From family-friendly tourist spots to epic ongoing events, these things to do with kids in San Francisco are absolute staples.
Read on for a comprehensive breakdown of kid-friendly activities, events, and attractions in SF — be sure to read more about each activity on its respective website for more specific information about visiting with kids.
Thrive City hosts ongoing free family activities throughout the year, many of which coincide with holidays or city events. From summer movie nights to free winter ice skating, you’ll find some wonderful gems on their calendar for all ages and interests.
For a magical night out beyond San Francisco, see 1,200 illuminated drones take flight in an unforgettable open-air spectacle in San Jose, depicting your favorite characters and moments from the Harry Potter™ films.
If you miss the show on Fourth of July weekend, you can also get tickets to the event in Sacramento on August 14-15, 2026.
Golden Gate Park’s Bandshell presents bringing dozens of free concerts almost year-round. All performances are free and family-friendly, with the impressive Golden Gate Bandshell as the backdrop.
Circus Bella is a local circus troupe that puts on free, open-air performances. You can expect to see exciting acts including a clown, juggling and unicycle, contortion, aerial rope, balance board, hula hoops, bottle walking, Chinese pole, and more.
Club Fugazi is a beloved SF social club with a long history of excellent performances. Their current endeavor, Dear San Francisco, is absolutely not to be missed! Embark on an exhilarating acrobatic journey through the city’s history, told through acrobatics, hoop diving, choreography, hand-balancing, spoken word, and more.
This aquarium in San Francisco is home to over 20,000 marine animals including sharks, octopus, jellyfish, otters, and more. Enjoy walk-through tunnels and other exciting exhibits as you learn all about these fascinating creatures.
Stagecoach Greens is a Boom-and-Bust mini golf course at Parklab Gardens, which also offers tipis and bungalows for rent and plenty of food trucks across the street at SPARK Social SF.
This glowing ballet performance of The Sleeping Beauty is good for ages 8 and up. See talented local dancers don glowing costumes in a memorable ballet showcase.
The Escape Game: Offers locally-inspired escape rooms including a popular Alcatraz-themed prison break puzzle, at various difficulty levels.
Palace Games: A local favorite for escape rooms with high production value, including the Great Houdini Escape Room.
EscapeSF: One of the more affordable escape rooms in SF with high-tech automation and fun themes.
Witness the magic of Candlelight at some of the city’s most beautiful venues. This worldwide phenomenon is suitable for everyone over the age of 8, paying tribute to a wide array of musical artists, from Pop to Rock and KPop to Reggeaton. Music comes to life performed by talented musicians by the light of thousands of flickering candles. Young and mature aficionados alike will appreciate the experience.
Bring coins to operate the machines
One of the world’s largest private collections of coin-operated mechanical instruments, located at Pier 45 at Fisherman’s Wharf. The museum is free but you’ll need to bring coins to operate the machines.
This fascinating museum in the Presidio is dedicated to the legacy of Walt Disney. Learn about his life and extensive career through exhibitions of his awards, a giant model of Disneyland, and more.
House of Air
House of Air is an indoor trampoline and “adrenaline park,” perfect for those hyperactive kids who love to tumble and play. They have special kids’ zones for the littlest jumpers.
The Academy of Sciences as we know it has been around since its 2008 remodel, but its origins go back to 1853. Kids will love Claude the albino alligator, the four-story indoor rainforest aflutter with free-flying birds and butterflies, and the Penguins and Pajamas sleepover series.
The Exploratorium isn’t your average museum experience – in fact, they’ve been making their own interactive exhibits since 1969. Explore and play with over 650 fun exhibits for all ages.
Children’s Creativity Museum
The Children’s Creativity Museum is geared towards kids twelve and under. Exhibits include an Innovation Lab for creating flying machines and critters, an Animation Studio teaching the basics of stop-motion animation, and a Storybook Park with a sensory alphabet and reading tree.
Quit monkeying around and make sure to check up on your favorite animals! Popular exhibits at the San Francisco Zoo are the Outback Trail, Grizzly Gulch, Penguin Island, the Lion House, and the Insect Zoo.
