Fun With Kids in the Oakland and Berkeley
Happy Birthday to you, Habitot! Since opening 15 years ago in 1998, Habitot children’s museum in downtown Berkeley has welcomed almost 1,000,000 visitors. On Saturday, they invite the public to a 15th anniversary celebration in the form of a Quinceañera-themed day. Local children’s songleader Mariela Herrera will perform in Spanish and English at 10:30 am, [...]
The Exploratorium, long a favorite destination for Bay Area families, has relocated to Pier 15 along the Embarcadero of San Francisco Bay, finally wrapping up its move from its old location at the Palace of Fine Arts. It opens to the public with an ambitious array of public entertainment offerings, many of them free, on [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Based on the best-selling Ivy + Bean stories by Berkeley author Annie Barrows and illustrator Sophie Blackhall, IVY + BEAN, THE MUSICAL, explores how two second graders who are very different become inseparable friends. The production takes the stage at Freight + Salvage in downtown Berkeley beginning Saturday, February 9. Plot summary from Bay Area [...]
Thanks to Felicity at Encore Hand-me-down Baby Registry for urging us all to check out the improvements at Emeryville Market. Not that you need an excuse to let someone else make you dinner, but it sounds like a terrific solution for busy families with little ones. I went to Public Market in Emeryville on Friday [...]
The “artsy” in you need not starve: a family-friendly short film night at Sticky Art Lab on Friday. (Even meet the artists!) Take your baby out for a morning on the town: Rosa Parks School hosts a “Baby Bounce.” Book van available to check out books. Food trucks are still congregating on Saturdays in Alameda [...]
I thought I’d pull together a short list of things you might do if you find yourself without an outing for the day.
Friday morning hike. (But check the East Bay Moms site for rainy default plan!) If you were too busy to check out the twinkly lights around town, there is still time: head into the hills or drive up to the zoo. Have a quiet meal or catch up on a flick you’ve missed: parents nights [...]
Family visiting? Why there’s no better motivation to get everyone out of the house.
The Monterey Bay Aquarium is one of California’s best indoor tourist attractions, a perfect mission for the long days of December school closure. It’s a two-hour drive from Berkeley. One option is a day trip. Head out of the {510} at 8 am, meet some South Bay friends you are always meaning to visit for [...]
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 [...]
We’ve been traveling in the same circles as some of the folks behind Kiwi Crate, a Bay Area kid’s craft company. When they let us know about their Halloween Crates, I thought others might like to know that there’s an option somewhere in the middle of sewing your own costume and buying one at Target. [...]
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.
Lois Porter has lived in the East Bay her whole life. She shares her favorite spots to enjoy family time from San Jose to Vallejo.
Borrow membership cards and visit Habitot or the Bay Area Discovery Museum.
The large exhibit hall in the back was stuffed with hands-on experiments and stations that work for toddlers on up. My husband was also highly engaged.
