I vividly remember the day Marjorie and I launched Marinhood exactly one year ago. I have seen other blogs and website with family event information before and scattered in various places, but I always wished for something like Marinhood, a quick and simple list of various family events and activities with a direct link to the information. Never miss an opportunity when there are so many memories and experiences to have. I have been delighted by the feedback and thank you for recommending us to other families to enjoy.
For more an up-to-date listing please visit us at Marinhood!
Look for last minute events for:
Black History Month
2/2 Groundhogs Day
2/5 Super Bowl
2/7 Full Moon
2/12 BAFTA
2/12 Grammy Awards
2/14 Valentine’s Day
2/20 President’s Day
2/21 Mardi Gras, New Moon
2/22 Ash Wednesday
2/26 The Oscar’s
2/29 Leap Year
Have you heard about the Marin Math Circle? I just learned about their Elementary Circle recommended for students in grades 3+. The class meets meets from 6:30 – 7:20 pm on Wednesday during the school year in Alemany Library Room 207, Dominican University. The main purpose of this group is to expose children to fun mathematical problems and ideas so that they develop a positive attitude towards math. Sessions may include experiments, storytelling, manipulatives, guided discussions, independent work, and work in teams. The Marin Math Circle is intended for students who are good at math and like working on challenging problems. Now how cool is that!
With Love!
Ronnie
FEBRUARY 2012
Feb 1 & 2 Worm Exploration with Kelly Morton, 10am – 11am, make friends with a worm, follow a trail in search of growing treasures, or explore the “wilds” outside our fence. These experiences help develop a sense of empathy with the natural world, putting children on the path to environmental stewardship. Bay Area Discovery Museum.
Feb 2 Manga for Teens, Join us for a Manga discussion group and hands-on drawing session. Open to 6th – 12th graders. Novato Library the first Thursday of the month from 4:45 – 5:45 and discuss your favorite Manga, graphic novels and web comics. Laptops, drawing supplies and snacks provided. Novato Library Reference Desk at 897-1142.
Feb 2 Craft Bar with Etsy Labs, 6-8pm, Be your own valentine this year – or make something special for your sweetie! Make heart pins and learn the delicate art of finger-knitting. Admission of $5 includes materials, tips and tricks. Museum of Craft and Folk Art , 51 Yerba Buena Lane, San Francisco
Feb 2 Toddler Play + Learn, 10-11:30am, Find answers. Find support. Find community. Find friends (and great coffee too). seesaw studio.
Feb 2 Sandpipers Winter Session, 9:30am – 10:30am, Sandpipers programs bring 2-4 year olds and their adult to our Center to explore the wonders of the Sanctuary through the seasons. Naturalist will lead pond, trail, insect, beach, or bird explorations. Richardson Bay Audubon Center, 376 Greenwood Beach Rd, Tiburon.
Feb 3 Eddie Madril, Hoopman, 3:30-4:30pm, Experience the artistry of Native American hoop dancing with Eddie Madril, Pascua Yaqui tribe member. Discover the rich traditions of America’s indigenous peoples, past and present, through the beautiful expression of song and dance. You’ll also have the opportunity to learn some American Indian sign language, too. This free performance is a great activity for all ages. No sign-up is required prior to the program. San Anselmo Library.
Feb 3 How Andy Found His Voice by the San Francisco Opera Guild, 9:30 & 11 a.m., Showcase Theatre, Marin Center, Andy, a 9th grader, is picked on in class and having a hard time making friends. Visited by spirits from classic operas, he discovers how music and stories open a world of expression and joy. The San Francisco Opera Guild’s production features grand arias, duets and even an opera sing-along! Recommended for Grades 3-8.
Feb 4 Nature Stories Along the Ecology Trail It’s story time on the Ecology Trail with a park ranger! This walk begins at the corner of Funston and Moraga Avenue and ends at the Inspiration Point Overlook. Explore the natural world within the Presidio’s historic forest as you enjoy tales about the plants and animals that live there. Meet at the corner of Funston and Moraga in the Presidio Main Post. Free. All ages. Registration required as space is limited. Please phone (415) 561-4323.
Feb 4 Raices de Mi Tierra, 11am – 12pm, a lively celebration of the rich, cultural heritage of Mexico. This colorful performance showcases traditional folkloric dance and music performed by talented dancers, wearing a beautiful array of regional dress. Bay Area Discovery Museum.
Feb 4 Celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day with FREE admission and special activities, along with a look at our newest exhibition, Leveling the Playing Field, Schultz Museum.
Feb 4 Keepsake Box 9am-12pm, Make a personalized box to hold private treasures or give it as a gift for Valentine’s Day, Home Depot.
