This summer, Flower Piano returns to the San Francisco Botanical Garden in Golden Gate Park from July 13 to 24. Now in it's third year, this music-filled event features a dozen pianos placed in dramatic locations throughout the 55-acre garden for anyone to play. Pianos are available to the public to play between 9 am and 6 pm every day, except during scheduled performances. Flower Piano is produced in conjunction with Sunset Piano.

My son, who's been playing piano since he was five, had a blast exploring the garden and finding and playing all 12 pianos. It's fun to stop and hear what other visitors are playing, too. Sometimes you'll be surprised with a really fantastic performance! Performances take place throughout the event, including Piano Extravaganzas from noon to 2 pm on Saturday, July 15 and July 22; check their website for a full schedule.

For a fun family day out this summer (or any time of year, actually), head east over the Richmond–San Rafael Bridge and up into the Berkeley Hills, where you'll find Tilden Park, a 2,000-acre playground where there's literally something for everyone. Part of the East Bay Regional Parks system, Tilden is so big and there's so much to do here, that it really bears repeat visits!

From hiking trails and campgrounds to a historic carousel and scale steam trains, you'll find a lot to do here. Best of all, many of the attractions are free or very inexpensive. Here are our favorite things to do when visiting Tilden!

Tilden Nature Area and Little Farm

One of the busiest areas of Tilden Park is the Nature Area, and for good reason. This part of the park is home to the Little Farm, the Environmental Education Center, and numerous family friendly hiking trails, as well as group campgrounds, picnic areas, and a playground. It's located right off Canon Drive at the north end of the park.

Photo: Avid4 Adventure

It's July, and that summer camp you didn't sign the kids up for is looking pretty good right now. Don't panic! Many awesome summer camps throughout Marin still have some spots left so you kids can have some summer fun and you can get a break.

Here are a few local summer camps that have still have space available in July and August. If one looks good to you, don't wait—camps can fill up fast!

• TinkerTech offers Superhero Maker Camp from July 17–21 at Novato's Loma Verde Elementary School and Maker and Robot Camps at San Domenico School in San Anselmo from July 24–28.
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The Bay Trail opened in the summer of 2014 in Novato's Hamilton neighborhood, and it's one of our favorite Marin spots for short hike or bike ride with the kids. With easy access from several points in Hamilton and stunning views, this is a great place for families to head outdoors for an active outing.

Keeping the little ones busy this summer is a high priority for parents, and if they can learn something in the process then so much the better. Bonus points if you have a great time, too. If you nees some inspiration, here are 10 things to do with preschool-aged children in and around Marin and the Bay Area this summer.

Parents Place in San Rafael has been a valuable resource for countless Marin County parents and families. They offer a wide variety of programs and classes for parents and children throughout the year. Here are a few of the classes they are offering for the month of July.

Terrific Toddlers and Twos (1–3 years)

Wednesday, July 12, 7 to 9 pm
Acquire a developmental understanding of how best to support your little ones and preserve your sanity! We will talk about setting limits, guiding behavior, developing social skills, understanding tantrums, and more. With Bonnie Romanow, BA, childhood development specialist. $45–$75. Register here.

Spending time in the outdoors as a family this fall can be both fun and educational: get some exercise, explore Marin County's many parks and open space preserves, take advantage of our often lovely fall weather, and learn about the natural wonders that can be found all around us. A fantastic and eye-opening way to get out and experience nature in Marin is to take part in one of the naturalist-led family outings offered by Marin County Parks.

The parks department's Nature for Kids outings take place at Marin's many open space areas, and feature a leisurely, kid-paced hike with plenty of opportunities to stop and explore along the way. The hikes are informal and unstructured, and perfect for kids of all ages, although they seem geared for kids ages 3 to 12.

With summer almost here, it’s time to think about ice cream! And to make yourself feel a little bit better about eating this rich treat, why not indulge in some locally made organic ice cream? There's nothing quite like freshly made ice cream with local organic ingredients, and we have three favorite spots in Marin where you can satisfy your organic ice cream urge this summer (or at any time of year).

Fairfax Scoop

This small ice cream shop at 63 Broadway in downtown Fairfax offers a rotating selection of innovative organic ice cream flavors like vanilla honey lavender, toasted hazelnut, Mexican chocolate, and controlled burn (cinnamon with crystallized ginger and red chile!), as well old favorites like strawberry and chocolate.

Hike the Terwilliger Nature Trail at Stafford Lake Park with Marin Parks rangers on Sunday.

Here are our picks for great events and activities for children and families this weekend. Find more events for the whole week in Marin and beyond in our Family Events Calendar.

