Activities for Kids
20 activities in the Bay Area
California Academy of Sciences
Explore an aquarium, planetarium, rainforest dome, and natural history museum all under one living roof. Kids love the penguin colony and the four-story rainforest with free-flying butterflies.
Exploratorium
A world-famous hands-on science museum on the Embarcadero with hundreds of interactive exhibits. The Tactile Dome is a must-try — crawl through a pitch-black maze using only touch.
Tilden Nature Area & Little Farm
A charming free farm in the Berkeley Hills where kids can feed cows, goats, pigs, chickens, and rabbits. Bring celery and lettuce — the animals love it.
Bay Area Discovery Museum
Nestled at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge in Sausalito, this museum has indoor and outdoor exhibits designed for kids under 10. Art studios, science labs, and a stunning outdoor play area with Bay views.
San Francisco Zoo
Home to over 2,000 animals including grizzly bears, penguins, giraffes, and a great playground. The Fisher Family Children's Zoo has a nature trail, insect zoo, and barnyard.
Koret Children's Quarter (GGP Playground)
One of the oldest public playgrounds in the US, recently renovated with a concrete slide, climbing structures, swings, and a carousel. Surrounded by Golden Gate Park's green space.
Crissy Field Beach
A family-friendly stretch of waterfront with stunning Golden Gate Bridge views. Great for kite flying, sand play, and spotting windsurfers. The Warming Hut has snacks and hot chocolate.
Children's Creativity Museum
A hands-on arts and technology museum in Yerba Buena Gardens. Kids make claymation films, build with recycled materials, compose music, and design their own video games.
Lawrence Hall of Science
A science museum and learning center in the Berkeley Hills with hands-on exhibits, a planetarium, and breathtaking views of the Bay. Great for curious kids who love experiments.
Happy Hollow Park & Zoo
A small zoo and amusement park combo in San Jose that's perfectly sized for young kids. Features a carousel, mini roller coaster, puppet theater, and animals like lemurs and capybaras.
CuriOdyssey
A small science museum and wildlife zoo in San Mateo's Coyote Point Recreation Area. Features live animals (bobcats, river otters, raptors) alongside interactive science exhibits.
Angel Island State Park
Take a ferry to this island in the Bay for hiking, biking, and stunning panoramic views. The Perimeter Road trail is a flat 5-mile loop with beach stops along the way.
Fairy Doors of Glen Canyon
A magical neighborhood scavenger hunt in Glen Canyon Park where locals have installed tiny fairy doors in tree trunks and rock crevices. Kids love searching for all the hidden doors.
Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Farms
Every fall, the farms along Highway 92 transform into a pumpkin paradise. Hay rides, corn mazes, pony rides, and fields of pumpkins to pick. Lemos Farm and Arata's are the most popular.
Ocean Beach Bonfire
Build a bonfire in the designated fire pits on the west side of SF. Roast marshmallows, watch the sunset, and listen to the crashing waves. A quintessential Bay Area family evening.
Oakland Zoo
A 100-acre zoo with a California Trail featuring native animals like grizzly bears, wolves, and condors. The gondola ride up to the California Trail has incredible Bay views.
Sabercat Play Area Central Park
A Play area in Central Park, Fremont, with a giant sabercat sculpture that kids can climb on. The park has bathrooms, picnic areas, and walking trails.
Hayward Japanese Garden
A beautiful Japanese garden in Hayward with traditional landscaping, koi ponds, and peaceful walking paths.
Charles F Kennedy Park
A spacious park in Union City with a playground, Grill area, and open space for picnics.
Sunnyvale Baylands Park
A beautiful park in Sunnyvale with walking trails, picnic areas, and opportunities for birdwatching.