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10 Free Family Activities in the Bay Area

LIFESTYLE

Getting out of the house as a family is more important than ever with many families still dealing with at-home school or work. But finding fun things to do together can get expensive! Here are ten free family activities in the Bay Area that won’t break the bank but will give you and your little ones lasting memories.

1. Go biking at Stafford Lake Bike Park

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Stafford Lake Bike Park is a kid-friendly The 17 acre park also features a single track loop trail as well as pump tracks and gravity trails for those who are looking for more extreme biking. Even if you and your kids are totally comfortable on a bike, you can get some fresh air and good exercise!

2. Learn about nature with Wildcare

Do you want to take your kids out into nature but want a specialist who knows the outdoors like the back of their hand? Look into Wildcare. Your kids can get a free education on local wildlife and fauna, learning to spot and name their wild care animals.

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3. See the sea lions and walk the pier

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One of the best benefits of living in the Bay Area is seeing the sea lions! Play tourist for a day and visit San Francisco’s historic waterfront community. At the Fisherman’s Wharf, you can eat local seafood and walk up and down the 150 year old pier.

As you walk along, check out the sea lions sunbathing in the sun at Pier 39. Kids love watching them bark and swim in the bay.

4. Free fishing days

Bay Area Free Fishing Days! The Bay Area offers tons of piers and shorelines perfect for a fun, family outing. No license needed, just grab your bait and a sense of adventure – who knows, you might just catch the big one! See a wild life government site for free fishing days!

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5 more Free Family Activities …

5. Free days in museums

Several Bay Area museums open their doors for free on weekdays throughout the first week of the month, typically Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays. Expect crowds, so plan your visit for an early arrival to maximize your free museum experience, here are some ideas:

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Discovery Museum in Sausalito the first Wednesday of every other month
Exploratorium – The Exploratorium participates in the Discover & Go program, offering families free admission to over 35 Bay Area cultural attractions through local libraries.
SF Botanical Gardens – Free for SF residents everyday, all day

6. Presidio events

From kite festivals to interactive art installations and DJ dance parties, there’s always something fun happening. Explore the Presidio’s event calendar and get ready for a day filled with laughter, exploration, and creating unforgettable family moments.

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7. Fortune Cookie San Francisco

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Visit the Fortune Cookie Factory and witness the magic of how these iconic fortune cookies are made. Your curious crew will be amazed by this unique process, and everyone can enjoy a fresh, delicious cookie. It’s a fun and educational experience that’s perfect for a family day in the city by the bay! What more, you can create a very own city movie.

8. Hike the Golden Gate Parks

A perfect free family activity is taking the kids out for a full day of hiking on the gorgeous trails surrounding the Golden Gate Bridge.

You can check here to see all trails. Many offer amazing views of the bridge, waterfront, Alcatraz or unique views of wildlife and green forest terrain.

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9. Beach Clean Up

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Taking the kids to a beach clean up is great for two reasons: they get to do something good for their community, and they get to go to the beach!

There are many groups that offer beach cleanups. Here is one by the Pacific Beach Coalition. Sign-up and parking are completely free, all you need to bring is yourself, your kids, and some gloves and a bucket!

10. Marine Mammal Center

The Marine Mammal Center just north of Golden Gate Bridge is the world’s biggest marine mammal hospital–and it’s totally free!

You and your family can watch as veterinarians help adorable harbor seals, sea otters and more. They also have exhibits to learn more about the ocean. In the area there’s also amazing trails that overlook the Pacific ocean. For one day become a veterinary.

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Hopefully these ten free family activities have inspired you! Whether it’s creating narratives, inspiring love for nature and fresh air, or just hanging out together in your neighborhood, I hope you try out some of these ideas and let us know.

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The Best FREE Museums in the Bay Area

FAMILY FUN, LIFESTYLE

Free Museums list! Here are some of the best ideas for museums in the Bay Area! Treat your kids out to a special day See below for names and days of no-cost entry for San Francisco area museums. Times and dates might change.

Asian Art Museum

3D Pen to create art

May is Asian and Pacific Islander History Month and there’s no better way to celebrate than going to see one of the most comprehensive Asian art collections in the world.

FREE first Sundays of every month. Pop over here to plan your visit.

Asian Art Museum
200 Larkin St
San Francisco, CA 94102

Bay Area Discovery Museum

Bay Area Discovery Museum is a museum built for curious little minds. They have many exhibits, specializing in interactive how-it-works models and outdoor exploration.

FREE first Wednesdays of every month for Bay Area Residents.

Currently they require reservations for their free Wednesdays, which you can see listed here.

Bay Area Discovery Museum
557 McReynolds Road
Sausalito, CA 94965

Create own Story

California Academy of Sciences

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The California Academy of Science has many interactive exhibits for science lovers, such as their natural history museum, rainforest, planetarium, or aquarium.

