A program dedicated to exposing kids to the arts includes
classic film screenings and other cultural activities for teens such as Saturday gallery and museum visits;
free tickets to opera, symphony, theater and dance performances; and other fun activities, including a film-making workshop.

Film screenings are held in the Randall Museum Theater and at The Delancey Street Screening Room at 7pm on selected Fridays during the school year. The program is mentored by Ron Chase, media critic for KALW. Admission is free to the screenings, and parents are welcome to attend.

Check the website www.artandfilm.org or www.afcurrent.org for up-to-date event listings.

A program dedicated to exposing kids to the arts includes
classic film screenings and other cultural activities for teens such as Saturday gallery and museum visits;
free tickets to opera, symphony, theater and dance performances; and other fun activities, including a film-making workshop.

Film screenings are held in the Randall Museum Theater and at The Delancey Street Screening Room at 7pm on selected Fridays during the school year. The program is mentored by Ron Chase, media critic for KALW. Admission is free to the screenings, and parents are welcome to attend.

Check the website www.artandfilm.org or www.afcurrent.org for up-to-date event listings.

A paint-it-yourself ceramic studio specializing in activities for kids of all ages. the studio has a toddler play area and hosts birthday parties, day camps, afterschool programs, and toddler programs.

A paint-it-yourself ceramic studio specializing in activities for kids of all ages. the studio has a toddler play area and hosts birthday parties, day camps, afterschool programs, and toddler programs.

Artery is Noe Valley's place for artful revery! Owner Paula Benton opened the intimate art studio to offer San Francisco residents, young and old, an inviting venue in which to experience creative exploration and process-oriented art.

Numerous classes cover a range of artistic disciplines, and are taught by professional artists/educators on a weekly basis, including Terrific Twos (for students ages 18-35 months with an adult), Preschool Art (for students ages three to five years who are developmentally ready to create without a parent or guardian in the room, Trading Card Creation (six to eight years), ArtBOTS (seven to nine years), Drawing class (eight to twelve), and Beadwork Jewelry (13 and older). Adult classes are available as well.

Check the web site for detailed class descriptions, instructor biographies, fees, times and dates.

On alternate Sunday afternoons, Artery is available for small children's birthday art parties. Instructors lead age-appropriate art projects; and there's no need for store-bought party favors - each child leaves with a handmade treasure. Partiers bring their own music and cake. The $150 fee includes studio, instructor, materials for 10 kids, and a bubble machine!

Artery is Noe Valley's place for artful revery! Owner Paula Benton opened the intimate art studio to offer San Francisco residents, young and old, an inviting venue in which to experience creative exploration and process-oriented art.

Numerous classes cover a range of artistic disciplines, and are taught by professional artists/educators on a weekly basis, including Terrific Twos (for students ages 18-35 months with an adult), Preschool Art (for students ages three to five years who are developmentally ready to create without a parent or guardian in the room, Trading Card Creation (six to eight years), ArtBOTS (seven to nine years), Drawing class (eight to twelve), and Beadwork Jewelry (13 and older). Adult classes are available as well.

Check the web site for detailed class descriptions, instructor biographies, fees, times and dates.

On alternate Sunday afternoons, Artery is available for small children's birthday art parties. Instructors lead age-appropriate art projects; and there's no need for store-bought party favors - each child leaves with a handmade treasure. Partiers bring their own music and cake. The $150 fee includes studio, instructor, materials for 10 kids, and a bubble machine!

ArtWorks Fine Art Studio, formerly known as KidsArt, teaches children, teens, and adults the principles of fine art using a classically-based method, customized curriculum, and individualized instruction. Trained artists offer students a foundation in artistic skills and knowledge of materials. The year-round program starts with drawing, and progresses through watercolor, acrylic, oil, and advanced study courses.

ArtWorks offers Summer Workshops and Art Camps for children and teens, ages four to 16. Class descriptions and registration forms are available online or by calling the office.

ArtWorks Fine Art Studio, formerly known as KidsArt, teaches children, teens, and adults the principles of fine art using a classically-based method, customized curriculum, and individualized instruction. Trained artists offer students a foundation in artistic skills and knowledge of materials. The year-round program starts with drawing, and progresses through watercolor, acrylic, oil, and advanced study courses.

