Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month for Kids & Families

May is Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month in the U.S. there are many ways to learn and celebrate with your children. For teachers and parents, here’s a link to fill in the gaps in your historical knowledge.

Thanks to Children’s Fairyland for sponsoring this guide.

Find events, storytimes, dance performances, movies, and books! We’ll be adding new kid-friendly activities as we find them. For particularly kid-friendly Asian restaurants, see 99 Restaurants kids love or global eating for East Bay kids.

cute kids for aapi heritage celebration — Happy AANHPI Month from the Choi sisters | Photo: Kat Choi

Upcoming East Bay Events for Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage

Spotlight on Fairyland’s Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Celebration

Throughout May, Children’s Fairyland features traditions from the Asian and Pacific Islander diaspora ranging from folklore and dance to contemporary storytelling with performances, games, and crafts each weekend.

May 4 & 5: Samoan fabric art, Japanese soba tasting, Polynesian dancers, and stories.
May 11 & 12: Stories Come to Life! with games and stories from China and Taiwan.
May 18 & 19: Make mochi with Third Culture Bakery. Make music & movement. Make art.
May 25 & 27: Be mesmerized by a magician, Oakland Taiko dancers, and incredible kites.
See the full schedule of events >

Wednesday, May 1, 2024

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm: Kumihimo Braid Art @ Asian Branch | Oakland Public Library, Oakland

Saturday, May 4, 2024

10:30 am - 11:15 am: Māori Mo Ake Tonu @ Rockridge Branch | Oakland Public Library, Oakland
11:00 am - 3:00 pm: Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Celebration @ Children’s Fairyland, Oakland
11:00 am - 4:00 pm: Japantown Children's Day Festival @ Japantown, San Francisco
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm: Haopinaka Hawaiian Music and Dance @ Walnut Creek Public Library, Walnut Creek

Sunday, May 5, 2024

1:30 pm - 2:30 pm: Filipino Teatime Treats at the Farm @ Ardenwood Historic Farm, Fremont

Saturday, May 11, 2024

12:00 pm - 6:00 pm: Hawaiian May Day Festival @ Downtown Hayward | B & Main Streets, Hayward

Thursday, May 16, 2024

10:30 am - 11:00 am: Kamishibai Paper Theater @ Rockridge Branch | Oakland Public Library, Oakland

Saturday, May 18, 2024

10:00 am - 4:00 pm: AAPI Heritage Celebration @ Chabot Space & Science Center, Oakland
10:00 am - 5:00 pm: Berkeley Himalayan Fair @ Live Oak Park, Berkeley
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm: Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Festival @ Zelinsky Park, Tiburon
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm: Benvenue Beats Mini Music Festival @ Claremont Branch | Berkeley Public Library, Berkeley
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm: Oakland Roots Game, AAPI Heritage Night @ CSUEB Pioneer Stadium (Hayward), Hayward