Marin Weekend Family Events for January 4, 5 & 6

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, January 4

• Confetti Arts & Pizza Friday
  Habitot Childrens Museum, Berkeley
  Friday, 9:30 am–4:30 pm
  Scoop up New Year’s confetti into glorious collage artworks! Make a confetti tornado in the Wind Tunnel and listen to New Year’s stories in the Reading Tent throughout the day. Papa John's will deliver child-sized cheese slices for $1 each beginning at 11 am, first come first served. Proceeds benefit the museum. Location: 2065 Kittredge Street, Berkeley. For more info, visit their website.
  
• The Ghost Below
  Marin Mammal Center, Sausalito
  Friday, Saturday & Sunday, 10 am–5 pm
  This new thought-provoking exhibit at Sausalito's Marine Mammal Center brings the ghostly dangers of the deep to the surface. Local artists Richard and Judith Lang have created an art experience from a portion of the 450 pounds of "ghost nets" and trash found in the belly of a dead sperm whale. You’ll see, touch, learn and be inspired to make the ocean a healthier place for all. Location: 2000 Bunker Road, Fort Cronkhite, Sausalito. For more info, visit their website.
• Winter Break Film Fest: Cinderella
  Mill Valley Library
  Fridays, 2:30–3:45 pm
  Cinderella (1950) G, 74 minutes. Come to the cozy Creekside Room for free family films! Fresh popcorn and pillows provided. For all ages; no sign-up needed. Location: 375 Throckmorton Avenue in Mill Valley. For more info, call 415-389-4292 x4741 or visit their website

Saturday, January 5

• Museums on Us
  Saturday & Sunday
  Bank of America or Merrill Lynch credit or debit card holders get free general admission on the first full weekend of every month. Present your card and a photo ID for admission (one free general admission per cardholder). Get full details here. Participating museums include the de Young Museum, the Legion of Honor, the Contemporary Jewish Museum, the Children's Creativity Museum, and the Chabot Space & Science Center.
  
• Marin Country Mart Farmers Market
  Marin Country Mart, Larkspur Landing
  Saturday, 9 am–2 pm
  Enjoy the best local and organic produce, flowers, pastured meats, seafood, organic cheeses, yogurt and milk, breads, baked goods, pasta, confections, olive oil, and brunch and lunch offerings! Kids can take a pony ride and visit the petting zoo (10 am–2 pm), try out some arts and crafts (9 am–2 pm) and listen to music (9:30–10:30 am). For more info, visit their website.
• Whale Watching at Point Reyes Lighthouse
  Point Reyes National Seashore
  Weekends, 9 am–3:30 pm
  Go see the whales out at the Point Reyes Light House and Chimney Rock. Shuttle buses leave Drakes Beach every 15– 20 minutes. The cost is $5 per person. Children under 16 are free. No cars allowed at Point Reyes Light House during the weekends. For more info, visit their website.
• Junior Rangers: Indian Valley—Outdoor Skills
  Camino Alto Open Space Preserve, Mill Valley
  Saturday, 10 am–noon
  The new Junior Ranger program was created to teach youth about outdoor skills, natural history and environmental stewardship. The program is intended for kids ages 7–12, though explorers of all ages are welcome. Walk along the Indian Valley Fire Road and learn about creek restoration and the oak/bay habitat. This will be an easy 2.5-mile loop with two moderate hills. Parents or other adult must accompany children. Dress in layers, wear sturdy shoes (it could be muddy or slippery), and bring water and snacks. For more info, call (415) 473-2816 or visit their website.
• Puppet Show for Preschoolers with Rebecah Freeling
  Book Passage, Corte Madera
  Saturday, 11 am
  Master storyteller and early childhood educater Rebecah Freeling presents a magical puppet show for preschoolers featuring her original stories and tales drawn from folk and fairy tale traditions. Free. Book Passage is located at 51 Tamal Vista Boulevard in Corte Madera. For more information, visit their website.
  
• Andy Z in Concert
  Studio Grow, Berkeley
  Saturday, 11 am
  Welcome to Andyland! Andy Z takes you on a musical, magical journey through the imaginary world of dinosuars, squirrels, amusements parks, rocket ships, and anything else you can think of! Included with admission. Location: 1235 10th Street 1/2 block north of Gilman, Berkeley. For more info, call (510) 526-9888 or visit their website.
• Experience Elephant Seals
  Elephant Seal Overlook, Chimney Rock, Point Reyes National Seashore
  Weekends, 11 am–4 pm
  Weekends and holidays, late December–April. View an elephant seal colony through binoculars and scopes. A special 30-minute slide program about elephant seals may be available at the Lifeboat Station at Chimney Rock, depending on staffing availability. Check at one of the Visitor Centers for whether the slide program is being offered. Visitors will need to take the winter shuttle bus from Drake's Beach. For more info, call (415) 669-1534 or visit their website.
  
• Let Your Hair Down, Rapunzel
  Cowell Theater at Fort Mason Center
  Saturday, 10:30 am & 1 pm
  The Children's Theatre Association of San Francisco (CTASF) presents a holiday musical for the entire family. Tickets: $12. For more info, call (415) 248-2677 or visit their website.
  
• World on Stage Performance: Chinyakare Ensemble
  Bay Area Discovery Museum, Sausalito
  Saturday, 11 am
  Chinyakare Ensemble presents the incredibly varied spectrum of Zimbabwean music and dance. Harmonically weaving voices with traditional instruments and dance, they celebrate the beauty and power of southern African culture. For ages 6 months and up. Cost: members $7, general $17 (includes museum admission). For more info, visit their website.
  
