Sandra Lee

Latest posts by Sandra

MLK Weekend 2023 in San Francisco: 13 Fun Things To Do With Kids

Submitted by Sandra Lee on Wed, 01/11/2023 - 8:00am

Pay tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr. by participating in National Day of Service; artwork by Ruben Marquez. Photo courtesy of the Museum of African Diaspora

Looking for the best things to do in San Francisco and the Bay Area during MLK weekend? Add these family-friendly events to your list for the long weekend.

2023 may have just started, but it's already time for a long holiday weekend, and we're here for it. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day takes place this Monday, and the Bay Area has a variety of events to choose from that will honor the trailblazing activist. Bring the kids to the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Day of Service at the African Diaspora or the MLK2023 Music Festival at Yerba Buenas Gardens to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. and learn some history outside the classroom. Both happen to be free events in San Francisco.

Don't let the (still) forecasted rain dampen your weekend plans. Cheer on the Harlem Globetrotters and enjoy some entertaining basketball as they take on everything from trick shots to long jump shots in Oakland, San Jose, and San Francisco this weekend. If you need more indoor ideas, try these hot chocolate recipes kids adore, dine out at kid-friendly restaurants in San Francisco, and plan some free activities in the Bay Area.

New Year's Eve Weekend 2022 in San Francisco: 14 Fun Things To Do With Kids

Submitted by Sandra Lee on Wed, 12/28/2022 - 7:00am

Count down to Noon Year's Eve at Bay Area Discovery Museum. Photo courtesy of the museum

Looking for the best things to do in San Francisco and the Bay Area over New Year's Eve weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list.

It's time to say goodbye to 2022 and welcome 2023 with open arms. The kids are still on school break, toys are being played with (or moving to the donation/regifting pile), and the holidays are winding down. The Bay Area has grand events, from early celebrations for the little ones to a traditional bell ringing. Check out Noon Year's Eve at the Bay Area Children's Discovery Museum in Sausalito, the Bell-Ringing Ceremony at the Asian Art Museum, and a late-night celebration complete with midnight fireworks at Gilroy Gardens.

Need more fun ideas for the kids while they are on holiday break? Check out our Top Holiday Activities and Christmas Events in San Francisco Bay Area, with a ton of activities still happening through New Year's Eve, a roundup of fun holiday break events, plus our picks for the top New Year's Eve outings in the Bay Area.

Christmas Weekend 2022 in San Francisco: 17 Fun Things To Do With Kids

Submitted by Sandra Lee on Wed, 12/21/2022 - 8:30am

Enjoy festive ice skating. Photo courtesy of Union Square Ice Rink in San Francisco

Looking for the best things to do in San Francisco and the Bay Area over Christmas weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list.

All the last-minute shopping, gift wrapping, stocking stuffer quick trips, holiday lights, and grocery runs have all led up to this, Christmas weekend. If the kids have the week off, we've picked out the best things happening in the Bay Area to calm those "I'm bored" and "what are we doing today?" groans. Check out the adorable puppies and kittens at Macy's Union Square, see Frozen the Musical (which we saw last week and highly recommend), or grab a warm cup of hot cocoa and lace up your skates for ice skating at the Union Square Holiday Ice Rink. Whether you are traveling or staying local, staying home or spending it with family and friends close by, we here at Mommy Poppins wish you a very Merry Christmas from our family to yours.

Plus, you'll find our Top Holiday Activities and Christmas Events in San Francisco Bay Area, a Holiday Break Guide, and more in our Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for San Francisco Kids.

New Year's Eve Fireworks, Balloon Drops, and Other San Francisco Celebrations for Kids

Submitted by Sandra Lee on Sun, 12/18/2022 - 10:19am

See the snowfall on New Year's Eve! Photo courtesy of Gilroy Gardens

New Year's Eve celebrations in the San Franciso Bay Area are as unique and amazing as the city we live in, and your family can ring in 2023 with everything from fireworks to balloon drops. And for little ones who need their usual bedtime, we've also found a whole bunch of Noon Year's Eve parties that take place everywhere from Sausalito to San Jose. In true San Francisco style, we've also got events that celebrate a multitude of cultures on New Year's Eve, including Kwanzaa and a Japanese bell-ringing ceremony. However you celebrate, grab those noisemakers and start the countdown—Happy 2023 everyone!

The festivities don't end with the new year; there are plenty of holiday events and activities that keep going after January 1st. And we're adding new events to our San Francisco calendar every day, so be sure to check it frequently to find an outing that's perfect for your family.

