Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in san francisco, CA

Conservatory of Flowers

by Crystal Ritchie

August 17, 2009

The San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers located in Golden Gate Park is a great place to take nature-loving kids.  The grounds outside are full of flowering plants and there is plenty of space to run around and picniic.

The conservatory itself is somewhat small but has three rooms dedicated to exotic, tropical, and aquatic plants and flowers.  A fourth room holds rotating exhibits such as Edible Expeditions (running through November 1).  Kids will learn about edible plants from all over the world and develop an understanding of the plants that yield foods such as chocolate, bananas, and rice.

Due to the cozy interior of the building, strollers are not allowed in the building.  Preschool to grade school-aged children who can follow directions are the recommended audience.  Children's activities will include sensory experiences with the roots, seeds, and leaves of the plants.

The conservatory is free to all visitors on the first Tuesday every month.  Regular admission prices are $5 for adults, $3 for youth age 12-17, $1.50 for kids ages 5-11, and free for children ages 4 and under.

Bay Area National Parks

by Michael Rohde

June 15, 2009

Savvy Source Pittsburgh recently wrote about all the great things happening with the National Park Services, which happens to be today’s Savvy Source topic… So, being one to follow the crowd (at least for this week, usually I’m just lost in the crowd…) I’m writing about National Parks, to which San Francisco and the Bay Area has plenty.

While scanning a list of National Parks in California, I counted eight of which are either in San Francisco or are within a quick drive (or a day trip if you count Yosemite). I included Yosemite not because it’s so close (it’s not), but because it has a Junior Ranger program, as does the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Muir Woods, and the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park.

Alcatraz, Fort Point, Point Reyes, and the Presidio were not on the Junior Rangers list but are great places to visit. I still have not been to Alcatraz, even though I keep telling myself next time we have out-of-town visitors, we are going (but it hasn’t worked out yet).

It’s been a few years since I’ve been to Point Reyes, but I remember it being absolutely breathtakingly beautiful with steep cliffs and pounding surfs with plenty of trails. I also like Point Reyes for the blue cheese (available at your finer establishments).

Last, but not least, is my personal favorite: the Presidio. I have been very fortunate to literally live less than a two-minute walk from the Presidio golf course. Of course, having twins for the past two years have put a serious dent in my golfing, but it’s nice to know there’s a driving range within five minutes of me. I used to take hikes through the Presidio all the time and walk down to Baker Beach, or the Marina, the Palace of Fine Arts; if I was hungry, I’d walk all the way through the Presidio, out onto Lombard, and plop down at the OBW (Original Buffalo Wings).

After Max and Julia were born, whenever one would get fussy and need some fresh air, I’d put them in the baby bjorn and we’d walk the close-by Presidio trails, touch the bark of the trees, and listen to the wind whistle through the leaves. Now, we usually pack up the stroller and walk down to Julius Khan Park. Good times. Good times indeed in the Presidio. And how can I forget Inspiration Point, with its views of Alcatraz, the surrounding bay, the old barracks and officer’s quarters, and trees; lots and lots of trees.

As summertime approaches, it’s time to get out and about, and show the little ones that living in the city doesn’t always mean concrete, asphalt, steel and glass. There’s plenty of green stuff out there to explore.

A Quick List of National Parks in and around San Francisco:

Alcatraz
Fort Point
Golden Gate National Recreation Area (Junior Ranger)
Muir Woods (Junior Ranger)
Point Reyes
Presidio
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park (Junior Ranger)
Yosemite (Junior Ranger)

Dogs, Zoos, and Bay Walks

by Michael Rohde

April 15, 2009

My son loves dogs. Yesterday at the park we ran across a dog walker who had about five dogs with her. Max went crazy. He threw his ball at them yelling, "Catch!" One of the dogs pounced on the ball but the dog walker immediately intervened. Maybe she has a policy of no kids playing with the dogs while they are on business. Oh well. I promised Max as soon as he's old enough to take care of a dog, he can have one. In the meantime, there's Dogfest 2009. On April 18, from 11AM to 3PM at Duboce Park, the SFUSD McKinley Elementary School is holding a fundraiser based on dogs. You can enter your dog in contests for best trick, best costume, best look-alike duo, mutt what? and other categories. All proceeds support educational enrichment programs.

