Don’t stress about what to do for the long weekend cause your family-friendly fun guide to Labor Day weekend around San Francisco is now live
While summer typically draws to a close with Labor Day weekend for most of the country, things are just starting to heat up on our end. With summer like temperatures that typically extend now through Oct., the fun doesn’t stop. And with the upcoming long weekend, now’s the perfect time to tick off those remaining items on your summer “must-do” list like exploring these hidden gems around SF, finally tackling our SF guide to some of our favorite kid-friendly museums or tackling the 40′-long metal slides in Bernal Heights. From art fairs and concerts to baseball games and movies on the beach, here’s where we’re spending Labor Day weekend in the Bay Area with our kids.
Kings Mountain Art Fair Sept. 3-5: Enjoy the craft and ware of local, independent artists among gorgeous Redwood forests while kids craft at Kiddie Hollow. Breakfast, lunch and cookies all made by the volunteer fire brigade will complete your day. Event details.
Stanford Football: Cardinal Kids Day Sept. 3: Kids get in free with a paying adult (tickets start at $15) so cheer on the Cardinals as they face off Colgate with pre-game family activities such as food trucks, games and inflatables. Event details.
National Cinema Day Sept. 3: Go to the movies on National Cinema Day for just $3 per ticket. Major chains like AMC and Regal Cinemas, along with college campus theaters and some smaller independent theaters, are set to participate. Check the website to find a participating theater near you. Event details.
156th Scottish Highland Gathering and Games Sept. 3 & 4: Grab your kilt and bagpipes and head to games! The country’s largest and oldest Scottish gathering and games ends with a Grandstand concert with over 600 pipers and drummers for a spectacular show. Event details.
First Sundays at Presidio Tunnel Tops Sept. 4: Have you checked out the new Tunnel tops? If not, family-friendly First Sundays is the perfect way to do so. Food vendors, live music and performances, a ranger-led campfire talk plus unbeatable views of the Golden Gate Bridge? WINNING. Event details
Bizerkeley Food Festival Sept. 4: This vegan food festival will feature Soul, Latininx, Filipinx and more cuisines with food samples, live music, a Kidz corner and adoptable cats and dogs in case your family is looking for one. Event details.
Golden Gate Park Band Concert Sept. 5: Haven’t made it out this summer for a free concert at the bandshell? Now is your chance with Dr. Danielle Gaudry directing-be sure to check out the SkyStar wheel! Event details.
SF Giants Baseball Sept. 2-4: Take me out to the ball game! The Giants host the Phillies in a three game series—catch one (or all three!) of the games this weekend. We're totally just watching the field—promise. Event details.
Movies on the Beach Sept. 2: Pack a picnic and a beach blanket for the entire family to enjoy Sing 2 on the beach. Event details
Monterey County Fair Sept. 1-5: Carnival rides (and games!), funnel cakes and live music—it's all at the fair and we can’t think of a better way to spend the end of summer at the fair. Event details
Boogie & BBQ in Bolinas Sept. 5: Don’t forget the dancing shoes as Bolina’s annual Labor Day fest brings out dancing in the streets, a BBQ, and silent auction. Event details
Alameda Point Antiques Faire Sept. 4: The largest antiques show in Northern California beckons with over 800 booths selling furniture, clothing, jewelry and more. What might you find?? Event details.
Museums with First Sunday Free Admission Days Sept. 4: First Sun. are always free at the Asian Art museum & OMCA.
Chicago has a rich literary history and is home to so many award-winning authors covering every genre under the sun. Introduce your little bookworm to Chicago’s brightest and best authors with our list of kid-approved, classic and contemporary children’s books. From a sweet new educational book about teeth to learning about Amelia Earhart, picture books to chapter books to graphic novels for advanced readers, these are the Chicago-authored tomes to add to your bookshelf ASAP.