Friday, July 7

• Free Children's Garden Series: Crosspulse
  Yerba Buena Gardens, San Francisco
  Friday, 11 am & 12:15 pm
  Using finger snaps, tight slaps, chest thumps, foot drags, hand rubs and percussive dance steps, Crosspulse performances are designed to enchant children with an international array of rhythms, instruments and obscure musical practices. Creating a joyful noise that is sure to entrance adults as well as kids, Crosspulse is a Bay Area treasure known for bringing body music into classrooms, theaters and nightclubs around the world.. For more info, visit their website.
• AVP Pro Beach Volleyball
  Pier 30/32, San Francisco
  Friday & Saturday, 9 am–6 pm, Sunday, 9 am–5:30 pm
  One of four tournaments held in California, the San Francisco event is unlike the other three. As opposed to the deep sands on the natural beaches in Southern California, this competition takes place on a pier with the scenic Bay Bridge looming overhead. General admission is free. For more info, visit their website.
• Mom & Baby Yoga
  Pomegranate, San Anselmo
  Friday, 11 am
  
  Enjoy your baby, reconnect with your body, and meet other new moms in our postnatal mama and baby yoga class. Class is most successful with pre-crawling babies but all are welcome to try out a class and discuss exceptions with the instructor. We want mamas to be able to get out of the house, meet other moms, and enjoy the support and exercise of a yoga class. Cost: $23 for drop-in class. Sign-up online here. Location: 25 Tamalpais Avenue, San Anselmo. For more info, visit their website.
• Feather, Fur and Scales
  Fairfax Library
  Friday, 1:30–2:30 pm
  WildCare Rehab Specialists will share rescue stories about sick & injured animals. Meet a rescue animal and learn how to live peacefully with local wildlife. This program is suitable for all ages. Thanks to Friends of the Marin County Free Library for funding this Summer Challenge event. For more info, visit their website.
• Build-o-Rama
  Mill Valley Library
  Friday, 2:30–4 pm
  Calling all young artists, architects, and engineers! We have the tools to help you creatre skyscrapers, scultures, and structures: MagnaTiles, Strawbees, Connectagons, Legos, Sculpture in a Box, Keva, and more! You'll have limitless possibilities to design and build. All ages! No registration required. For more info, visit their website.
• Friday Nights at the de Young
  de Young Museum, San Francisco
  Friday, 5–8:45 pm
  Friday Nights at the de Young are after-hours art happenings that include a mix of live music, dance and theater performances, film screenings, panel discussions, lectures, artist demonstrations, hands-on art activities, and exhibition tours. The café offers a special menu and specialty cocktails, and the Hamon Tower observation level is open until 8 pm. For more info, visit their website.
• Jazz & Blues by the Bay
  Gabrielson Park, Sausalito
  Friday, 6:30–8 pm
  Jazz & Blues by the Bay at Gabrielson Park in Sausalito is a free event. Lawn seating available (first-come first-served). This Friday: Pamela Rose (blues). For more info, call (415) 289-4100 or visit their website.
• Tam Valley's Creekside Fridays
  Tennessee Valley Cabin, Mill Valley
  Friday, 6:30–8 pm
  Bring the family, pets, chairs, and blankets to the weekly free musical event. This Friday: Illumination. Food available for purchase. For more info, call (415) 289-4152 or visit their website.
• Marinwood's Music in the Park Series
  Marinwood Park, San Rafael
  Friday, 6–8 pm
  Join us this summer for live music, food, and fun for the entire family at Marinwood Park! Enjoy delicious BBQ by Marinwood Market and a bar for the adults. Bring your picnic blanket and your appetite and kick off the weekend Marinwood-style. This Friday: Waterstrider. Location: 775 Miller Creek Road, San Rafael. For more info, call (415) 479-0775 or visit their website.
• Seussical: The Musical
  Alcazar Theatre, San Francisco
  Friday & Saturday, 8 pm
  Now one of the most performed shows in America, Seussical is a fantastical, magical, musical extravaganza! Tony winners Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (Lucky Stiff, My Favorite Year, Once On This Island and Ragtime) have lovingly brought to life all of our favorite Dr. Seuss characters, including Horton the Elephant, the Cat in the Hat, Gertrude McFuzz, Lazy Mayzie, and a little girl with a big imagination—Jojo. The colorful characters transport us from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus to the invisible world of the Whos. Tickets: $20–$100. Location: 650 Geary Street, San Francisco. For more info, visit their website.
• Movies in the Park: The Princess Bride
  Old Mill Park, Mill Valley
  Friday, 8 pm
  Celebate the 30th anniversary of the classic movie The Princess Bride. Please bring your blankets, low beach chairs, flashlights and picnics. Movie begins at sunset. For more info, visit their website.

