Posts Tagged ‘fort mason’

Spring has sprung, and the bright sun outside means it’s time to get out of the house.

Spring Fling at Fioli

The garden center throws a springtime party with costumed characters, arts and crafts for kids, a puppet show and a magician. There’s a dog show, alpacas to pet, garden tours, plantings, and other nature-y goodness.

When: Sat. 4/28, 10am-3:30pm; Age 3+; $20 Adult, $5 Age 5-17, 4 and under free.

Where: Filoli, 86 Canada Road, (at Edgewood Road), Woodside, 650-364-8300, Ext. 508, fioli.org.

Outdoor Exploratorium

The famous children’s science museum heads outside in this set of 14 cool interactive exhibits at Fort Mason. Find out how to use the Golden Gate Bridge as a thermometer, decode the light patterns that bring in ships from the water, and see a mirage. Maps of the exhibit are available at the Fort Mason Office in Building A.

When: Ongoing daily (exhibit is permanent), open during daylight hours; Age 2+; Free.

Where: Fort Mason, Marina Boulevard (at Buchanan Street), San Francisco; 415-561-0360; exploratorium.edu.

Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp

The Young Performers Theatre takes on the classic story of Aladdin in this light, non-scary comedy with teen and tween actors.

When: Sat., 4/28 1pm and Sun., 4/29, 1 and 3:30 pm; $10 Adults; $7 13 and under.

Where: Fort Mason Center, Building C, Marina Boulevard (at Buchanan Street), ypt.org.

Musical Mysteries: The Composer Is Dead
Author Lemony Snicket (A Series of Unfortunate Events) narrates as the San Francisco Symphony performs The Composer is Dead, a musical murder mystery in which the audience has to help find clues to nab the culprit.

When: Sun., 3/29, 2pm; Age 7+; $15-55 Adults; $7.50-27.50 Children.

Where: Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Avenue (at Turk Street), San Francisco, 415-864-6000; sfsymphony.org.

International Dragon Boat Festival

The yearly Dragon Boat race and party has beefed up its offerings for families this year, with tables of arts and crafts activities and an obstacle course, plus food, racing, and lots of opportunities to admire hundreds of festive, fearsome dragon boats. Shuttles will ferry attendees from SF’s Chinatown and the Powell Street BART/Muni station to the festivities every half hour or so.

When: Sat. & Sun, 10/4-5, 10am-5pm; All ages; Free.

Where: Treasure Island’s Clipper Cove, California Avenue (at Avenue D), Treasure Island, 415-262-0155, sfdragonboat.com.

The Carnival of the Animals

When Max misses the school bus taking him home from a field trip to the museum, he has to stay overnight — until he’s awakened by the animals that inhabit a large painting in the museum. Teens and tweens are the stars of this musical performance by the Young Performers Theatre.

When: Saturdays & Sundays through 10/12; Saturdays 1pm, Sundays 1 & 3:30pm; Age 3+; $7-10.

Where: Fort Mason Center, Bldg. C, Marina Boulevard (at Buchanan Street), San Francisco, 415-346-5550, ypt.org.

Touch-A-Truck Festival

Normally we wouldn’t list school festivals here — too pedestrian. But at this school do, young’uns can stroke, fondle, ask questions about, and climb aboard trucks and construction equipment. There’s also a petting zoo with a cow and reptiles from Tree Frog Treks, and a chili cook-off on Saturday night.

When: Sat., 10/4, 10am-7pm; All ages; Free ($5 to ride trucks).

Where: Star of the Sea School, Eighth Avenue (between Geary and Clement), San Francisco; 415-221-8558; staroftheseasf.com.

Leap Sandcastle Classic

All sorts of sand-fanciers, from beach bums to engineers to little kids, turn out in hopes of crafting the most exquisite sandcastle. Hey, if you make a really good one, can I rent it out?

When: Sat., 10/4, 10am-4pm; All ages; Free.

Where: South of the Cliff House, Balboa Avenue (at The Great Highway), San Francisco; 415-512-1899, leap4kids.org.

Family First Sunday — Let’s Play Games

Try out Victorian pastimes like rolling a hoop, walking on stilts, and playing hopscotch at the vintage-cool house and gardens. Picnic lunches are encouraged.

When: Sun., 9/8, 11am-3pm; Age 3+; Free with museum admission ($5 for adults, free for children age 11 and under).

Where: Dunsmuir Historic Estate, 2960 Peralta Oaks Court (at Peralta Oaks Drive), Oakland, 510-615-5555, dunsmuir.org.

San Francisco Bike Coalition’s Family Day

Strap on your training wheels and toddler seats and pedal down to Golden Gate Park for a bike parade, a scavenger hunt, and other fun on wheels.

When: Sat., 9/6, 10am-2pm; All ages; Free.

Where: 14th Avenue Picnic Area (JFK Drive at 14th Avenue in Golden Gate Park), San Francisco, 415-431-BIKE; sfbike.org.

San Francisco Birth & Baby Fair

Rev up for parenthood at this information blitz featuring representatives from local birth and parenting groups, maternity and baby gear, and teach-ins on birthing options, cloth diapering, and health during pregnancy.

When: Sat., 9/6, 10am-3pm; Age 18+; $5.

Where: Fort Mason Center Buildings A - E, Marina Boulevard (at Buchanan Street), San Francisco, 415-867-0291, birthandbabyfair.com.

Kidsfaire

Fifteen acres of loud & shiny stuff of interest to parents and kids, including live stage shows (the Lion King, Strawberry Shortcake), kids’ pavilions such as a pirate’s cove and an ice skating rink, rides, and ten million, zillion bounce houses.

When: Sat.-Sun., 9/6-7, 10am-5pm; All ages; $5-8.

Where: Alameda County Fairgrounds, 4501 Pleasanton Avenue (at Valley Avenue), Pleasanton, 925-426-7559, thekidsfaire.com.