The Truth About Tooth, Mistie Psaledas
The Truth About the Toothis written by Mistie Psaledas, a single Hinsdale mom of three after she created her own small tooth fairy company, Wiggle: Tooth Fairy Registry, while furloughed during the pandemic. In this delightful, educational book, tooth fairies reveal their secrets and share what happens to children's lost teeth around the world. The Truth About the Tooth is a story about diversity, creativity, and imagination of different tooth fairy legends—one from which the entire family can take inspiration.
Where the Sidewalk Ends, Shel Silverstein
Poet and author Shel Silverstein grew up in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago. Beloved for his children’s books, his collection of imaginative, humorous yet insightful poems, Where the Sidewalk Ends, belongs on every kid’s bookshelf.
Bronzeville Boys and Girls, Gwendolyn Brooks
Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Gwendolyn Brooks is a Chicago gem. Bronzeville Boys and Girls is a collection of thirty-four poems that celebrate the joy of childhood in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood and beyond.
It's Her Story: Amelia Earhart: A Graphic Novel, Kim Moldofsky
Chicagoland author Kim Moldofsky debuts her first graphic novel with It's Her Story: Amelia Earhart: A Graphic Novel. Discover Earhart’s incredible achievements before she disappeared on her attempted flight around the world.
The House on Mango Street, Sandra Cisneros
The House on Mango Street is a Chicago children’s classic that has touched readers around the world. The story centers on Esperanza Cordero, a young Latina girl growing up in Chicago, who shares her hopes and fears in vignettes and poems. Fellow acclaimed Chicago author Gwendolyn Books said of Cisneros: “Sandra Cisneros is one of the most brilliant of today’s young writers. Her work is sensitive, alert, nuanced, and rich with music and pictures.”
A Thousand Feelings: An Anthology of Story Nuggets By Young Writers, K.B. Jensen
K.B. Jensen’s anthology of middle grade fiction stories is entirely written by tweens, many of whom are Chicago-born, as part of an online writing camp. A Thousand Feelings is a mix of adventure, horror, sci-fi, humor, and fantasy, with stories about a girl whose best friend is a stop sign, an intergalactic prison rescue, and a Martian bully who goes from breaking crayons to breaking bones.
Wolf in the Snow, Matthew Cordell
A little girl and a wolf cub find themselves lost in a snow-covered forest in Wolf in the Snow. How will they find their way home? Chicago author Matthew Cordell was awarded the 2018 Caldecott Medal for this heartwarming tale.
Dear Girl: A Celebration of Wonderful, Smart, Beautiful You!, Amy Krause Rosenthal
Amy Krause Rosenthal and her daughter Paris worked together to dream up the endearing Dear Girl, a love letter to the strong girl in your life: “Dear Girl, This book is for you. Wonderful, smart, beautiful you. If you ever need a reminder, just turn to any page in this book and know that you are special and you are loved.”
Thunder & Lightning: A Story for a Stormy Night, Tim Sheridan
When Oak Park-based writer Tim Sheridan’s daughter developed a fear of thunderstorms, he wrote Thunder & Lightning: A Story for a Stormy Night to teach her that thunder and lightning are our friends, not foes. This heartwarming tale of friendship is also available in a deluxe hardcover edition with downloadable songs by The Low Anthem.
Secondhand Dogs, Carolyn Crimi
What does it mean to be part of a family? In Secondhand Dogs, Author Carolyn Crim explores love and loyalty in this middle-grade novel.
The Wright Three, Blue Balliett
The Wright Threeshowcases Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie house via an exciting art mystery that two junior sleuths from the Lab School in Hyde Park set out to solve. Before becoming a full-time writer, Blue Balliet taught at the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools.
Maya and the Robot, Eve L. Ewing
Award-winning author Eve L. Ewing's adorably illustrated middle-grade novel Maya and the Robottells the story of fifth-grade scientist Maya who finds a friendly robot just when she needs help on her science fair project. Ewing also penned the acclaimed Ironheartand Champions series for Marvel Comics.