Feb 4 Read to a Dog, 2:00pm, School age. Call 924-6382 to sign up. Corte Madera Library.
Feb 4 Doing & Viewing Art, 10:30am, Matter + Spirit: The Sculpture of Stephen De Staebler, ages 4-12. Family tours are followed by related hands-on art projects led by professional artists. Children under 8 year old must be accompanied by an adult. DeYoung Museum.
Feb 4 Doing & Viewing Art, 2p, Family tours are followed by related hands-on art projects led by professional artists. Children under 8 years old must be accompanied by an adult. Figuring Out Figurative Art (Looking at People in Art). Legion of Honor.
Feb 4 Rumpelstiltskin, 10:30am & 1:00pm, The kingdom of King Wipple is in big trouble. There are charming songs, lots of laughs, and a happy ending for everyone. “A promise is a promise.” Legion of Honor.
Feb 4 Giants FanFest,The day includes live KNBR broadcasts on the field, player Q&A, free player autographs and places to take photos, a kids zone and more.The full details of the 2012 event haven’t been finalized when this article was submitted, but typically you’ll get a chance to meet and take pictures of Giants stars like Buster Posey, Matt Cain, Madison Bumgarner, Tim Lincecum, Brian Wilson, Pablo Sandoval and many more scheduled to appear.
Feb 4 Brian Waite Band Nature’s Adventure, 1-2pm, Come sing, dance and laugh for a special afternoon show and share in their latest rock ‘n roll adventure when they are stranded on a remote tropical island. Bay Area Discovery Museum.
Feb 4 Afternoon Art, Dip into the art of printmaking with bold and instantly gratifying monoprints. 1pm and 4pm, Randall Museum.
Feb 4 Drop-In Science, The world of colors! Discover how millions of colors can be made and take home your own spectroscope, 10:30, Randall Museum.
Feb 4 Amiguitos de La Peña, Earthcapades, 10:30am, Juggling water bottles and other antics, Earthcapdes, edu-tainment entertains as well as teaches all of us to care about our planet.
Feb 4 Summer Camp Fair 9:30am to 12:30pm in the French American International School Gym. Entrance is free and you’ll have a chance to win $100 off your camp tuition.
Feb 4 & 5 Pinkalicious, Being in the pink isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be! In this glittering musical, Pinkalicious and her brother, Peter, learn that a little bit of what you love can go a long way. Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse in Berkeley, 2 pm.
Feb 5 Year of the Dragon Celebration, 11:00 am–4:00 pm, Celebrate the Lunar New Year and the Year of the Dragon with students of the Chinese American International School presenting Chinese classical music and dances from Chinese ethnic minorities, ending with a playful lion dance arranged by the students. The lion dance is an important part of every New Year celebration and is believed to scare away evil spirits and ensure a bright new beginning. Hunt for dragons on an Art Explorers’ family tour; listen to dragon stories; create a dragon puppet or paint a dragon netsuke designed by artist Natsusaka Shinichiro. Asian Art Museum.
Feb 5 Nature for Kids at Bahia, 10am – 2pm, Rush Creek Preserve, Meet at the end of Bahia Drive: From Hwy 101 in Novato, take the Atherton Avenue exit east and turn left at Bugeia, which turns into Bahia Drive. We’ll take a slow walk up to the ridge where there should be lots to see; the oak trees should just be sprouting their new leaves, and the Manzanita flowers will be buzzing with insects. 893-9508.
Feb 5 James Henry and Samba Samba at 11:00 am. Come to the library before we open for an exciting interactive journey through the roots of African American music. All ages, no sign-up required.
Feb 5 Cowgirl Trickswith Hilarious Karen Quest America’s Favorite Award-Winning Cowgirl! 1 pm – 2 pm, Osher Marin, 200 North San Pedro Road, San Rafael.
Feb 5 Drop-In Art-Making: Stained Glass Exploration, 1pm-3pm, Be inspired by the majesty of Congregation Sherith Israel’s stained glass window featured in the exhibition, California Dreaming: Jewish Life in the Bay Area from the Gold Rush to the Present, and create your own color-saturated works of art. Contemporary Jewish Museum.
Feb 5 Collection Highlights Tours for Families, 1:00 p.m., Tours of galleries, tailored especially for families, are offered in conjunction with select Family Sundays. Space is limited. Ages 4 to 11. San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.
Feb 5 Brian Waite Band, The Berkeley JCC Theater at The JCC of the East Bay, 1414 Walnut Street (between Vine and Rose) North Berkeley.
