There’s no doubt about it: kids are sponges when it comes to learning (and picking up on swear words, turns out). We’ve rounded up some fun facts for kids that will entertain and wow them (and you!). For those in search of trivia for teens, we’ve got you covered as well! Try to stump your kids at the dinner table or go all in for a family trivia night. In the mood for even more fun? Try out these hilarious jokes for kids, the best minute to win it games, and some selections from the 100+ movies every kid needs to see before they grow up.

Fun Facts for Kids About Space

fun facts for kids about space
NASA via Unsplash

1. The moon is very hot (224 degrees Fahrenheit, average) during the day but very cold (-243 degrees average) at night.

2. Venus spins clockwise. It’s the only planet that does!

3. One teaspoon of a neutron star would weigh six billion tons.

4. Sally Ride was the first American woman to fly in space, on June 18, 1983.

5. One million Earths could fit inside the sun!

6. Even in an airplane, a trip to Pluto would take about 800 years. 

7. Ham the Astrochimp was the first hominid in space, launched on Jan. 31, 1961. 

8. Neptune’s days are 16 hours long.

9. It takes eight minutes and 19 seconds for light to travel from the sun to Earth.

10. The footprints on the moon will be there for 100 million years. 

11. A neutron star can spin 600 times in one second. 

12. Jupiter is the fastest-spinning planet in the solar system (it only takes about 10 hours to complete a full rotation on its axis). 

13. Sound does not carry in space. 

14. The Earth's core is as hot as the surface of the sun. 

15. The very first animals in space were fruit flies...they were sent up in 1947 and recovered alive. 

16. In 2011, ten-year-old Kathryn Aurora Gray discovered a supernova (a star that has run out of energy, explodes and then collapses before it dies) that no one else had seen before. 

17. Europa, one of Jupiter's moons, has saltwater geysers that are 20x taller than Mt. Everest. 

18. Saturn's rings are made from trillions of chunks of orbiting ice. 

19. Alpha Centauri isn't a star, but a star system. It is 4.22 light years away. 

20. One day on Venus is almost 8 months on Earth. 

21. Jupiter's Great Red Spot is a storm that has been raging for over 200 years. 

22. There are more stars in the universe than grains of sand on Earth.  

Looking for more space facts? Check them out here

Facts for Kids About Food

find out about hot dogs with food trivia for kids
Unsplash

1. The world’s longest French fry is 34 inches long.  

2. Garlic bulbs are full of Vitamin C, iron, potassium, magnesium, zinc, and more. It also has 17 amino acids.

3. On the South Atlantic island of Tristan da Cunha, potatoes were once used as currency.

4. The strawberry is the only fruit that bears seeds on the outside.

5. According to Tori Avey, coffee became a popular drink in America after the Boston Tea Party of 1773: Making the switch from tea to coffee was considered a patriotic duty.

6. The double coconut palm produced the biggest seed in the world: 45 pounds.

7. Ice cream was once called “cream ice.”

8. Pound cake is so-called because the recipes once called for a pound of butter, a pound of sugar, a pound of eggs, and a pound of flour. 

9. Peanuts aren't nuts! (They're legumes.)

10. Carrots weren't always orange: they were once exclusively purple. 

11. Cherries are a member of the rose family (Rosaceae) as are quince, pears, plums, apples, peaches, and raspberries! 

12. Lima beans have an amazing ability to command wasps as a defense. If insects are eating the lima bean's leaves, the plant gives off a substance that acts as a signal to parasitic wasps to swoop in and destroy their enemy (i.e. the leaf-eating insects).

13. Apples float because they are one-quarter air! 

14. Ripe cranberries will bounce like a ball. (Go on, try it!). They also float. 

15. German chocolate cake is not from Germany. German is the last name of the man who invented a kind of baking chocolate (Sam German). 

16. Cilantro and coriander are considered to be the same. 

17. SPAM is a mash-up of the words "spice" and "ham."

Amazing Facts for Students About History

library where you can find fun facts for kids and trivia questions for kids
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1. The Wright Brothers only flew together once (though both piloted the planes individually): on May 25, 1910, they took a six-minute flight piloted by Orville with Wilbur as his passenger.

