

KidsOutAndAbout.com: Discover more. Do more. Connect more.

Summer camps 2026: Week by Week

Week of June 14, 2026

Week of June 21, 2026

Week of June 28, 2026

Week of July 5, 2026

Week of July 12, 2026

Week of July 19, 2026

Week of July 26, 2026

Week of August 2, 2026

Week of August 9, 2026

Week of August 16, 2026

Week of August 23, 2026

Week of August 30, 2026

Find summer programs by subject!

Day Camps

Overnight Camps

Music Camps

Theater & Drama Camps

Dance Camps

Sports Camps

STEM, Nature, History, & Culture Camps

Camps for Kids with Special Needs

Camps for Preschoolers

Religious & Vacation Bible Camps

FEATURED LOCAL CAMPS

A.C.T. Young Conservatory

Young performers can build confidence and creativity this summer with the American Conservatory Theater’s Young Conservatory Summer Classes! These engaging programs offer 1-, 2-, and 3-week sessions in acting, musical theatre, on-camera performance, and more for kids and teens of many experience levels. Students learn from professional teaching artists while developing acting skills, collaboration, and stage presence in a supportive, fun environment. With a variety of classes designed for different age groups and interests, there’s something for every young performer. Programs take place throughout the summer at A.C.T.’s studios near Union Square in San Francisco. Explore the schedule and find the perfect class for your child this summer!

All Seasons Horse Riding

ASHR is dedicated to bringing the enjoyment of horses and riding to riders of all ages and levels of experience. From the beginner who has never ridden to the advanced riders looking to polish their skills, ASHR has a program to suit your goals and desires. We provide very clean stables for boarding and treat every horse as an individual by providing clean grounds that are meant to set the tone for a pleasant experience. Quiant location in Alamo, Ca. Our horses have the best disposition, & ability to accommodate any age or type of rider. Summer Horse Camp is great for kids! It builds character and increases their knowledge of horses (while having a fantastic time and making life-long friends). Our groups are small in order to provide more one on one teaching. We also offer fun Arts and Crafts each day!

AoPS Academy San Mateo

AoPS Academy offers summer camps in math, contests, and language arts to keep students sharp and get them prepared for the upcoming school year. Our activity-based learning sparks students' curiosity and helps them thrive in rigorous challenges. At our San Mateo campus, we're offering back-to-back summer camp sessions that combine morning and afternoon classes with monitored lunch in between as well as free optional after-camp care until 5:00PM. It's the ideal solution for busy families who want enriching academics with convenient, extended care. Space is limited - enroll now to secure your child's spots!

Blue Bear School of Music

Brandeis School Of San Fran

Join Camp Integem: Step into the Future!

Camp Integem is Magical, Fun, and Future-Focused for Ages 6-18: dive into AI, Robotics, Drones, Holographic AR, coding, 3D, Game Design, STEM, Art, Animation, Space/Nature Exploration, STEM, STEAM and more. Teleport into their creation to experience the magic of their design with Holographic AR and prepare students for future success, all the while having a blast! No prior knowledge is needed and suitable for all levels: beginner to advanced levels. ACS WASC accredited, NVIDIA-partnered camp. Visit https://camp.integem.com or call 408-459-0657. Space is limited. Save $50/week with KOAB today!

Camp Galileo: Incredible Learning & Big Camp Fun!

Camp Galileo invites rising K–8th graders to a summer where innovation and fun unite. Campers dive into hands-on STEAM projects and design challenges, transforming everyday materials into imaginative creations. Grounded in the Galileo Innovation Approach, our program helps children develop lasting confidence, creative problem-solving skills, and perseverance. “Excellent camp experience! Well-organized, engaging activities, and caring staff. My child had a blast and came home happy and excited every day. Highly recommend!” - 2025 Family Weekly sessions, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. camp day with extended care. Enrollments accepted via Bright Horizons. Financial aid available. Use code 26GALKOAA25 to save $25/week. Applicable on future purchases only.

