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 [...]
I told you about Oakland Art Murmur for date nights and I’m excited to report there’s a daytime version for kids, too! Many of the galleries that participate in Oakland’s first Friday Art Murmur gallery walk are also open EVERY Saturday afternoon for a quieter and more focused time to view art and wander. Better [...]
We discovered Oakland Art Murmur, the perfect feel free again, but still be glad you’re older than most of the kids out there date spot! My husband and I set off child-free to cruise the Art Murmuring streets of Oakland. This event happens each first Friday of the month. We’ve been twice now and would [...]
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 [...]
Family visiting? Why there’s no better motivation to get everyone out of the house.
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 [...]
Local author Dashka Slater’s book, Baby Shoes, has been well-loved in my house since I picked up a signed copy at Cody’s (sniff) when my oldest was a tot. I was so happy to meet her a few months ago at Mini Maker Faire. I love that she answered our interview questions both for herself [...]
How many times do I need to go to the zoo to break even? Is it a good deal if my kids are toddlers or babies? Let’s break it down.
Whether you stay in the car and do a “drive-by” or get out to stroll, appreciating the hard work of those who put up holiday light displays is a fun winter tradition. Here are our picks for light-peeping this year. Alameda’s Christmas Tree Lane is a must-see for East Bay families. The magic starts Sunday, [...]
Brunch at Wat Mongkolratanaram, Berkeley’s Thai Buddhist temple, at Russell St and Martin Luther King Jr. is a treat not to be missed. Since I hadn’t been in four years, I was overdue for a visit, so I went this weekend with my older boys and some friends. How to do it and what to [...]
10 thumbs up. Pile the kids into the station wagon for 6pm drive-in movie showings.
I happened upon this Marine-themed park when my kids and I arrived at Pump It Up too early one day. A five-minute walk from that birthday party venue, Union Point Park offers wide green space for running, a view of boat action in the Bay, and a cool play structure inspired by the shape of [...]
PAASSC, Parents of African American Students Studying Chinese, is taking children to the Oakland Zoo to explore the animals with a Mandarin spin on 11/3/12 from 10am to 2pm. The trip will include interactive animal matching games opportunities for middle and high school students to practice reading and writing Chinese characters as well as conversational [...]
I was standing in line at Sonoma’s Train Town when another mom started chatting me up. (She was observing a certain quirk of my 5-year old who frequently makes us get off a carnival-style ride just seconds before it starts.) I asked her if she was a local, and indeed she was. By the time [...]
I’m happy to introduce Cara as a new contributor to 510families from El Cerrito. She has a four-year old daughter and is expecting a second baby in January. Cara enjoys making crafts, photography and simple scrapbooking. While she’ll be writing for us about a number of Bay Area activities, today she shares her home stomping [...]
Kids so pleased with their costumes they want to wear them more than once? Here is a round-up of Halloween activities and outings where Jedi Knights and Cleopatra will be more than welcomed. Ardenwood Farms’ Evening Train Ride: Friday and Saturday evenings at 7 pm, October 19th, 20th, 26th, 27th. Train ride through fields and [...]
Save 15% on Advance sale tickets with code: 510FAM. This Sunday at the East Bay Mini Maker Faire, be sure to look for the 510 Families banner flying upstairs at Studio One at the Hands-On-Everything Zone including Swap-o-rama-rama and the Workshop Weekend area. You’ll want to bring a shirt to screenprint! Or a whole bag [...]