ArtWorks offers Summer Workshops and Art Camps for children and teens, ages four to 16. Class descriptions and registration forms are available online or by calling the office.

The winner of our 2008 Parents' Picks quest to find the best Enviro-friendly Place in the Bay Area, this museum is about as hands-on as it gets, which means it gets high marks as a kid's destination. Located next to the Golden Gate Bridge, it's housed in a cluster of buildings that were once part of Fort Baker, a military installation that guarded San Francisco Bay.

The exhibits change every so often and successfully engage kids on many levels. Visiting exhibits have included The Monkey King, an interactive version of the
classic Chinese story of the mischievous monkey, or the bilingual Berenstain Bears exhibit which takes families inside the famous tree house where kids can play the "When I Grow Up game", or Joshua's Journey, where children "rope a steer" and cook vittles over the campfire while
learning about the black cowboys of the Wild West.

The Museum's latest permanent addition - Lookout Cove - is a 2.5-acre outdoor adventure zone with a 1595 shipwreck replica, a rocky sea cave, a crow's nest, a two-ton redwood log, and a climbable Golden Gate bridge!

Other constants include a science lab focusing on waves and wind, an arts studio in which kids can create something new to take home, and a Discovery Center for little kids, called Tot Spot, that is so engaging big kids are always trying to sneak in.

Bring lunch and picnic on one of the tables there. Or buy refreshments at the small cafe that caters to kids.

Day Camps: are offered in weekly sessions during the summer, and during the first two weeks of April for Spring Break. Themes include Acrobatic and Aerial Arts, Art Dabbler, Building Blocks of Architecture, Carpenter's Apprentice, Clay Play, Creative Drama, Creature Features, Drumming Magic, Elements of Art, Fort Building, House of Samba, Kids' Chemistry, Mural Magic, On the Bay, On the Spot Improv, San Francisco Science, Shipwrecked, Soapbox Cars, Treasure Hunt, and Water Wonders. Membership saves on camp fees. Materials fees may also apply.

Family Programs: The Museum organizes art workshops, and dramatic performances. Check the website, or the GoCityKids calendar, for upcoming events.

Parties: The museum's birthday party room is available in 90-minute slots on Saturdays and Sundays between 10am-3pm. A birthday party package includes exclusive use of the party room for one and a half hours, and free admission to the Museum for the day for party guests. Limit of 30 children maximum; 30 adults. Cost runs $200 (members), $225 (general), and up.

The YMCA in downtown Berkeley offers three pools, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and comprehensive youth, teen, senior and adult programs. The center is known for solid, affordable, family-based recreation programs, afterschool activities, sports leagues, and summer camps. Hundreds of classes are offered ranging from dance, gymnastics, swimming, and basketball to yoga, kick-boxing and lifeguarding certification.

The center also has a kindergym - an indoor
playground with a bounce house, ball pit, and climbing structures.

For Kids Night Out, contact 510.665.3241.

The YMCA in downtown Berkeley offers three pools, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and comprehensive youth, teen, senior and adult programs. The center is known for solid, affordable, family-based recreation programs, afterschool activities, sports leagues, and summer camps. Hundreds of classes are offered ranging from dance, gymnastics, swimming, and basketball to yoga, kick-boxing and lifeguarding certification.

The center also has a kindergym - an indoor
playground with a bounce house, ball pit, and climbing structures.

For Kids Night Out, contact 510.665.3241.

Blue Sky Family Club offers sports, gym, dance, art, and music activities for families. The club also hosts fee-based classes and special events.

All-inclusive birthday party packages include food, a private room, individual activities, and a birthday "butler."

A paint-your-own pottery studio that travels to homes and schools. BrushFire Pottery Studio brings bisque, paints and everything else necessary to paint ceramics. The studio also pick up the pieces from customers' locations, glazes and fires them in the kiln, and returns them to the location. Their services are offered to school groups, scouts, afterschool programs, parties, and more.

The winner of our 2008 Parents' Picks quest to find the best Artsy Class for Little Kids and Artsy Class for Big Kids in the Bay Area, Busy Little Hands offers workshops for children age 20 months through age 11. The group has many choices of morning toddler and preschool workshops at various times and also afterschool programs for school-age children.

Birthday Parties are held on Saturdays by reservation.

