Marin Weekend Family Fun for January 31–February 2

Bring your family to this Saturday's Lunar New Year Celebration at the San Francisco Zoo!

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, January 31

• Wobbleland
  Bay Area Discovery Museum, Sausalito
  Friday, 9 am–4 pm, Saturday, 10 am–5 pm & Sunday, 9 am–5 pm
  All children love playing with their food, and the Bay Area Discovery Museum’s newest traveling exhibit is a chance for them to do just that – without the mess! In an oversized kitchen sink, babies and toddlers can crawl, climb, and play on plush, soft sculptures of their favorite foods. Museum admission applies. Location: 557 McReynolds Road, Sausalito. Event details.
• Music Time with Megan
  Sports Basement, Novato
  Friday, 9:30–10 am
  Bring the little ones for live music, singing, dancing and playing instruments with popular children's musician Megan Schoenbohm. Cost is $10 per child, and siblings under 7 months are free. This is an ongoing weekly class, so drop in as often as you can! Event details.
• Larkspur Storytime
  Cooperfield's Book, Larkspur Landing
  Friday, 11 am
  Bring the kiddos for storytime! Come relax with a book while we share new arrivals and old favorites with your kids. Free. Larkspur Landing. Event details.

Saturday, February 1

• Museums on Us Free Day
  Various Museums
  Saturday & Sunday
  Bank of America cardholders can visit the following Bay Area museums for free! Enjoy the Contemporary Jewish Museum, de Young Museum, the Legion of Honor, and the Chabot Space and Science Center. Photo ID and a valid Bank of America/Merrill Lynch credit or debit card must be presented. For more information, 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 music (9:30–10:30 am). Event details
• San Francisco Zoo Lunar New Year Celebration
  San Francisco Zoo
  Saturday & Sunday, 10 am–4 pm
  To commemorate the Year of the Rat, the San Francisco Zoo is thrilled to host Lunar New Year celebrations! Soak up the ambiance of the occasion and marvel at traditional Chinese lion and folk dance performances at 11 am and 1:30 pm daily. Go on a Zodiac Scavenger Hunt through the zoo to learn fun facts about the animals found on the Chinese calendar. Event details
• Freighter Tots with Clyde Leland
  Freight & Salvage, Berkeley
  Saturday, 10 am
  In this song circle, we’ll sing, dance to, and act out folk songs about things kids care about: things like animals, nature, vehicles, their bodies, family, friends and being silly. Little children can start to understand tempo and rhythm using toy instruments; parents and other caretakers can learn songs to sing and games to play with their children. Make music part of their lives! Music builds community.Cost: $15 per family. Event details
• CTA of San Francisco presents The Wizard of Oz
  Presidio Theater, San Francisco
  Saturday, 10:30 am & 1:30 pm
  The most beloved tale of all time comes to life as Dorothy and her three friends trot delightfully and tunefully down the yellow brick road in The Wizard of Oz. After the show, the performers will come out in costume to greet you, give autographs, and be available for photos! Tickets: $15 kids, $18 adults. Location: 99 Moraga Avenue in the Presidio, San Francisco. Event details
• Family Art Making
  de Young Museum, San Francisco
  Saturday, 11 am–4 pm
  Family Art Making offers a free, drop-in art project led by professional teaching artists. Projects change every 3 to 4 weeks and connect to our permanent collections or highlight our special exhibiton. Make sure to pick up a Discovery Guide to explore the galleries. Artists of all ages are welcome to join. Event details
• Experience Elephant Seals
  Elephant Seal Overlook, Chimney Rock, Point Reyes National Seashore
  Saturday & Sunday, 11 am–4 pm
  View an elephant seal colony through binoculars and scopes. A 10-minute slide video about elephant seals, kids' activities, and complimentary hot beverages are available at the Lifeboat Station at Chimney Rock, depending on staffing availability. Visitors will need to take the winter shuttle bus from Drakes Beach. Event details.
• Marin Chinese Cultural Association Lion Dancers
  Larkspur Library
  Saturday, 11 am–noon
  Larkspur Library will welcome the Chinese New Year with a traditional Lion Dance on Saturday, February 1. The Marin Chinese Cultural Association's volunteer Lion Dance Team will present a thrilling outdoor performance with colorfully adorned lions, and the lively sounds of cymbals, gong, and drum. All ages are invited to join this lively kickoff to the Year of the Rat! Location: 400 Magnolia Avenue, Larkspur. Event details.
• Nature Hike
  Sonoma State Historic Park
  Saturday, 11:30 am
  Get out for a winter hike along the lower Montini Preserve Trail. Experience history, nature, and community lead by Park Interpretive Specialist “Ranger Dave”. This slow-paced hike is just over one mile in length with minor elevation changes. Meet at the Vallejo Home parking lot at the end of 3rd Street West. All ages, free of charge, no reservation needed. Steady rain cancels. Event details
• 12th Annual Lunar New Year Festival on Fourth Street
  Fourth Street, Berkeley
  Saturday, noon–4 pm
  Sponsored by Teance Fine Teas and Fourth Street, this special day includes martial arts performances, lion dances by the famous Kei Lun performers from San Francisco, traditional treats from merchants, a shop blessing parade, and craft tables for the kids. Free. Event website
• Journey of the Whales
  Point Reyes Lighthouse Visitor Center
  Saturday & Sunday, 1:30 pm
  Join a Ranger to learn about gray whales as they migrate past Point Reyes. Learn about their habits and adaptations, and hope for a whale sighting from the Observation Deck. Program lasts 30 minutes. This program is given out-of-doors. Come prepared for windy, cold and damp weather. Free. Weekend shuttle bus program is in place starting December 28; $7 per person, free for 17 and under. Event details.
• San Francisco Symphony Chinese New Year 20th Anniversary
  Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco
  Saturday, 5 pm
  Celebrate the Lunar New Year and welcome the Year of the Mouse with the San Francisco Symphony at this vibrant event that draws upon Asian traditions, past and present. Enjoy the Festival Reception’s host of activities followed by an SF Symphony performance of Eastern and Western repertoire. Continue the festivities after the concert by purchasing a ticket to the dramatic and exciting banquet. Call the San Francisco Symphony Volunteer Council for details at (415) 503-5500. Concert tickets: $35–$130. Event website
• Year of the Rat Chinese New Year Celebration
  Santa Rosa Veterans Memorial Building
  Saturday, 5–8:30 pm
  Celebrate the Year of the Boar with music, dance, martial arts, dragons, lions, a buffet dinner, and more! $25 adults, $10 children 3–10. Event website
• Indoor Power Play
  Cal Star Gymnastics, Novato
  Saturday, 6–9 pm
  Drop the kiddos ( K-6th grade) for some indoor fun. They can run, jump and play in an open gymnastics environment. Bring the kids in on a rainy day or any day to burn some energy. Cost: $30 per child. Location: 70 Digital Drive, Suite #3 in Novato. Event details

