May 2013 Newsletter
May is a great time for family fun in the Bay Area. Enjoy theater performances, family concerts, art workshops, cultural festivals, outdoor adventures and more! Celebrate Cinco de Mayo and Mother's Day with special activities.Below are just some of the many events happening in the Bay Area this month. Find more Fun Activities & Events.
There's still time to register for great Summer Camps!
Does your child have an upcoming birthday? Use our Party Directory to find local entertainers, rentals, and party places for a fantastic celebration. Visit Kids' Party Fun for over 100 fun party themes.
Have a wonderful May in the Bay Area!
Featured Events
Disney's Aladdin Jr by CMTSJ ~ San Jose, May 2-5
CMT Rising Stars (ages 8-14) performs Disney's Aladdin Jr. May 2 through May 5 at the Montgomery Theater in San Jose. Filled with magic, mayhem, and flying carpet rides, audiences' spirits will soar with excitement. Most of all, the tuneful, Academy award-winning score with songs including "A Whole New World" and "Friend Like Me" will certainly make this musical a favorite of the season!
Knuffle Bunny by Bay Area Children's Theater ~ Berkeley, May 4-5 and San Ramon, May 11-19
Prepare for the clothes to fly in this musical version of the hilarious picture book about the adventures of toddler Trixie and her beloved stuffed animal, a certain Knuffle Bunny, when they go off to the laundromat with her somewhat distracted dad. You'll love the antics, as Mom raises a seasoned eyebrow, and Dad learns it can be tricky to do the laundry with Trixie.
Children's Musical Theater Auditions ~ San Jose, May 7-9
CMT Rising Stars (Ages 8-14) will be auditioning for The Music Man, a five time Tony Award-winning musical theatre classic. This toe-tapping production will put a spring in your step and a song in your heart. Children's Musical Theater is the longest thriving arts organization in San Jose, the number one youth theater in the country, and boastfully casts every child who auditions.
Mother-Daughter Creative Writing Workshops ~ Berkeley, May 5 & San Francisco, May 11
We have just the panacea for the hustle and bustle of a busy week - spend an afternoon leaping into your imagination and swimming around in your creativity! Our adventure with pencil and paper is for mothers, daughters, grandmothers and nieces alike, and will lead both of you to little-explored places and give you the satisfaction that comes from creating something new. $99 per pair | Suggested ages 8-11
Pony Rides and Petting Zoo at Play Cafe ~ Oakland, May 4
Come see, pet and adore ponies, goats, rabbits, chickens, ducks, geese, pot belly pig, sheep and turkeys. Admission $10 per child.
Mother's Day Tea Party at Color Me Mine ~ Daly City, May 12
Hey Moms! It's your special day! We invite you to bring your children, enjoy each others company and relax while you paint on this very special Mother's Day. Tea Cups with Saucers for each. Tea & Biscuits will be served.
Green Kids Conference ~ Mountain View, June 1
A conference dedicated for children – 3 to 18 years. Our goal is to educate kids and their families on environmental issues, make them aware of available resources and opportunities, and also to promote, encourage, and reward new innovative ideas. For details and registration go to http://greenkidsconference.org. Come and explore your passion for our planet! ***Admission Free***
SF Youth Ballet Presents "Copellia" ~ San Francisco, June 1 & 2
"Copellia" is wonderfully enchanting story, perfect for young audiences! A beautiful doll sits posed on a balcony reading, and a boy named Franz falls deeply in love with her believing she is a real girl. Franz's fiancé, Swanhilda uncovers the dolls identity and hysterical chaos ensues! All is soon forgiven and the ballet concludes with a beautiful wedding celebration. You will not want to miss this family favorite. Tickets $15 http://www.sanfranciscoyouthballet.org
Free Family Day at SFMOMA ~ San Francisco, June 2
It’s TIME to move! Take part in inventive art projects, hands-on gallery activities, and loads of family fun on SFMOMA’s last day in this building. What a way to spend the day! Sunday, June 2, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission is FREE for everyone.
