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1/7/26 - 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 features plenty of free events that get the kids out without you spending a dime. Check out Family Art Making at the Legion of Honor, or Community Game Night at the San Jose Museum of Art. Dinosaur fans won't want to miss Jurassic Quest in Santa Clara Friday through Sunday, where kids can see life-sized walking dinosaurs and dig for fossils. 

For more fun things to do, check out our Instagram page for ideas and events near you.

More Things to Do in San Francisco and the Bay Area This Week with Kids:

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

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

First Friday: Community Game Night at San Jose Museum of Art

San Jose—FREE
Friday, January 23
Are you game? Put down your phone and join the San Jose Museum of Art for an evening of fun and games, analog style! Learn new games and make new friends. Teach someone else your favorite game, visitors are invited to bring their own analog games to play and share. READ MORE

Jurassic Quest in Santa Clara

Santa Clara
Friday, January 23-Sunday, January 25
Families can meet and interact with adorable baby dinosaurs, dig and discover ancient fossils, ride life-sized, walking dinosaurs, explore LEGO®-themed play zones, inflatables, crafts, and even race at the 35-foot Dino Derby Track. READ MORE

Lunar New Year 2026 Celebration at the Museum of Sonoma County

Santa Rosa—FREE
Saturday, January 24
The Museum of Sonoma County and the Redwood Empire Chinese Association host a celebration of Lunar New Year. Featuring amazing performances by the RECA, including lion dances, traditional Chinese music, a traditional tea ceremony, and a Xinjiang performance. READ MORE

Family Art Making at Legion of Honor

San Francisco—FREE
Saturday, January 24
The Family Art Making table offers a drop-in art project activity led by professional teaching artists on select Saturdays.  READ MORE

LEGO Day at Berkeley Public Library

Berkeley—FREE
Saturday, January 24
The third annual LEGO Day is at the Central Children's Room in honor of all things LEGO. Activities include letterpress printing from KALA Art Institute, building and coloring sheets, Duplo for younger children, demonstration of LEGO wind cars, and a raffle for a free LEGO set. READ MORE

Playhouse Series: Cinderella

Palo Alto
Saturday, January 24-Sunday, January 25
Bring the little ones to hear the story of Cinderella at the Children's Theater. Perfect for kids ages 2-6, this event tells the story in just 35 minutes with simple costumes and tons of opportunities to get up and move around.  READ MORE

Glow: Play in the Light at the Exploratorium

San Francisco
CLOSES Sunday, January 25
Play experimental LED dungeon crawlers, see real objects float with movie screen technology, paint the walls with digital light, walk inside 3D illusions, and much more.  These family programs and more get everyone thinking and exploring the magic of light. READ MORE

IlluminOdyssey

San Mateo
CLOSES Sunday, January 25
Inspired by the science of light, CuriOdyssey presents its popular exhibit— IlluminOdyssesy—with interactive activities and kid-friendly glowing art. The four-level Redwood Halls transform into a glowing forest of science where families can walk through a botanical maze, play with rainbow refraction, paint with light, and more.  READ MORE

Family Studios: Watercolors at SF MOMA

San Francisco—FREE
Sunday, January 25
Create unique watercolors on muslin attached to handmade stick-and-found-object frames, inspired by the exhibit Suzanne Jackson: What Is Love on Floor 7. READ MORE

Art Making at BAMFA

Berkeley—FREE
Sunday, January 25
Drop in and make art in BAMPFA’s Crane Forum space, next to the Art Wall. Materials will be provided. READ MORE

Lunar New Year Celebration at the Palo Alto Library

Palo Alto—FREE
Sunday, January 25
Celebrate Lunar New Year with Palo Alto City Library, ringing in the Year of the Firehorse. Performers include Stanford's Mua Lac Hong,  Palo Alto High School's Kpop Dance Club (PALYCE) and Joyous Lion Dance Troupe.  This event includes crafts, along with Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo friends, and light snacks. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

About the Author

Sandra Lee
Sandra Lee is the community publisher and social media manager for Mommy Poppins Bay Area. With nearly a decade of writing in the parenting space, she’s passionate about helping parents create unforgettable memories with their kids. Her work has appeared in Tiny Beans, Zulily, and more. When she's not exploring or creating content, you’ll find her baking or practicing her hip-hop moves.
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