TUESDAY
8
SEPTEMBER
The Ember List · the Bay Area
Things to do with kids in the Bay Area
Find things to do with kids in the Bay Area, from story times and classes to family festivals and puppet shows.
We reviewed 550+ Bay Area event sources to pick the 31 best kids & family events in the Bay Area between September 8 and September 14. Updated daily.
Highlights for September 7 – September 13
Hora de Cuentos/Storytime (North Fair Oaks, Redwood City)
Family storytime with songs and interactive play for children of all ages. Monday, September 7, 11 AM–11:30 AM. Free. Ages 0‑5 and 6‑11; no registration required.
The Magic of Manos Hidden Image Search (Moraga, Children's Area, Moraga)
Kids search for hidden Latin‑American handicraft images to win a prize. Tuesday, September 8, 12 AM–11:59 PM. Free. Ages 3‑12; prize awarded at the front desk.
LIBI Play Space (JCC Silicon Valley (Palo Alto))
A safe, relaxed play session for toddlers and their parents. Wednesday, September 9, 9:30 AM–12 PM. Ages 8–13; parents welcome to join.
Story Time (9/10) (Ruth Bancroft Garden)
Miss Marie reads a nature‑themed book, sings songs, and leads a related craft. Thursday, September 10, 9:30 AM–10 AM. Free. Open to all ages; no registration needed.
Foothills Family Nature Walk (Foothills Nature Preserve, 11799 Page Mill Rd, Palo Alto, CA)
Guided family walk through the preserve with a docent, suitable for ages 6 and up. Saturday, September 12, 11 AM–12:30 PM. Free. Registration required; children must be accompanied by an adult.
Analog Saturdays (Lawrence Hall of Science)
Drop‑in craft space with puzzles, embroidery, paper arts and collaborative projects. Saturday, September 12, 11 AM–3 PM. All ages welcome; no registration needed.
AppleFest 2026 (Ravenswood Historic Site, 2647 Arroyo Rd., Livermore)
Apple orchard activities, cider pressing, games, tours, and crafts from noon to 4 pm. Sunday, September 13, 12 PM–4 PM. Kids under 3 free; bring a picnic and enjoy the lawn.
Bug Curious: Amateur Entomology in the Garden (SF Botanical Garden)
Entomologist leads a guided exploration of garden insects with a suggested donation. Sunday, September 13, 8:30 AM–10:30 AM. Free. Suggested donation $5–20; open to all ages.
Our best picks: kids & family events in the Bay Area — September 8–14
BRUSHY PEAK - Discover a new way to interact with the outdoors – join us for a Bioblitz! This challenge encourages people to find, take photos of, and identify as many different species of plants and animals as possible and record their observations through iNaturalist (a free app that crowdsources scientific collectio…
Join us for family fun in the Children’s Garden: dig, water, pick, build, explore, and investigate in the Botanical Garden’s “yes space” for kids! Grab some garden tools at our welcome station or bring your own to enjoy hands-on activity stations and explore and tend to the Garden. — This program is included with garde…
In this interactive program, author Jasmine Fang will read her book Beneath the Same Round Moon: A Mooncake Festival Story with audience participation, followed by Q&A time. We'll learn all about the mooncake festival and Mid-Autumn cultural traditions! Jasmine Fang is the author of Beneath the Same Round Moon (Beaming…
WEDNESDAY
9
SEPTEMBER
The third Summer Hot Dog show with a delightful story: CATS - The Musical.
25 min Ages 6 and up, Adults The Sun has shone on our world for four and a half billion years. The light that warms our skin today has been felt by every person who has ever lived. It is our nearest star and our planet’s powerhouse, the source of the energy that drives our winds, our weather and all life. The passage o…
20 minutes Ages 8 and up In a feast of colors and sounds, Maya Archaeoastronomy: Observers of the Universe makes a tour of six Mayan temples: San Gervasio, Chichen Itzá, Uxmal, Edzná, Palenque and Bonampak where the spectator dives into a Mayan world of knowledge about the importance of the orientations of its temples…
Join us every Wednesday afternoon for a new STEAM adventure, from robots to engineering to science to making. Sept 2 - Sphero Messages Sept 9 - Paper Towers Sept 16 - Augmented Reality Sept 23 - Power of 2 Appropriate for ages 8 to 12. To manage space, adults are asked to stay outside of the class. If your child isn't…
THURSDAY
10
SEPTEMBER
Help us conserve Muir Beach by joining us at a monthly beach clean-up! Volunteers will enjoy beautiful ocean views while they remove litter and debris, protect native habitats, and help minimize marine debris. This is a fun family-friendly volunteer opportunity, volunteers of all ages are welcome. When: one Thursday a…
Stop by the Bookmobile for stories, songs, and rhymes in the heart of Rengstorff Park! Enjoy a fun-filled storytime at the Magical Bridge Playground, and take advantage of full library services available from 10:00–11:00 a.m. Events are weather permitting. Find us at 201 S. Rengstorff Ave, Mountain View, CA 94040.
