Spring is officially here and as you will see in this month’s kid friendly activities, there is a TON happening in April.  From Passover and Easter celebrations to street festivals to Earth Day fun, there are so many kid friendly activities happening this month it is going to be hard to choose!  Personally, I am looking forward to the Cherry Blossom Festival in Japantown, Off the Grid date nights, and street fairs.  Get out there and let me know how it was in the comments.  Happy Spring!

Off the Grid is Back!  All Month Long

From Friday night food trucks and live music at Fort Mason to Sunday Presidio Picnic to Thursday Night Dinner at the Haight, off the grid is back.  This is a super easy way to not have to cook dinner.  Check the website for days and times of your favorite locations.

New Exhibit at CuriOdyssey: The Nature of Patterns: All Month

CuriOdyssey’s new exhibit “The Nature of Patterns” opened on March 25, 2017.  From simple symmetries to chaotic flows, from spirals and tessellations to spots and stripes, the beautiful patterns of nature amaze and inspire us.  Discover and create patterns in shape and sound at CuriOdyssey.

Big San Francisco PlayDate with SFPL: All Month Check SFPL for the Library Near You

Join us for building, dress-up, fort making, and more! Activities designed for ages 0-5, older siblings welcome.The Big San Francisco Playdate is back and it’s coming to a library near you! Because playing is learning, families can expect a number of fun and engaging activities at each of our library locations.

From storytime to crafts the San Francisco Public Libraries have a ton of free fun events for kids…lego building, movies, pokemon meetup and more.  Check sfpl.org for events.

JLSF’s Touch-a-Truck Event: April, 11AM-3PM

STEM Superhero Series: The Future of Food: April 1

Participate in activities that revolve around how we grow, obtain and distribute food at the Bay Area Discovery Museum. Use science, technology, engineering and math skills to design, imagine and test innovations around food. $13.95. Sausalito.

Creative Family Fun at the Presidio: Saturdays and Sunday 11AM-4PM

From origami animals to morse code to making heritage dolls, feathered friends, and suncatchers, this is a fun FREE crafty activity for all ages.  Drop in for imaginative craft making based on teh Presidio’s natural and cultural heritage.

Healthy Parks Healthy People Trail Walk: April 1, 8, 15, 22, 10 AM

Walk in the Park: Locations vary, check website for details. 10:00am. Join SF rec and Park for some light stretching followed by an easy-going walk around one of the parks most popular areas. Professional RPD Guides will provide a short interpretive program designed specifically for each location.

Silly Soloists (Noe Valley Ministry): April 1, 11AM

What do a saw, typewriter and tuba have in common? They never have a chance to play in an orchestra until this FREE April Fool’s concert.

Y Learn to bike Program: April 2, 11AM

Get your kids riding on two wheels with free, safe, and friendly instruction from the Presidio Community Y. Bikes and equipment are provided. All ages are welcome; no reservations required. Co-sponsored by the Presidio Trust.

Drop-In Art-Making: Puppet Maker Studio: April 2, 11AM

Every first and second Sunday and select school holidays from 11am–3pm, families can experience a new adventure in art-making free with admission to The Contemporary Jewish Museum. As always, the hands-on fun inspires children to learn more about the exhibitions on display in the galleries, the building’s architecture, or holidays and traditions while experimenting with materials and art.

Passover Puppet Show with Jen Miriam Altmam: April 2, 11:30AM

Enjoy an interactive experience of the Passover story with puppets and songs. Meet Moses and Miriam and cross the Red Sea in this fun puppet show from Jen Miriam Altman. Stay after, and make your own puppet in the drop-in art studio. Presented in partnership with the PJ Library of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Circus Bella at JCC: April 2, 11AM and 2PM

San Francisco’s one-ring circus returns for a show filled with fantastic delights, heroic feats, comical antics and more tricks. Visit website for tickets and details.

Free Day at Bay Area Discovery Museum: April 5

Features an imagination playground, tot spot, interactive exhibits, birthday parties and art studios.

SF International Film Festival: April 5-19

This year brings the 60th edition of the longest-running film festival in the Americas—the SF International Film Festival—which features an impressive mix of marquee premiers, international winners, documentaries, musical performances, and more. This large festival is one of the San Francisco events in April that should not be missed, as filmmakers come from nearly 50 countries around the world to screen hundreds of films.

West Portal Craft Fair: April 7-9

Check out great art at the Fine Arts and Crafts Fair in the West Portal neighborhood. The three-day event runs from 10am to 5pm, featuring photography, paintings, ceramics, and jewelry from more than 40 artists. The fair takes place along West Portal Avenue between 15th and Ulloa, a quaint strip of local retail stores, restaurants, bookshops, and coffeehouses.

