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5/1/24 - By Sandra Lee

Looking for the best things to do in San Francisco and the Bay Area this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list. ​

This weekend brings cultural events to the Bay Area like the South Bay AAPI Festival in San Jose with lion dances and arts and crafts, or hear from a variety of children's authors at the first-ever Reading Bug AAPI Festival in San Carlos.

Rollercoaster fans can celebrate the Giant Dipper's 100th Anniversary in Santa Cruz with a fireworks party for the whole family. Want to bring your furry friend for some fun this weekend? Head over to Novato for the grooviest dog event, Woofstock. 

More Things To Do in San Francisco Bay Area This Week with Kids:

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Solve math puzzles at the FairyTale Scramble. Photo courtesy of Transbay Joint Powers Authority
Solve math puzzles at the FairyTale Scramble. Photo courtesy of Transbay Joint Powers Authority

Best Things To Do This Weekend in San Francisco Bay Area with Kids

Contra Costa County Fair

Antioch
Now Through May 16
The Contra Costa County Fair is bringing carnival games, live music, animals, and so much more for 4 days in May. Kids can enjoy balloon twisting, furry characters, a speed raceway, and even a flying dog show. There is also delicious fair food like corndogs and cotton candy.  READ MORE

Sundown Cinema

San Francisco - FREE
Friday, May 17
See a movie outdoors in beautiful San Francisco at a different park each week. With 7 films in 7 different locations around the city, families can get together and enjoy company, good food, and a family-friendly movie.  READ MORE

Natural Science Days at Gilroy Gardens

Gilroy
Through May 31
Bring your little scientist for a day of learning at Gilroy Gardens. With 3 hours of dedicated education, kids will go through 6 grade-appropriate learning stations like looking at the anatomy of a flower, learning which rocks float in water, meeting animals in the food chain, and doing other activities.  READ MORE

Storytime for Kids: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever: The Courage to Dream with Nikkolas Smith

San Francisco
Saturday, May 18
  Artist, illustrator and children's book author Nikkolas Smith is doing a special reading of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever: The Courage to Dream and all families are welcome. READ MORE

Giant Dipper 100th Anniversary Fireworks Celebration

Santa Cruz - FREE
Saturday, May 18
Ring in the 100th anniversary of the Giant Dipper with a once-in-a-lifetime fireworks show! Plus, ride the Giant Dipper on May 18 and get a commemorative 100th anniversary button (while supplies last). READ MORE

SF Jazz Family Matinee

San Francisco
Saturday, May 18
Introducing little ones to the music of jazz at an early age, the SF Jazz hosts matinees aimed right at families with small kids. Shorter performances, activities, and fun for everyone.  READ MORE

Painting and Pizza Kids Workshop

Alameda
Saturday, May 18
Color Me Mine is hosting painting and pizza parties designed for kids who want to learn new painting techniques. Get instructed, step-by-step, on how to paint the featured project of the month.  READ MORE

The Rock & Roll Playhouse ft The Music of Talking Heads

San Francisco - FREE
Saturday, May 18
The Rock and Roll Playhouse is bringing the music of Talking Heads to Thrive City! Bring your family and dancing shoes for an afternoon filled with great music. The Rock and Roll Playhouse is the largest national kid-friendly live concert series having performed to hundreds of thousands of kids and their families.  READ MORE

South Bay AAPI Festival in San Jose

San Jose - FREE
Saturday, May 18
A fun-filled day of Asian American and Pacific Islander culture through performances, cuisine, crafts, and more.  Highlights include dragon parades and lion dances, Japantown discussions, performances, and arts and crafts for the kids.  READ MORE

Zoo Kids

Oakland
Saturday, May 18
Little animal lovers can go on an educational adventure including a zoo tour, craft, and meeting a small animal up close. This drop-in program is great for kids ages 5-6. READ MORE

Family Farm Days at Slide Ranch

Muir Beach
Saturday, May 18
Family Farm Days are a great way for kids who want to experience a day in the life of a farmer on a working farm. Families can milk a goat, learn about chickens and ducks, stroll through the garden, and participate in crafts, cooking, and activities.  READ MORE

The Reading Bug's First Annual AAPI Festival

San Carlos - FREE
Saturday-Sunday, May 18-19
The Reading Bug welcomes over a dozen authors, illustrators, special guest performance troops, and vendors throughout the weekend. READ MORE

Himalayan Fair in Berkeley

Berkeley - FREE
Saturday- Sunday, May 18-19
The 41st Annual Himalayan Fair in Berkeley’s Live Oak Park brings delicious food, unique handcrafted items, music and dancing, and more at this family-friendly event.  READ MORE

InsectPalooza - The Art and Magical Science of Arthropods

San Francisco - FREE
Sunday, May 19
Get up close and hands-on with live animals from SaveNature.Org’s Insect Discovery Lab! Meet a variety of arthropods from around the world, like the Australian Walking Stick, the Giant African Millipede, and more. Local guest artists Zoe Farmer, Lauren Belkin, and Jennifer Zee will guide kids in making insect-inspired art.  Try mealworm chocolate chip cookies too! READ MORE

Woofstock

Novato
Sunday, May 19
Give your dogs (and family) a rockin’ day to remember at Woofstock 2024. Grab your leash, furry friends, and family for the Bay Area’s grooviest dog (and animal) lover’s event. Enjoy music by Pop Fiction, Northern California’s premier cover band, playing hits from the 70s, 80s, and 90s. Food trucks featuring vegetarian food, beer, and wine are available and the ever-popular free Kid’s Zone will be back with awesome activities for kids of all ages. Explore event booths featuring local merchants and animal rescue groups! All proceeds benefit the animals at Marin... READ MORE

Cowabunga, Peanuts!

Santa Rosa
Through September 8
California dreaming took hold in the early 1960s, with beach life splashing onto movie screens, radios, and even skateboards. Inspired by this pop culture wave and new proximity to the coast, Charles M. Schulz found an ideal setting for his beloved Peanuts characters to explore. Dive into this exhibition brimming with original Peanuts comic strips, art, animation cels, and vintage toys, and join the Peanuts gang as they hit the beach for sun, sand, and surf! READ MORE

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