Sunday, February 2

• 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. Event details
• Children's Program at Green Gulch Farm
  San Francisco Zen Center
  Sunday, 9:45 am
  On the first Sunday of each month, the beginning of the lecture is especially for children. This week: Mid-Winter Ritual: Blessing the Fields for Spring. After a short talk, the children leave the zendo to participate in their own special programs. Activities include crafts, seasonal projects on the farm and garden, yoga, and ritual. Please check in before the program at the table near the southwest side entrance of the zendo. Suggested donation: $20 per family. Event details
• Storytime with Christopher Smith
  Book Passage, Corte Madera
  Sunday, 10:30 am
  After four years of living overseas, children's story reader Christopher Smith returns to Book Passage! Christopher was the Sunday story time reader at Book Passage for more than 20 years, introducing new picture books, poetry, and song to countless young children in Marin. A local school teacher, Christopher's song "The Golden Gate" is a Parent's Choice Award winner and a beloved favorite throughout the Bay Area. Join us as this tradition continues on. Free. Location: 51 Tamal Vista Boulevard, Corte Madera. Event details.
• Story Time & Family Walk
  San Francisco Botanical Garden
  Sunday, 10:30 am
  Looking for a fun, free and easy-to-coordinate activity? Join us in our cozy children's book nook for lively readings of nature-themed stories. Afterward, families can enjoy a special docent-led family Garden walk that brings the stories to life. Be sure to bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Event details
• Free Family Days
  MarinMOCA, Novato
  Sunday, 11 am–3 pm
  Are you looking for alternatives to “screen time?” How about making art with your kids during free Family Days? Choose from several hands-on art projects taught by professional teachers. Our family-friendly art teachers can customize the art project so that you and every child in your family can take home a personalized creation. Art supplies are included. Admission: free when you bring a child 2–12 years. Location: 500 Palm Avenue, Novato. Event details
• Y Bike Learn to Ride Program
  Presidio Main Parade Ground, San Francisco
  Sunday 11 am–2 pm
  Get your kids riding on two wheels with free, safe, and friendly instruction from the Presidio Community Y. Bikes and equipment are provided. All ages are welcome; no reservations required. Location: Main Post at the corner of Anza and Owen. Event details
• Free Super Bowl Party
  Sweetwater Music Hall, Mill Valley
  Sunday, 2 pm
  All ages welcome. Come watch it on our big movie screen with your friends and neighbors on a high def movie screen. Lots of food and drink specials, and fun for the entire family. Free admission. Location: 19 Corte Madera Avenue, Mill Valley. Event details