Camp WOW: A Summer Program for Children ages 4-7

Camp WOW (Executive Function & Regulation Through Social Play) is a specialized small-group summer program for children ages 4–7 designed to strengthen executive functioning, emotional regulation, and social confidence through play. Using a neurodiversity-affirming and PDA-affirming approach, the program prioritizes regulation before expectation and supports each child’s unique developmental profile. Camp WOW blends child-led play, gentle structure, and intentional coaching to help children practice flexibility, problem solving, communication, and peer interaction in a safe and nurturing environment. Co-facilitated by experienced behavioral and mental health professionals, the program creates meaningful opportunities for growth while honoring children’s autonomy, strengths, and natural curiosity.

House of Air

- Leap into a summer of adventure at House of Air's Trampoline Camp in the stunning Presidio of San Francisco! Catering to kids aged 6-12, our week-long sessions are an exhilarating blend of airborne fun and outdoor exploration. Campers will experience the thrill of our cutting-edge trampolines, learn impressive aerial skills, and compete in dynamic dodgeball games. It's not just about trampolines; it's about building confidence, coordination, and friendships. We enrich the experience with hikes through scenic trails, activities in Tunnel Top Park, and field sports, making the most of the Presidio's beauty. Lunch is provided, ensuring campers have the energy to explore and excel. Join us for a summer where every leap builds a lifetime of memories!

Jam Camp West 2026

Jam Camp West is a seven-day, life-changing summer experience for youth ages 10–17 to make music, dance, sing, and grow in a supportive, creative community. Campers choose from 20+ daily classes, including instrumental ensembles, improvisation, hip hop, jazz, percussion, songwriting, and open mics—led by inspiring professional artists. Jam Camp West 2026 will take place July 18–24, 2026, in the beautiful redwoods near Loma Mar, Northern California. Scholarships are available, with application deadlines on May 1 and June 1, and early birds can save $50 by registering before April 1. Ask about our new discounts! Learn more and apply here: https://www.livingjazz.org/jam-camp-west

Summer Music Day Camps at McAllister Music Studio

Summer Music Day Camps at McAllister Music Studio are action-packed and focused on building confidence, creativity, and collaboration through having fun with music! Campers dive into the exciting worlds of DJ’ing, Music Theatre, Pop Singing, and Music Production. Led by amazing teachers David, Justin, and Christian, students will create music from the ground up, compose and produce original songs, learn DJ skills, express themselves through acting and singing, and develop vocal technique, choreography, and performance skills in a supportive environment. July 20–24: Wicked + From The Beatles to Ariana Grande. July 27–31: K-Pop Demon Hunters + From Bruno Mars to Lady Gaga. Monday–Friday, 9am–3pm, extended care 3–5pm. Ages 7–13. No experience necessary.

Pinot's Pallete Livermore

- Pinot’s Palette Livermore Art Camp is a creative, drop-off experience designed for kids ages 6-12. Each session, campers are guided step-by-step through fun paintings by one of our local artists, with plenty of room for imagination and personal flair! In between painting, kids enjoy crafts, snacks and other creative activities, making each camp day full of variety and fun! Camps take place at our Downtown Livermore location, where parents can conveniently drop off and pick up their child.

Steve & Kate's Camp

Since 1980, Steve & Kate’s has put kids in charge of their own learning experience. Campers choose from a variety of activities in real-time, including sewing, coding, film, sports, and more! As kids try, fail, and learn on their own, they learn to trust their own judgment, and tackle the challenges of an ever changing world with creativity and confidence. Families can buy any number of days, to use at any time–no weekly reservations required. Or, buy a Summer Pass, which covers the whole season. If your plans change, we’ll automatically refund any unused days at summer’s end. Lunch, snacks & 8am–6pm included.

Camp Kee Tov

Camp Kee Tov continues its tradition of over 50 years of excellence in day-camping with a special ruach (Kee Tov spirit) all its own. With groups for children entering Kindergarten-9th grade, our programming and traditions have inspired thousands of campers from a diverse cross-section of our community, welcoming a wide variety of cultural backgrounds, families and faiths.