FREE general museum admission four Sundays a year. See here for the next upcoming free dates.

FREE weekend dates for SF residents, based on your Bay Area zip code. Look here to see when your free day would be. Children under 2 always get in for free.

Golden Gate Park
55 Music Concourse Drive
San Francisco, CA 94118

Cantor Arts Center

Formerly known as the Stanford University Museum of Art, this museum offers insightful art exhibitions for patrons of all ages. Best of all, it’s a free museum!

FREE admission for all, however it does require timed tickets due to COVID.

Tresidder Memorial Union
2nd Floor
Stanford University

Build own Art

Cartoon Art Museum

Wall Art

Get entertained and educated at the Cartoon Art museum, which features panels and artwork from cartoons, comics and more.

FREE Museums visit first Tuesdays of every month. Children under 5 always get in for free. Click here for more info.

Cartoon Art Museum
781 Beach Street
San Francisco, CA 94109

Contemporary Jewish Museum

The CJM is a great non-collecting museum of Jewish culture, art, and heritage collections.
This museum is great for audiences of all backgrounds.

FREE First Tuesdays of each month. Children and teens under 18 get free entry always.

Contemporary Jewish Museum
736 Mission St
San Francisco, CA 94103

Create Art

Exploratorium

Science Kit

Explore light, shadow, and colors with this playful interactive art museum. They offer visual and physical exhibits perfect for any artsy or scientific brain.

FREE day once a year. Current day is set for Mother’s Day, May 10, 2020. Check out their calendar for other free online events.

Exploratorium
Pier 15 (Embarcadero at Green Street)
San Francisco, CA 94111

Museum of Craft and Design

Get your hands ready for all sorts of craft workshops and engaging design displays.

FREE Museums visit first Tuesday of each month. (EDIT: the museum had to adjust their hours and they will offer another free day in the near future)

The museum gives free admission to EBT holders, first responders, and military personnel and their families. Children under 12 get in for free. Check here for more detailed info.

Museum of Craft and Design
2569 Third Street
San Francisco CA

Bird House

Oakland Museum of California

Craft Set

Gather for incredible art, powerful exhibitions, engaging late-night events and community parties at the Oakland Museum of California.

First Sundays of the month are free with a suggested donation of $5. You can check here for their many free museum day policies. Children under 8 always get in for free.

Oakland Museum of California
1000 Oak Street
Oakland, CA

San Francisco Zoo

The San Francisco Zoo is a 100-acre zoo with over 250 different species. They have themed exhibits, such as the Australian Outback to the African Savannah. They also offer a children’s zoo.

SF Zoo used to offer FREE Wednesdays each month. Those services are currently suspended due to COVID, but keep checking here for updates.

San Francisco Zoo
Sloat Blvd. & Great Highway
San Francisco, CA

Animal Craft

SF Botanical Garden

Flower Art

Get some time out in nature at the beautiful San Francisco Botanical Garden. There are 55 acres of themed oases showcasing plants from all over the world!

FREE for SF Residents with ID.

Also FREE everyday from 7:30am-9am, every first Tuesday, or Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Years Day.

San Francisco Botanical Garden – Golden Gate Park
1199 9th Ave
San Francisco, CA, 94122

SFMOMA

Experience incredible contemporary art at the SF MOMA. They have world-class art exhibits, outdoor sections and spaces for kids to enjoy.

FREE on specific community days and family days (for up to two adults and a minor under 18). Check their calendar for upcoming dates. Children under 18 always get in for free.

You can also explore their 45,000 square feet of public space at no charge.

SF MOMA
151 Third St
San Francisco, CA 94103

Window Art

Yerba Buena Center for the Arts

Puzzle Art

Yerba Buena Center is a contemporary art museum featuring visual and performative arts. Check it out for exhibitions on culture and local communities.

FREE First Tuesdays of each month.

Yerba Buena Center
701 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA 94103

We hope you enjoyed our list of free museums in the Bay Area and share with us how was your experience.

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7 Resistance Band Exercises You Can Easily Fit into Your Schedule

LIFESTYLE

Whether you’re a fitness fanatic or a total beginner, a resistance band can be a great tool to make your workouts more effective. They are lightweight, durable bands that, as you might’ve guessed, add a little resistance to your movements.

Resistance bands for anyone of any level. Unlike dumbbells or kettlebells, they’re easier on your joints and can help with targeting more specific muscle groups. The goal is to increase tension, but you’re still relying on your body’s natural weight.

RESISTANCE BAND

More and more people are working out at home. Buying equipment can get expensive–and they take up space. If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative to weight sets, consider resistance bands. Because they’re small and flat, they’re easy to store or pack. This can be great if you’re low on free space or want to maintain your routine while traveling.

Here’s a 7-step resistance band routine that you can start today! These exercises can be done individually or all together. You can repeat as many times as you like, creating your very own resistance band workout!

