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El Dia de los Tres Reyes Magos, Splendid Salamanders, and More Fun Things To Do in San Francisco This Weekend

Celebrate El Dia de los Tres Reyes Magos. Photo courtesy of the Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose
Celebrate El Dia de los Tres Reyes Magos. Photo courtesy of the Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose
1/8/25 - 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!

There's a gravitational pull toward science events in San Francisco and the Bay Area this weekend. Curios kiddos can conduct science experiments at a free Pop-Up Chemistry in Redwood City. In Walnut Creek, kids can meet an amphibian ambassador at Splendid Salamanders. A chain of science reactions will get demonstrated at Air Power Adventures in San Carlos.  

This weekend also marks the conclusion of favorite family holiday events, including Garden of D'Lights, San Mateo on Ice, and Holidays at Filoli. 

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

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Run to the Holiday Lights at Filoli while you can. Photo courtesy of Filoli Gardens
Run to the Holiday Lights at Filoli while you can. Photo courtesy of Filoli Gardens

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

El Dia de los Tres Reyes Magos at Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose

San Jose
Saturday, January 11
Head to the Purple Museum for festive fun with the three kings and more at the 27th annual celebration. Make and decorate a crown, enjoy lively and traditional Mariachi youth performers and folklórico dance, delight in gifts (chocolate coins) from the kings, and learn how to make real tortillas. Plus, share your talents during our “Open Mic” sessions. READ MORE

Kid Makers: Pop Up Chemistry in Redwood City

Redwood City - FREE
Saturday, January 11
Young scientists explore different aspects of chemistry! Once a month, join members of the ACS and take part in hands-on experiments. READ MORE

Teen Night at the Museum

Santa Rosa
Saturday, January 11
Drop teens off for wild after-hours fun, including pizza dinner, minute-to-win-it games and challenges, and nature-inspired crafts! Make a bead buddy for your backpack, craft a junk journal, and explore the Museum with scavenger hunts and relay games. READ MORE

Children's Reading Hour: Nana's New Soul Food at MoAD

San Francisco - FREE
Saturday, January 11
Join the Museum of African Diaspora for a reading and playful discussion of the children's book Nana's New Soul Food by Will Power, with MoAD's original Chef-in-Residence Bryant Terry who contributed a recipe to the book. READ MORE

Garden of D’Lights

Walnut Creek
Closes Saturday, January 11
Experience the Ruth Bancroft Garden in a whole new way at its annual Garden of d'Lights. Members and non-members of all ages can stroll through the garden and see mature cacti, succulents, and trees that are transformed into botanical sculptures covered with beautiful lights.  READ MORE

30 Years of Pixar at The Lark Theater

Larkspur
Saturday - Monday, January 11 - 13
See Up and Toy Story 3 as Part One of Pixar's 30 Years from 1995-2010. Multiple showtimes are available. READ MORE

Junior Naturalist Experiences: Splendid Salamanders at Lindsay Wildlife Experience

Walnut Creek
Sunday, January 12
Do your kids have questions about axolotls, newts, and salamanders? Well, axolotls and newts are a type of salamander! In this one-hour workshop, students will meet one of Lindsay’s live California tiger salamander ambassadors to make observations about these amphibians. Participants will learn about their lifecycle, adaptations, and why the California Tiger Salamander is so special to the Bay Area. READ MORE

Second Sundays for Families with SFMOMA

San Francisco - FREE
Sunday, January 12
Bring the family for a day of art at SFMOMA on the second of every month. Kids can participate in hands-on artmaking and storytelling around a different theme each month at the Koret Education Center.  READ MORE

Family Day at Marin MOCA

Novato - FREE
Sunday, January 12
Spend a day making art at the Marin MOCA for this special, family-friendly program every month. Kids will have a chance to work with mixed media, clay, and painting taught by professional art instructors Wendy Ricks and Lauren Volk. READ MORE

Air Power Adventure at Hiller Aviation Museum

San Carlos
Sunday, January 12
Air may be invisible, but it can exert a tremendous force – enough to keep even the largest airplanes in the sky.  Explore the science of this invisible force that is always around us as air power crushes metal, powers chemical reactions, freezes metal and blasts objects skywards in a family-friendly demonstration. READ MORE

Holidays at Filoli

Woodside
Closes Sunday, January 12
Holidays at Filoli are super popular with families, with the house and garden transformed into a winter wonderland. The main house is decorated with all the holiday cheer, while the garden is winterized and beautiful.  Special add-ins include private fire pit experiences, flora parties, and ballroom signature lounge.  READ MORE

San Mateo on Ice

San Mateo
Closes Sunday, January 12
Central Park in downtown San Mateo will turn into an ice skating rink starting November 10. Featuring 11,000 square feet of real ice, skaters can have fun on the ice during the day or under the stars at night.  READ MORE

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