Children's Theater
Robin Hood by Fantasy Forum - Walnut Creek, May 2-5Cinderella by San Ramon Community Theater - San Ramon, May 3-5
Tom Sawyer by Pied Piper Players - San Mateo, May 3-5
The Emperor and the Nightingale by CTC - Sunnyvale, May 4, 11
Sneak Peak at Berkeley Rep - Berkeley, May 5
Rumpelstiltskin - Saratoga, May 5
Ramayana by Civic Arts Stage Company - Pleasanton, May 10-19
The Adventures of Nate the Great by PYT - Mountain View, May 17-18
Alice in Wonderland by Contra Costa Ballet - Walnut Creek, May 17-18
Family Concerts
Solano Kids Rock - Vallejo, May 4Family Jazz Matinee - San Francisco, May 11
JamBand - San Francisco, May 11
Hip Kids Music Series at BADM - Sausalito, May 11
The Hipwaders at CJM - San Francisco, May 12
Animals & Nature
Wing Ding Family Fest - Los Altos Hills, May 4Family Fun at Green Gulch Farm - Muir Beach, May 5
Penguins and Pajamas Sleepover at Cal Academy - San Francisco, May 10
South Bay Bird Fest - Alviso, May 11
Marine Science Sunday - Sausalito, May 12
Spring Tour at Deer Hollow Farm - Mountain View, May 18
Insect Fair by Youth Science Institute - Saratoga, May 18
Field and Family Wildflower Walk - Sausalito, May 18
Butterfly Garden Scavenger Hunt - Alviso, May 19
Arts & Crafts
Free Community Day at San Jose Museum of Art - San Jose, May 4Home Depot Kids Workshop: Herb Planter - throughout Bay Area, May 4
Family Sunday at SFMOMA - San Francisco, May 5, 12, 19, 26
Papercuts and Portraits at CJM - San Francisco, May 5, 12, 19, 26
Family Sundays at Cantor Museum - Stanford, May 5, 12, 19, 26
The Big Draw - Pleasanton, May 11
Culture & History
Playing in the Past Preschool Activity Hour - Redwood City, May 3Children's Day Festival in Japantown - San Francisco, May 4
Gold Panning at OMCA - Oakland, May 5, 12, 19, 26
Living History Day at Case Grande - San Jose, May 5
Old Woodside Store Day - Woodside, May 5
Stanford Pow Wow - Stanford, May 10-12
Hungarian Heritage Festival - Belmont, May 11
Oakland Greek Festival - Oakland, May 17-19
Himalayan Fair - Berkeley, May 18-19
Science & Technology
Behind the BLOX Video Game Company Tour - San Mateo, May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31Space Day at Chabot - Oakland, May 4
Seaplane Adventure Day - San Carlos, May 4
Drop-In Science at Randall Museum - San Francisco, May 4, 11, 18, 25
Cinco de Mayo
Cinco de Mayo Festival - San Francisco, May 4Cinco de Mayo at Berryessa Library - San Jose, May 4
Cinco de Mayo Fiesta - Moraga, May 5
Cinco de Mayo at The Mexican Museum - San Francisco, May 5
Cinco de Mayo Festival - Sonoma, May 5
Mother's Day
Mother's Day Hike at Chabot - Oakland, May 11Almost Mother's Day Kids Concert - Redwood City, May 11
Mother's Day Beginning Birdwatching - Alviso, May 12
Mother's Day Tea at UC Botanical Garden - Berkeley, May 12
Mother's Day in Bloom - Sausalito, May 12
Mother's Day Magic at Ruth Bancroft Garden - Walnut Creek, May 12
More Events & Activities
Teddy Bear Fair - Cupertino, May 4May Fete Parade - Palo Alto, May 4
Remarkable Girls Comedy Workshop - San Francisco, May 5
Dan Chan the Magic Man - Danville, May 10
Marin Healthy Palooza - Mill Valley, May 11
Bay Area Storytelling Festival - Richmond, May 17-19
Storybook Ball - Mill Valley, May 19
Kidfest - Concord, May 25-27
Family Dance Class with ODC - San Francisco, May 26
San Ramon Art & Wind Festival - San Ramon, May 26-27