2. Regardless of their size, naval tradition declares submarines to be called “boats” rather than “ships.”

3. Hedy Lamar was a famous Hollywood film actress who also invented what became modern-day Wi-Fi. 

4. Walt Disney started sketching regularly when he was just four years old.

5. Abraham Lincoln lost five separate elections before he became president of the U.S. (Never, ever, ever give up!)

6. Pablo Picasso entered art school around the age of 10. The Picasso Museum in Barcelona, Spain includes many “early works” from his childhood.

7. Frederick Douglass taught himself to read and write.

8. Before European contact (which caused populations to diminish rapidly ) California indigenous tribal groups spoke more than 200 unique dialects. 

9. Amelia Earhart first saw a plane at the age of 10 but didn't take an airplane ride until 1920 when she was 23 years old. 

10. Abe Lincoln was a professional wrestler long before he became the 16th President of the United States. 

11. After landing in Ireland after her first solo Atlantic flight, a farmer asked Amelia Earhart where she was from. When she said America, he almost didn't believe her! 

12. Frederick Douglass's birth name was Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey. When he married he chose the last name Douglass after the hero clan in Sir Walter Scott's famous poem, Lady of the Lake

13. Frida Kahlo created 143 paintings. Of these, 55 were self-portraits. 

14. Babe Ruth was the first baseball player to hit a home run in the All-Star game, at Chicago’s Comiskey Park in 1933.

15. The Olympics used to award gold medals for art

16. George Washington didn't chop down a cherry tree. 

Fun Facts for Kids About the Weather

fun facts for kids about lightening
Sean McAuliffe via Unsplash

1. Some tornadoes can be faster than Formula One race cars!

2. There are 2,000 thunderstorms on Earth every minute.

3. The wind is silent until it blows against something. 

4. There are ice caves in Iceland that have hot springs.

5. The fastest recorded raindrop was 18 mph! 

6. The US gets over 1200 tornadoes a year.

7. Lightning can strike twice.

8.  Clouds look white because they are reflecting sunlight from above them.

9. Yuma, Arizona gets over 4000 hours of sunshine a year, making it the sunniest place on Earth. The least sunny place is the South Pole, where the sun only shines on 182 days a year. (Which would you rather live in?) 

10. Rain contains vitamin B12. 

11. A bolt of lightning is five times hotter than the sun. 

12. A hurricane releases enough energy in one second to equal that of 10 atomic bombs. 

13. It can be too warm to snow, but never too cold. 

14. Tropical storms and hurricanes started getting "named" in 1953. 

15. You can tell the weather by counting a cricket's chirps! 

16. Worms wiggle up from the ground when a flood is coming. 

Animal Trivia for Kids

kids can learn about manatees with animal triva for kids.
NOAA via Unsplash

1. Many people believe that early mermaid sightings can be attributed to dehydration + manatees.

2. Sloths cannot shiver to stay warm, and so have difficulty maintaining their body temperature on rainy days.

3. In the wild, some reindeer travel more than 3000 miles in a single year.

4. Only half of the dolphin’s brain goes to sleep when asleep and the other half stays awake.

5. Other than humans, emperor penguins are the only warm-blooded animals to stay in Antarctica for the winter.

6. The biggest fossil of a spider was found in China. It is one inch long and 165 million years old.

7. The largest living animal is the blue whale, which can measure as much as 100 feet. 

8. Nearly 10% of all of a cat's bones are in its tail.

9. In the wintertime reindeer grow their facial hair long enough to cover their mouths, which protects their muzzles when grazing in the snow. Beard-os! 

10. Dolphins have been seen wrapping sea sponges around their long snouts to protect them from cuts while foraging for food.

11. Shrimp's hearts are in their heads. 

12. While pandas sometimes eat fish or small animals, 99% of their diet is bamboo. 

13. An ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain. 

14. A fox uses its tail to communicate with other foxes. 

15. Dogs have wet noses because they secrete a thin layer of mucus, which helps dogs smell! 

16. The female hummingbird builds the world's smallest bird's nest (approximately 1.5 inches in diameter, around the size of a walnut!). She weaves it from spiderwebs which allows it to expand as the chicks grow. 