Saturday, July 8

• Cotati Kids Day Parade & Festival
  Downtown Cotati
  Saturday, 7 am–2 pm
  The 25th annual Cotati Kids Day Parade & Festival kicks off with a free pancake breakfast from 7 to 10 am at Church of the Oaks followed by a parade at 10 am that goes from Cotati City Hall to La Plaza Park. The festival includes a jump house, live music, entertainment by host Fiz-Nick Rick, free games and prizes, diaper derby, arts and crafts, and more. Free! For more info, visit their website.
• Marin Country Mart Farmers Market
  Marin Country Mart, Larkspur Landing
  Saturday, 9 am–2 pm
  Enjoy pony rides and a petting zoo for the kids from 10 am–2 pm, face kids' crafts from 9 am–2 pm, children's music or storytelling from 9:30–10:30 am, and live music from 11 am–12:30 pm. For more info, visit their website.
• Equine Expo 2017
  Novato Horsemen, Novato
  Saturday, 9 am–4 pm
  This one-day horse expo features all things equine including demos, vendors, and horse clubs and organizations from Marin, Sonoma, Napa, and beyond. Free admission. Location: 600 Bugeia Lane, Novato. For more info, visit their website.
• Exhibit: "Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood: A Grr-ific Exhibit"
  Bay Area Discovery Museum, Sausalito
  Saturday & Sunday, 9 am– 5 pm
  In "Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood: A Grr-ific Exhibit" children ages 2 to 6 enter the world of Daniel Tiger and friends to explore the Neighborhood. Through immersive experiences, visitors collaborate to solve problems, use their imaginations to transform their surroundings and play along with Daniel’s singable strategies as they learn life’s little lessons. Museum admission applies. Location: 557 McReynolds Road, Sausalito. For more info, visit their website.
• Concert for Kids & Tot Art in the Park
  Robin Sweeny Park, Sausaltio
  Saturday, 10:30 am
  Sausalito Parks and Recreation is pleased to bring back Concert for Kids & Art in the Park. Sponsored by the Sausalito Lions Club, this annual children's entertainment series takes place on Saturday mornings once a month from July through October at Robin Sweeny Park. These summer and fall performances feature music, art, fun and laughs for children of all ages. Bring your family, a blanket and enjoy these free concerts. Location: 420 Litho Street, Sausalito. For more info, visit their website.
• Bay Area Children's Theatre presents: The Rainbow Fish Musical
  Children's Fairyland, Oakland
  Saturday, 10:30 am & 2 pm and Sunday, 10:30 am & 4 pm
  Come with us under the sea for The Rainbow Fish Musical, a world premiere based on the award-winning book by Marcus Pfister about the joy of finding friendship through sharing. Book, music and lyrics by Austin Zumbro. Playing in Oakland and San Francisco. Tickets: $20 per person. Location: 699 Bellevue Avenue, Oakland. For more info, visit their website.
• Creepy Crawlies & Insect Safari
  Martin Griffin Preserve
  Saturday, 11 am–4 pm
  It is true that insects comprise at least 90% of the animal forms on Earth. That’s 6-10 million species. It is also true that arachnophobia is the #1 phobia in the United States. How, ever, will humanity survive!? Start by finding out that every creepy crawly has a story that it wants to tell. What do I eat? Where do I live? What do I have to do with the price of coffee? Eddie Dunbar will demystify our friend, the insect and insect allies, and put us all onto a path of healing through the amazing world of insects. $20, $15 members and students, free for children under 18. For more info, visit their website.
• Creative Family Fun: Balancing Butterfly Mobiles
  Presidio Officers Club, San Francisco
  Saturday & Sunday, 11 am–4 pm
  Drop in for imaginative craft-making based on the Presidio’s natural and cultural heritage. Featuring different crafts every weekend! The Presidio is home to many beautiful butterflies, from Monarchs to the Green Hairstreak butterfly. Come learn about the Presidio's different butterflies by making your own mobile and then get out in the park to find some of our flying friends.  Registration not required, but preferred. Location: 50 Moraga Avenue, Presidio of San Francisco. For more info, visit their website.
• Wine Country Big Q
  Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds, Petaluma
  Saturday, 1–5 pm
  Everyone loves barbecue and some of the best pit masters will be here to serve you up a slice. Sample great “authentic” barbecued meats, world class wines, award-winning brews while enjoying great rock and blues music. Bring all of your senses to life as you wander amongst the teams to see, smell and taste mouthwatering barbecue. Location: 175 Fairgrounds Drive, Petaluma. For more info, visit their website.
• Family STEM Saturdays
  Habitot Children's Museum, Berkeley
  Saturday, 2:30–4:30 pm
  Encourage hands on science explorations with activities that build a foundation for understanding physical properties, mathematics, and engineering principles. Come experiment, build, and create. All ages welcome.This Month: make your own playdough. All ages welcome. Admission applies. Location: 2065 Kittredge St, Berkeley. For more info, visit their website.
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