Culinary Artistas

We believe cooking is a language that connects us to our cultures, stories, bodies, minds and souls. Cooking is a great tool that can help kids learn a multitude of disciplines, while creating great memories. At Culinary Artistas, we know that we learn best by engaging all our senses and working with our hands. We incorporate principles of STEM, nutrition, storytelling, and much more. At our Ghirardelli Square studio, we offer children’s events and programs that include birthday parties & celebrations, kids camps, and school programs in collaboration with schools & nonprofits in the Bay Area.

Firehouse Arts Center

The Firehouse Theater brings you performances in music, poetry, theater, comedy, film and more. You’ll experience the drama of world-class programming and a state-of-the-art venue for an unforgettable evening. This 20,000 sq. ft. cultural arts center features a 221-seat theater, a 2,000 sq. ft. fine arts gallery, an 1,800 sq. ft. classroom space, and an hourglass shaped grand lobby that links Downtown Pleasanton to the facility’s 3,000 sq. ft. Parkside patio and adjacent Lions Wayside Park. Classes, camps, and performances by our in-house theater company! Pleasanton Youth Theater Company is the culmination of over a decade of Summer Drama Camps, performing a mixture of popular and original works on the Firehouse and Amador stage. PYTC is a great environment to be yourself, get in touch with your creative side, and express yourself effectively.

Kennolyn Day Camp

Kennolyn Day Camp offers the perfect outdoor adventure for your child, set on 450 acres of privately owned redwood forest in the beautiful Santa Cruz Mountains. With convenient bus stops in Campbell and Los Gatos getting there is easy. Your child will spend the day screen-free, fully engaged in activities like archery, high ropes, climbing, fencing, swimming, horseback riding, and more! With a 1:4 staff-to-camper ratio and a nurse on duty, you can feel confident they’re in good hands.

Marine Science Institute

Inspiring respect and stewardship for the marine environment through experiential learning.

Camp Invention 2026

iD Tech Camps

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KidsOutAndAbout Bay Area Newsletter 3/12/26: We Fill Potholes

2026-03-12T09:01:19-04:00

KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter

San Francisco KidsOutAndAbout Newsletter
March 12, 2026

Easter Fun

Post your organization and events to our site (It's all FREE!)

Sat, Mar 28: Spring Eggstravaganza - History San José
Mon, Mar 30: Museum Mondays For Little Ones - Charles M. Schulz Museum
Sat, Apr 4: Eggstraordinary Easter Egg Hunt - Roaring Camp
Thu, Apr 9: Wander Woods Spring Festival - California Academy of Sciences

Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:

For much of the country this year, March simultaneously is bringing hope that spring may in fact return to North America AND the awareness that every car is at risk for the foreseeable future. All winter long, water seeps into asphalt cracks, freezes, expands, melts, and freezes again, and bit by bit the driving experience becomes a game called Avoid the Crater.

But lately I’ve started seeing the repair trucks out there again, their bright-vested workers moving methodically from hole to hole with their shovels. Every time I pass them, it gives me a lift, not just because it means someday soon I'll start seeing flowers out in the real world, but also because potholes are one of those perfect reminders of what humans do. Playrooms, projects, and paperwork start out neat, but over time, weather, wear, gravity, and procrastination take their toll. No matter how strict the system, order gradually slides toward chaos. And then humans step in and make it right again.

I saw the cycle in action at the KidsOutAndAbout office last week: Our storage room had slowly become a museum of random supplies, half-filled bins, and Christmas decorations that had been tossed in with a hopeful Future Us will deal with this someday. Fortunately, my colleague Michelle, who works in our data department, is also a genius organizer. A few hours after Future Michelle stepped in and applied logic and elbow grease, the little room had transformed from a cluttered cave into a serene space.