Also on Saturday, from 10AM to 3PM you can party for the planet at the San Francisco Zoo. From their web site: "This fun and informative celebration of Earth Day is aimed at educating and entertaining Bay Area families on green, sustainable living solutions inside and outside the Zoo. It incorporates everything you love about the Zoo and its animals. A variety of local, earth-friendly companies and services will be on hand for visitors, as well as green-themed music and puppet performances the whole family will enjoy. Learn and see more on how the Zoo maintains a green commitment to the animals and the environment.You can actively Party for the Planet as you Reduce, Reuse and Recycle at the Zoo!"

The Bay Area Discovery Museum is celebrating its' 39th anniversary of Earth Day with a week of nature-themed art projects, conservation-based workshops, environmental guest scientists, and more. There are scheduled activities each day of the week, but here's the rundown for Saturday: Natural Object Communal Art Project, a Paper Making Workshop, and a Bay Walk starting at 2:15.

Multiples of Fun for Parents of Multiples

by Michael Rohde

April 01, 2009

Despite the title, this post has little to do (really, nothing to do) with multiplication. Instead, it's more about having fun at the park. To be more specific, the West Portal park with the San Francisco Parents of Multiples group. Yes, that's right folks, there's a group designed specifically for parents of multiples. Actually, there are several similar groups, but we belong to the SFPOM (I call it 'The Pom' for short, not really sure if anyone else does). Despite being members for over two years, we've never attended an SFPOM social event. It's either this, that, or the other thing that keeps getting in the way. We did attend a consignment sale last year and found lots of great deals on shoes that still looked brand new, but other than that, we haven't been socializing with our social group. My wife does read the multitude of emails that the group sends out, which is chock full of very interesting and useful information, but that's been the extent of our participation. That is, until now.

This weekend, members of 'The Pom' are gathering at the West Portal park at Ulloa to celebrate spring and April Fools. They will have clowing, animal balloons, crafts, good food, and of course, family fun. Silly hats and attire are encouraged. I have no idea how we're going to dress the kids for this one. Perhaps put their clothes on backwards???

The event is for SFPOM members. If you are a parent of multiples, or are an expectant parent of multiples, then why not join in on the fun? Check out the SFPOM site for more information.

Here are a few other events taking place around town this weekend:

Model Trains at the Conservatory of Flowers
Through April 19th, Model trains zip through a mini San Francisco in the Conservatory of Flowers' first garden railway exhibition.

Chalk up the Playground and Lori Carsillo
Friends of Dolores Park Playground is pleased to resume their annual social events at Dolores Park Playground. Come one and all to the park on Saturday, April 4th, from 11 to noon to "chalk up" the playground blacktop while listening to the wonderful jazz melodies of the Lori Carsillo Trio. Friends of Dolores Park Playground will provide the chalk. All you and your kids need to bring are inspiration and creativity.

2nd Annual Richardson Bay Mudflat Festival
On April 4th, 2009 from 10am to 2pm come celebrate the education and science of Richardson Bay at the 2nd annual Mudflat Festival! Explore the season's wildflowers, mudflats, and tidepools. Delve into watersheds, bay science, compost, and the research happening in and around our Bay.

Point Bonita: Wednesdays on the Trail

by Graham Charles

January 28, 2009

I'm firmly of the opinion that one of the most valuable outdoor activities you can engage in with your kids is the free-form walk in a wild or semi-wild setting. Just wandering the beach or through a forested section of the Presidio, kids get to explore, look around trees, and pick up rocks. The physical activity of a playground gets combined with a day full of inquiry: what could be better?  Read more...

The Beach! In January!

by Graham Charles

January 15, 2009

When we went to the beach this Monday, my three-year old daughter Fern was the only one in a bathing suit: the other dozen or so sun-worshiping parents at Crissy Field were either too conservative or too intelligent to let their kids even dream of swimming. The day hit 76 degrees (really!) but the water temperature just brushed 50, so full immersion was a fantasy only. (Albeit a fantasy that  Read more...

99 Things to Do In San Francisco Before Kindergarten, Part 10: Monthly Adventures

by Graham Charles

December 22, 2008

Finally we come to the bottom of our list of San Francisco treats -- those toddler hot spot and unmissable adventures that every local kid should experience before kindergarten. I've saved something a little different for the final installment: stuff we try to find time for every single month.  To me, raising a child isn't about providing rare points of high excitement to punctuate an  Read more...