Hey Teens! Got something to say? Want to write poetry, drop bars, make music, or just get creative with others who understand where you’re coming from? Youth Arts Connection is your space to do all that and more. These free workshops at the Prewett Library are led by local artists with powerful voices in poetry, music,…
A long running game of Dungeons and Dragons, 5th edition and sometimes shorter oneshots. Teen drop ins to watch the game are welcome. Right now the game is full, but we will occasionally have openings for new players. Please check in at the adult reference desk upon arrival. For accessibility accommodations (ex. ASL),…
FRIDAY
11
SEPTEMBER
Aurora Storm 11 minutes Ages 8 and up Aurora Storm explores the captivating northern lights and how different cultures and explorers have experienced them. Produced by the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute and the University of Alaska Museum of the North. The show teaches about the causes of the auro…
Intended for Students 5+ years old Students will be using Sphero Robots + Sphero Apps + iPads to control their robots and program and code activities. Parents, caregivers, and siblings welcome. This will be an open workshop meaning you can just mess around with the robot via the draw or block coding options or follow a…
Sunset Fridays, an after-hours event for the whole family, will run on consecutive Fridays* through October 9 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Playfield Lawn. Guests will enjoy live music, outdoor bars, kid-friendly activities, ambassador animals, and more. Learn more about Sunset Fridays here: sfzoo.org/sf-zoo-sunset-fridays/…
TILDEN - Thinking of a great way to spend the evening outdoors with your loved ones? Then join us for a FREE showing of the hit movie GOAT. Rated PG with a run time of 1hr 40min. Movie begins shortly after sunset (7:15pm). Arrive early to secure a good seat on the lawn. Bring a flashlight, warm clothes, and a blanket o…
SATURDAY
12
SEPTEMBER
SUNOL - On this moderate hike through stunning landscapes, we will observe how light, sound and animal activity changes as the sun rises and the "night shift" comes to a close. 8 plus years of age. Adult participation required. Please inform the instructor if you need to cancel by email at KParkison@ebparks.org. Elevat…
Join Boys & Girls Clubs of San Leandro (BGCSL), in partnership with California’s Expanded Learning Opportunity Program (ELO-P), for the biggest back-to-school neighborhood block party, where families, neighbors, and supporters come together to celebrate the joy, energy, and impact of our Clubs. This free, family-friend…
Take a spin around our cozy drop-in making space to get your hands on puzzles, embroidery, paper crafts, and other collaborative art activities designed for families to unplug and create together. Flex your creativity and get ready to reflect and connect with your kids and grown ups.
Join us at Seven Trees Branch Library to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival! Enjoy a sampling of ethnic food, refreshments, and fun activities. Plus receive a beautiful hanging paper lantern as a special giveaway. Limited while supplies last. Free! No registration required. ADA Accommodation Request
Celebrate America's birthday with music, fun, and hands-on discovery at Redwood Symphony's Happy Rootin' Tootin' 250th Birthday America! family concert on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at the Cañada College Main Theater. Designed for families, first-time concertgoers, and music lovers of all ages, this int…
***Registration Required*** Meet a variety of friendly animals in this amazing hands-on experience! You can meet any combination of animals, possibly including an alpaca, a potbelly pig, a tortoise, goats, sheep, chickens, ducks, or bunnies, accompanied by trained animal carers. Fun for the whole family! Please be prep…
SUNDAY
13
SEPTEMBER
Come to the Ravenswood Historic Site to enjoy ongoing apple activities from 12 – 4 pm: explore the apple orchard, lend a hand to help press fresh apple cider for tasting, make your own “apple slinky,” play some old-fashioned games, take a docent-led tour of the historic Ravenswood Estate, and make an apple craft! We al…
Join entomologist and science communicator Sophia Di Piazza for a guided exploration of the fascinating insects that call the Gardens of Golden Gate Park home. — This is a free community program. Please consider supporting the Gardens of Golden Gate Park with a recommended donation of $5-20 . Your support helps us conn…
Enjoy a 1.5 hour guided exploration of the garden, farm, and surrounding area in our unique and beautiful location. Visit and interact with the farm animals, learn about the environment, and spend some time outside in nature.
DEL VALLE - Join us for a community bioblitz to capture a snapshot of Del Valle as part of California Biodiversity Week. Find, identify, and record life all around us. We will use the iNaturalist mobile app to record our observations of the area’s wildlife, plants, and more! Wear comfortable layers, sturdy shoes, sun p…
We've migrated to Sundays! Let's take a Sunday morning stroll around Lake Elizabeth and check out birds! Whether you're new to birding and looking for friends, an experienced birder looking to show off their knowledge, or just nature and bird-curious, all are welcome to experience birds right in the library's own backy…
Calling all families and music lovers! Prepare for an incredible musical experience as the renowned children's singer-songwriter, Andy Z, takes the stage in an exciting live concert at Magical Bridge Playground! Get ready to sing, dance, and make lasting memories together! Andy Z is a multiple award-winning children's…
MONDAY
14
SEPTEMBER
Come play with your young ones as they CRAWL, CLIMB, and EXPLORE our indoor playground environment! This is a parent/caregiver participation activity. No drop-offs allowed.
Come out to Union Square on Mondays from April 20 through September 21 from 10 am to 11:30 am for Imagination Monday
S.M.A.R.T. (Sing, Move, and Read Together) is a highly participatory program designed for children ages 2-4 (who are walking) and their parent/caregiver. As your child’s first and best teacher, we invite you to come and participate in activities with your child. Join us for singing, stories, and rhyming fun! Free ticke…
If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands! Connect with us for a fun, interactive storytime. Storytime is a magical time for children of all ages and abilities to learn and interact with one another. Our Library staff will share stories, songs, rhymes, fingerplays and movement! Grownups can also learn some tips…
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