Parenting

Activities/Events for Children

Campus Resources

Bechtel Center - Children's Resources

Local Resources

Palo Alto Children's Theatre

Palo Alto Children's Library

Menlo Park Children's Library

City of Palo Alto - Children's Page

The YMCA
3412 Ross Road, Palo Alto
Phone: (650) 856-9622

Youth programs at the YMCA include basketball, summer camps, and sleep overs during the school year. Visit the YMCA at 3412 Ross Road, Palo Alto, or telephone 856-9622 for the schedule of classes and membership fees.

The Mid-Peninsula YWCA
4161 Alma St., Palo Alto
Phone: (650) 494-0972

Offers children's classes in capoeria and Irish step dancing, as well as the Childrens Dance and Repertory Theater.

SF Gate's Monthly Activities Listing for Children

Child-Friendly Spaces

See Day Trips/Outings for other locations.

Bernal Heights Playground
Cortland Street (Mission/Bernal Heights)
MUNI buses: 24 and 67

This charming playground has a few trees that shelter benches and picnic tables. The play equipment is nearly new, and perfect for tots. Just behind the playground is the Bernal Heights library, with an excellent children's section. You can let the kids get their outdoor exercise in the playground, then take them into the library if the weather turns chilly or if they're ready for some quiet time.

Golden Gate Park
Entrances on Great Highway, Fulton Street, Lincoln Way, and Stanyan Street (Richmond)

Don't be daunted by this huge urban park! Although it may seem too big for young children, it has several special places that are just right for them. They can play at fishing in one of the ponds, sail little boats at Stow Lake (tie a string to each boat so the youngsters can pull them back in), and--best of all--visit the paddock with its real bison. Another big attraction is the California Academy of Sciences (children under 4 admitted free). In the Aquarium they can get nearly close enough to touch the live turtles and crocodiles, or watch the fish circling in the awesome roundabout.

McKinley Square
20th and Vermont (Potrero Hill/ South of Market)

It's usually sunny on Potrero Hill, and this nearly new playground is located at the summit, so it affords beautiful views of the city skyline. Tots enjoy playing with shovels and pails in the large sandbox. For a change of pace, they can kick a ball or run around on the patch of green grass located just outside the play area.

Mountain Lake Park
Park Presidio to 8th Avenue at Lake Street (Marina/Presidio)

This is one of the city's best-kept secrets. Walking along this urban, residential Lake Street, you'd never expect to come across a delightful lake (actually a reservoir), bordered by hiking trails, a playground with some equipment especially designed for young children, and a little beach where kids can watch the ducks and geese.

Yerba Buena Center Park
(3rd Street at Mission (South of Market)

Located just a few short blocks from downtown Market Street, this large, green, gently hilly urban park is a terrific place to take young children. Although there is no formal play equipment, the grassy areas can be used for kicking a ball, running around, and enjoying a city picnic. Special attractions are the waterfall and raised pools. The park adjoins the Sony Metreon building, which has several shops and galleries where kids can enjoy looking at the playful, space-age displays--even if they don't quite understand them!

Santa Cruz, Big Trees & Pacific Railway Company

Take a timeless ride on an old fashioned steam passenger train through the Santa Cruz redwoods. Many families enjoy the Christmas Lights Train.

Children's Discovery Museum

The Children's Discovery Museum opened its doors in June 1990. Since then, the Museum has welcomed over 2.5 million visitors and has offered new interactive exhibits each year that respond to children's diverse educational needs, nuture their cognitive development, and celebrate their role in our lives. For more information, call (408) 298-5437.

The Tech Museum of San Jose

San Jose's Premier Museum of science, technology, and innovation

The Intel Museum

Learn how transistors work, how microprocessors work, or how a memory chip is made.

San Jose Museum of Art

Our moms particularly like the Kids Art Sundays. This popular monthly program introduces children and their families and friends to contemporary art through musical, theatrical, storytelling, or dance performances, plus hands-on art activities inspired by current exhibitions.

San Francisco Exploratorium

A museum of science, art, and human perception. This museum is geared toward elementary school children; however, we have found that even our preschoolers love going to the Exploratorium.

California Academy of Sciences

Located in San Francisco's beautiful Golden Gate Park, the California Academy of Sciences is really three museums in one: the Natural History Museum; the Steinhart Aquarium; and the Morrison Planetarium. Plan to visit often as children and adults of all ages love the academy. The first Wednesday of each month is free admission; however, plan for large crowds on that day.

Bay Area Discovery Museum

Just under the North tower of the Golden Gate Bridge is a fantastic place where toddlers to ten-year-olds and their families will find limitless opportunities for discoveries in art, science and media.

Coyote Point Museum

It's mission is to inspire people of all ages to act responsibly from an informed awareness of, and respect for, the interdependence of people and nature. A fabulous museum for environmental education.

Rosicrucian Museum

Explore Ancient Egypt's fascinating view of the afterlife through the extensive collection of human and animal mummies, canopic jars, ushabtis, and detailed funerary boats and models. Discover colorful and precious jewelry, predynastic pottery, glass and alabaster vessels, bronze tools, sculpture, and Coptic textiles.

Bonfonte Gardens

Features acres of fun and beauty encompassing 22 rides and 20 attractions including theme gardens, food concessions, an event plaza, and 25 of the world famous Circus Trees. This park is wonderful for kids about 8 and under. Lots of kiddie rides for the toddler/preschool set. The gardens are beautiful and immaculately maintained. We have all been impressed with the park's cleanliness.

Paramount's Great America

Fun for young and old. Having a problem keeping your children entertained on a rainy day? Here are some of our favorite indoor play areas. Other good rainy day play areas include the museums following this list.

Westfield Shopping Town - Valley Fair Shopping Mall

Near Macy's there is a wonderful, safe play area for toddlers and young children.

Bamboolas

Entertainment and learning for the entire family.

The Jungle

Adventure indoor family entertainment center for children under 12 and their parents.

Happy Hollow/Kelly Park and Zoo

Toddler friendly rides, inviting play areas, and a petting zoo for the children; this park is a favorite with many mothers.

The San Francisco Zoo

Located in San Francisco along the Pacific Ocean, the San Francisco Zoo is home to over 250 species of exotic and domestic mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates. The zoo is a delight for children of all ages -- 0 to 110!

Oakland Zoo

The Oakland Zoo is nestled in the rolling hills of 525-acre Knowland Park. Each year thousands of families and school groups from around the Bay Area come to visit over 300 native and exotic animals that live in naturalistic habitats at the Zoo.

Monterey Bay Aquarium

While you are in Monterey visit the Denace The Menace Playground, Cannery Row, and Fisherman's Wharf. For people with older/water safe children, try your hand at kayaking. The area outside the aquarium provides a wonderful opportunity for beginner level kayakers. Explore kelp beds and visit with Sea Otters and Sea Lions. Kayak rentals are available at Monterey Bay Kayaks.