Feb 5 Family Tours, 1pm, Bring the kids! Tours of SFMOMA’s galleries, tailored especially for families, are offered in conjunction with select Family Sundays. Tour topics change monthly; check the schedule in the Koret Center for topics on the day of your visit. Free with museum admission. To register, visit the Koret Visitor Education Center. Space is limited. SFMOMA Family Programs are designed for families with children ages 4 to 11. San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
Feb 6 Museum Mondays, 10am–12pm, enjoy stories, movement games, crafts and more. Schultz Museum.
Feb 7 Award-winning Singer Patricia Shih, 3:30pm, Ages 3 and up. Corte Madera Library.
Feb 8 Toddler Treks, 11-12pm, Designed especially for children 1 to 3 years of age. Each month we will learn about a different animal that shares our world – all can be found in the Bay Area or the Academy. We will use props and our imagination to “trek” together to the place each animal calls home. Please note that each month has two identical programs, so participants should register for only one program per month. California Academy of Sciences.
Feb 8 Garden Strollers, 11:00 AM to 11:45 AM, Join Molly Bolt, Botanical Garden docent and mom with her son Rowan, on this special tour of the Garden for parents with their children under 3 years old. This 45 minute tour will guide you around the Garden and end on the lawn for gentle play and snacks (bring your own). While geared towards the adults, understanding accommodations are made for diaper changes and enthusiastic kids. Children must be in a stroller or carrier for the tour portion. UC Botanical Garden at Berkeley.
Feb 9 SHARE-A-Book—Read to a Dog!, 3:30pm, Advanced sign-ups required, The popular Marin Humane Society dogs are visiting twice every month to share their love of reading. Kids in Kindergarten and older can sign up for a 15-minute session. San Anselmo Library.
Feb 9 Sandpipers Winter Session, 9:30am – 10:30am, Sandpipers programs bring 2-4 year olds and their adult to our Center to explore the wonders of the Sanctuary through the seasons. Naturalist will lead pond, trail, insect, beach, or bird explorations. Richardson Bay Audubon Center, 376 Greenwood Beach Rd, Tiburon.
Feb 10 Father-Daughter Valentine’s Dance, 7pm-8:30pm, This evening begins with a flower being presented to each young lady and picture taken of the father and daughter(s) as a memento of the occasion. A dessert buffet will be served and daughters can enjoy creating a special valentine craft. Guests will enjoy dancing to the music provided by a DJ. Semi-formal attire is encouraged. Belvedere Community Center.
Feb 10 TAO: The Art of the Drum, 8 pm, The drummers of TAO bring a modern flair to the ancient art form, drawing on the diverse backgrounds of its performers—who are composers, gymnasts and rock musicians—to create an extraordinary stage production filled with energy and precision. TAO transports audiences to historic Japan while celebrating the modern-day Land of the Rising Sun. Marin Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium, San Rafael.
Feb 10 Melanie DeMore Community SingOut!, 7:30-9:30 pm, Singer-songwriter Melanie DeMore has a remarkable voice, weaving the fibers of African American folk music with soulful ballads, spirituals and her own original music. Rhythmix Cultural Works, 2513 Blanding Avenue, Alameda.
Feb 10 – 19 Bluegrass and Old-Time Festival
Feb 11-13 Hearts on the Hill, Valentines Family Event, 4-7 pm at the Corte Madera Recreation Center, All families are welcome. Admission is $5; 2 and under are free. Carnival-Style Games & Face Painting, a Cupcake Walk, Live DJ & Dancing, Food & Drinks, a Raffle for a Family Getaway to Disneyland , and a Fantastic Silent Auction for Giants tickets, Tahoe cabin, one-night getaways, golf outings, kid’s birthday parties and more! All proceeds benefit Kids on the Hill. Thank you for supporting a local preschool.
Feb 11-13 Russian Festival
Feb 11 Gift of Love, 9am-12pm, Marin County Parks, the City of San Rafael, Marin Municipal Water District and the Marin County Bicycle Coalition are partnering with hundreds of volunteers from Bay Area Churches for the 5th annual Gift of Love event! There will be a wide range of volunteer activities in Parks locations throughout the County. The work is suitable for volunteers of all ages and abilities. Contact Greg Reza for a list of project sites and descriptions: greza@marincounty.org or (415) 473-3778.
Feb 11 Migration Festival, Natural Bridges State Park, 11am-4pm, celebrating the migration of whales, butterflies, birds and the many creatures that travel. The park will host migratory animal talks, active kids’ games, crafts, skits, live music by the nature-loving 5M’s Band, educational booths and displays, along with the now-famous free habitat-cake served at the end of the event.(831) 423-4609. The park is located at 2531 West Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA 95060.