The Magic of Maxwell and His Tail, Maureen Stolar Kanefield
Chicago author and lifelong educator Maureen Kanefield wrote the charming The Magic of Maxwell and His Tail (her first!) to encourage kids to find acceptance and tolerance within themselves. Maxwell is a young, intelligent mouse dealing with a body image issue: his tail is growing much too long, and he’s suddenly the target of teasing from his classmates. Learn how Maxwell manages to love himself, ultra-long tail and all, in this sweet tale about a tail.
The Smallest Girl in the Smallest Grade, Justin Roberts
You might have seen Chicago-based, American singer-songwriter Justin Roberts on stage here in the Windy City. Now he’s appearing on your local library shelves with The Smallest Girl in the Smallest Grade. Follow along with Sally, the smallest girl in the smallest grade in her big school, as she stands up against bullying on the playground.
I Hope They Understand, Juleya Woodson
Juleya Woodson graduated from Evanston Township High School in 2009 and works today as a family support specialist with the Childcare Network of Evanston. Her first-ever children’s book, I Hope They Understand, recognizes and celebrates racial and cultural differences and was a response to the lack of diversity in media. “All children deserve to see themselves in the books they read,” Woodson said in a recent interview. “Too often Black boys and girls do not see themselves reflected in the media’s portrayal of beauty.”
I Wish You More, Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld
Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld teamed up to write and illustrate the delightful I Wish You More that affirms wishes for curiosity and wonder, friendship and strength, laughter and peace.
Thirteen Doorways, Wolves Behind Them All, Laura Ruby
Thirteen Doorways, Wolves Behind Them All is the story of two Chicago girls trying to survive in America in the throes of World War II. Ruby was a National Book Award 2019 Finalist for this compelling young adult novel about finding hope in darkness.
Mayor Good Boy, Dave Scheidt
Mayor Good Boy is here to help Greenwood become a town filled with kindness, but he’s facing foes around every corner. Scheidt, born and raised in Chicago, highlights the benefits of positive civic engagement in his latest graphic novel, Mayor Good Boy, co-created by L.A.-based cartoonist and story artist Miranda Harmon. This charming tale reminds readers that everyone can make the world a better place, whether you’re a human or a dog.
Let's Meet Chicago: Real Kids in the Windy City, Alina Dizik
Veteran journalist Alina Dizik interviewed school-aged children around Chicago to learn about their likes, dislikes, and what they are really thinking. Dizik also celebrates the diversity of our city with tips on how to explore different neighborhoods in Let's Meet Chicago: Real Kids in the Windy City.
S is for Story: A Writer's Alphabet, Esther Hershenhorn
Esther Hershenhorn is a Chicago-based author and writing coach. In S is for Story: A Writer's Alphabet, Hershenhorn playfully explains the tools, techniques, and strategies to budding writers of all ages, from "A is for the Alphabet" to "T stands for Tall Tales," to "Z? It's for masked Zorro./His Z-signed tales brought fame.”
Sahara Special, Esme Raji Codell
Author Esme Raji Codell documented her first year as a CPS teacher in Educating Esme. In Sahara Special, she chronicles the 5th-grade adventures of Sahara Jones, who struggles with school until she encounters a one-of-a-kind teacher. If you have a reluctant bookworm in your life, check out Raji Codell’s How to Get Your Child to Love Reading, a book designed to help parents get their kids excited about reading.
Why does being a woman have to be so complicated? I stood in front the mirror this morning in jeans and a bra, just staring. This body of mine is just a body. Over the course of the last couple of years, I have been trying to figure out how to give myself a pass for how I look, again. There has been unemployment (twice), moving (three times), changing jobs (three times), loss of my dad, the tail end of a bad marriage, a divorce, and a traumatic event. I ate a lot of feelings. But instead of focusing on the good, like the fact that my body is still capable of getting me anywhere I want to go without assistance, I make derogatory comments and hope people laugh with me. I’m so much more than my physical self yet I, as well as many other women, get caught up thinking about the body. We must find balance, but where is it?
