Marin Family Weekend Events for February 8, 9 &10

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 Event Calendar.

Friday, February 8

• Dinosaur Revolution: Live Large!
  San Francisco Zoo
  Friday, Saturday & Sunday, 10:30 am–4 pm
  Come navigate this amazing 3,000-square-foot maze to uncover the facts and fossils about dinosaurs. Live large in reptilian role-play activities, undertake three Mesozoic missions spanning 150 million years and learn how to mimic dinosaur behavior. Challenge yourself to learn why dinosaurs are one of the most successful survivors in earth’s history. Cost: $15 adults, $12 seniors and $9 children. Under 3, free. Location: 1 Zoo Road in the Pachyderm Building. For more info, call (415) 753-7080 or visit their website.
• Once Upon a Time: Props and Costumes Drop-in
  Bay Area Discovery Museum
  Friday, 10:30–11:15 am & 3:30–4:30 pm
  Design and create a variety of props and accessories of your child’s imagining, elevating their dramatic play. Also add to the collaborative cardboard castle as we engage in the immersive environment of set design. Free with museum admission. Location: 557 McReynolds Road Fort Baker in Sausalito. For more info, call (415) 339-3976 or visit their website.
  
• Stories for Chinese New Year
  Larkspur Library
  Friday, 4 pm
  Chinese Lunar New Year is a major celebration in Asia and Leta Bushyhead will be here to tell favorite stories such as "Nian, the Hungry New Year Beast Wants to Eat You!” and “How the Chinese Zodiac was Created." Leta is a storyteller at the Asian Art Museum who shares tales from China, Japan, Korea, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. This event is best for children ages four and older. Space is limited, and reservations are required. Call (415) 927-5005 or email library@cityoflarkspur.org to RSVP. Location: 400 Magnolia Ave. First Floor, City Hall Building. For more info, visit their website.
  

Saturday, February 9

• Family Rummage Sale
  285 Bel Marin Keys Blvd., Novato
  Saturday, 9 am-2 pm
  North Bay Educational Foundation, which is the organization bringing forth Marin County’s first Core Knowledge public charter school, will be holding a rummage sale on Saturday, Feb. 9th from 9am to 2pm. It will be held at 285 Bel Marin Keys Blvd. in the warehouse of Unit L. (this is in the back parking lot of the 285 building). It will take place inside so the sale will be rain or shine! We have treasures donated by over 20 families, most with children, with something for everyone. Tons of kids clothing, toys, books, sporting goods and home furnishings. 100% of proceeds will go toward opening a new school of choice for Marin families.
• Paradise Fishing Tournament
  Paradise Beach Park, Tiburon
  Saturday, 9 am–noon
  Join rangers for this annual winter fishing contest! A limited number of fishing poles and bait will be provided first-come, first-served to beginner fishermen, thanks to the California Department of Fish and Game. Fishing license is required when fishing from the shore, not from the pier. Questions: contact supervising ranger Mike Maraccini at (415) 435-9212 or MMaraccini@marincounty.org. Meet at the fishing pier in Paradise Beach Park. Location: 3450 Paradise Drive, Tiburon. For more info, visit their website.
• St. Valentines Day Festival at the Farmers Market
  Marin County Mart (Larkspur Landing)
  Saturday, 9 am–2 pm
  Celebrate family-friendly Valentine fun at the Marin Country Mart Farmers Market, on Saturday February 9. Activities will include, sugar cookie decorating, old fashioned Valentine making with complimentary postage, an old fashioned photo stand, face painting, pony rides, and kids' music. Plus enjoy shopping for delicious local produce, cheese, eggs, meat, seafood, and don't forget flowers and artisan confections!. For more info, visit their website.
• Richardson Bay Pond Workshop
  Richardson Bay Audubon Center, Tiburon
  Saturday, 9:30–11:30 am
  When it rains, seasonal ponds suddenly come to life and become a valuable resource for local wildlife. Bring your sense of adventure and wear clothes and shoes that can get muddy and wet, and explore the micro to macro inhabitants of a seasonal pond. Appropriate for children ages 5–8. Children ages 4 and under may participate, but must be accompanied by an adult. Program will cancel with less than 5 participants. Cost: $7 per participant. Advance registration required: (415) 388-2524. For more info, visit their website.
• Waterfall Walks: Ignacio Valley
  Ignacio Valley Open Space, Novato
  Saturday, 10 am–noon
  Meet a ranger for a tour in this beautiful canyon to view a waterfall nestled amidst the trees. A discussion of creek ecology, watersheds, and water conservation will be included on the way. This will be an easy walk with one steep section, approximately 1 mile round-trip. Dress in layers, wear sturdy shoes (it could be muddy or slippery), and bring water and snacks. Friendly dogs are welcome, but must be leashed. Rain does not cancel the event. Location: Meet at the end of Fairway Drive Follow Fairway Dr. approximately 1.8 miles to the end. For more info, visit their website.
• Open House: Novato Parents Nursery School
  Novato
  Saturday, 10 am–noon
  Novato Parents Nursery School (NPNS) is a parent cooperative preschool that provides a unique environment for those parents wishing to share and participate in their child’s first school experience. To find out more, please come to our open house this weekend.. Location: 1473 South Novato Blvd., Novato. For more info, call (415) 897-4498 or visit their website.
• Giants FanFest
  AT&T Park, San Franicsco
  Saturday, 10 am–3 pm
  Dust off your gloves, don your best orange and black, grab the entire family and get to AT&T Park! Grab autographs from Giants players past and present, snap a picture with the World Series Trophy, walk the field, sit in the dugout, get up close with players and coaches at the Q&A Stage, and don't forget to bring the kids to the Junior Giants Zone. Admission is free. Parking is free in lot A. Location: 24 Willie Mays Plaza, San Francisco. For more info, visit their website.
• Special Valentine Storytime The Perfect Hug
  Barnes & Noble, Corte Madera
  Saturday, 11 am
  Join us for this Special Valentine Storytime, featuring The Perfect Hug by Joanna Walsh and Judi Abbot! We'll share lots of wonderful stories and about love and friendship! Location: 313 Corte Madera Town Center. For more info, call 415-927-9016 or visit their website.
  