Feb 11 Kid Friendly Farm Tour at Toluma Farms, Bring the whole family to Toluma Farms to meet the goats and their lovable kids! We will explore the barn and milking parlor, go for a hike and get a glimpse of what a sustainable goat dairy operation is all about. Bring a picnic and enjoy the MALT protected rolling hills and stunning views of Marin County!
Feb 11 Family Create With Nature: Sculpture in the Park, 10 am to Noon, Families! Flowers, pine cones, leaves, stones, branches, bark, and other wonders of nature are the inspiration and the materials for this day of spontaneous collaborative artistic expression. Get creative, and have fun while appreciating and honoring nature. RSVP to nature@presidiotrust.gov or (415) 561-4449, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Meet at Rob Hill Campground.
Feb 11 Coveys, Pods, & Animal Squads, 1-4pm, It’s true what they say: birds of a feather flock together! Join us for an afternoon outdoors and discover the unique familial characteristics of animals that call the Marin Headlands home. Pre-registration required, NatureBridge, Sausalito.
Feb 11 Plant a Kiss, 11am, special story time, Barnes & Noble, Corte Madera.
Feb 11 Saint Valentine’s Festival, 9am-2pm, cupcake decorating, Valentine projects, eco art, face painting, puppets story time and more, Marin County Mart, Larkspur.
Feb 11 Chinese New Year Community Concert and Celebration 2012, 4:00pm, Welcome the Lunar New Year and the Year of the Dragon in elegant style at the San Francisco Symphony’s annual Chinese New Year Concert and Celebration. This family event features a mix of music and instruments in a fusion of East and West. Arrive early at 3pm for a festival reception with Asian instruments, lion dancers, Chinese calligraphers, and more. Davies Symphony Hall.
Feb 11 Chinese Culture Center Spring Festival, 11am – 3pm, Great fun for the entire family! Exhibitions, crafts, demonstrations, New Year food tastings, performances of lion dances, martial arts, folk and classical dances and much more. Come and bring your friends and family! There will also be interesting booths and prizes for participants to win. This is the largest indoor celebration in San Francisco. Don’t miss it! Chinese Cultural Center, 750 Kearny Street, 3rd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94108
Feb 11 Chinese New Year Parade, 5:15pm-8pm
Feb 11 Manga Drawing Class with Chiyoko Wong. Ages 9 and up. Corte Madera Library.
Feb 11 Afternoon Art, Join us and make a Valentine’s Day Heart Art sculpture to give to the one you love. 1pm and 4pm, Randall Museum.
Feb 11 Drop-In Science, Learn about the physics of flight by making your own paper airplanes and other flying devices!, 10:30, Randall Museum.
Feb 11 Life in a Pond, 9:30am–11:30am, When it rains, seasonal ponds suddenly come to life and become a valuable resource for local wildlife. Bring your sense of adventure and wear clothes and shoes that can get muddy/wet, and we’ll explore the micro to macro inhabitants of our seasonal pond. Appropriate for children ages 5-8. Children ages 4 and under may participate, but must be accompanied by an adult. Program will cancel with less than 5 participants. Advance Registration. Required: 388-2524. Richardson Bay Audubon Center.
Feb 11 Amiguitos de La Peña, Rosina & Friends, Oakland musicians and artists who perform interactive and visual music that expands the imagination, love of music, social consciousness, and celebration of culture in children.
Feb 11 Doing & Viewing Art, 10:30am, Colorful Canines, ages 4-12, Family tours are followed by related hands-on art projects led by professional artists. Children under 8 years old must be accompanied by an adult. DeYoung Museum.
Feb 11 Doing & Viewing Art, 2pm, Sketching for Fun, ages 4-12, Family tours are followed by related hands-on art projects led by professional artists. Children under 8 years old must be accompanied by an adult. Legion of Honor.
Feb 11 Hui Tama Nui, 11am–12pm, specializes in traditional and contemporary Tahitian dance and music. Marvel at their power and grace as they perform intricate dance movements of incredible beauty as well as dynamic celebrations of their cultural heritage. Bay Area Discovery Museum.
Feb 11 Moscow Festival Ballet – Swan Lake, 8 pm, Hope reigns in this poignant tale from Marius Petipa, Tchaikovsky, and the Moscow Festival Ballet. Marin Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium, San Rafael.
Feb 11 Master Class for Young Adults, 10am–12noon, Join Raina Telgemeier, creator of the graphic novel, Smile, to explore the art of making comics and writing stories. Participants will learn about thumbnails, layouts, balloon placement, panel variation, and the mechanics of sequential art, and will have a chance to create their own 4–8 page short comic. Recommended for aspiring cartoonists ages 10 and up. Cost: $35 for members; $40 for non-members. Advance reservations required: (707) 284-1263. Schultz Museum.