Cherry Blossom Festival April 8, 9, 15, 16

The festival will be held with the borders of Laguna and Fillmore Streets and Geary and Bush Streets. There will be food booths, cultural performances, martial arts, live bands, the annual Queen Program, and more. The Grand Parade will be held on Sunday, April 16, beginning at 1pm starting from City Hall and concluding in Japantown.  The event is free and open to the public. Vendors will be charging for their food goods and some retail products; and some specialized events will require a fee.

Elk Calves and Spring Wildflower Safari: April 8, 10AM

Spend a day hiking along granite mesas with spectacular views of Pacific Ocean cliffs on one side and scenic panoramas of Tomales Bay on the other. Look for groups of tule elk cows and new babies. For ages 12 and up with adult supervision. Details of location will be given after registration.

Hubbles Hits at Cal Academy: April 8, 10:30AM

Celebrate the mind-boggling achievements of the famous Hubble Space Telescope and explore its scientific contributions in this live 15-minute presentation at the planetarium. Check website for other days and times.

Marine Mammal Sunday: Magnificent Migrations: April 9, 10AM

Marine mammals are famous for their epic migrations along the California coast. Docent-led tours will take you around the hospitals and see some of the patients. Classroom presentations will highlight the gray whale, sperm whale and blue whale.

Sunday Streets in Bayview/Dogpatch: April 9, 10AM

One Sunday each month (from April to November) is dedicated to bringing together and showcasing the best of a particular area in SF. Each free neighborhood festival features live music, activities for the whole family, and streets closed to traffic so you can truly explore the area and relax.

SF Giants Opening Day: April 10, 1:35PM

Baseball season is here.  Join the SF Giants to cheer on the start of another great season with their opening day game against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

BABSCon – My Little Pony Fan Convention: April 14-16, 10AM

PONY FUN. SAN FRANCISCO STYLE. Bay Area Brony Spectacular (aka BABSCon) is the San Francisco Bay Area’s My Little Pony (MLP) fan convention. It was founded in 2013 and had its first event in April of 2014 with record setting attendance. That first con was the largest ever for a first-year MLP convention and immediately made BABSCon one of the largest MLP cons in the world.

Spring Egg Hunt at PIER 39: April 14, 4pm

Hunt for hundreds of colorful eggs and enjoy fun crafts at PIER 39’s free Spring Egg Hunt! The fun takes place on Friday, April 14 from 4-6pm in PIER 39’s West Park. There will be two egg hunts: the first for children who are walking-5 years old at 4:30pm, and the second for children ages 6-10 at 5:30pm. Kids can also enjoy a fun crafting activity led by the Museum of Craft and Design.

Presidio Stargazing Party: April 14, 7PM

Presidio Stargazing Parties are perfect for families and people of all ages interested in seeing the universe through a telescope. The SFAA brings telescopes and amateur astronomers to guide you, unveiling some of the night sky’s most interesting astronomical beauties. See the moon, planets, nebulae and galaxies up close and learn some of the constellations at a star tour. Bad weather cancels.

Presidio Family Bike Parade: Light Up Your Bike: April 14, 7PM

Warm up before “Bike and Roll to School Day” with a family-friendly lighted bike parade around the Main Post. Bring your lighted bikes, trikes, and scooters to the registration tent and receive a free glow necklace and other goodies. Helmets are required for youth.   Registration is required; visit www.presidio.gov/RSVP Co-sponsored by Presidio Community Y and YBike

Eggstravaganza at Golden Gate Park: April 15, 10AM-3PM

This year’s Spring Eggstravaganza at Sharon Meadow in Golden Gate Park on April 15 will feature egg hunts, carnival rides, games, live entertainment, food trucks and the highly anticipated annual Rib Cook-Off between SF Rec and Park, SF Fire, SF Police and other city departments. In addition, Free bike valet provided by SF Bike Coalition at the West entrance of the event, off Bowling Green Drive near Martin Luther King Drive. Insider Tip: Get there early, the lines get long later on in the day.

Easter Bunny Arrives by Helicopter: April 15

See the Easter Bunny arrive by helicopter and enjoy face painting, a bounce house and slide and model train display at Hiller Aviation Museum. Included with admission: $16 adults, $11 youth 5-17, under 5 FREE. San Carlos.

Coastal Wildflower Day at Half Moon Bay State Park: April 15, 10AM

Celebrate the return of spring wildflowers and the start of California Native Plant Week. Learn about native plants, how you can grow them in your garden and take part in projects to restore the coast. The event includes games and crafts for kids.