Almost 13 years ago, I was 38 and was continuously telling myself that I didn’t want to turn 40 looking the way that I did. I was extremely overweight. I had some very bad habits. I made everyone around me think that I was okay with my weight. I used to talk about not having any health problems and I was going on dates, so men didn’t seem to mind. I don’t believe that anyone likes or enjoys being overweight. Anyone overweight that tells you that they are truly happy, are lying to you. I know because I was there, and I was one of those people lying to you. My inner dialogue was so much different.
Turning 40 wasn’t important enough, though, because 40 came and went and I still looked the same. Unfortunately, all I did was gain more weight after turning 40. I stayed overweight and continued with conflicting internal and external dialogue through age 40, 41, and 42. 43 was the point when things started to change for me, physically. After a very emotional conversation with my parents in January of 2014, I started walking the next day and gave up eating sugar and a lot of things that would turn to sugar after eating them. It was somewhere between low carb and ketogenic.
Even after one hundred pounds of weight loss, I was still figuring out the mental part. A lot of people only think about the physical part of weight loss and don’t ever address the mental part. Aside from physical illnesses or certain medications, there millions of other reasons for weight gain and lack of ability to lose weight. We need to tackle the reasons why we gained weight and why we continue to hold on to the weight.
Are women ever truly happy with the body that reflects in the mirror? Honestly, no. After I lost my weight, I thought that I would never question my body again. I will admit that I questioned it far less than I had in previous years, but the questions were still there. The problem is that women do not ever look at their bodies through their own eyes. We look at our bodies through the eyes of media, through the eyes of men, through the eyes of other women, through the eyes of the 5th grade bullies, through the eyes of their love interest, etc. Women are consistently being set up to question themselves. Women are not allowed to be content with their own personal perfection.
Perfection related to anything is relative. What this means is that we all believe that “perfect” is something different. My point of perfection might be complete crap to someone else. The part that makes this so ridiculous is that I believe we all know this, yet we still set similar goals of perfection. The idea of perfection is something that all people need to let go of. The reason I say this is simple. We never reach the point of perfection in our own minds, let alone what anyone else thinks about what we are trying to accomplish. I’m sure you have heard the phrase, “you are your own worst critic.” It’s true and that is why we never reach what we believe is our personal perfection. We sabotage ourselves by believing that we have never quite gotten to perfection, when our lives, our bodies, our love lives, our whatever, is just where they are supposed to be. Instead of worrying about perfection, we need to start trusting ourselves more. We need to be dialed in to feelings of greatness. If it feels great, then it probably is. Take weight loss for instance. You have a goal to weigh 125 pounds and you have worked incredibly hard to get there. You changed your eating habits. You exercise regularly. You feel more amazing than you have in years, but you have been sitting at 128 pounds for months. And? What makes 125 more perfect than 128 pounds…absolutely nothing! Everything is telling you that 128 is the sweet spot, so what’s the harm in listening to the universe and nothing else?
I am a single mom of three beautiful daughters ages 29, 20, and 15. At 50, I am recently divorced and making a career change. I'm trying to put my BA and my MA to use finally! My life hasn't always been easy but I feel good about the future!
What do you get when you combine Build-A-Bear and Harry Potter? Pure magic! Now the collaboration has expanded with new Hogwarts house hoodies, on-point accessories, plus a Hedwig and Buckbeak!
Your bear will have some serious swag with themed hoodies featuring the colors and crests of Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff. To up the cuteness factor, grab a matching house beanie! And to complete the look, you can buy the sword of Godric Gryffindor, a Slytherin locket or the famous Hufflepuff Cup.
We’re in love with the new plush Hedwig owl. She even carries a personalized Hogwarts acceptance letter in her beak! Or if you’re looking for something a bit more exotic, you can buy the Buckbeak, a magical beast that’s half eagle and half horse. Despite its fierce looks, it has soft plush claws and a fuzzy tail.
Prices vary and you can buy the new items online or in stores, some with limited quantities. Head to buildabear.com to get started! And in honor of today’s National Teddy Bear Day, you can enter online to win furry friends for a year. Grab a cup of Butterbeer and happy browsing!