Feb 11 & 12 Your Family Jewels: DNA Extraction, An Exploratorium Valentine Event, Noon & 2pm Inside a swish of spit lie precious strands of DNA—the treasured threads stitching generations together. Admire samples of your genetic jewels with your naked eye. Exploratorium.
Feb 11 & 12 Pinkalicious, Being in the pink isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be! In this glittering musical, Pinkalicious and her brother, Peter, learn that a little bit of what you love can go a long way. Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse in Berkeley, 2 pm.
Feb 12 Calling All Red–Haired Girls! Little (and not-so-Little) Red–Haired Girls Get in FREE! We are continuing the tradition of celebrating Valentine’s Day and Charlie Brown’s affection for a certain Little Red–Haired Girl two days early since the Museum is closed on Valentine’s Day! Schultz Museum.
Feb 12 MacBeth, free 55-minute family performance of Macbeth, presented in Shakespeare’s original text, Golden Gate Club, 135 Fisher Loop. Following the performance enjoy “Playshop, a free one-hour, hands-on experience for kids and parents that will deepen your appreciation of the Bard. This participatory workshop includes games, activities, and text work designed to create a greater understanding and appreciation of theater. Space for PLAYSHOP is limited; please RSVP to playshop@presidiotrust.gov.
Feb 12 YouthRock, the Rebuild Concert to benefit KIDDO!. Hosted by Bob Weir. Sweetwater Music Hall (located at the former Masonic Center across City Hall), Mill Valley.
Feb 12 Family Gallery Tour: California Dreaming, 12:30pm-1:15pm, Experience an interactive family gallery tour with an arts educator who will bring exhibitions to life with activities designed for families with children ages 6 to 9. View the past, present, and future of Jewish life in the Bay Area during this interactive gallery tour of California Dreaming. With hands-on, experiential activities woven throughout, Northern California Jewish history will come to life. Contemporary Jewish Museum.
Feb 12 Cowgirl Tricks with Hilarious Karen Quest America’s Favorite Award-Winning Cowgirl! The Randall Museum Theatre, 199 Museum Way @ Roosevelt Way, San Francisco.
Feb 12 Drop-In Art-Making: Contour Trees, 1pm-3pm, Create your own contour tree line drawings after viewing artwork from the exhibition Do Not Destroy: Trees, Art, and Jewish Thought. Contemporary Jewish Museum.
Feb 13 Valentine’s Gift Workshop, 10:30am–12pm, Enjoy a morning with your little ones decorating and creating personalized Valentine cards and gifts. This is a perfect present for a family member or friend that means so much to you! Each child will choose one gift project and one card. After arts and crafts enjoy activities, toys, play on the climbing structures and bounce in the jump house. Adult supervision is required. Strawberry Rec Center.
Feb 13 Museum Mondays, 10am–12pm, enjoy stories, movement games, crafts and more. Schultz Museum.
Feb 14 Origami Hearts for Valentine’s Day, Hear a sweet Valentine story and learn to make a folded heart necklace. Ages 5 and up, advance sign-up required, Creekside Room, Mill Valley Library.
Feb 14 Tyke Explorers Workshop, The Very Hungry Caterpillar (10am, 12pm or 3pm) A fat, happy caterpillar + sleep = A beautiful, colorful butterfly. Learn about the science behind the magnificent metamorphosis from caterpillar to butterfly through the timeless work of Eric Carle’s classic “The Very Hungry Caterpillar.” Ages 2½ – 5 years, Chabot Space & Science Center.
Feb 14 Make a Valentine, 3:30pm, with Victoria Gonzales. School age. Call 924-6382 to sign up. Corte Madera Library.
Feb 14 Poetry Club for Kids ages 7-12, 3:45-4:45pm, Advanced sign-ups required, If you are interested in reading and writing poetry, join the San Anselmo Library Poetry Club! Young poets work together to create poetry all their own. San Anselmo Library.
Feb 15 – 17 Animals of Hyde Street Pier, 3:00 PM to 3:30 PM, Come experience a whole different world you might not realize exists at Hyde Street Pier. Be prepared for squishy, squirty, and slimy creatures. 447-5000.
Feb 16 – 26 Le Carnaval des Animaux, (Carnival of the Animals) brings a whimsical menagerie of animals to life set to Tchaikovsky’s string sextet “Souvenir de Florence.” Ages 5+, San Francisco Ballet.
Feb 17 Spaghetti Bingo, 6:15pm, $7 (includes dinner and 9 bingo cards), great family event. Tam Community Center, Mill Valley.
