Things to do with kids this weekend in San Francisco (August 14–16)

Aquarium of the Bay — animal encounters

Aquarium of the Bay · San Francisco · $$$ · Ages 1–12

Daily otter feedings, shark talks, and kid-focused tours.

Penguin Feeding Talk

California Academy of Sciences · San Francisco · $$$ · All ages

Daily live talk at the African penguin colony.

San Francisco Zoo — kids' zoo + carousel

San Francisco Zoo · San Francisco · $$$ · Ages 1–12

Weekend animal encounters, Children's Zoo, family carousel.

Ask A Master Gardener

SF Botanical Garden · San Francisco · Ages 3–12

This is a free community program. Please consider supporting the Gardens of Golden Gate Park with a recommended donation of $5-20. Your…

Caterpillar Puppets (Kids’ Show)

Children’s Garden, Yerba Buena Gardens · San Francisco · Ages 3–12

This children’s program has two shows: 11-11:30am with a repeat show 12-12:30pm.

Union Square Daily Programming: Friday Chess Lessons

Union Square · San Francisco · Ages 5–12

Services: Lunch at the Library

Main · San Francisco · Ages 3–12

Storytime: For Families

Golden Gate Valley · San Francisco · Ages 1–5

Coral Reef Dive Show

California Academy of Sciences · San Francisco · $$$ · Ages 3–13

Daily dive demonstration in the 212,000-gallon Philippine Coral Reef tank.

Family exhibits + tinkering

Exploratorium · San Francisco · $$$ · Ages 3–13

Hands-on science exhibits across all six galleries; weekend has extra demos.

Workshop: Introduction to Crochet

Excelsior · San Francisco · Ages 3–12

Workshop: Twirligig Rainbow Paper Spinner

Chinatown · San Francisco · Ages 5–12

Social: Therapy Dog in the Library

Eureka Valley · San Francisco · Ages 5–12

Storytime: For Preschoolers

Marina · San Francisco · Ages 1–5

Workshop: Cotton Ball Launcher

Parkside · San Francisco · Ages 5–13

Workshop: Temaki Making

Anza · San Francisco · Ages 5–13

Activity: Crafternoon

Golden Gate Valley · San Francisco · Ages 5–12

Aquarium of the Bay — animal encounters

Aquarium of the Bay · San Francisco · $$$ · Ages 1–12

Daily otter feedings, shark talks, and kid-focused tours.

Dahlia Society of California, San Francisco Annual Dahlia Show

San Francisco Botanical Garden · San Francisco · Ages 3–12

When Saturday, August 15, 10am-5pm Sunday, August 16, 10am-4pm Where San Francisco County Fair Building — Hall of Flowers About the Show FREE admission, all ages!

Dahlia Society of California, San Francisco Annual Dahlia Show

Conservatory of Flowers · San Francisco · Ages 3–12

When Saturday, August 15, 10am-5pm Sunday, August 16, 10am-4pm Where San Francisco County Fair Building — Hall of Flowers About the Show FREE admission, all ages!

Dahlia Society of California, San Francisco Annual Dahlia Show

Japanese Tea Garden · San Francisco · Ages 3–12

When Saturday, August 15, 10am-5pm Sunday, August 16, 10am-4pm Where San Francisco County Fair Building — Hall of Flowers About the Show FREE admission, all ages!

Penguin Feeding Talk

California Academy of Sciences · San Francisco · $$$ · All ages

Daily live talk at the African penguin colony.

San Francisco Zoo — kids' zoo + carousel

San Francisco Zoo · San Francisco · $$$ · Ages 1–12

Weekend animal encounters, Children's Zoo, family carousel.

Storytime: For Families

Bernal Heights · San Francisco · Ages 1–5

Workshop: Grow a Rainbow

Mission Bay · San Francisco · Ages 5–12

Activity: Family Music Circle

Potrero · San Francisco · Ages 1–5

Early Learning: Saturday Morning Playtimes

Glen Park · San Francisco · Ages 1–5

Family Tour: Fire

de Young Museum · San Francisco · Ages 5–12

Join a family tour at the de Young. The theme of the tour is “water.”

Grow + Make: Everything is Jewelry!

SF Botanical Garden · San Francisco · Ages 3–12

San Francisco County Fair Building — Garden Club Room About the Program Registration includes all materials.

Storytime: for Babies

Anza · San Francisco · Ages 1–5

Storytime: For Families

Sunset · San Francisco · Ages 1–5

Storytime: For Families

Portola · San Francisco · Ages 1–5

Storytime: For Families

Excelsior · San Francisco · Ages 1–5

Storytime: For Families

Marina · San Francisco · Ages 1–5

Activity: Gardening

Merced · San Francisco · Ages 10–13

Activity: LEGO Free Play

Chinatown · San Francisco · Ages 5–12

Celebration: Ocean View Library Open House

Ocean View · San Francisco · Ages 3–12

Early Learning: Bilingual ASL/ English Story Hour

Ingleside · San Francisco · Ages 1–5

Family Art Making: Activity inspired by Rose B. Simpson: LEXICON

de Young Museum · San Francisco · Ages 5–12

The Family Art Making table offers a hands-on art project developed by practicing artists on select Saturdays from 11 am to 3 pm.

