Marin Weekend Family Fun for April 12, 13 & 14

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, April 12

• Just Between Friends Children's & Maternity Consignment Event
  Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Grace Pavilion
  Friday, 10 am–7 pm, Saturday, 10 am–3 pm, Sunday, 9 am–2 pm
  North Bay's largest children's and maternity consignment sales event, Just Between Friends is held at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds' Grace Pavilion—40,500 square feet of shopping awesomeness. Shop huge deals on new and gently-used clothes (0–12 years and maternity), games, toys, furniture, strollers, mommy supplies, etc! Location: 1350 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa. For more info, visit their website.
• Movie Screening: My Neighbor Totoro
  Council Chambers, San Anselmo
  Friday, 2–4:30 pm
  In this acclaimed family film from Hayao Miyazaki, two young sisters spend a summer in the Japanese countryside with their father, and their strange new home turns out to be a wonderland filled with creatures and a trio of furry woodland sprites who can only be seen by children. Free. Location: 525 San Anselmo Avenue, San Anselmo. For more info, call (415) 258-4656 or visit their website.
• Spring Break Film Festival: Pixar Short Films, Vol. 2
  Creekside Room, Mill Valley Public Library
  Friday, 2:30–4 pm
  Disney and Pixar present an incredible new collection of 12 short films, featuring multiple Academy Award nominees (best short film, animated: Presto, 2008; Day & Night, 2010; La Luna, 2011) and a host of family favorites. Freshly popped popcorn and pillows provided! All ages; no sign up required. Location: 375 Throckmorton Avenue, Mill Valley. For more info, call 415-389-4292 x4741 or visit their website.

Saturday, April 13

• U-Pick at Bloomfield Farms
  Bloomfield (near Petaluma)
  Saturday & Sunday, 10 am–2 pm
  U-pick is back! Take a scenic drive out to Bloomfield Farms in western Sonoma County where you and your family can pick your own certified organic produce, including dinosaur kale (our favorite!), lettuce, cabbage, collards, herbs, and more! $30 for large box of produce; cash only. Bring your own wagon (they have some available on a first-come, first-served basis) and a knife to cut produce with. This weekend's special guest will be chef John Lyle who will offer a "pay what you can" Farm Fun Brunch. RSVP to upick@bloomfieldfarmsorganics.com. Location: 12550 Valley Ford Road, Petaluma. For more information, visit their website.
• Marinwood Community Farmers Market
  Marinwood Plaza, Marinwood Avenue at Miller Creek Road, San Rafael
  Saturday, 9 am–2 pm
  Marinwood Community Farmers Market is every Saturday. Come have some coffee, listen to some music, and pick up fresh fruits and vegetables to take home. For more info, visit their website.
• 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 family music (9:30–10:30 am). For more info, visit their website.
• Cherry Blossom Festival
  Japantown, San Francisco
  Saturday & Sunday, 10 am–5 pm
  Join hundreds of performers from both Japan and California to get a taste of the Japanese and Japanese American culture. Bring the family and for a day of celebration. Enjoy delicious Japanese and Japanese American food, dance and music performances, and a parade. The parade begins at the Civic Center at 1 pm, proceeding up Polk to Post Street, and ending in Japantown at Post and Fillmore streets. Location: Post and Buchanan Streets. For more info, visit their website.
• Public Season at Audubon Canyon Ranch’s Martin Griffin Preserve
  Stinson Beach
  Saturday and Sunday, 10 am–4 pm
  Martin Griffin Preserve (formerly called Bolinas Lagoon Preserve) hosts one of the most studied Great Egret nesting sites on the West Coast. Each year visitors can enjoy viewing approximately 100 active nests in a grove of redwoods on the property. Martin Griffin Preserve includes bird and wildlife viewing platforms outfitted with spotting scopes and binoculars, eight miles of hiking trails, picnic tables, and an environmental education-focused bookstore and natural history exhibit. Open Saturday, Sundays and Holidays from March to July, 2013. For more info, call (415) 868-9244 or visit their website.
• Hip Kids' Music Series: Celebrate Spring with Octopretzel
  Bay Area Discovery Museum
  Saturday, 11 am
  Octopretzel’s show is as exuberant as their whimsical name. The band creates engaging music that inspires curiosity, wonder and appreciation for the magical world we live in. Their blend of four-part harmony and skilled musicianship guarantees a danceable, singable and super fun experience that will appeal to the entire family. Read more at www.Octopretzel.com. For ages 6 months and up. Cost: members $5; general $15. Includes museum admission. For more info, visit their website.
• Puppet Storytime for Preschoolers
  Book Passage, Corte Madera
  Saturday, 11 am
  The Mountain School and Book Passage are pleased to present master storyteller Rebecah Freeling in a series of free events for young children ages 2–6. “One often observes the children hearing her stories to be sitting on the edge of their seats, eyes wide and mouths open in anticipation,” says a parent who has experienced Rebecah’s storytelling. Puppet stories are preceded and followed by songs, finger games, and other fun activities! For more info, call 51 Tamal Vista, Corte Madera. For more info, call (415) 924-4661 or visit their website.
• Sheep Shearing Day
  Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park
  Saturday, 11 am
  The annual Sheep Shearing Day will be held at the Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park on Adobe Road, Petaluma. This event demonstrates sheep shearing, wool carding and spinning. Fun for the whole family! Cost: Adults 17 and older $3 per person, children 6–16 $2, 5 and under free. For more info, visit their website.
• Berkeley Bay Festival
  Berkeley Marina
  Saturday, 11 am–4 pm
  The Bay Festival offers fun family activities and environmental education. Entertainment includes children's performer Gary Lapow and Dana Smith and the Bay Area Back Pages. The Adventure Playground will be open for children to build with hammers, nails, saws and paint (parental supervision), the dragon boat and Cal Sailing Club will provide a splashing experience in the bay if you join them for a ride. For more info, visit their website.
• Guided Family Wildflower Walk
  Lands End, San Francisco
  Saturday, noon–12:45 pm
  The native wildflowers at Lands End are blooming. Join staff on a guided tour of this magnificent springtime display, and learn fascinating facts about the remarkable plants of the coastal dune scrub habitat. All ages welcome! Meet at the main Lands End trailhead. This guided walk happens every Saturday at noon through April and May. For more info, visit their website.
• Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical
  Freight & Salvage, Berkeley
  Saturday 2 pm & Sunday, 11 am & 2 pm
  Based on the book Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale by Mo Willems. Prepare for the clothes to fly in Bay Area Children's Theatre's musical version of the hilarious picture book about the adventures of toddler Trixie and her beloved stuffed animal, a certain Knuffle Bunny, when they go off to the laundromat with her somewhat distracted dad. You'll love the antics, as Mom raises a seasoned eyebrow, and Dad learns it can be tricky to do the laundry with Trixie. Tickets: adults $20, seniors $17 and children $15. Purchase tickets here. For more info, visit their website.
• Parent's Night Out
  ITK Culinary, Sausalito
  Saturday, 5–9 pm
  Take some time out to enjoy some of the finest restaurants in Marin County, without kids. Yes, kid free! ITK and Scott Davis, the Culinary Dude, are offering Parents Night Out. Drop the kids off at 5pm, they will create a fresh, healthy meal for themselves as soon as they walk through the door and you pick them up at 9 pm. Your children will learn about kitchen safety, cook their own meal, setting the table, clearing the after themselves, wash their own dishes and prepare and cook their own dessert. Your child will also be part of an accommodating social environment. For ages 4%ndash;14. Cost: $60 per child. Location: 300 Turney Street, Sausalito. For more information and tickets, visit their website.