Feb 18 Doing & Viewing Art, Special! 2pm, The Cult of Beauty: The Victorian Avant-Garde, 1860-1900 Opening Day, 12-3 p.m. ages 4-12, Family tours are followed by related hands-on art projects led by professional artists. Children under 8 years old must be accompanied by an adult. Legion of Honor.
Feb 18 Presidio Nature Play Days for Families 10am-1pm, Flowers, pine cones, leaves, stones, branches, bark, and other wonders of nature are the inspiration and the materials for this day of spontaneous collaborative artistic expression. Join in, get creative, and have fun while appreciating and honoring nature. Bring snacks or a picnic lunch! Meet at Rob Hill Campground, RSVP to nature@presidiotrust.gov or (415) 561-4449.
Feb 18 Collage Dance Ensemble, 11am–12pm, weaves together the beauty, energy and passion of traditional Eastern European folk dance with a contemporary sensibility. Stomping, clapping and slapping, dancers use their bodies as percussive instruments. Bay Area Discovery Museum.
Feb 18 Explorables, 11am – 2pm, It’s child’s play at the Exploratorium’s new Explorables station, where activities for youngsters, ages 3 years and older, focus on experimenting with everyday materials, discovery, and toy making- in other words, playing with science! Explorables is a new twist on the popular, 20-year-old Physics of Toys program. Materials are provided, and kids take what they make. No preregistration required.
Feb 18 Folktales and Songs from the African Continent with Diane Ferlatte, 2-4pm, accompanied by her drummer Moshe Milon, will share folktales, & songs coming from various parts of the African continent. Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD).
Feb 18 Afternoon Art, Collage an owl image on wood from our luscious leather scrap collection. 1pm and 4pm, Randall Museum.
Feb 18 Drop-In Science, Hang out with some of the Randall Museum’s own aquatic animals while water coloring and printing an aquatic environment!, 10:30, Randall Museum.
Feb 18 Sanctuary Night Hike, 6pm – 8pm, Interested in the night life in Richardson Bay? Check out our sanctuary after the sun goes down! We’ll take a Naturalist lead hike through our Sanctuary and if the clouds allow, explore the winter constellations. Children 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Cost $7. Advanced registration required: 388-2524. Richardson Bay Audubon Center.
Feb 18 Music of the Sea for Kids, 3:00 PM to 3:45 PM On Balclutha, History comes alive for kids in this special program, where the songs are geared for younger ears and chosen especially for fun. Ages 6 and up. 447-5000.
Feb 18 Amiguitos de La Peña, Miss Kitty, 10:30am, Combines her performance, song writing, and singing with her love of children to create a magical, interactive musical adventure. La Peña.
Feb 18 & 19 Pinkalicious, Being in the pink isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be! In this glittering musical, Pinkalicious and her brother, Peter, learn that a little bit of what you love can go a long way. Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse in Berkeley, 2 pm.
Feb 19 Drop-In Art-Making: Contour Trees, 1pm-3pm, Create your own contour tree line drawings after viewing artwork from the exhibition Do Not Destroy: Trees, Art, and Jewish Thought. Contemporary Jewish Museum.
Feb 19 Winter Wonderland, 9am-12pm, Discover the wonder of an old-growth redwood forest in winter on this leisurely walk on the Fern Creek and Alice Eastwood trails. Look for salmon, mushroom displays, winter wildflowers, waterfalls, and more! Dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes as the trails are steep and may be muddy. Bring water and a snack. Entry fees apply. For information and reservations, call (415) 388-2596.
Feb 19 Regina Carter, violin, 11am, Herbst Theatre, $10 Children/$15 Adults The acclaimed jazz violinist traveled throughout Africa to explore folk melodies. Here, she mixes tradition with her original improvisations to create a new world of sound.
Feb 19 Family Tours, 1pm, Bring the kids! Tours of SFMOMA’s galleries, tailored especially for families, are offered in conjunction with select Family Sundays. Tour topics change monthly; check the schedule in the Koret Center for topics on the day of your visit. Free with museum admission. To register, visit the Koret Visitor Education Center. Space is limited. SFMOMA Family Programs are designed for families with children ages 4 to 11. San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
Feb 20 Chinese New Year Festival, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Gung hay fat choy! Welcome the Year of the Dragon by joining us for the Museum’s annual celebration of Chinese New Year. See a vibrant performance by the Chinese Performing Arts of America Youth Group. Try your hand at calligraphy or make a kite in the Art Studio. Delicious Chinese food will be on sale or make your own traditional sweet pastry and we’ll cook it for you. This will be accompanied by Chinese string music performed by Purple Orchid. Don’t miss the free outdoor demonstrations by the spectacular lion dancers. Bay Area Discovery Museum.