Jennifer Newens, 52 Mocktails to Welcome the Week

Foodwise Ferry Plaza Farmers Market · San Francisco · Ages 5–12

Sábado Gigante: Back-to-School Resource Fair at the Mission BART Plazas

16th Street Mission BART Plaza and 24th Street Mission BART Plaza · San Francisco · All ages

Free family-friendly back-to-school resource fair organized by Mission Lotería at the 16th Street and 24th Street Mission BART plazas:…

Storytime: For Babies

Park · San Francisco · Ages 1–5

Storytime: For Families

Main · San Francisco · Ages 1–5

UC Master Gardener Talk: Container Gardening for Fall Veggies & Herbs

SF Botanical Garden · San Francisco · Ages 3–12

This is a free community program. Please consider supporting the Gardens of Golden Gate Park with a recommended donation of $5-20. Your…

Presentation: Insect Discovery Lab with SaveNature.Org

Presidio · San Francisco · Ages 5–12

Union Square Daily Programming: Saturday Juggling Lessons

Union Square · San Francisco · Ages 5–12

Workshop: SAT Test Prep

Main · San Francisco · Ages 10–13

Activity: Chess Club

Excelsior · San Francisco · Ages 5–13

Activity: Turkish Story Hour

Potrero · San Francisco · Ages 1–12

Coral Reef Dive Show

California Academy of Sciences · San Francisco · $$$ · Ages 3–13

Daily dive demonstration in the 212,000-gallon Philippine Coral Reef tank.

Family exhibits + tinkering

Exploratorium · San Francisco · $$$ · Ages 3–13

Hands-on science exhibits across all six galleries; weekend has extra demos.

FULL: Workshop: Painting Big Feelings

Noe Valley · San Francisco · Ages 3–12

Helado Tropical

Great Lawn, Yerba Buena Gardens · San Francisco · Ages 3–12

Free RSVP Opening Set from Camilo y los Cruzers The son of Ecuadoran immigrants, Roberto Carlos Lange is a producer and singer-songwriter…

Presentation: Insect Discovery Lab with SaveNature.Org

Ocean View · San Francisco · Ages 5–12

Stern Grove Festival: Public Enemy

Sigmund Stern Grove · San Francisco · Ages 5–13

Free outdoor concert at Stern Grove; confirm lottery and entry details before going.

Storytime: For Families

Chinatown · San Francisco · Ages 1–5

Activity: STEM Lab – Slime

West Portal · San Francisco · Ages 5–12

Workshop: Recording Studio Orientation

Main · San Francisco · Ages 5–13

Aquarium of the Bay — animal encounters

Aquarium of the Bay · San Francisco · $$$ · Ages 1–12

Daily otter feedings, shark talks, and kid-focused tours.

Bliss Festival Aug 16, 2026

Presidio Theatre · San Francisco · $ · Ages 5–12

Family Studio with the San Francisco Public Library

SFMOMA · San Francisco · Ages 5–12

Penguin Feeding Talk

California Academy of Sciences · San Francisco · $$$ · All ages

Daily live talk at the African penguin colony.

San Francisco Zoo — kids' zoo + carousel

San Francisco Zoo · San Francisco · $$$ · Ages 1–12

Weekend animal encounters, Children's Zoo, family carousel.

Blueprints of Nature: A Cyanotype Sunprint Workshop

SF Botanical Garden · San Francisco · $ · Ages 3–12

This program offers tiered ticketing to encourage greater diversity of participants from the community.

Union Square Daily Programming: Sunday Fun Days

Union Square · San Francisco · Ages 5–12

Social: Afternoon Board Games

Sunset · San Francisco · Ages 5–12

Storytime: For Toddlers

Ingleside · San Francisco · Ages 1–5

Storytime: For Families

Parkside · San Francisco · Ages 1–5

Activity: Puppy Dog Tales

Visitacion Valley · San Francisco · Ages 5–12

Coral Reef Dive Show

California Academy of Sciences · San Francisco · $$$ · Ages 3–13

Daily dive demonstration in the 212,000-gallon Philippine Coral Reef tank.

Family exhibits + tinkering

Exploratorium · San Francisco · $$$ · Ages 3–13

Hands-on science exhibits across all six galleries; weekend has extra demos.

Social: Family Game Time

West Portal · San Francisco · Ages 3–12

Stern Grove Festival: Al Green

Sigmund Stern Grove · San Francisco · Ages 5–13

Free outdoor concert at Stern Grove; confirm lottery and entry details before going.

Workshop: Mandarin for Beginners

Marina · San Francisco · Ages 1–12

Activity: Chess Club

Ingleside · San Francisco · Ages 10–13

August Forest Bathing

San Francisco Botanical Garden · San Francisco · $ · Ages 3–12

This program offers tiered ticketing to encourage greater diversity of participants from the community.

August Forest Bathing

Conservatory of Flowers · San Francisco · $ · Ages 3–12

This program offers tiered ticketing to encourage greater diversity of participants from the community.

August Forest Bathing

Japanese Tea Garden · San Francisco · $ · Ages 3–12

This program offers tiered ticketing to encourage greater diversity of participants from the community.