The quickening of the seasons seems to bring that same energy into our homes: Closets get sorted, garages get swept, junk drawers finally meet their match. It feels good, not just because the space looks better, but because fixing things reminds us of something important: Disorder is normal, but it’s not permanent. Humans can step in and bring brightness back.

So here’s to spring cleaning, organized shelves, and freshly patched roads.

Our tires, and our spirits, roll much more smoothly because humans fill potholes.

—Debra Ross, publisher of KidsOutAndAbout.com, co-author of The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build Strong Communities

KidsOutAndAbout.com: Discover more. Do more. Connect more.

If you like my publisher's column, you can easily scroll through past columns in the "Notes from Deb" section of our site.

Toddler Storytime - Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose

Join us for a special storytime in the Wonder Cabinet Forest.

Happiest Place on Earth: The Disneyland Story - The Walt Disney Family Museum

St. Patrick's Day Celebration - City of Dublin, CA

Experience the Emerald Isle with no passports required! Come to the City of Dublin’s St. Patrick’s Day Festival to find three stages of Irish music and dance; authentic Irish food and beverages; more than 250 fine arts and commercial vendors, including an Irish Marketplace; roaming leprechauns and bagpipers; carnival rides; and an Irish Tea Cottage.

2nd Saturday on the Farm - Agricultural History Project Center & Museum

Every month we produce a 2nd Saturday on the Farm, a family event that focuses on a particular area of agriculture. Visitors can participate in the regular activities of the Ag History Project plus others related to the day’s special focus. We host over 2,500 visitors each year at 2nd Saturday on the Farm.

This is Our Sky - De Anza College Planetarium

Join Luna and her friends for an exploration of the sky which includes phases of the Moon, seasons, constellations and planets. This is Our Sky! is a general astronomy show that contains elements of interest spanning a wide range of audiences.

Saturday Cartooning for Kids - Cartoon Art Museum

Students learn a variety of introductory skills in each workshop, with subjects ranging from creating characters to writing stories to creating their own comic strips in a playful format. Enroll your kid in a single workshop session or in the whole season. Plus register with a membership option and instantly save!

Bay FC Home Games

Bay FC is a San Francisco Bay Area-based professional women’s soccer team competing in the NWSL since 2024, playing home matches at PayPal Park in San Jose.

Storytelling & Drumming Festival - City of Alameda, CA

Discover the power of the spoken word. Delight to the sights and sounds of Drumming and Puppetry! Craft workshops related to the stories and music presented.

Open Cockpit Days- Oakland Aviation Museum

Open Cockpit is when the museum’s visitors can view our famous aircraft including A-3 Skywarrior, A-4 Skyhawk, A-6 Intruder, A-7 Corsair, Harrier jump-Jet and a Mig-15.

Rainforest Weekends - Roaring Camp

Toddler Plus Storytime - Main Library - Children's Department, Main Library - Children's Department, Saturday, March 13, 10:30am
Family Storytime - Alameda Free Library - West End Library, 788 Santa Clara Avenue, Alameda, CA 94501, Saturday, March 14, 10:30am
Family Storytime - Main Library - Children's Department, Main Library - Children's Department, Saturday, March 14, 10:30am
Free Kids Soccer Trial Class – Mill Valley | March 14 - Super Soccer Stars - Mill Valley Community Center, Camino Alto, Mill Valley, CA, Saturday, March 14, Times Vary by Age- Check info
Family Storytime - Main Library, Main Library, Sunday, March 15, 12:30pm
Junior Rangers: Refuge Track Detectives - US Fish & Wildlife Service - Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Environmental Education Center, Grand Boulevard, San Jose, CA, Sunday, March 15, 10:30am-12:00pm

2026 Guide to Summer Camps in the San Francisco, CA area

Preschool, Day Care, and Toddler Programs In and Around San Francisco

Escape Rooms in and around San Francisco

Birthday Party Locations in and around San Francisco

Top 20 Places to Take Kids in and around San Francisco

Have a great weekend!

Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella

KidsOutAndAbout.com
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KidsOutAndAbout Bay Area Newsletter 3/5/26: Remember the Rocks

2026-03-05T09:01:05-05:00

KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter

San Francisco KidsOutAndAbout Newsletter
March 5, 2026

Big List of Kid-Friendly Museums

Big List of Indoor Play Centers

Post your organization and events to our site (It's all FREE!)

Sun, Mar 15: Junior Rangers at the Refuge: Track Detectives
Thu, Mar 19: Light Play Studio at The Exploratorium
Sat, Mar 21: Silicon Valley Camp and School Fair
Sat, Mar 28: Science Saturdays: Hands-on Exploration for Kids at Environmental Volunteers
Sun, Apr 5: Easterfest - Brave Church

Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:

When I was a teenager, I had a teacher who became a mentor without ever knowing he was one. He was aware I’d been going through some difficult times, and was glad to hear I was almost on the other side. “Some people aren't lucky enough to have dealt with hard things when they're young,” he told me. Then he added the phrase that has echoed in my head for decades: “Remember the rocks.”

Life, he explained, was always going to toss boulders into my path. The trick was to recognize, early, that even if it was painful or scary, I was capable of getting around, or over, or through them. Remembering how I’d managed would help me trust myself more when the next, bigger ones appeared.

As a parent, I think about that often, about how the only way to become someone who does hard things is… to do hard things.

It’s tempting to rush in and smooth every unpleasant obstacle our kids encounter. When we email the teacher, mend the friendship, rescue the forgotten homework, eliminate every discomfort, we may feel helpful in the moment, but in fact we’re quietly removing the practice stones they need. Resilience doesn’t come from being told “You’re strong”; it comes from evidence that only they can gather, from working through manageable challenges and thinking, That was hard. And I handled it. We don’t need to manufacture their challenges—being a kid is difficult enough. And we don’t abandon them to do it all on their own, either. We just learn to pause, to weigh advice against intervention, and to let them see what they can manage.

The goal is that later in life, when something truly difficult lands in our children's path, they won’t just hope they can manage it, they’ll know. Now, many years later, when I encounter something daunting, I think back to my mentor and remember the rocks. "I do hard things," I tell myself. And it works.

—Debra Ross, publisher of KidsOutAndAbout.com, co-author of The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build Strong Communities

KidsOutAndAbout.com: Discover more. Do more. Connect more.

If you like my publisher's column, you can easily scroll through past columns in the "Notes from Deb" section of our site.

Camp Invention 2026

iD Tech Camps

Camp Brandeis

Join us for six weeks of exciting STEM and Arts camps on the beautiful Brandeis campus this summer! Our secular camps are for K-5th graders and are designed to engage the whole child, with a rich variety of arts, STEM, and movement activities each day. We also take exciting field trips every Wednesday to places like Alameda Beach, Indoor Skydiving, and Tilden Farm in Berkeley. Every Friday we host fun events like bouncy houses and foam parties every Friday. This is not summer babysitting! We are the real deal! Your child will have a great time making friends bonding with our wonderful counselors and teachers, and going on weekly adventures!

Garden Party - Children's Museum of Sonoma County

Holi Festival - City of Milpitas, California

Back by popular demand is the second annual Holi Festival. Live bands, dancers and plenty of vibrant colors await you at Cardoza park. A huge festival of colors - Holi in Milpitas is a great great deal. It is too much fun to dance to loud Bollywood tunes and throw colors and water balloons at each other. There are so many exciting Holi 2024 events in Milpitas; be it rain dancing or a beach party on Holi, there is a lot to look forward to. Nowadays eco-friendly is the new thing; Holi with organic colors and no use of water is the whole concept. There are a bunch of Holi parties in Milpitas that have already started the ‘no water and only organic colors’ concept and yet there as fun as you thought them to be. Apart from all the parties there are other fun Holi events; one of which being the color run in Milpitas. It is a running race but it involves colors and that’s honestly fun. Discover all the fun Holi 2024 events in Milpitas and keep the festive vibes alive.

