Kids skate free at Golden Skate

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The Kids Skate Free program is nationwide, and our nearby independent roller skating rink in San Ramon participates. Kids 12 and under can skate for free during designated times with a printed letter from the kidsskatefree.com site. As of today, these are the dates and times: Friday 3:45 pm – 6:00 pm Sunday 12:45 pm [...]

5 fun itineraries for school vacation days

Lake Merritt Junior Science Center

My cousin texted me from across the Bay to ask if we should get our kids together on Monday, Feb 11, as her child’s school was closed to honor Lunar New Year. “We’ve got school today,” I told her, “but let’s hang out on Malcolm X Day,” I joked, as Berkeley Unified observes the birthday [...]

Rockin’ Jump in Dublin: A big day of big fun in the East Bay

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On a recent school vacation day, my family of four decided to go on an Awfully Big Adventure and stay out all day. We started at Rockin’ Jump in Dublin, then went for lunch at The Red Tractor cafe, located in a big box mall also in Dublin (long-time Rockridge residents will remember College Avenue’s [...]

Tour the Jelly Belly factory in Fairfield

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The greatest jellybean company in the land offers free tours and will send you home with samples and fun facts to spare. Win win. Kids and adults will like watching robot arms move boxes of jelly beans onto conveyor belts. Grown-ups can have fun on their own too; Whitney and I went here in the [...]

Ring in the New Year with little kids (2013)

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Today there are kid-centered New Year’s parties to attend that don’t blur into the next morning. Five choices in the East Bay include: Chabot Space & Science Center in Oakland Ring in 2013 with your kids, and the rest of the planet, at this daytime Balloon Drop Celebration. There are three drop times at two [...]

Weekend Planner (December 15 + 16)

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Visit a unique showcase of “creche” displays (nativity scenes) at The Cathedral of Christ the Light, happening all weekend. (Learn how to make your own on Saturday!) Burn off some holiday cookies at a festive 5k/10k run (and a free “kids dash”) that will have your feet jingling. Literally. Don’t forget your Santa hat! If [...]

Rookie Moms Challenge #32: Find bookstore events for babies

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Celebrate your local, independent bookstores by discovering a new one, visiting with your well-behaved children and buying a terrific book. Better yet, find out which ones have children’s events and enjoy one of those. We compiled this list of noteworth local bookstores for storytime and literary events for kids. Please share your favorites too! Cara [...]

A lot of fun at the drive-in in Concord

10 thumbs up. Pile the kids into the station wagon for 6pm drive-in movie showings.

{510} Family Faves: East Bay mom (and Olympian) Kristi Yamaguchi

pixieland

I met Kristi Yamaguchi, mom of two, at an event recently where she was showing off Tsu.ya, her new line of women’s apparel. I learned that she lives in the East Bay, and I asked her to share some of her favorite places with us. What’s your favorite playground in the 510? I’d have to [...]

Rookie Moms Challenge #41: Test drive some baby classes

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Did you know that most baby and toddler music/movement classes will offer a free trial? They don’t usually shout it very loud once you and junior are clapping along in circle, but if you call ahead, you can often join a test class or negotiate a free preview. This is your 41st weekly challenge. Here [...]

Favorite East Bay Pumpkin Patches

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Talk to me, East Bay. Do you like to head out to the country to pumpkin fields on genuine farms? Do you prefer little patches within your part of town? Or do you just head to the grocery store for your gourds? Over the years, I have noticed that the range of Bay Area pumpkin [...]

Weekend Planner (September 29 + 30)

ClownSnotBombs

Morning classes for tots have kicked off over at Habitot: Fridays feature kids cooking with Flavors of Asia. It’s movie-in-the-Redwoods again with feature presentation, Jumanji. Martial arts enthusiasts may want to check out the competition between various youth clubs over at Frances Albrier. Celebrate the sweetness of pears – pies and recipe contests included! It’s [...]

Weekend Planner (September 1, 2 + 3)

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The Lego Brick Show is coming to a close on Sunday and is well worth the visit – you may find yourself deeply engrossed in a Lego figurine scavenger hunt! Friday night, you can catch Ice Age for an outdoor summer movie at Redwood Heights. Celebrate,  view and even ride steam engines at the Historic [...]

7 things I learned about Berkeley Family Camp

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I recently got home from the world’s shortest ever visit to Berkeley Family Camp in Tuolomne. We had hoped to stay for four nights but stayed only one because my seven year old came down with walking pneumonia. Huge bummer, but now we’ve had a taste and we will try again next summer armed with [...]

Orinda: A single BART stop past Rockridge

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510Families.com is currently enjoying sponsorship by Orinda Theater Square, whose advertisement you’ll sometimes see in the sidebar for the next year. The management of Orinda Theater Square invited us to come over to explore and have lunch as their guests at Table 24. Here’s what we learned. 8 things to know about Orinda Theatre Square, [...]

My East Bay summer bucket list (Heather)

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After reading Whitney’s East Bay summer bucket list, I wanted to create one of my own. Here are ten things I’d like to do with my family this summer that we’ve never done before. Go to Berkeley Family Camp for the first time. Visit the Berkeley Rose Garden with my baby. Visit the Grand Lake [...]

Art & Wind Festival in San Ramon this weekend

The festival includes over 200 arts & crafts booths, entertainment on 3 stages, kite-flying demos, kids’ activities, displays and more!