17. The largest land animal in Antarctica is an insect: the columbola (which looks like an earwig). Penguins are considered marine animals. 

18. There are 222 owl species in the world. Most are nocturnal, but a few are active during the daytime, such as the Barred Owl.

19. Sloths are strong swimmers, especially good at the backstroke. 

20. Sharks do not hunt humans or consider humans food. Shark incidents occur when sharks are hunting for seals, dolphins, or other "human-sized" prey. It's a case of mistaken identity!  

21. A koala's fingerprints are so similar to human fingerprints that they could taint a crime scene. 

22. The loudest animal in the world is the Pistol Shrimp. It can collapse its jaws so fast that creates a bubble that collapses and creates a sonic blast.

Get more fun facts about animals here.

Sports Trivia for Kids

Sports trivia for kids includes fun facts for kids about Babe Ruth
Wikimedia Commons

1. In 1962, Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 points in a single NBA basketball game. No one has broken this record (not even Steph Curry!).

2. Babe Ruth began his career as a pitcher: Ruth was both a left-handed pitcher and a left-handed batter.

3. The record for the long jump is held by Mike Powell: 29 ft. + 4 inches. That’s like jumping the length of two minivans!

4. The most medals won for Olympic basketball (male or female) are both held by women: Teresa Edwards and Lisa Leslie with four gold medals each.

5. Wilma Rudolph (who set the world record in 1960 for 100, 200, and 4x100-meter relay) had polio, scarlet fever, and pneumonia as a child, leading doctors to believe she’d never walk again.

6. NFL Super Bowl referees also get Super Bowl rings. 

7. In 1919, Cleveland Indians pitcher Ray Caldwell was struck by lightning in the middle of the 9th inning. He kept playing! 

8. The 'G' on the Green Bay Packers helmet stands for "greatness" not Green Bay! 

9. Baseballs last an average of seven pitches. 

10. Manon Rheaume is the only woman to have played in an NHL game.

11. Golf is one of only two sports ever played on the moon. In 1971, Alan Shepard hit a ball with a six-iron while on the moon as part of the Apollo 14 mission. The other sport was a javelin toss, during the same visit. 

12. The shortest player in the National Hockey League (NHL) was goaltender Roy Waters who measured 5 ft. 3 in. tall.

13. The tallest player in the NHL is Zdeno Chara, who is 6 ft. 9 in. tall. 

Get more fun facts for kids about sports here.

Fun Facts for Kids About the Human Body

little girl in bookstore learning fun facts for kids and trivia for kids.
iStock

1. The nose can detect a trillion smells! 

2. One-quarter of your bones are in your feet. 

3. Human teeth are as strong as shark teeth! 

4. Your blood is as salty as the ocean. 

5. Not only does everyone have unique fingerprints, but humans also have unique tongue prints!

6. The average brain weighs about three pounds. A newborn brain weighs about 3/4 of a pound. 

7. Your nose and ears never stop growing. 

8. A human body contains almost 100 trillion cells. 

9. Fingernails can grow 4x faster than toenails. 

10. Eyelashes live for about 150 days before falling out. 

11. Humans are the only animals with chins. 

12. You can't breathe and swallow at the same time.  

 

 

 

These trivia questions for teens might teach your older kids a thing or two

It’s not always easy to impress a teen or to tell them something they don’t “already know.” But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try. From who is the half-blooded prince to who is the oldest gamer on YouTube, we’ve rounded up some of the most intriguing trivia questions for teens (and tweens) that are guaranteed conversation starters.

find out about hot dogs with food trivia for kids
Ball Park Brands via Unsplash

Q: Who holds the world record for most hotdogs eaten?

A: Joey Chestnut with a whopping 73 hot dogs.

Q: Who has the most followers on Instagram?

A: Instagram! The platform's own channel is the most followed. Second place goes to footballer Cristiano Ronaldo.

Q: What national holiday is celebrated in all countries?

A: New Year’s.

Q: What is ‘Baby Yoda’s’ real name?