All Ages Storytime - Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose

Join museum staff for a lively story followed by fun activities. Storytime is open to all ages, but is primarily designed for toddlers and preschoolers.

Baby & Me Storytime

This lap-sit program for little ones and their caregivers includes songs, nursery rhymes, knee-bounces, and movement to help develop important pre-literacy skills. This class is appropriate for infants through 2 years old.

Mother Goose on the Loose

Nature Explorers - Children's Museum of Sonoma County

Nature Explorers helps families explore the art and science of the natural world. Join us with an experienced California Naturalist through a variety of programs with hands-on experiences from specimen exploration to “creature features” and nature hunts. This program is held out and about in Mary’s Garden after storytime at 10:30am. All ages welcome!

Family Storytime

Geared for a mix of ages, we invite families to participate as we read stories, sing songs, do fingerplays and more during this 20-30 minute program.

2025 North Bay Science Discovery Day - Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds & Event Center

The North Bay Science Discovery Day is a one-day public free science festival designed to spark children's wonder and curiosity for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. With over 70 organizations and 100 hands-on interactive exhibits, explore rockets and beehives, robots and sharks, catapults and hearts, animation, animals, and art, and more. Meet and talk to professional scientists and engineers.

Toddler Plus Storytime - Main Library - Children's Department, San Francisco, Saturday, 03/06/2026, 10:30am
Family Art Making at de Young Museum - de Young Museum, San Francisco, CA 94118, Saturday, 03/07/2026, 11:00am - 3:00pm PST
Family Storytime - Alameda Free Library, Alameda, CA 94501, Saturday, 03/07/2026, 10:30am
Family Storytime - Main Library - Children's Department, San Francisco, Saturday, 03/07/2026, 10:30am
Free Kids Soccer Trial Class – Palo Alto | March 7 - Super Soccer Stars - Super Soccer Stars, Palo Alto, CA, Saturday, 03/07/2026, Times Vary by Age- Check info
2025 North Bay Science Discovery Day - Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds & Event Center - Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds & Event Center, Petaluma, CA, Saturday, 03/07/2026, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
FREE Kids Soccer Demo – Mar 7–8 – Ages 1–10 – Mission Bay, Presidio & Sunset – San Francisco -, San Francisco, Saturday, 03/07/2026 - Sunday, 03/08/2026, Times Vary by Age- Check info
Family Storytime - Main Library, San Francisco, Sunday, 03/08/2026, 12:30pm

2026 Guide to Summer Camps in the San Francisco, CA area

Preschool, Day Care, and Toddler Programs In and Around San Francisco

Master Guide to Winter Fun in and around San Francisco

Winter is here and fun options for families just keep getting better! Whether you stick with what you love or decide to try something new, KidsOutAndAbout has plenty of ideas. From Ice skating, kid-friendly museums, indoor play centers, and outdoor activities to thinking ahead to next year's school options - we've got you covered.

Escape Rooms in and around San Francisco

Birthday Party Locations in and around San Francisco

Top 20 Places to Take Kids in and around San Francisco

Have a great weekend!

Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella

KidsOutAndAbout.com
Discover more. Do more. Connect more.

170 Office Park Way
Pittsford NY 14534
US

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Summer Solved with Steve & Kate’s Camp

2026-03-02T14:00:57-05:00

Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:

We all know that planning for summer can be a challenge: Choosing a variety of activities. Planning around vacations and friends. Committing to weekly sessions 6 months in advance. But with Steve & Kate’s Camp, your entire summer could be solved!

Steve & Kate’s Camp, a San Francisco Bay Area staple since 1980, will have 85 locations around the country this summer.

Learn More & Register

Children create their own camp experience by choosing from a variety of activities in real-time, including stop-motion animation, coding, sewing, baking, maker crafts, recreation, and more. And parents can buy any number of days, to use whenever they’d like–no weekly sessions required. They’ll even refund any unused days automatically after summer.