We know it can be tough to get the kids outside, especially during February in Boston. How about you bundle them up and go on a reading adventure? StoryWalks are popping up all around the city and we couldn’t be more thrilled. Read on for all the details you need to get in on this fun adventure!
What's a StoryWalk?
Kate Loweth
StoryWalks are a fun activity for kids that combine two of our favorite things: fresh air and reading. They take pages of a story and post them on stakes along a guided path. As you stroll down the trail, you are directed to the next page in the story.
The StoryWalk Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT. They have been installed in 50 states and 13 countries!
Titles & Where to Find the StoryWalks
The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds Vashti believes that she cannot draw, but her art teacher's encouragement leads her to change her mind.
Language: English
Where to find it: Brighton Common, 30 Chestnut Hill Avenue, Brighton Lopresti Park, 33 Sumner Street, East Boston
If You Bring a Mouse to School by Laura Numeroff “If You Bring A Mouse to School” follows a boy and his mouse through a busy day at school.
Language: English and Spanish
Where to find the StoryWalk: Franklin Park, 450 Walnut Avenue, Roxbury
Possum's Harvest Moon by Anne Hunter A possum awakes one autumn evening and decides to invite his animal friends to a party to celebrate the beautiful harvest moon one last time before the long winter.
Language: English
Where to find the StoryWalk: Iacono Park, 150 Readville Street, Hyde Park
Clap Your Hands by Lorinda Bryan Cauley Rhyming text instructs the listener to find something yellow, roar like a lion, give a kiss, tell a secret, spin in a circle, and perform other playful activities along with the human and animal characters pictured.
Language: English
Where to find the StoryWalk: Adams Park, 4225 Washington Street, Roslindale
Chestnut Hill Farm in Southborough has a rotating StoryWalk available on the property. You can find more information here.
Current title: A Warm Winter Tail by Carrie A. Pearson
Language: English
Where to find the StoryWalk: Chestnut Hill Farm Southborough, MA
Other StoryWalks
Kate Loweth
Our sources tell us that Mary E. Finn Elementary School and Albert S. Woodward Memorial School both have StoryWalks that are open to the public when school is not in session.
With the holidays over, why not plan for the next big day? If you’re a lover of Valentine’s Day and want to show the fur babies in your life some extra love, head to ALDI.
Starting the week of Jan. 13, you can find plenty of pawsome products as part of ALDI Finds. With everything under $8, you can stock up on toys, apparel and even a scratcher for your pets. Keep scrolling to see our faves!
Heart to Tale Valentine's Cat Scratching Playhouse
Have a preschooler? Then you know all about PAW Patrol and how much your kid is, dare we say, obsessed! What’s not to love? The PAW Patrol is heroic, has each other’s backs and knows how to have a good time! We approve. Of course, kids want to keep the adventure going with their favorite pups through imaginative play long after the episode is over. Just in time for crossing off holiday wish lists, PAW Patrol has new toys that will send them on epic rescue missions with cool new gear like a spinning helicopter, motorized ride and a dual race super-speed track!
Read on to learn why these three imaginative, inventive and innovative toys will be on every kid’s wish list!
PAW Dino Rescue Patroller
Well, this is cool: the Dino Patroller is the first-ever motorized PAW vehicle! With the touch of a button, this powerhouse patroller is on the move with oversized wheels to conquer any terrain. Before you head out, load the projectiles into the launcher and get ready for adventure. Push T. Rex's tail to make its mouth open to help the PAW Patrol spot a dino in trouble, then launch the rescue nets and save the day!
This all new, motorized all-terrain vehicle features room for the whole pup squad (All six! But you knew that...) and includes an exclusive and collectible Chase figure in his Dino Rescue uniform and a T. Rex dinosaur, with moving mouth and tail—now you can create your own prehistoric missions!
PAW Patrol Ultimate Cruiser
An XL, extra-special 5-in-1 cruiser is made for our hero Chase, but roomy enough that the crew can join to do the “Pup, Pup, Boogie!” The whole squad will be ready for action and equipped to handle any emergency, whether it’s on dry land, in the air or at sea.