A: Grogu.

Q: When was the iPad first released?

A: 2010.

Q: What is the largest ocean in the world?

A: The Pacific Ocean.

Q: Which artist made history as the youngest winner of the Grammys‘ four main categories in 2020?

A: Billie Eilish.

Q: Who was the first basketball star to appear on a box of cereal? 

A: Michael Jordan.

Q: Which actor voiced both Darth Vader and The Lion King‘s Mufasa?

A: James Earl Jones.

Q: What flower plant does vanilla flavor come from?

A: An orchid.

Q: What is the first monster Percy Jackson defeats in The Lightning Thief? 

A: The Minotaur 

Q: What holiday celebrates the end of slavery in the United States

A: Juneteenth, on June 19

Related: 35 Harry Potter Trivia Questions Even Muggles Will Love

Connor Simonson via Unsplash

Q: What tree is the largest and tallest in the world?

A: The California Redwood.

Q: Stan Lee made his last cameo in which Marvel movie?

A: Avengers: Endgame.

Q: How many stars are there in our solar system?

A: One, the sun!

Q: What is Rhianna’s real name?

A: Robyn Fenty.

Q: Who is the Half-Blood Prince in the Harry Potter series?

A: Severus Snape.

Q: Which company owns Lamborghini, Ducati, Porsche, Audi and Bugatti?

A: Volkswagen.

Q: What is the largest mammal in the world?

A: The Blue Whale.

Q: What show has an ice cream shop called Scoops Ahoy?

A: Stranger Things.

Q: What is the strongest muscle in the human body?

A: The masseter or jaw muscle.

Q: Who was able to pick up Thor’s hammer in Endgame?

A: Captain America.

Q: What is the smallest country in the world?

A: Vatican City.

Related: The Ultimate List of Trivia for Kids

trivia questions for teens: what is the diameter of a basketball hoop?
Markus Spiske via Unsplash

Q: What is the diameter of a basketball hoop?

A: 18 inches and regulation hoops are 10 feet high.

Q: What is Mickey Mouse's original name?

A: Mortimer Mouse.

Q: What is the most spoken language in the world?

A: Mandarin.

Q: What kind of animal is Squidward from Spongebob Squarepants?

A: Despite his name, he’s actually an octopus.

Q: What famous artist was suspected of stealing the Mona Lisa?

A: Pablo Picasso.

Q: What country was checkers invented in?

A: Egypt.

Q: What is the number one most streamed song on Spotify?

A: “Blinding Lights” by The Weeknd.

Q: What percentage of people have black or brown hair?

A: About 80%, only 2% have red hair.

Q: How many toes does a cat have?

A: 18, 10 on its front paws and 8 on its back.

Q: Who is the oldest gaming YouTuber?

A: Hamako Mori, better known as Gamer Grandma was born in 1930.

Q: Which Star Wars movie contains the line, “Luke, I am your father.”

A: None, the often misquoted line is actually, “No, I am your father.”

Q: What is the busiest airport in the world? 

A: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (over 100 million passengers annually!).

Q: What is superman’s real name? 

A: Kal-El 

Q: What is ailurophobia? 

A: The fear of cats

Q: What is the most common M&M color?

A. Blue 

Q: What galaxy is the planet Earth in? 

A: The Milky Way 

 

Test your knowledge about current news events like Pride Month and more!

It’s Pride Month in the United States and we’re celebrating the LGBTQ+ community with some Pride trivia questions. Test your knowledge below!

1. How many countries have legalized same-sex marriage? 

Answer: 30

On April 21st, 2001, the Netherlands became the first country to legalize same-sex marriage. Since then, twenty-eight other countries have done the same. While this is progress, there are many more countries in the world that don’t offer LGBTQ couples the same rights as heterosexual couples.

