Fun Things to do in Marin and the Bay Area this Week: December 13–19

Get out and take an easy but rewarding waterfall hike to Cascade Falls in Mill Valley.

Keep the kiddos busy! Here's out list of fun things to do with the kids for the week of December 13–19. We've broken it down day-by-day with suggestions for activities, outings, events, and more that you can use to help plan out your week.

Keep in mind that some of these activities require advance registration, so check the organizer's website before you attend. If you have something fun you'd like to share, please let us know and we'll consider it for next week's list!

Monday, December 13

• Drop-in for open gym time at Gymworld in San Rafael for kids 5 and under, Monday–Friday, 10:30 am–12:30 pm.
• Take an easy family waterfall hike to Cascade Falls in Mill Valley.
• Keep the kiddos busy with these 50 easy Christmas crafts.
• Make this classic Mexican meatball soup.

Tuesday, December 14

• Get in the holiday spirit and make a batch of delicious double-chocolate candy cane cookies.
• Watch one of our family holiday movies with the kiddos.
• Play-WEll TEKnologies in San Anselmo offers drop-in LEGO play for all ages, Tuesday–Friday, 12–5:30 pm.
• Celebrate the season as the Marin Symphony Orchestra presents a program of holiday-inspired music, Marin Center, San Rafael, Tuesday, 7 pm.

Celebrate the science and spirit of the season at an all-new evening event just for kids and families at the California Academy of Sciences, Wednesday, 6-9 pm.

Wednesday, December 15

• Toddlers on Ice introduces our youngest skaters to the ice, Snoopy's Home Ice, Santa Rosa, Wednesdays, 11 am–noon. Reserve your spot, $20 for child/adult.
• Baby Yoda Plushie Virtual Workshop suitable for ages 8 to 12, Corte Madera Library, Wednesday, 4–5 pm. Registration required.
• Celebrate the science and spirit of the season (falling snow flurries, cookie decorating, magic show and more..) at an all-new evening event just for kids and families at California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, Wednesday, 6–9 pm. Buy tickets here.

Thursday, December 16

• Join Catherine for songs and stories at Preschool Storytime at the Belvedere Tiburon Library's YouTube channel.
• Experience the amazing West End Nursery's Christmas House, San Rafael, open daily, 9 am–4 pm.
• Experience iceless skating — all the fun of ice skating with no winter gear required — at the Bay Area Discovery Museum's reservations required.
• Enjoy Pier 39's nightly tree lighting musical moments on their Christmas tree which will come to life every half hour from 5–10 pm.

Sing along with your favorite holiday carols at Grace Cathedral, Saturday, 11 am.

Friday, December 17

• Get your free photos with Santa at Corte Madera Town Center, Friday, Saturday & Sunday, noon–6 pm.
• Sit down to a special children's holiday tea with classic British holiday recipes, just right for children ages 2 to 11, Marin Art and Garden Center in Ross, Friday, 3:30 pm.
• Bring the family to evenings in late December for the return of Fairy Winterland at Children’s Fairyland, Oakland, Friday–Sunday, 4–7 pm.
• Visit the Oakland Zoo at night for Glowfari, open daily through January 30, 5:30–10 pm.
• Get your tickets for The Magic Lamp, a new holiday show at the Presidio Theatre, Friday, 7:30 pm, Saturday & Sunday, 2 pm & 7:30 pm.

Saturday & Sunday, December 18 & 19

• Introducing the first annual holiday tradition at The Westin St. Francis in San Francisco: Dollie & Me Tea, Saturday–Sunday, 12–2 pm.
• Santa Sing-a-long with Steve & Jill Pierce at the Marin Country Mart, Larkspur Landing, Saturday 9:30 am.

• Complementary photos with Santa at the Marin Country Mart, Larkspur Landing (Holiday Hut), 10:30 am–1:30 pm.

• Sing along with carols and holiday favorites at Grace Cathedral's "Sing You a Merry Christmas", Saturday, 11 am.
• Take the kiddos to the SF Ballet's Nutcracker live at War Memorial Opera House, Saturday & Sunday, 2 pm matinee.
• Bring the family to Snoopy's Home Ice Outdoor Holiday Skating Show, Santa Rosa, Saturday, 3 shows: 3:45 pm, 5 pm & 6:30 pm.
• Drop the kiddos (6–13 yrs) off to burn off some enery in a gymnastics enviornoment, Cal Star Gymnastics, Novato, 5:30–8:30 pm, ($25 per child). Register online here.
• Get fresh produce at this Sunday's Marin Farmers Market in San Rafael, 8 am–1 pm.
• Bring the family for photos as handcrafted snowmen spring to life from real snow in our Winter Wonderland setting, Strawberry Village, Mill Valley, Sunday, 12–2 pm.
• Family holiday sing-a-long at the Marin Country Mart, Larkspur Landing, Sunday, 1–2 pm.