Sunday, April 14

• 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.
  
• Forever Family Spring Walk
  Muir Woods
  Sunday, 9:30 am–noon
  Bring your family on this slow and moderate walk through the redwood forest on the Fern Creek Trail to Camp Alice Eastwood and back. Discover wild and endangered coho salmon, banana slug trails, the Native American uses of plants, ghost redwoods, and more. And learn about the families who came here by "gravity train" more than 100 years ago! Appropriate for ages 6 and above. No strollers please. Dress in layers, bring water and a light snack, and wear sturdy shoes with good treads. Reservations required; please phone (415) 388-2596. For more info, visit their website.
• Marine Science Sunday—Coastline Cuteness: To the Rescue!
  The Marine Mammal Center, Sausalito
  Sunday, 10 am–5 pm
  Every spring, the Marine Mammal Center rescues hundreds of elephant seal and harbor seal pups that have been separated from their mothers due to big storms, people approaching them and scaring the mom away, or young pups unable to find food on their own. Come learn about how we care for our youngest and most fragile patients. Check out free classroom programs at noon and 2 pm with a docent-led tour at 11 am, 1 pm or 3 pm for a truly immersive marine mammal experience. For more info, call (415) 754-4020 or visit their website.
• Complimentary Sunday Yoga
  lululemon athletica
  Sunday, 10–11 am
  Lululemon athletica believes the practice of yoga offers mind, body, and spirit the opportunity to find balance in motion. They're so passionate about this that weekly they offer the gift of yoga by pushing product aside, unrolling yoga mats and turning their store into a complimentary yoga studio. Class is from 10 am to 11 am and is for all levels. No mat? No worries they have extras! Arrive early to find a spot. This week Barbara McMillian from Red Dragon will lead. Location: 1620 Redwood Hwy, Corte Madera. For more info, call (415) 927-2891 or 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. The Book Passage is located at 51 Tamal Vista Blvd. in Corte Madera. For more info, call (415) 927-0960 or visit their website.
• Breakfast with Enzo
  Mill Valley Golf Course Clubhouse
  Sunday, 10 & 11 am
  Family entertainer Enzo Garcia presents Breakfast with Enzo at the Mill Valley Golf Course Clubhouse every Sunday. Cost is $6 per person. The Mill Valley Golf Course Clubhouse is located at 280 Buena Vista Avenue in Mill Valley. For more info, call (415) 388-9982 or visit www.enzogarcia.com.
• Israel in Marin: A Fun & Free Festival for All
  Osher Marin JCC, San Rafael
  Sunday, 11:30 am–2:30 pm
  Bring the entire family to this free event for all ages. Pick up your map and take a whirlwind tour of the culture, art, food, literature, music and spirit of Israel! Location: 200 N. San Pedro Rd, San Rafael. For more info, call (415) 444-8000 or visit their website.
• Baby Loves Disco
  Temple, San Francisco
  Sunday, noon–2:30 pm
  Baby Loves Disco is back in the Bay April 14 and May 19 at noon, featuring DJs, MCs, dancers, music, crafts, food, unlimited drink boxes, cash bar for mamas and papas, and of course lots of dancing! Tickets are $15 per walking human or 4 for $55. Come boogie down with the kiddos! Location: 540 Howard Street, San Francisco. For more info, visit their website.
• Children in Need Concert
  San Domenico Music Conservatory
  Sunday, 7–9 pm
  Children in Need is a student music club dedicated to raising awareness and monies to help needy children around the world. Performers will be playing Gipsy Airs by Sarasate, Transcendental Études No. 4 "Mazeppa" by Liszt, Beethoven’s Violin Sonata, a Chinese piece called The Song of Fishermen's Harvest, and other selections. Funds donated will help an impoverished school in Nepal purchase school supplies and sanitary products for the children. Location: 1500 Butterfield Road, San Anselmo. For more info, call (415) 258-1921 or visit their website.