2. Why is the rainbow flag a symbol of LGBTQ pride?

Answer: Rainbows are a symbol of hope

Artist Gilbert Baker is widely known as the creator of the rainbow flag, which today is a symbol of LGBTQ pride. The idea of a rainbow came to him when he was dancing among a crowd of people. As he was spinning around, Baker noticed that the colors started blending together like a beautiful rainbow. At that moment, he knew he’d be making a rainbow flag—an object that historically represented hope. The original flag was eight colors with each color representing something different:

Pink = Sex

Red = Life

Orange = Healing

Yellow = Sunlight

Green = Nature

Turquoise = Magic

Blue = Harmony

Violet = Spirit

When demand for the flag increased, so did changes to the flag. First, hot pink was dropped from the rainbow because of the lack of supply of hot pink fabric. Then, turquoise was eliminated because an odd-numbered flag would obscure the turquoise stripe when hung vertically. In 1979, the Pride flag became a six-color striped flag: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet.

3. Why is Pride Month celebrated in June in the United States? 

Answer: In memory of the Stonewall riots that happened in June.

In the United States, Pride Month is celebrated in the month of June to commemorate the Stonewall Riots, a series of riots that erupted throughout New York City in June and July of 1969. These riots were a response to the police raid of the Stonewall Inn in New York City’s Greenwich Village, a popular gathering place for the young LGBT community during the early hours of June 28th, 1969. The police arrested employees for selling liquor without a license and roughed up the many patrons inside the inn. As police dragged patrons out of the bar and into police vans, people outside the bar watched and grew increasingly enraged. A riot soon ensued and continued for the next five days. Historians mark the Stonewall riots as the turning point in the gay rights movement.

4. Which country holds the record for hosting the largest Pride parade in the world?

Answer: Brazil

Argentina may be the first South American country to legalize same-sex marriage, but Brazil takes the cake when it comes to hosting Pride parades! According to the Guinness World Records, São Paulo’s Pride Parade is the largest in the world. Every year, the parade welcomes millions of people from around the world to celebrate the LGBTQ community. In 2009, approximately 4 million people attended the São Paulo Pride parade, breaking a record of 2.5 million attendees that was set in 2006. Whose world record did they break? Their own!

5. Which three U.S. Presidents have officially acknowledged Pride Month?

Answer: Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden

While June is widely recognized as Pride Month in the United States, only three presidents have officially acknowledged Pride Month. In 1999, President Bill Clinton declared June “Gay & Lesbian Pride Month”; he was the first president to ever make such a declaration. The second U.S. president to make such a declaration was President Barack Obama. In 2009, President Obama issued an official proclamation declaring June as Pride Month. He recognized Pride Month from 2009 to 2016, and every year he was in office. Last year, Joe Biden became the third president to acknowledge Pride Month.

Want to play more news-related family-friendly quizzes? Head to Newsicle, the news-related trivia game created by the team at Xyza: News for Kids.

Joann Suen & Sapna Satagopan
Tinybeans Voices Contributor

We're two perfectly imperfect moms who have five very different kids between the two of us. We believe that topics in news are a fantastic way to spark conversations in families. That's why we started the Dinner Table Conversation series here at Xyza: News for Kids. Won't you join us in the conversation? 

This just cements Michael Jordan’s place as a legend—both in and out of the sports world

This week is basketball legend Michael Jordan’s 60th birthday. And while he could have done what most celebrities do and thrown a giant, Instagram-ready party filled with other A-listers, instead, he decided to do something wonderful for the world: He made a record-breaking, $10 million donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

The $10 million gift is the largest the organization has ever received from an individual in its 43-year history, and it’s not really surprising that it came from Jordan. He’s been involved with Make-A-Wish since 1989, when he granted his first-ever wish for a fan. In a statement, he said that he hopes his gift will inspire other people to support Make-A-Wish, ensuring more kids can have their lives changed by their dreams coming true.

“For the past 34 years, it’s been an honor to partner with Make-A-Wish and help bring a smile and happiness to so many kids,” Jordan said. “Witnessing their strength and resilience during such a tough time in their lives has truly been an inspiration.”

He added, “I can’t think of a better birthday gift than seeing others join me in supporting Make-A-Wish so that every child can experience the magic of having their wish come true.”

According to leaders at Make-A-Wish, Jordan’s gift will be used to “create an endowment to provide the funds needed to make future wishes possible for kids with critical illnesses.” There’s no doubt in our minds that Jordan will continue to be a part of as many of those wishes as possible.