Steve & Kate’s Camp was founded on the belief that trusting a child helps them build their self-confidence and helps teach them to trust their own judgment. As a result, Steve & Kate’s enables kids to express themselves freely. The counselors not only advocate, but celebrate children discovering and expressing their true selves by creating an enriching environment and providing a space where children feel included and safe. This experience ultimately helps prepare campers to tackle the challenges of the ever- changing world with creativity and confidence.

There are plenty of perks for grown-ups, too! Steve & Kate’s Camp operates on a flexible day-pass system where families can sign up for one day here, 22 there, or pay a flat fee, which covers the entire summer. Either way, families can use their passes any day this summer–without advanced notice. There are no weekly sessions or commitments required, and again, they'll even refund your unused passes automatically at the end of the season.

Learn More & Register

Lunch, snacks, and all hours (8 am–6 pm) are included.

Registration is now open. Learn more and register here.

Best,

Debra Ross
Publisher
KidsOutAndAbout.com

We periodically send special editions of the KidsOutAndAbout.com e-newsletter to showcase an important upcoming event or opportunity. This is one of those! Thanks for being part of our community!

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KidsOutAndAbout Bay Area Newsletter 2/26/26: Optimism Actually

2026-02-26T09:01:13-05:00

KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter

San Francisco KidsOutAndAbout Newsletter
February 26, 2026

Local Preschools, Day Care, and Toddler Programs

Master Guide to Winter Fun

Big List of Kid-Friendly Museums

Big List of Indoor Play Centers

Post your organization and events to our site (It's all FREE!)

Sat, Mar 14: St. Patrick's Day Celebration at City of Dublin, CA
Sun, Mar 15: St. Patrick’s Day Scavenger Hunt at The East Bay Regional Park District
Thu, Mar 19: DLUX Puppets' Peter Pan at Lesher Center for the Arts

Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:

The February my daughter Ella was 1, she caught a cold that lingered for months. There were short stretches of relief, but mostly there was congestion, disrupted sleep, and a level of crankiness that turned my sunny baby into someone I barely recognized. The clouds around her felt constant, and one day, I caught myself labeling her in my head as “the crabby one.” But of course, if I had a perpetually runny nose and no way to manage it, I’d be irritable, too! I needed to remember this wasn’t her personality, it was a season. What we needed to get through it was distraction: something fun to do "right now" and also fun things to anticipate.

Aside from those who live in paradise pockets like San Diego, most of our readers are in the thick of a particularly dreary winter. The world feels heavy and gray, energy runs low, and it’s easy to fixate on how dispirited we feel. But we need to remember that this isn't our personality, it's a season. What we need to get through it is distraction in the moment and also something positive we can place on our horizon.

My family is counting down to the March 20 release of Project Hail Mary, which stars Ryan Gosling. The movie is based on the novel by Andy Weir, who also wrote The Martian. You don't have to be a science nerd to love Weir's books (although science nerds DO love Weir's books), because in all of them, the real hero is human ingenuity—curiosity, flexible thinking, doing what needs to be done even in extreme circumstances. When things are going awry, the answer isn’t despair, it’s problem-solving, and I always emerge from a Weir book feeling spiritually lighter.

While I immerse myself in Weir and Gosling, you, of course, should do YOU! Let the art or sport that grabs you and your kids be your launch ticket to optimism now, and lift you to fun in the future. We're glad to provide the fuel!

—Debra Ross, publisher of KidsOutAndAbout.com, co-author of The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build Strong Communities

KidsOutAndAbout.com: Discover more. Do more. Connect more.

If you like my publisher's column, you can easily scroll through past columns in the "Notes from Deb" section of our site.