Feb 20 Museum Mondays, 10am–12pm, enjoy stories, movement games, crafts and more. Schultz Museum.
Feb 20 Birds of Prey Day, What are birds of prey? And how are birds of prey different than other birds? Learn about our fine feathered friends during this fun, family event. Meet roving birds of prey, attend special programming, and receive a tasty treat (while supplies last)! Free with the cost of admission. 12:30pm – Meet a Falcon, 1:30pm – Meet a Hawk, 2:30pm – Meet an Owl, All day – Roving birds throughout the museum, CuriOdyssey.
Feb 21 Rainbow Rocks of Rodeo Beach , 9:30-11:30 a.m. Somewhere over the Golden Gate Bridge and below Hawk Hill, there is a place where you and your young adventurer can discover what makes the rocks at the Marin Headlands so unique. Join us for guided hands-on field activities designed to engage your preschooler’s sense of wonder and imagination through story, movement, and inquiry. Together, we’ll sort through rainbow sands, learn how rocks are made, and explore color, texture, and size all while enjoying the great outdoors. NatureBridge, Sausalito.
Feb 21 Tyke Explorers Workshop, Little Cloud (10am, 12pm or 3pm) It’s a bird… It’s a plane… It’s a cloud! Explore the skies and learn about the different types of clouds that fill up the deep blue yonder. Ages 2½ – 5 years, Chabot Space & Science Center.
Feb 22 Toddler Treks, 11-12pm, Designed especially for children 1 to 3 years of age. Each month we will learn about a different animal that shares our world – all can be found in the Bay Area or the Academy. We will use props and our imagination to “trek” together to the place each animal calls home. Please note that each month has two identical programs, so participants should register for only one program per month. California Academy of Sciences.
Feb 22 Bookworms Book Club, 3:45-4:45 pm, Grades 3-5 (or home school equivalent), Advanced sign-ups required. Do you love reading? Are you in 3rd-5th grade? Then join the bookworms! Each month we meet to discuss a featured book and enjoy snacks. San Anselmo Library.
Feb 23 SHARE-A-Book—Read to a Dog!, 3:30pm, Advanced sign-ups required, The popular Marin Humane Society dogs are visiting twice every month to share their love of reading. Kids in Kindergarten and older can sign up for a 15-minute session. San Anselmo Library.
Feb 24 Bedtime with the Beasts, 7pm, a special overnight program for youth groups (ages 6-18) and their chaperones. An Oakland Zoo education specialist will lead your group on an evening hike around the zoo where you’ll get a look at what the zoo is like after all of the guests leave. Afterwards, enjoy snacks and participate in a fun activity.Then get the chance to meet one of our education animals up close. Oakland Zoo.
Feb 25 Bay Model Grand Reopening, Sausalito.
Feb 25 The Lorax visits Whole Foods, two story telling sessions by Phil Sheridan, 2:30 and 3:30 enjoy crafts, food and free child admission to see The Lorax movie (supplies are limited), Whole Foods, Miller Avenue, Mill Valley.
Feb 25 Mona Khan Company, 11am – 12pm, Combining classical Indian, folk and tribal dance with western theatrical traditions, Bollywood is filled with flash and energy. This interactive workshop includes an introduction to Bollywood, a dance demonstration plus a chance to learn a few simple dance moves. Bay Area Discovery Museum.
Feb 25 Music for Families with the San Francisco Symphony, 2:00pm, Discover the sights, sounds, and stories in a live orchestral experience to share with your whole family, Bring your family to hear the San Francisco Symphony in kid-sized classical concerts designed for families—great music, fascinating musical discoveries, and priceless memories. Recommended for ages 7 and older, Davies Symphony Hall.
Feb 25 Family Farm Day #1, 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM, Explore the farm with our new Teachers-in-Residence, and perhaps meet some very new animals too on this first family day of 2012. Slide Ranch.
Feb 25 Crafts for Kids, 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM, Learn a little about life at sea and make a maritime craft! 447-5000.
Feb 25 Doing & Viewing Art, 10:30am, The Surprise of Stamping, ages 4–12, Family tours are followed by related hands-on art projects led by professional artists. Children under 8 years old must be accompanied by an adult. DeYoung Museum.
Feb 25 Doing & Viewing Art, 2pm, The Magic of Color and Light, ages 4-12, Family tours are followed by related hands-on art projects led by professional artists. Children under 8 years old must be accompanied by an adult. Legion of Honor.