• Fairfax Winter Wonderland
  Fairfax Pavilion (next to Peri Park)
  Saturday & Sunday, noon–5 pm
  Ice skating returns to the Pavilion the weekend of January 5 and 6! Skating costs $5 per person. Tickets will be available at the door. Skating time frames are 30 minutes each, and price includes the skate rental. Minimum skating age is 5. There will be a jumpee available on hand for the younger children, sponsored by Coldwell Banker Realty. Additionally, there will be snacks and drinks available for purchase. This event is sponsored by the Fairfax Parks and Recreation Commission. For more info, call (415) 456-5652 or visit their website.
• The Ghost Below at the Marine Mammal Center (see Friday for details)

Sunday, January 6

• Civic Center Farmers' Market
  Marin Civic Center, San Rafael
  Sunday, 8 am–1 pm
  There's lots of organically grown produce, breads, eggs, and fresh cut flowers, as well as live music, bounce houses, and more. This farmers' market is a great one to take the kids to. It’s located in the main Civic Center parking lot. For more info, visit their website.
  
• Sundays at the J!
  Marin JCC, San Rafael
  Sunday, 10 am–4 pm
  Bring the family for a day of fun. Playtime in the gym, bounce house, and tumbling for families with children 6 and under, art time, library time in the Lefferts Jewish Community Library, and sports and recreation for families with children 7+. Family-friendly fare is available at the café. Adult supervision is required for kids 9 and under. Drop-in charge per person. Location: 200 N San Pedro Road in San Rafael. For more info, visit their website.
• The World's Funniest Bubble Show
  Berkeley TheaterStage
  Sunday, 11 am
  The World’s Funniest Bubble Show is an enchanting brew of breathtaking bubbles and bubbly music which will appeal to everyone, no matter what their age. Packed with fun stuff, it makes a perfect and amazingly inexpensive outing for the whole family. You will witness all kinds of extraordinary things such as spinning flying saucer bubbles, square bubbles filled with fog, universe bubbles with orbiting planets and bubble chains that look like centipedes. There is lots of audience participation and some lucky kids will find themselves inside bubbles, while others will get to eat them. Doors open at 10:30 am .This show is 60 minutes with no intermission and is intended for all audiences. Tickets: Child under 12 $8, adults $11. Tickets can be purchased here. Location: 2120 Allston Way, Berkeley. For more info, visit their website.
• Paradise Bird Box Workshop
  Paradise Beach Park , Tiburon
  Sunday, 11 am–1 pm
  Join rangers to learn about cavity-nesting birds and the benefits of hosting a box. Join in assembling and hanging bird nesting boxes just in time for the upcoming breeding season! Rain will cancel the event. Meet at the parking lot in Paradise Beach Park. Location: 3450 Paradise Drive, Tiburon. For more info, call Ranger Christin Lopez at (415) 435-9212 or visit their website.
• Family Sundays at SFMOMA—Kids Get in Free
  SFMOMA
  Sunday, 11 am–3 pm
  On the first and third Sundays of each month kids get in free from 11 am–3 pm. Explore art and create your own, travel to virtual worlds, get hands-on, discover special places, and be inspired. Moderators guide participatory art projects, and docents lead family-friendly gallery tours (1 pm). Special programs like book readings and movie screenings (2 pm) round it all out. For more info, visit their website.
  
• Family Access Day
  Contemporary Jewish Museum, San Francisco
  Sunday, noon–2:30 pm
  In conjunction with The Snowy Day and the Art of Ezra Jack Keats, families with special needs children are invited to Family Access Day, a fun-filled day of art-making, multi-sensory gallery tours, storytelling, and creative movement. Dance AXIS Kids! will teach a thirty-minute interactive movement workshop, accessible for children of all ages with and without disabilities. Location: 736 Mission Street, San Francisco. For more info, call (415) 655-7800 or visit their website.
• Berkeley Rep School of Theatre Sunday Sampler
  Berkeley
  Sunday, 1–3 pm
  Bring your family, bring a friend or treat yourself to the wide variety of programming offered at the Berkeley Rep School of Theatre, including acting, improvisation, stage combat and clowning. Taught by professional theatre artists, classes offer people of all ages and abilities an opportunity to explore the craft of theatre and experience the joy of dynamic engagement with their own creativity. The Sunday Sampler is free and open to youth, teens, adults and families. Location: 2071 Addison Street, Berkeley. For more info, call (510) 647–2972 or visit their website.
  
• Three Kings Day at Gloria Ferrer
  Gloria Ferrer Winery, Sonoma
  Sunday, 4–5 pm
  Enjoy a performance of the Epiphany to celebrate the Spanish tradition El Dia de los Reyes Magos or Three Kings Day while sipping on a glass of award-winning sparkling wine followed by a sample of traditional Spanish holiday rosca bread and hot chocolate. Performance begins at 4 pm. Admission is $15 per person, $12.75 for wine club members. Children under 12 years of age are free. For more info, visit their website.
  
• The Ghost Below at the Marine Mammal Center (see Friday for details)
• Museums on Us (see Saturday for details)
• Whale watching in Point Reyes (see Saturday for details)
• Experience Elephant Seals (see Saturday for details)
• Fairfax Winter Wonderland (see Saturday for details)