Camp Invention 2026

Happiest Place on Earth: The Disneyland Story - The Walt Disney Family Museum

Mother Goose on the Loose

Garden Party - Children's Museum of Sonoma County

Winter Events at the Lawrence

Traditions of the Winter Sky in the Planetarium: Learn Ohlone traditions for the Sun, Moon, planets, and stars. Pilots - Step up to the controls and go on a self-guided tour of the universe! Sea Lions 3D movie: Life by a Whisker - See the journey of a sea lion pup, and the man who dedicated his life trying to save her species. Glowtastic! - Embark on a journey of discovery through light color, and shadow for scientists age 2–6! Admission is $25, free for ages 2 and under

Afternoon Art - Randall Museum

Drop by the Randall Museum’s Art Room and get creative with your kids. Art instructors guide a different hands-on art activity each week. All ages are welcome to participate. Afternoon Art is a great way to get a taste of the Randall Museum’s arts and crafts programs. All children under 8 must be with a paying participating adult.

Animals in Action - CuriOdyssey

This is an exciting opportunity to witness our animals engaging in all kinds of activities! Join us to catch our animal keepers doing animal enrichment activities, taking animals for walks, or even doing training sessions!

Science Saturdays: Hands-on Exploration for Kids

Calling all children ages 7-9! Join us for a series of fun, engaging science workshops to learn more about the fascinating world we live in. February's Theme: Water on the Move. Come explore how water, and the earth around it, move, change and travel.

WFAC Saturday Youth Zoom

Weekly Online class with experienced FILM/TV actor and award-winning director, Amelia Rico. Amelia has appeared on Doctor Odyssey, Plur1bus, Grey's Anatomy, Dark Winds, 1923 and more. She has directed award winning films and has helped many actors get representation and film work with her expertise and actor services.

Family Storytime

Geared for a mix of ages, we invite families to participate as we read stories, sing songs, do fingerplays and more during this 20-30 minute program.

The Amazing Bubble Man

Louis Pearl has been thrilling audiences around the world for over 30 years with the art, magic, science and fun of bubbles. He is a favorite at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where he has enjoyed twelve years of sell-out success. Louis explores the breath-taking dynamics of bubbles, combining comedy and artistry with audience participation and enough spellbinding bubble tricks to keep everyone mesmerized. From square bubbles, bubbles inside bubbles, fog-filled bubbles, giant bubbles, bubble volcanoes, tornados and trampolines to people inside bubbles, the Amazing Bubble Man conjures shrieks of laughter and gasps of amazement from all ages. approx. 75 minutes, with no intermission

2026 Guide to Summer Camps in the San Francisco, CA area

Toddler Plus Storytime - Main Library - Children's Department, Main Library - Children's Department, Friday, February 27, 10:30am
Family Storytime - Main Library - Children's Department, Main Library - Children's Department, Saturday, February 28, 10:30am
Family Storytime - Alameda Free Library, 788 Santa Clara Avenue, Alameda, Saturday, February 28, 10:30am
15th Annual Lunar New Year Celebration - San Mateo County History Museum, 2200 Broadway, Redwood City, Saturday, February 28, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Lunar New Year Celebration - San Mateo County History Museum, 2200 Broadway, Redwood City, Saturday, February 28, 11:00am-4:00pm
Radios & Roller Derby Event - California Historical Radio Society, Central Avenue, Alameda, Saturday, February 28, 11 am to 3 pm
Family Storytime - Main Library, Main Library, Sunday, March 1, 12:30pm

Preschool, Day Care, and Toddler Programs In and Around San Francisco

Master Guide to Winter Fun in and around San Francisco

Escape Rooms in and around San Francisco

Birthday Party Locations in and around San Francisco

Top 20 Places to Take Kids in and around San Francisco

Have a great weekend!

Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella

KidsOutAndAbout.com
Discover more. Do more. Connect more.

170 Office Park Way
Pittsford NY 14534
US

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KidsOutAndAbout Bay Area Newsletter 2/19/26: Coming Clean

2026-02-19T09:00:54-05:00

KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter

San Francisco KidsOutAndAbout Newsletter
February 19, 2026