• Valentine Card Making Workshop
  San Rafael Public Library
  Saturday, 1–3 pm
  Whether you want to make just one special Valentine or a shoebox-full for your kid’s kindergarten class… Everyone loves a handmade Valentine. In the Library Meeting Room. Free event. Location: Downtown Library 1100 E Street (at 5th Avenue. For more info, call 415) 485-3323 or visit their website..
• Ivy & Bean, the Musical
  Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse, Berkeley
  Saturday, 2 pm and Sunday, 11 am and 2 pm
  Bring the family (ages 4 and up) to come meet quiet Ivy, who has amazing ideas, and outgoing Bean, who loves to put ideas into action. The mischievous heroines of the award-winning Ivy + Bean stories by local author Annie Barrows. Tickets: adults $20, child $25, seniors $17. You can purchase tickets here. For more info, call (415) 644-2020 or visit their website.
• Raise a Glass Winter Wine Tasting
  Marinwood Community Center, San Rafael
  Saturday, 2–5 pm
  Taste wines from 10 local wineries, listen to live music, and enjoy hors d'oeuvres by Marinwood Market. Free childcare for children 2–10. Tickets: $15 advance, $18 at the door. Purchase tickets and get more information on their website.
  
• Valentine's Day Doll Tea Party
  Pottery Barn Kids, Corte Madera
  Saturday, 3 pm & 4 pm
  Pottery Barn Kids presents a special teatime for children to share with their favorite doll or teddy bear. Each child will enjoy refreshments and listen to story time and make a deluxe wand to take home, designed by Kiwi Crate. Space is extremely limited and reservations and pre-payment are required. Call to RSVP (415) 927-3558. Cost: $10 per child. For more info, visit their website.
• HeadsUp Battle of the Bands!
  Marin Rod & Gun Club
  Saturday, 7–11 pm
  HeadsUp Battle of the Bands celebrates, supports and recognizes the excellence of our middle and high school music students in Marin. The event is great exposure for bands and a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate talents in musical arrangement, song composition, instrumentation, and vocals. Bands will be competing for the title of “best band”. The winner will be determined by a panel of judges and the general response of the audience. The winning band will receive a prize in addition to bragging rights! Tickets: door: $10 students/$15 Adults. For more info, visit their website.
  