What’s the 5-in-1 all about? More than just a hot ride for cool pups, you can launch the helicopter that’s tucked away inside with the push of a button, spin the propellers by hand and you’re off! This ultimate cruiser features dual motorcycles that pop off with a button—now you’re ready for that high-speed chase! They thought of everything for this majorly awesome ride, including flashing lights and sound effects that bring the excitement of a PAW Patrol mission to life!
PAW Patrol Adventure Bay Rescue Way
PAW Patrol is really on a roll with this action-packed lookout tower! It features two different tracks to send vehicles racing around the tower in a corkscrew, or flip the diverter to send them down the drop ramp—boom! Craving even more action? Use the dual garage launchers in corkscrew mode to send two more vehicles flying—launch up to six true metal vehicles at the same time! Push the periscope and watch the pups race to the rescue while you cheer them on!
Bonus points: This high-speed track is equipped with exclusive True Metal die-cast Chase and Marshall vehicles—perfect for kiddos who love PAW Patrol and fast cars! Speed to the rescue and put out the fire with your favorite pups!
All three new toys are available in stores and online at Amazon, Target and Walmart.
Get your little turkey ready for Thanksgiving. Hello Bello just launched their newest, festive monthly Diaper Bundle Box for November. The limited-edition November box can be easily transformed into a cardboard Turkey right before your eyes.
These turkey boxes will be arriving on the doorsteps of bundlers all month long for gobbles of fun at home. The box even comes with an activity for extra fun. Use the tail-feathers to write down what your whole family is thankful for this year.
As part of the brands quest to become more eco conscious, these November boxes are now made of 100% recycled materials which in turn the company estimates will save on thousands of mature trees, kilowatts of energy and gallons of water.
Hello Bello diaper bundles start at just $65 for 7 packs of diapers. With several new diaper prints and patterns bundling is the perfect way to save while the adorable boxes provide a fun activity that the entire family can enjoy.
Pet lovers rejoice. Now you can count down the days to Christas with your furry friend. Sam’s Club is bringing back its popular pet advent calendar for dogs after sniffing out best in show flavors guaranteed to put a wag in your dog’s tail this season
The advent calendar for dogs comes with 35 grain-free meat treats, including chicken burgers, duck fillets, chicken bites, and turkey stars to name a few. This year on the last day your pup even gets a 8” bully stick.
Your pooch will go nuts for these delicious and healthy all-natural treats that only have 1-2 ingredients! They are now available in select clubs and online for just $9.98, so run to the club or order online before they are gone.
Sam’s Club also just dropped Member’s Mark Oven-Baked Holiday Flavor Dog Treats that look just like your favorite holiday sugar cookies. For just $9.98 for two 2.5 pound bags, your dog can enjoy these Snickerdoodle and Pumpkin Pie-inspired snacks all season long.
Llamas and mermaids in the kitchen? Pillsbury Baking just launched two new Funfetti products – Funfetti Llama Love Purple Vanilla Frosting and Funfetti Mermaid Pink Strawberry Frosting. Funfetti is all about having fun and these new frostings make it even easier for kids to express their creativity.
Funfetti Mermaid Pink Strawberry Frosting is the first Strawberry frosting in the Funfetti collection, adding a ‘mermazing’ new flavor element. To increase the fun of decorating, the frosting has white shell-shaped sprinkles, purple mermaid tail-shaped sprinkles, and blue and silver sprinkles.
Funfetti Llama Love Purple Vanilla Frosting is an added twist to the classic Funfetti Vanilla Frosting. Introducing the new purple Funfetti Llama Love Vanilla Frosting with llama shaped sprinkles, yellow and purple and blue sequin sprinkles – perfect for topping both cakes and cupcakes.
Whether you’re baking together at home or baking with your loved ones virtually, these two new frostings make it colorful and delicious to celebrate moments big or small. Pricing ranges from $1.30-$2.50 each.