Because celebrities and pro athletes are such major role models for the children Make-A-Wish serves, it’s no wonder that so many of them invest so heavily in the organization and its mission. Pro wrestler John Cena, who has been a part of Make-A-Wish since 2002, recently set a Guinness World Record for the most wishes granted—a whopping 650. That’s a lot of smiles on kids’ faces, something we can all get behind.

Let’s just say these family-friendly Lunar New Year events are really hoppin’

2023 ushers out the year of the Tiger and introduces the year of the Rabbit, the luckiest of all 12 of the Chinese zodiac animals. While we hope plenty of luck finds you and your family this year, we can at least point you in the right direction for ways to celebrate the Year of the Rabbit with the kids around Portland. Whether you’re looking for traditional events and activities that include lion dances, red envelopes, and lanterns lighting up the sky, or you think a little extra (we’re talking balloon animals and face painting) would entice your kids to get out and celebrate, we’ve got the scoop on happenings you won’t want to miss. Our tip? Make your plans now, as many of these popular festivals require tickets and they go quickly.

1. Celebrate Chinese New Year at Lan Su Chinese Garden

https://www.instagram.com/p/CZM3inPpwD8/?hidecaption=true

Daytime Lunar New Year events

While some celebrations of the Lunar New Year only last a day, the Lan Su Chinese Garden celebrates the Chinese New Year for two whole weeks. That's more than enough time to wrangle the kids into their winter gear and step out for the Pacific Northwest's largest Lunar New Year celebration. Festive decorations, tours, crafts, and performances are just a taste of what you'll experience if you visit during the daytime hours. Kids can have a bunny meet-cute, see Chinese lion dances and martial arts demonstrations, even learn calligraphy if they're game. Storytimes, food, and musical performances are all part of the celebration too. Remember to get your tickets in advance for this popular celebration. 

Good to Know: The Lunar New Year Opening Lion Dance, featuring Portland Lee's Association Dragon & Lion Dance Team, is free and open to the public. It kicks off the two-week long celebration on January 21, from 9:30-10 a.m.

Dates: Jan. 21-Feb. 5, 2023
Cost: $14/person; $11/kid (6-18); Free, kids 5 & under

Lunar New Year Evening Lantern Viewings 

If you really want to zhuzh up your Lunar New Year, bring the fam to see the glowing lanterns at Lan Su Chinese Garden in the evenings. It's an area favorite for a reason. Glowing lanterns surround you while large lighted lanterns float on the pond nearby. An illuminated dragon procession will keep the kids entertained, as will a Chinese chopstick challenge you can try as a family. End your evening with a warm cup of tea and snacks in the Garden Teahouse. The evening viewings run from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on select nights, and tickets are a must.

Dates: Jan. 26-29 and Feb. 2-5, 2023
Cost: $45/person; $15/kid (3-11); Free, kids 2 & under 

239 N.W. Everett St.
Portland
Online: lansugarden.org

a dragon outside at a lunar chinese new year portland event
Donny Hayardi via unsplash

2. Oregon 2023 Lunar New Year Celebration

What gets your kids excited? Live performances? Crafts? Magic? Come celebrate the Lunar New Year at Keller Auditorium, as it has all three and then some. Chinese Friendship Association of Portland (CFAP), the local non-profit hosting this year's Lunar New Year's celebration, is bringing in all kinds of talent to showcase. Performances range from an astounding magic show by Golden Wand Winner Eric Qiu to routines from international rhythm gymnast champs. Kids can dig in to the various activities at the arts & crafts workshops and even try their hand at calligraphy. Prepare to be awed by this year's events celebrating the Year of the Rabbit. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for arts & crafts, and performances begin at 7 p.m.

Date: Feb. 4, 2023
Cost: $25-$115

Keller Auditorium
222 S.W. Clay St.
Portland
Online: portland5.com

3. Enjoy Chinese Storytime

Read books, sings songs, and recite nursery rhymes at this virtual Chinese storytime hosted by the Multnomah County Library. Best for kids six and under, it'll be an engaging time and a special way to celebrate the Year of the Rabbit from home. Please register to receive the Zoom link.