Last-Minute Gift Ideas for Preschoolers

by Graham Charles

December 19, 2008

Now, four days until Christmas and one until the first candle of Hanukkah, is when the last-minute gift idea requests come rolling in. I'm widely known as a reformed procrastinator, so I get many of these desperate pleas for help. Here are a few of my old standbys for last-minute presents preschool-aged kids: Magazines I'm really fond of getting a subscription to Baby Bug or Wild Animal  Read more...

Winter Camp at the Zoo

by Graham Charles

December 16, 2008

If you're looking for a little stop-gap daytime activity during the long preschool-free stretch, check out the mini-camps at the San Francisco Zoo. There are two three-day sessions starting on the 22nd and 29th of December, and the animal-based curriculum will differ, so your kids can enjoy both if you prefer. Chances are slim that you'll see the baby gorilla (I was talking to a keeper there a  Read more...

Museumette: Crissy Field Center -- Or, "Wilderness Survival for Toddlers"

by Graham Charles

December 11, 2008

In another of my series of visits to San Francisco's tiny but kid-friendly museums, today we drop by the Crissy Field Center down on the bayshore road on the Presidio's edge. It's the National Park Service interpretive center, and you can visit any day -- there's a little cafe and a couple of exhibits -- but the way to really get involved is to go to one of the center's frequent kid-oriented  Read more...

Six San Francisco Locales for Inspiring Your Child's Imagination

by Graham Charles

October 14, 2008

The folks at Savvy headquarters have asked us this "List Tuesday" to describe some local spots that really inspire kids to creative, free-form imagination. We all love our museums and zoos, but sometimes kids need a little more undirected, unrestricted space. Here are some of my favorite "Imagination Zones": 1. The Beach. I know of few free-form, fully pliable environments that equal the  Read more...

10 Tips for Surviving a Visit with Your Toddler to the New Academy of Sciences

by Graham Charles

October 06, 2008

The re-opened California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park is going to be all the rage for months. If you've got a child of two or older but don't want to wait until the crowds die down, here are a few tips for managing the trip, gleaned from my three visits with my daughter Fern over the past week. (Yes, three visits. And we're going again today. I love this place!) Get a  Read more...

Talk Like a Pirate While You Clean Up After Them

by Graham Charles

September 18, 2008

Can there be any more jam-packed weekend? First comes Talk Like a Pirate Day on Friday, September 19th, followed the very next day by International Coastal Cleanup. As residents of the peninsula that is San Francisco, it naturally falls to us both to care for our environment and be goofy within it, so this coincidence of scheduling is more than fortunate. Let's start with Friday's  Read more...

Savvy Urban Hiker: Glen Canyon Park

by Graham Charles

September 03, 2008

For me, one of San Francisco's charms is that it continues to reveal hidden surprises even after I've lived here nearly 20 years. Glen Canyon Park rates as one of those surprises, a little trail along wild (if pokey) Islais Creek, right in the middle of town. Avid hiker though I was, I never even found this park until Fern, my 2-year old, started to get excited about hiking with me.  Read more...

A quick distraction: Flickr slide shows

by Graham Charles

August 28, 2008

Sometimes I'm in the market for a semi-educational distraction for Fern -- just long enough to get the dishes out of the dishwasher, mind! -- but we've already reached our TV quota for the day. (It's hovering at around 5 hours just now.) And though at 2 and a half Fern can sometimes sit down with crayons and paper without a helper, she's not quite ready to be sent off to read a book for  Read more...

Spaced-out San Francisco: Morrison Planetarium reopens soon!

by Graham Charles

August 27, 2008

For San Francisco space nuts, the past five years have been tough. The Morrison Planetarium in Golden Gate Park closed back in 2003, and although many of the other California Academy of Sciences exhibits reopened in a temporary site downtown, there was no love for us stargazers. The wait is over! Just four weeks from now, on September 27th, the rebuilt Morrison Planetarium will debut in  Read more...

Little Explorers: Land's End

by Mike Adamick

June 05, 2008

Every once in a while my 2-year-old daughter, Emmeline , will latch onto a particular phrase or song and not let go for days and days at a time. Last week, it was "American Pie." A few weeks before that, it was the Golden Gate Bridge. She wanted to see it, read about it, touch it, sing songs about it and, if I had let her, go back to the 1930s and help build it. The kid was obsessed. So I  Read more...