Sunday, February 10

• 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.
  
• Beginning Birding
  Marin Headlands, Sausalito
  Sunday, 9:30–11:30 am
  Winter birding in the Marin Headlands offers birds from near and far. Explore the trail around Rodeo Lagoon with docent Jane Haley to discover which birds spend the winter in our mild climate. Meet at the Marin Headlands Visitor Center. Bring binoculars, field guides. For ages 8 and up; no pets. Limited to 15 people. Rain cancels. For reservations, please call (415) 331-1540. For more info, visit their website.
• Lunar New Year Celebration
  Habitot Children's Museum, Berkeley
  Sunday, 9:30 am–4:30 pm
  Lunar New Year is a time of family reunion, food, music and dance. There will be an exciting dragon parade through the museum in which children can participate. Children can practice black ink calligraphy and also create their own paper lanterns in the art studio. This will be a free admission day event sponsored by ScholarShare, the state-wide savings program for children’s college educations. Representatives will be on hand with information and referrals. For more info call (510) 647-1111 or visit their website.
• Marine Science Sunday—Love is in the Air: Marine Mammal Parents and Pups
  The Marine Mammal Center, Sausalito
  Sunday, 10 am–5 pm
  Join the Marine Mammal Center's monthly free educational series—Marine Science Sundays—on the second Sunday of each month! This month is about the special and unusual dating habits of marine mammals and their resulting cute pups! We'll talk about how gray whales only date when on vacation to Baja California, elephant seals have to fight over girlfriends, and just how unbelievably cute marine mammal babies are! Location: 2000 Bunker Road Fort Cronkhite, Sausalito. For more info, call (415) 754-4020 or visit their website.
• Valentines Day Tea for Kids
  UC Botanical Garden, Berkeley
  Sunday, 10–11:30 am & 1–2:30 pm
  Enjoy a special celebration of herbs and flowers at this afternoon tea party. We’ll use our senses to explore these fragrant edibles, talk about their uses and benefits, and see how they grow. Make fresh teas and bite-size herb finger sandwiches. Also make valentines from pressed botanicals to take home. Space is limited. Two seating times available: 10–11:30 am or 1–2:30 pm. Registration required online or by calling (510) 643-2755. Cost: $18, $15 members. For more info, visit their website.
• Storytime with Christopher Smith
  Book Passage Corte Madera
  Sunday at 11 am
  Acoustic multi-instrumentalist Smith crafts story songs that aim for the heart. He is especially popular with toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarteners. However, all ages (including adults) love him. Book Passage is located at 51 Tamal Vista Boulevard in Corte Madera. For more info, call (415) 927-0960 or visit 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.
  
• Family Production: A Midsummer Night's Dream
  Golden Gate Club, Presidio
  Sunday 2–3 pm
  The Presidio Trust invites you to a 55-minute family performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, presented in Shakespeare’s original text by the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival. Shakespeare on Tour is performed by a cast of professional actors in costume, with set, props, and recorded music. Following the performance enjoy PLAYSHOP, a free one-hour hands-on experience for kids and parents that will deepen your appreciation of the Bard. This participatory workshop include games, activities and text work designed to create a greater understanding and appreciation of theater. Space for PLAYSHOP is limited, so please RSVP to playshop@presidiotrust.gov. No need to RSVP for A Midsummer Night's Dream. For more info, visit their website.
• Marin Symphony Family Concert: A Family Valentine
  Marin Veterans' Memorial Auditorium, San Rafael
  Sunday, 3–4 pm
  Specially designed to introduce children to the wonders of a live symphonic concert, the program is part performance, part family outing, and exceptionally fun. It’s the ideal place to bring your family together and pass on the symphony tradition from one generation to the next. This year's program presents themes of courage, love, and a special Valentine celebration. Tickets: $15, children $10. For more info, visit their website.