Family Jazz Matinee at SFJAzz: April 15, 10AM

Rebeca Mauleon and Juan de Marcos Gonzalez perform Afro-Cuban and Latin jazz.

Young Zoologists at SF Zoo: Tremendous Tundras: April 15, 1PM

Learn about amazing habitat and animal classifications and what makes each group unique. Activities include crafts, games, a chat with a zookeeper, zoo walks and snack. For ages 5-8.

Union Street Easter Parade and Spring Celebration: April 16, 10AM

More than 50 groups with hundreds of participants will march down five blocks of Union Street from Gough Street to Fillmore Street. In the past, the parade has included vintage cars, roller blading cows, sophisticated fashions and costumed characters. The celebration includes an easter bonnet contest, bounce houses, kids’ rides and games, a climbing wall, a bubble jump, visits with the Easter Bunny and more.

Kickoff for Bay Area Dance Week: City Hall: April 21, 12PM

Dance groups and schools will showcase their work. You can also learn about the 2017 Dancers Choice Awardees and Della Davison Prize recipient.

Virtual Reality in the Park: Celebrate Earth Day in Golden Gate Park: April 22, 10:30AM

Welcome to Earth Day SF 2017.   This year we are going all out to bring the public the most educational, impactful and festive Earth Day Celebration to date. The festival will feature amazing top notch entertainment, dynamic panel discussions and speakers at our ‘Eco Teach In’ section, organic celebrity chef showcase, organic and vegan food courts, wine and beer gardens, and more.

Monster Jam at Levi’s Stadium: April 22, 7PM

Action-packed live event on four wheels where world-class drivers compete in both monster truck racing and freestyle competitions.

Earth Day at Stinson Beach: April 23, 11AM

Join in as community members and professional artists construct sculpture using sand, rocks, shells, seaweed and other beach treasures. Work alone or in groups.

Opening Day on the Bay: April 24, Noon-2PM

This is a unique opportunity to see the annual decorated boat parade which sails close to the shore, so land-based spectators can view from almost anywhere along SF’s northern shoreline from Crissy Field, along the Marina Green and to Pier 39 .  The Blessing of the Fleet is from 10:30 am to noon in Raccoon Strait.

Outdoor Movie: Big Hero 6 at Pier 39: April 28, 8:15PM

Grab your blankets and head to The PIER for outdoor Movie Night! Before the show, get a bite to eat at one of PIER 39’s restaurants, or take advantage of special giveaways and Movie Night discounts at participating PIER 39 businesses.* At 8:15pm, settle in for a free screening of Big Hero 6.

Point Reyes Nature and Birding Festival: April 28-30

The festival takes place along the Pacific Flyway and at the height of spring migration in and around West Marin, where over 54% of all North American birds have been sighted and recorded.  Headquartered in Point Reyes Station, our festival features over 60 field events and indoor workshops led by top Bay Area bird guides and naturalists.

Independent Bookstore Day Celebrations at Books Inc. in the Marina: April 29, 10AM

Books Inc. in The Marina at 10:00 AM & 1:00 PM – Get lost and found at Books Inc. in The Marina and join the fun at our Larry Gets Lost Storytime! Featuring readings of the most recent Larry adventure, Larry Gets Lost in Seattle, along with other books in this adorable series. Themed activities and crafts will be a part of the fun. (Ages 3+)

Spring Fling Farm Festival at Slide Ranch: April 29, 10AM

Join us for a day-long celebration featuring animal encounters, nature exploration and farm discovery, guided hikes, fascinating workshops, live music and performances, arts and nature crafts, gardening activities, cooking activities, delicious food, special guest teachers and presenters, food and goods for sale, and so much more!  An iconic event fun for all ages!  Tickets $30.

Cesar Chavez Parade and Festival: April 29, 11AM

This annual parade and festival is held in honor of the labor and civil rights leader Cesar Chavez, who dedicated his life to fighting for better work conditions for migrant workers and farmers. His work through the National Farm Workers Association greatly improved the lives of so many working in the fields, especially Latinos in California.

Glen Park Festival: April 30

The Glen Park festival is an annual tradition to support the Glen Park community, with music, food and fun for all ages.

Pacific Coast Dream Machine Show in Half Moon Bay: April 30

A car show, air show, motorcycle show, tractor show, maker fair, music festival, food festival and living history festival all rolled into one.  This is a spectacular show of motorized marvels from the 20th and 21st centuries. The show includes antique, custom and exotic cars, including hot rods, dragsters, low riders and muscle cars. Tickets $25, Kids under 10 are free.

What did you get out and do this month?  Let me know in the comments, we love going on new adventures.

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