Activities for Kids
33 activities in the Bay Area
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.
Arizon Garden at Stanford University
A free, open-air cactus garden tucked inside the Stanford University campus. Features hundreds of drought-tolerant plants from around the world, including towering cacti, succulents, and unique desert species. It's a short, easy walk that works well for curious toddlers and older kids who enjoy nature.
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.
Bee N Bloom
Amazon lavender farm and nursery in Santa Rosa. If you're ever in the area, stop by to enjoy a peaceful walk through the Lavender Labyrinth and Flower Gardens. Support a local business selling organic lavender products from the farm.
Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad & W.E. "Bill" Mason Carousel
Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad & W.E. "Bill" Mason Carousel
Located inside Oak Meadow Park, this small train (with alternating steam and diesel engines) and old-fashioned carousel are sure to be a hit with kids of all ages. Food (burgers, hot dogs, snowcones, popcorn, ice cream, and more) is offered right near the train, and there is also a small selection of souveniers at the ticket booth. There is a playground nearby, lots of grass for kiddos (and/or furbabies!) to run around on or for a family picnic, trails to walk or bicycle, and wildlife (especially lots of birds and geese) to watch. Several special events are offered throughout the year, including a pancake breakfast in June, a "donate what you want" day on the last Sunday in July ("Billy Jones Day"), an end of summer night ride + pasta dinner, and a holiday train in December. Details and times can be found on the website!
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.
California Nursery Historical Park
A peaceful hidden gem in Fremont's Niles district with beautiful rose gardens, shady redwood trails, and a succulent garden creatively planted in old tree stumps. Kids can explore the historic Vallejo Adobe and learn about the park's nursery past through informational stations.
Charles F Kennedy Park
A spacious park in Union City with a playground, Grill area, and open space for picnics.
Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose
A hands-on museum in downtown San Jose best for kids ages 2 to 9. Exhibits encourage building, exploring water play, climbing, and creative art. The outdoor play area has a real fire truck to climb on and a garden space. One of the best rainy-day options in the South Bay with plenty to keep toddlers and older kids busy.
Craft Days at Wooden Horse Toys, Los Gatos
Free, drop-in craft day for kids one Saturday every month from 11am-1:30pm! Crafts are usually appropriate for ages 3+ as long as parents can assist the youngest participants.
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.
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.
Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Wildlife area in the East Bay with a visitor center where you can learn about the refuge. A few hiking trails offering views of the SF Bay. Trails range from stroller-friendly to advanced hikers.
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.
Fitzgerald Marine Reserve & Cypress Tree Tunnel
One of the best tide pool spots in the Bay Area, plus a magical half-mile cypress tree tunnel along the coastal bluffs. At low tide, kids can explore rocky pools full of sea anemones, starfish, and crabs while harbor seals lounge on the rocks below. The nearby Seal Cove trail winds through towering cypress canopies with ocean views at the end.
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.
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.
Hayward Japanese Garden
A beautiful Japanese garden in Hayward with traditional landscaping, koi ponds, and peaceful walking paths.
Ina Coolbrith Park
Compact park with an amazing view of downtown SF with the Bay Bridge peaking out from behind.
Irvington Park
A well-loved neighborhood park with two playgrounds, a castle-themed structure with tall tube slides and a climbing wall for bigger kids, and a separate toddler area with drums, bouncy bugs, and low slides. Big grassy field for running around, plus basketball courts and a community center next door.
Lake Chabot Regional Park
A family-friendly regional park in Castro Valley with a peaceful lake, paved trails, and plenty of space to explore. Great for easy walks with a stroller, picnics by the water. The marina rents pedal boats and kayaks for families looking for a little adventure on the water. A solid East Bay option that feels like a getaway without a long drive.
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.
Magic Mountain Playground
A unique playground built into a hillside at Coyote Point Recreation Area in San Mateo. Kids can climb through tunnels, scramble up slopes, and explore multi-level play structures that take advantage of the natural terrain. The bay views from the top are a nice bonus for parents. Great for active kids who love to climb and explore. Pair it with a visit to CuriOdyssey, the small zoo and science center right next door.
Muir Woods
A national park in our backyard. Walk among giant coast redwoods
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.
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.
Quarry Lakes Regional Recreation Area
A scenic park in Fremont with a swimming beach, fishing lakes, and easy walking trails perfect for families. Kids can splash in the seasonal swim lagoon, spot wildlife, and explore the open spaces. A great low-key day out without the long drive.
Redwood Grove Nature Preserve
Redwood grove tucked into a Los Altos neighborhood. Short, flat loop trails wind beneath towering coast redwoods, creating a cool, cathedral-like canopy. The compact size (about half a mile of paths) is perfect for toddlers and strollers. Pair with nearby Shoup Park for a playground and restrooms to make a full morning outing.
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.
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.
Santa Clara's Magical Bridge Playground
All-inclusive playground designed so kids of all abilities can play together. Features sensory-rich play zones, musical instruments, swings with wheelchair access, a merry-go-round, and a treehouse with ramps. One of the best free playgrounds in the South Bay
Spina Farms Pumpkin Patch
A seasonal fall destination in Morgan Hill with hay rides, a corn maze, farm animals, and plenty of photo ops. Open mid-September through early November. Great for toddlers and school-age kids. Spina Farms also offers pre-picked pumpkins and a play area, making it an fun fall outing
Sunnyvale Baylands Park
A beautiful park in Sunnyvale with walking trails, picnic areas, and opportunities for birdwatching.