Have you seen these adorable tiny libraries around the city? Global nonprofit Little Free Library (LFL) is a worldwide phenomenon, and we’re lucky enough to have 50 of the tiny libraries here in San Francisco.
The SF Public Library system is a great resource for kids and adults of all ages. Most local branches have free kids’ programming, reading circles, and much more.
826 Valencia is a local nonprofit that supports under-resourced students and teachers with an emphasis on improving writing skills.
San Francisco has some of the best playgrounds in the nation, and the City’s children have a total of 179 play areas to enjoy. Some of the most exciting recently-renovated ones include the George Christopher Playground in Diamond Heights and the Willie “Woo Woo” Wong Playground in Chinatown.
Did you know that Salesforce Park hosts a ton of free activities every week, including exercise classes and family play time? Check out Toddler Tuesdays and the Recess Cart for families.
The brand-new Presidio Tunnel Tops just opened a few years ago. Look for their schedule of family-friendly activities or just go to enjoy the sights!
Kids who love nature will have a blast on some of the Bay’s easier hiking and walking routes.
Neighborhood slides
Seward Street Slides: For decades, thrill-seeking adults and children alike have enjoyed these legendary slides hidden near the Castro. The Seward Street Slides were designed by a 14-year old girl named Kim Clark, who grew up nearby.
Esmeralda Slide Park: In the late 1970s, Esmeralda Slide Park was officially unveiled in Bernal Heights with two 40-foot metal slides. It’s a hidden neighborhood gem, complete with a sweet garden and great views, created by neighborhood volunteers.
Pinnacles National Park (Paicines): Volcanic eruptions created this unique national park 2 hours south of San Francisco. With over 30 miles of trails, it’s a great spot to keep going back to. You can do a strenuous hike that takes you through rocky terrain, or an easy walk through the grasslands.
Filoli Estate & Gardens (Woodside): This historical estate and gardens in Woodside cover 16 immaculate acres, having been beautifully maintained for over a century. They often have seasonal programming that’s especially great for kids.
Inverness Shipwreck (Inverness): The S.S. Point Reyes is an old abandoned fishing boat that’s been stranded on a sand bar in Inverness for several decades. There’s an old dirt trail that takes you near it, and even a small picnic area. Bring your best waterproof shoes!
Wilder Ranch (north of Santa Cruz): Wilder Ranch State Park, just a few minutes south of Davenport, is a 7,000 acre ranch from the late 1800s converted into a museum and nature preserve. This historic site sits along the Santa Cruz County coastline and is home to spectacular views, hikes, sea caves, and wildlife.
Warning: The beaches in San Francisco are unsafe for swimming (and even wading) due to powerful sneaker waves and rip currents – so be sure to keep your kids close. However, they are great for watching the sunset or enjoying a beach picnic!
- Ocean Beach (Free, San Francisco): This stunning beach along the west coast of the city is perfect for bonfires (March through October), but remember that the water is extremely unsafe.
- Baker Beach (Free, San Francisco): Watch the sunset or enjoy a picnic at this beach with views of the Golden Gate Bridge. Be advised that the northernmost part of the beach is clothing-optional.
Gardens of Golden Gate Park
The Gardens of Golden Gate Park are free for SF City & County residents. If you’re not a resident, general admission ranges from $3-13 and is free for kids under 5.
- SF Botanical Garden: The SF Botanical Garden boasts nearly 8,000 types of plants across 55 acres.
- Conservatory of Flowers: A national, state, and local landmark that has curated their famous collection of plants since 1875 with giant water lilies and rare plants.
- Japanese Tea Garden: The oldest public Japanese garden in the United States, with a koi pond and tea house.
San Francisco is full of amazing activities and resources for just about any hobby you can think of – and SF Rec & Parks knows it. They offer excellent programming for children and adults every season including pickleball, tennis, ceramics, photography, sewing, and more.
Tidepooling is a fun activity for kids and adults alike, but remember: you’re a guest in these critters’ habitat, so try not to disturb whatever you find and always watch your step. Be sure to visit at low tide, and watch out for sneaker waves.
