20 Free Things to Do with Bay Area Kids in February

Celebrate Lunar New Year with one of the many lion dance performances in our list below. Photo: Asian Art Museum, San Francisco

This February, you don't have to break the bank to have a great time with the kiddos! Here are 20 great ideas for activities and outings in Marin and the Bay Area in February, all of which are free. Keep in mind some of these activities require advance registration, so check before you go.

1. Celebrate Lunar New Year with two free family lion dance performances, Asian Art Museum in San Francisco, Sunday, February 1, 11:30 am & 2:30 pm.
2. It's a free day at the de Young  and Legion of Honor museums and Conservatory of Flowers, San Francisco, Tuesday, February 3, 9:30 am–5:15 pm.
3. Free movie screening: The Princess and the Frog, Marin Civic Center Library, Wednesday, February 4, 2:30–4 pm.
4. Bring the kiddos for a free Musical Storytime at the Freight in Berkeley, Thursday, February 5, 10:30–11:30 am.
5. Step back in time to the Civil War era at Fort Point's Living History Weekend, San Francisco, Saturday, February 7, 10 am–5 pm.
6. The Very First Concerts free classical series offers young listeners fun hands-on musical activities, San Francisco Main Library, Saturday, Feb. 7, 11 & 11:45 am. 
7. Join park rangers to make a Valentine's sweetheart lantern craft (ages 8 and up), McNears Beach Park, San Rafael, Sunday, February 8, 11:30 am–1 pm.
8. Visit the animals at the Little Farm in Tilden Park Nature Area, Berkeley, Tuesday–Sunday, 10 am–4:30 pm
9. Drop-in for nature story time in the San Francisco Botanical Garden in Golden Gate Park, Wednesday, February 11, 10–11 am.
10. Check out the amazing robot creations and learn about STEM with the Penguin Empire Robotics Club (ages 5–13), Novato Library, Thursday, February 12, 4–5 pm.
11. Bring the little one for free Valentine cookie decorating in front of the Poppy Store, Marin Country Mart, Larkspur Landing, Friday, Feb. 13, 11 am–4 pm.
12. Bring the family for Valentine craft fun and kindie tunes with Megan Schoenbohm, Marin Country Mart, Larkspur, Saturday, February 14, 9:30–10:40 am.
13. Enjoy free admission at Muir Woods in honor of Presidents Day, Monday, February 16. (Reservations are still required.)
14. Bring the kiddos for Mart Littles music with Mr. Andrew! at Marin Country Mart in Larkspur, Wednesday, February 18, 10:30–11:15 am.
15. Stroll through the beautiful JFK Promenade in Golden Gate Park and make sure to check out the super-cool 100 foot long bubble-blowing sea serpent, Naga. 
16. Bring the kids to Mill Valley Library for the free Movie Day featuring Disney's Encanto and free popcorn! Friday, February 20, 3 pm.
17. Celebrate with the Marin Chinese Cultural Association as their Lion Dance Team performs for Lunar New Year, San Anselmo Library, Saturday, February 21, 11 am–noon.
18. Welcome the Year of the Horse with the Marin Chinese Cultural Association's Lion Dancers, Larkspur Library, Saturday, February 21, 1:30–2 pm.
19. Picnic, lie on a hammock, and play at the playground at Stafford Lake Park in Novato (no entrance fee), open daily 8 am–5 pm.
20. Magician Michael Della Penna performs a free Spring Magic Show at Novato City Hall, Saturday, February 28, 10 & 11:30 am.

Visit the animals at the Little Farm at Tilden Park in Berkeley.