Date: Jan. 22, 2023

Online: multcolib.org/events

4. Lunar New Year Celebration in Milwaukie

Say goodbye to the past year and welcome prosperity in the Year of the Rabbit at the Milwaukie Community Center. Lots of learning will take place at this celebration that includes dances, crafts, activities, and music. Light refreshments and exciting lion and drum dances will keep the kids engaged at this free, and very family-friendly event.

Date: Jan. 22, 2023

Milwaukie Community Center
5440 S.E. Kellogg Creek Dr.
Milwaukie, OR
Online: ncprd.com

Related: How to Support Local Asian American-Owned Businesses Now

a lion puppet hangs from the ceiling during a lunar chinese new year event in portland
Sandy Millar via unsplash

5. 2023 Chinese New Year Cultural Fair

Welcome the year of the Rabbit at this family-friendly Lunar New Year celebration held at the Oregon Convention Center. Expect plenty of traditional Chinese New Year activities like lion dances, folk dances, calligraphy, and martial arts demonstrations. There will be children's activities and games to be played as well. Tickets are on sale for this event now.

Date: Jan. 21, 2023
Cost: $8/person; Free, kids 3 & under

Oregon Convention Center
777 N.E. MLK Jr. Blvd.
Portland
Online: oregoncc.org

6. Make Lunar New Year Postcards & Origami

If you're up for an adventure, head north to the Hands On Children's Museum in Olympia. Always a hot destination for toddlers and their grown-ups, it's even more so on the Chinese New Year when kids can make rabbit origami and write postcards to friends and family, wishing them luck in the year ahead. These activities are included with museum admission or membership.

Date: Jan. 22, 2023

Hands On Children's Museum
414 Jefferson St. N.E.
Olympia, WA
Online: hocm.org

a red lion dances with a masked person in the background during a lunar new year seattle celebration
Mick Haupt via unsplash

7. Lunar New Year Dragon Dance Parade & Celebration

Experience a dragon dance and parade when you celebrate the Lunar New Year with the Portland Chinese Museum and the Oregon Historical Society. The parade starts at N.W. 3rd and Davis Street and proceeds around Old Town, Downtown, and Oregon Historical Society Park Plaza as dancers weave in and out along the 1.4-mile route. Lion dancers and other performers kick things off around 10 a.m. before the dragon heads out for the trip.  

Date: Jan. 28, 2023

Portland Chinatown Museum
127 N.W. Third Ave.
Portland
Online: portlandchinatownmuseum.org

8. Lunar New Year Celebration

Make a wish on a red ribbon and snap a few selfies at Washington Square Mall to celebrate the Year of the Rabbit. Families can also crafts, stories, and dances in the center court from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. as part of day's activities. 

Date: Jan. 28, 2023

Washington Square
9585 S.W. Washington Square Rd.
Portland
Online: shopwashingtonsquare.com

9. Celebrate Lunar New Year at the Mac Market

You won't want to miss this free community event that has all the usual Lunar New Year celebration activities like lion dances, calligraphy demonstrations, and martial arts performances. But this gathering, hosted by local Asian American residents in partnership with Mac Market and Unidos Bridging Community includes balloon animals (our money's on the rabbit), face painting, and storytimes too. It's the perfect mix of traditional elements and a little something extra that'll get your kids excited for the day. 

Date: Jan. 21, 2023

1140 N.E. Alpine Ave.
McMinnville, OR
Online: eventbrite.com

Don’t let your kid’s bedtime hinder your New Year’s Eve fun! We rounded up more than a dozen ways to celebrate, including some great ideas to start the new year off right!

Ring in the new year with some family-friendly New Year’s celebrations in New York City! Not sure the right move for your crew? We’ve got options for every nap time and bedtime schedule out there. For starters, begin the festivities early with events in the days leading up to New Year’s Eve, or check out some Dec. 31 daytime fun with the little ones who can’t stay up until midnight. Keep the party going with options for nighttime reveling made for the whole family, and then climb out of bed the next morning and start the year off right with New Year’s Day activities. No matter what, you’re sure to find the perfect New Year’s all-ages events in NYC to say goodbye to 2022 and welcome 2023 as a family.

