20 Things to Do This Fall with Kids 5 and Under

Photo: Slide Ranch

Keep the little ones busy this fall! We've put together a list of 20 awesome autumn activities and outings in Marin, the San Francisco Bay Area, and beyond specially selected for families with kids 5 and under. From visiting a pumpkin patch to taking a train ride, there's something here for everyone.

1. Visit Half Moon Bay for Fall fun at Lemos Farm and Farmer John's Pumpkin Farm. 
2. Drop-in for Little Angels Circle Time for little ones to explore, imagine, and create connection, That Play Place, Novato, Wednesdays, 10:30 am.
3. Listen to a great kids' book at a library story time near you.
4. Bring the little ones for Music Time with Megan at Marin Art & Garden Center in Ross ($10 per family), September 16, 23 & 30, 9:30–10 am.
5. Take a train ride and meet the animals at Sonoma TrainTown.
6. Sing and play along at a fun toddler music class.
7. Pick the perfect pumpkin, play, and picnic at Petaluma Pumpkin Patch opening on September 20.
8. Experience life on the farm at one of Slide Ranch's Family Farm Days, October 12 & 26, November 2, 16 & 23.
9. Halloween Jam is Fairyland's most famous, most festive, most fantastic fall celebration for the little ones at Children's Fairyland, Oakland, October 19–20 and 25–27.
10. Marinwood's Halloween Harvest Festival features face painting, pumpkin decorating, games, and a bounce house, Friday, October 11, 5–6:30 pm.
11. Take the kiddos on a Sonoma County fall farm tour at Weekend Along the Farm Trails, Saturday & Sunday, October 12 & 13, 10 am–4 pm.
12. Take a (not so) spooky Halloween train ride.
13. Go on a Halloween scavenger hunt (and wear your costume) at Boo at the Zoo, Oakland Zoo, October 25–27
14. Celebrate Halloween at the Bay Area Discovery Museum's Goblin Jamboree, October 22–23 and 25–27.
15. Feed the animals at Tilden Park's Little Farm.
16. Arrange a playdate at one of Marin's five favorite playgrounds.
17. Take a trip under the sea at a local aquarium.
18. Goblins' BOOtacular is a fun, town-wide trick or treating event for those ages 11 and under in downtown San Anselmo, Friday, October 25, 5 pm
19. Dress in costume to Trunk or Treat and enjoy music and crafts at Mill Valley Community Center, Friday, October 25, 4–6 pm.
20. Halloween fun for the entire family in Sausalito with a parade, trick-or-treat, dog costume contest, and more. October 31, 5:45–7:30 pm.

Photo: Goblin Jamboree