Feb 25 The Rush to Rush Creek! 10am – 12pm, Join Supervising Ranger Rich Gibson and Ranger Dave McMullen as we take in the wonder of the waterfowl migration, while exploring this unique open space preserve. This tidal marshes nestled against healthy oak woodlands is sure to present many interesting sights and sounds. This hike will be on flat ground and gentle slopes. Bring water; wear sturdy shoes and weather-appropriate clothing.
Feb 25 Crafts for Kids, 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM, Learn a little about life at sea and make a maritime craft! 447-5000.
Feb 25 & 26 Puccini’s The Girl of the Golden West is the opera version of a classic Western—we meet a crafty criminal, a suspicious sheriff and a frontier woman with a tender heart who knows how to shoot a gun. The dramatic love triangle story is set during the Gold Rush. This one hour movie is a perfect way for children to learn about the magic of opera. The performance is in Italian, with English subtitles and is recommended for ages 8 and up. San Francisco Opera.
Feb 25 & 26 Pinkalicious, Being in the pink isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be! In this glittering musical, Pinkalicious and her brother, Peter, learn that a little bit of what you love can go a long way. Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse in Berkeley, 2 pm.
Feb 26 Drop-In Art-Making: Contour Trees, 1pm-3pm, Create your own contour tree line drawings after viewing artwork from the exhibition Do Not Destroy: Trees, Art, and Jewish Thought. Contemporary Jewish Museum.
Feb 26 Family Art Expedition, 9:30am-12pm, The headlands are alive with shapes, patterns, colors, and texture that are sure to inspire your inner artist. Sharpen your observation skills, take a closer look, and head out on the trail to practice your field sketching techniques inspired by the natural world around you. Pre-registration required, NatureBridege, Sausalito.
Feb 26 Magic, Juggling and Tongue Twisters with Bob Kann, The Randall Museum Theatre, 199 Museum Way @ Roosevelt Way, San Francisco.
Feb 26 Corte Madera Creek Habitat Restoration, 9am – 12pm, We will be working along this section of the creek to remove a swath of non native, invasive ice plant. The surrounding area supports a healthy array of native plants and resident bird life that will benefit greatly from our work. We can count on beautiful views of Mount Tam and hope for river otters to swim by, 473-2823.
Feb 27 Golden Gate Playdate: Super Seas, 9:30-11:30am, “S” is for sea. Join us as we celebrate seals, sea stars, and whales as our Sea-lebrities in the spotlight. We will guide you through hands-on activities designed to engage your preschooler’s sense of wonder and imagination through story, song, movement, and inquiry. Together, we will take a walk inside a whale skeleton, meet a live sea star from our marine lab, and explore size, texture, and shape all while enjoying the great outdoors. NatureBridge, Sausalito.
Feb 27 Amy Liz, 6:00-7:30, celebrated Marin County children’s musician, is performing, Ghiringhellis Pizzeria Grill & Bar.
Feb 27 Museum Mondays, 10am–12pm, enjoy stories, movement games, crafts and more. Schultz Museum.
Feb 28 Evening in Muir Woods, 4:30-6:30 pm, As the sun sets below the Dipsea Ridge and Muir Woods transitions from day to night, come see and hear the subtle changes of an ancient redwood forest. Travel slowly through the woods on this easy walk in search of the sounds of nature. Bring flashlight, dress in layers and sturdy shoes. Reservations required; please phone (415) 388-2596.
Feb 28 Tyke Explorers Workshop, The Mixed-Up Chameleon (10am, 12pm or 3pm) The chameleon is just one of the amazing creatures that is able to blend in with its surrounding. Get to know some of the experts at hide-and-seek of the animal kingdom. Ages 2½ – 5 years, Chabot Space & Science Center.
Feb 28 iHop National Pancake Day, free short stack of Buttermilk pancakes. In return for the free pancakes, guests are asked to consider leaving a donation for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals© and other designated local charities.
Feb 29 Nature for Kids at Tennessee Valley, 10am – 2pm, We’ll follow the road down this beautiful valley scanning the surrounding hills for bobcats and coyotes and searching for owls in the trees. We’ll enjoy lunch at the beach. David Herlocker will lead, 893-9508.
Feb 29 Big Bad Bruce, 7pm, For ages 4 and up, “Big Bad Bruce” by Bill Peet, is a classic story, full of rollicking action and humor. Bruce, a big bully of a bear, never picks on anyone his own size until he is diminished in more ways than one by Roxie, a small but very independent witch. This tale is brought to life with the beautiful crafted hand, rod and shadow puppets of Images In Motion. Fairfax Library.
Feb 29 Kids’ Book Club, 7pm, discusses The Phantom Tollbooth with Debbie Toizer. Fourth grade and up. Call 924-6382 to sign up. Corte Madera Library.