Holiday Break in San Francisco: 30 Things To Do Between Christmas and New Year's Eve

Submitted by Sandra Lee on Sun, 12/04/2022 - 10:02am

Step into the world of bugs, and the plants that eat them. Photo courtesy of the California Academy of Science

For holiday break in San Francisco, here are loads of cool things to do to keep kids on vacation occupied and having fun!

Holiday break, that time between Christmas and New Year can be tricky. The kids are home, you are exhausted from all the festivities. While movie marathons and pj's all day sound perfect, there are some great events and things to do in the Bay Area that get your family out of the house and exploring. You can catch some of the holiday events you might've missed, like WinterFest at Great America and Enchant Magic in San Jose, or visit a museum in the middle of the week, like the IlluminOdyssey in San Mateo and Glow at the Exploratorium.

Here we've rounded up our favorite things to do when most kids are on holiday break, and we're adding more events to our San Francisco activities calendar every day. For more festive things to do before 2023 arrives, check out our Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows in the Bay Area.

Thanksgiving Day Weekend in the San Francisco Bay Area 2022: Turkey Trots, Macy's Santaland, and More!

Submitted by Sandra Lee on Tue, 11/22/2022 - 11:17am

Enchant in San Jose dazzles with over 4 million sparkling lights. Photo courtesy of Enchant in San Jose

Looking for the best things to do in San Francisco and the Bay Area this Thanksgiving weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this long weekend!

It's Thanksgiving week! Whether you are hosting, traveling, bringing your favorite sides, or going out to eat, it's a wonderful weekend to spend time with family and friends. I personally am so thankful to live in the Bay Area, which is packed with all these diverse and plentiful things to do with kids. There are Thanksgiving-themed events like the amazing Helicopter Turkey Toss and Turkey Trots in Marin and San Jose, and holiday fare like Union Square Holiday Ice Skating and a Winter Wonderland in Santa Cruz. So keep kids busy, make some memories, and most of all, enjoy some family time together.

For more holiday inspiration and family fun, check out our Thanksgiving Activities Guide for Families for Thanksgiving crafts, movies (who knew?), and even Thanksgiving jokes. Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Mommy Poppins!

Top Holiday Activities and Christmas Events in San Francisco Bay Area for Kids in 2022

Submitted by Sandra Lee on Sun, 11/20/2022 - 12:33pm

Check out the life-size gingerbread house when you take holiday tea at the Fairmont! Photo courtesy of the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco

There are so many holiday events and Christmas activities in the San Francisco Bay Area, and we've rounded up our favorite ones to help you plan and take advantage of all the Bay Area has to offer this time of year.

Because just like that, the holidays are here. There's a reason the song says this is the most wonderful time of the year: the twinkling lights, ice skating rinks, festive songs, and celebrations are pretty amazing, but it also gives us a way to connect, be together, and make memories as a family. We've got breakfast with Santa Claus in Almeda, ice skating to Frozen songs in San Francisco, fancy holiday teas pretty much everywhere, and so much more.

Bookmark this page—we'll update it with amazing new Christmas activities as we learn about them. For more holiday family outings don't miss our list of the best holiday lights drive-thrus and Christmas light shows in San Francisco, plus more at-home festive fun in our Holiday Events and Christmas Activities Guide!

Veterans Day Weekend in the San Francisco Bay Area 2022: 11 Best Things To Do With Kids

Submitted by Sandra Lee on Wed, 11/09/2022 - 10:07am

Glowfari lights up the night, starting this weekend. Photo courtesy of the Oakland County Zoo

Looking for the best things to do in San Francisco and the Bay Area this Veterans Day weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this long weekend!

Friday is Veterans Day, and some very cool exhibits and events are happening all over the Bay Area to honor and entertain on this long weekend. Celebrate the holiday at the USS Hornet Museum, or take advantage of Free National Park Day with a day trip to Yosemite or Muir Woods. Head over to the Oakland Zoo for the opening weekend of Glowfari or spend Saturday on the farm for Slide Ranch's Family Farm Day. On Sunday, the Purple Museum in San Jose is hosting Aussie Bub's Big Family Play Day which is sure to be a hit with both little ones and parents.

Or use that extra day to soak up some local autumn fun with apple picking and fabulous family road trips, all of which you'll find in our Fall Fun Guide for San Francisco Bay Area Families.