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1. Squat Jumps x10

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Place the resistance band on your thighs, right above your knees.
Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and squat down. Make sure your knees don’t go past your toes. You should feel this in your glutes and thighs.
Jump forward about a foot. Pause if you need so you don’t lose your balance. Then jump back the same distance. Stay low in your squat. This counts as one rep.

2 . Glute Kickbacks x10

With the resistance band around your thighs, place your elbows and knees on the ground.
Keeping your knee bent, lift one leg into the air. Try to get it as high as you can.
Slowly bring your leg back down. This counts as one rep.
Repeat with the other leg for 10 reps.

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3. Fire Hydrant x10

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Start with your hands and knees on the ground. The resistance band will stay around your thighs.
Lift one leg out sideways, opening up from your hip. Imagine a dog lifting its leg near a fire hydrant!
Bring your leg back down to starting position. This counts as one rep.
Repeat with your other leg for 10 reps.

4. Bridges x15

Lie on your back with arms on either side and the resistance band above your knees. Place your feet firmly on the ground with your knees in the air.
Squeezing your glutes and abs, push your bum off the mat and into the air, lifting your hips off the mat. Your body will make a straight line from shoulders to knees.
Hold for one second then relax back down to the mat. This is one rep.

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5. Single Leg Bridge x10

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Stay lying on the mat with your hands on either side and the band still around your thighs.
This time, bring one leg up straight into the air. Don’t bend at the knee.
Lift your hips off the mat like you would for a normal bridge. Squeeze your abs and glutes and lift until your body is in a straight line.
Hold for one second and relax your torso back down. Your leg will stay in the air. This is one rep.
Switch legs and repeat for 10 reps.

6. Clams x15

Lie on your side with one arm under your head. Your other arm can rest on the mat for balance.
Keep your legs bent and your feet together.
Slowly lift your top knee up into the air, squeezing your glutes. Don’t move your foot. You’ll feel a stretch in your hips.
Bring your leg back down to meet your other knee. This counts as one rep.
Turn onto your other side and repeat with the opposite leg for 15 reps.

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7. Plank Jacks x15

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Place your resistance band around your ankles. Start in a plank position with your elbows on the ground and your feet close together. Remember to keep your body in a straight line.
Jump your legs out apart, about shoulder-width apart.
Then jump back so your feet are together again. This is one rep.

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6 Fun and Educational Board Games For Kids

GAMES, LIFESTYLE, PARENTING

You probably remember playing board games as a kid–and probably as an adult, too! Maybe it was something you did often, or maybe only after a holiday dinner or at a sleepover. These days, they might seem antiquated among the likes of video games, tv shows, and tablet screens. However, there are so many more options than just Uno or Monopoly. Now more than ever, board games are a great way to not only entertain your kids but get them thinking and learning too! Here are 6 fun, educational board games for your kids, divided into two age groups.

AGES (3-6)

Skillmatics Educational Game: I Can Write (3-6 Years)

I Can Write is an interactive game meant for preschoolers to practice their writing and fine motor skills. It comes with 6 durable, double-sided writing mats and a wipe cloth so they can erase their mistakes and keep going. Your child will practice writing the alphabet, shapes, colors, and body parts. It even comes with an achievement certificate for when they finish.

Giant Ludo and Snakes & Ladders Board Game

You might be familiar with Snakes and Ladders! This game is as simple as it is classic: the first player to get to spot 100 wins. On the other side of this board is Ludo, where they race to the finish line by using a roll of dice. This game board has no reading required and it’s perfect for young ones learning to count and add. Meant for 2-4 players, the games also build their social skills and cooperation.

Zingo Bingo Preschool Game for Pre-Readers

Zingo is a version of bingo that’s great for young players who are developing their reading and pattern-finding abilities. The bingo board has large pictures and letters so they can practice their matching and word-association skills. It can be played with up to 7 people and comes with two levels, so you can choose the difficulty.

AGES 7-12

Skillmatics Educational Game: Animal Planet

Animal Planet is a card game that can be played individually or with teams of up to 6 people. Players can guess up to ten questions to find out which animal is on the game card. If you guess right, you keep the game card, and whoever gets to 7 game cards wins! This game encourages your child to ask questions and use the answers to think critically.

Ravensburger Labyrinth Family Board Game

World-famous, Labyrinth is a game in which you must find the shortest route out of the maze. Each turn you can collect treasure cards or block your opponent’s path. This one requires 2-4 players and tests all sorts of skills–planning, cooperation, and cause and effect. It will get your child thinking strategically, and it has a fun adventure theme!

Taco vs Burrito – The Wildly Popular Surprisingly Strategic Card Game

Taco vs Burrito is another strategic card game, but this one was created by a 7 year old. You use the cards to create the wackiest, craziest meal. It sounds simple but, like in Uno, you can play nice or sabotage another player, so this game can be surprisingly strategic.

Do you have other favorite games? Share with us

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