Cafe Art is a hands-on ceramic studio for kids of all ages. The studio has hundreds of ceramics to choose from and provides all the painting supplies. When a client has completed a piece, they dip and fire it. Pieces are usually ready in four days. Cafe Art also offers birthday parties.

Cafe Art is a hands-on ceramic studio for kids of all ages. The studio has hundreds of ceramics to choose from and provides all the painting supplies. When a client has completed a piece, they dip and fire it. Pieces are usually ready in four days. Cafe Art also offers birthday parties.

A fairly low-key museum that highlights the art of cartooning. On display are still and animated cartoons. Founded in 1984, the museum is the only place on the West Coast that's dedicated to preserving cartoons in their original form.

Its 12,000 piece permanent collection includes a sampling of Dennis the Menace, Charlie Brown, and Bugs Bunny. This is probably best for kids who are true cartoon buffs; not dynamic enough for the casual observer.

Cartooning classes: The Cartoon Art Museum offers Saturday afternoon cartooning classes from 1pm to 3pm at least once per month. Students learn fundamental aspects of cartooning such as character design, the language of cartooning and storytelling through use of techniques from comic books, comic strips, and animation.

These classes are recommended for cartoonists from the agesof eight to 14, and are $5 per child with paid admission. No
reservations are required, but please be advised that the class size is limited to approximately 20 students per week. For more information, contact Gallery Manager
Andrew Farago at 415.227.8666, ex 314 or via e-mail:
gallery@cartoonart.org.

Cartoon Boot Camp Cartoonist Brian Kolm leads a series of weeklong summer camps for children, ages ten to 14. The camp follows the process of creation from initial concept to final character design - including
character creation, rendering of 3-D objects, perspective, layout, and creating a unique personality for characters. Please contact Summerlea Kashar at office@cartoonart.org for more information.

Celebrate Art offers art lessons and workshops for children ages two to ten.

The group hosts weekly drop-in art playgroups for young children and three classes for children under five years old - Color Class, Toddler Time, and Preschool Picassos.

Each month Celebrate Art opens at least one Saturday and one Sunday a month for Family Art Open Studio. Check the website for dates and projects.

Celebrate Art also hosts art birthday parties, playgroups, and Moms Night Out.

Celebrate Art offers art lessons and workshops for children ages two to ten.

The group hosts weekly drop-in art playgroups for young children and three classes for children under five years old - Color Class, Toddler Time, and Preschool Picassos.

Each month Celebrate Art opens at least one Saturday and one Sunday a month for Family Art Open Studio. Check the website for dates and projects.

Celebrate Art also hosts art birthday parties, playgroups, and Moms Night Out.

Cell Space offers a public environment for the exploration of art, education, performance, and community building.

Centro Las Olas is a Reggio Emilia-inspired, Spanish-immersion preschool.

A class held in a working artist's studio in the Mission District, which explores the basics of drawing and painting with a wide variety of materials. Participants work on individual projects, look at the work of other artists, and keep a personal art journal.

Teacher Lani Asher has worked for LEAP, the San Francisco Unified School District, the Hills Project, and the Palo Alto Children’s Museum.Other classes forming.

A class held in a working artist's studio in the Mission District, which explores the basics of drawing and painting with a wide variety of materials. Participants work on individual projects, look at the work of other artists, and keep a personal art journal.

Teacher Lani Asher has worked for LEAP, the San Francisco Unified School District, the Hills Project, and the Palo Alto Children’s Museum.Other classes forming.

Creative Learning through Arts Programs (CLAP) specializes in educational and entertaining performing arts programs for children. Enriching courses and fun themes expose participants to various forms of the arts while nurturing their self-esteem and encouraging creativity and self-expression.

Visit the CLAP Arts website for class locations, summer camp listings, parties, and other program information.

CLAP Arts actors and dancers are also available for birthday parties.

Check the website for CLAP Arts locations.

Color Me Mine of San Rafael is a paint-your-own pottery studio that offers a wide variety of pieces to paint - both practical and whimsical.

A private party room is available for birthdays and playgroups.

CSMA hosts kids concerts, has a fantastic birthday party program, and offers art and music classes and summer and vacation art camps.

Art parties are offered for children in preschool through middle school. Select from several fun themes the program is tailored to your child's age level. Kids complete 2-4 projects, depending on age and selection of projects. Prices start at $200 for 1-10 children. The cost is $10 extra for each additional child, with a maximum of 20 children. Parties are held on Saturdays and Sundays, and reservations must be made at least three weeks in advance.

