Fun With Kids in the Oakland and Berkeley
The Tilden Regional Parks Botanic Garden, an enchanted, not-so-secret garden, is a magical place for visitors of all ages at no cost. The garden is full of California native plants, rare and endangered including flowers, ferns, trees and even flowering cactus. You don’t have to be a botanist to enjoy the space, just a lover […]
Oakland has triumphantly re-birthed a classic: the New Parkway has many things we loved from the Original Parkway along with a different location and management to make up some new traditions. They’ll be open 360 days a year, serving up mostly $6 movies, healthy unhealthy food, upcycled decor, and a heavy dose of community. The […]
This hyperlocal tour of Oakland was contributed by Chantal Laurie, who works for Teach For America and sits on the Board of Habitot. Chantal has two young children and lives close to Park Blvd. The Glenview neighborhood in Oakland is small enough that you might miss it if you blink too many times while driving […]
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 […]
The Cerrito Cinema on San Pablo picks up where the Parkway left off. As longtime fans and participants of the Baby Brigade, we are pleased that the show is going on.
I thought I’d pull together a short list of things you might do if you find yourself without an outing for the day.
Anchored by a library, a playground and a Saturday farmer’s market, Oakland’s Lakeshore district is one of the city’s most vibrant neighborhoods. It’s also a great place for kids and families. I lived near here for over 12 years and my 7-year-old has been enjoying Lakeshore since he was a tot. Our favorite spot on […]
Kendra from UrbanSitter has let us know about this event in Elmwood for East Bay Families who want to try a new fitness experience. During the regularly scheduled 4:00pm Dailey Method class taught by Kerry Corcoran, free childcare will be provided by Urban Sitter on Sunday, December 9. Following class the kids get their turn in the studio for […]
Introducing another new contributor, Becky Matthews, who has been featured before in our 510 Faves series. You’ll be hearing more from her soon, but today she gives us a tour of her neighborhood. Now living in South Berkeley (The Lorin District) for six years- first as a newly married woman with a career and now […]
Stitch is everything you love about sewing with nothing that you don’t. I’m speaking to you as a wannabe crafter without much patience for figuring stuff out, cutting in a straight line, or follow-through. Be prepared, I’m going to gush about this adorable sewing room gone wild. It’s what my husband would call “a hacker […]
If you are a crafty, makery kind of mama in the East Bay, you must check out the Hackermoms Kickstarter fundraiser as they try to raise money to build a workshop with tools and equipment, plus create a kids program and business incubator for moms inside it. I was blown away by Sho Sho’s story and […]
As I was running errands and enjoying the delicious lunch hangover from a chicken sandwich at Bakesale Betty, a little sign called me down an alley. Oh, yes! I enjoyed the “Naughty Mexican” (combo of “Naughty Cream” and “Mexican Chocolate”) oozed into a freshly-baked doughnut. I highly recommend for a treat if you’re in Temescal. […]
Lazy Sundays should be spent tooling around Temescal Farmer’s Market (with a stop at Frog Park if your kids have earned it).
East Bay Moms is an activity club for parents of babies and toddlers. Having trouble leaving the house with your baby? Join a weekly hike. Bored at home with your toddler? Get inspired at a play group.
The UC Berkeley Botanical Garden, which hosts a Garden Strollers program on the second Wednesday of every month for parents and caregivers with kids 3 and under, is currently home to an eye-catching art installation. Glass tubes, which originated from solar panels sold by out-of-business Bay Area company Solyndra, have been repurposed in a sculptural […]
Epworth playgroups happen in North Berkeley at the Methodist Church for new parents and toddlers. Not religious, all families are welcome. Though I’ve never been, I’ve only heard good things about these groups from my moms’ group buddies and strangers around town. Each play session is two hours long for little ones from 14 months […]
The JCC East Bay, Oakland Branch, is launching Two New Child & Parent Groups. Groups will run from October through early December. Both Programs are facilitated by Rabbi Margie Jacobs with an emphasis on mindfulness and Jewish spirituality. Advance registration is required. The baby group (for parents of infants age 6 weeks to 3 months) […]