Founded in 1895 in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, the de Young Museum has been an integral part of the cultural fabric of the city for over 100 years.


In October 2005, the de Young reopened in a state-of-the-art new building that showcases the museum's collections of American art from the 17th through the 20th centuries, art from Central and South America, and from the Pacific and Africa, as well as a diverse collection of textiles.

The museum's features targeted toward young ones include the Kimball Education Gallery - with multi-media installations related to the collections, the Artist Studio Program which features artists whose projects involve active participation of visitors of all ages, two outdoor sculpture gardens which are great for kids, a family audio tour, family tours of the galleries, and hands-on workshops.

The museum also offers an Art in the Summer program for children ages four to 14. Advance registration is required for these four-day sessions, which explore the de Young's galleries and also include visual and performing art activities. For more information, email elewmorris@famsf.org or call 415.415.750.3658.

Destination Art offers offers Saturday morning arts and crafts workshops - knitting, sewing, ceramics, paper mache, and more - for children of all ages.

The studio also offers summer camp programs, craft parties and art-themed birthday parties; it provides materials and instruction for all the guests.

Please call in advance to verify workshops and programs.

Digiquest Digital Media Workshops offer kids the chance to create their own movies on location and edit digital media using Final Cut Pro, Live Type, GarageBand, Motion, and more. Workshop participants can produce their own shows in a professional TV studio that air on cable TV.

Doodlebug sells everything from toys and games to art supplies and puzzles.

The store offers workshops on pottery painting and other craft activities, as well as summer camp classes. It is also available for birthday parties.

Dragonfly Designs brings the creativity of beading to a location of the client's choice with age appropriate beading parties for children, teens, and adults.

The company also offers age appropriate after school jewelry making classes in its South San Francisco location for children and teens.

Included in the two-hour party are invitations, beaded jewelry projects, and a party pouch to hold the newly made treasures. Custom theme charms are also available.

The Excelsior Youth Center provides free Saturday programs, including sports, cooking, open gym, arts, puppetry, drama, and family storytime.

Toddlers (ages three to five) can learn new sports and motor skills or attend storytime with their families. Elementary school-aged children can stay healthy while playing sports, or explore their artistic side while creating masterpieces in puppetry or cooking. Older youth can learn to be stars in the acting and drama class, or let out some energy while playing pick-up sports in the open gym.

The Center also regularly hosts family and cultural events.

Located on 13 waterfront acres in San Francisco's Marina District and near the Golden Gate Bridge, Fort Mason Center is a converted military base that houses two dozen permanent nonprofit residents, including two museums, six theaters, and City College of San Francisco's Art Campus.

Venues housed within Fort Mason include Blue Bear School of Music, Young Performers' Theater, and the San Francisco Children's Art Center.

On weekends, the Art Center offers family workshops, drop-in art classes (please call in advance to reserve a space), and birthday parties.

Girl Ventures strives to empower adolescent girls to develop and express their strengths via outdoor adventure, creative arts, and group experiences. Its programs include Summer Outdoor Adventure Programs, School-Year Programs, Leadership Development Program, and Community Courses.

Gymboree, which runs a chain of high end clothing stores for children, also offers play, music, and art classes - in a brightly colored, tactilely exciting environment - for children ages newborn-five. Classes emphasize physical and social development (and peer support for parents), sneaked in under the guise of simply having a lot of fun.

Prospective students are invited to check out a free trial class; call the location you're interested in to arrange or just drop in.

Play classes are divided up into age-appropriate groups that meet at different times. Children and their parents sing, make music, move, explore, and play with props like a parachute and a large ball, in an environment geared toward the age group's interests and abilities.

Music classes help kids learn about and explore music through age-appropriate songs and music play, instrument exploration, movement, and emphasis on melody, pitch, and rhythm and other music basics.

Art classes engage kids in a wide variety of arts experiences, with a focus on allowing kids to exercise their creativity.

Parties: A Gymboree birthday party is a nice way to throw a bash for energetic little kids. Gymboree gives you a room full of play equipment, an enthusiastic teacher, and a Gymboree class. You have a chance to personalize the party by selecting a theme your child will appreciate.Check the website for a location near you.