New Year Events Before New Year’s Eve in NYC

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Light Shows in and Around NYC
Let some spectacular light shows sparkle and light your road into the new year. Visit one of the best light shows in and around NYC for a dazzling display of shimmering light sculptures, many of which are open leading up to and during New Year's eve and day. From the New York Botanical Garden Glow exhibit to a 70's-inspired drive-thru experience, this year's light shows have something for everyone in the family.

Various times and locations
Online: tinybeans.com

Russian New Year's Celebration
This special Russian New Year's celebration at Sky Village has some guesses of honor: "Ded Moroz" ("Father Frost," a.k.a. Santa) and his granddaughter will be on-site to interact with guests from 4 to 5 p.m. The event will feature traditional games, presents, photo-ops, singing, dancing (including the traditional Khorovod dance), and more. If you bring in a wrapped gift, you can hand it off to Santa to be officially "delivered" to your child from the jolly man, himself! Adults are encouraged to bring their own booze if they want, though there will be Pelegrino and juice on-site for a non-alcoholic option.

Sat., Dec. 17, 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Sky Village NYC
Astoria
23-81 21st St.
Online: eventbrite.com

NYSoM HolidayMania 2022
What if you wanted to celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and New Year's all at once? You can, at the NYSoM HolidayMania extravaganza! For the New Year's party, head over to the New Year's 2023 Jam, where "Lady New Year's" will be leading the party as visitors sing karaoke and get a head start on the celebrations. Don't forget to visit the sections dedicated to the other holidays for fun activities like spinning the Wheel of Kwanzaa at the Kwanzaa Village, hanging out with the Dreidelator in Hanukkah Town, saying hi to Santa at the Winter Wonderland, and lots more. Plus, all visitors with kids will receive free gifts while supplies last.

Sat., Dec. 17, 2-6 p.m.
East Harlem Tutorial Program
2050 2nd Ave.
East Harlem
Online: eventbrite.com

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The Times Square NYE Wishing Wall
Leave a positive message for visitors to the Times Square ball drop via the NYE Wishing Wall. Submit a wish on the digital Wishing Wall and it'll be among the thousands of confetti wishes that fall on New Year's in Times Square. Make sure to leave your wish by December 28 to have it be printed this year (any wishes submitted after this date will be included in next year's celebrations, instead).

Through Wed., Dec. 28
Online: timessquarenyc.org

New Year’s Eve Morning and Daytime Events in NYC

Noon Year's Eve Dance Party at the Staten Island Children's Museum
This fun party lets kids count down to the new year, even if your little ones are too young to stay up until the actual countdown. Instead of midnight, this party ends with a countdown to noon, and includes plenty of dancing and party favors. This experience is free with admission—just show up ready to party!

Sat., Dec. 31, 12-2 p.m.
Staten Island Children’s Museum
1000 Richmond Terrace, Building M
Staten Island
Online: sichildrensmuseum.org

New Year's Eve at Marage
This New Year's bash is designed to get kids involved with all the stuff that adults do to celebrate the occasion. This includes putting on cute 2023 glasses, waving glow sticks, drinking sparkling apple cider (non-alcoholic, of course!), and even writing New Year's resolutions (that they'll hopefully have better luck keeping than most adults). A DJ will provide the festive music while kids do themed arts and crafts, and, of course, there will be a balloon drop to symbolically mark the beginning of a new year.

Sat., Dec. 31, 3-7 p.m.
The Marage Space & Event Hall
111-10 Farmers Boulevard
Hollis
Online: eventbrite.com

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New Year’s Eve Ball at CMOM
The Children's Museum of Manhattan has two full days of celebrations lined up for its annual New Year's Eve ball drop and dance party. Kids will design candy-inspired silly hats and glasses for the party, make their own New Year's balls for a mini-NYE ball drop, and count down to noon in a mock New Year's countdown. The party keeps going after the "noon" new year with music curated by DJ Suce, with dancing, singing, and general festivities.

Fri., Dec. 30-Sun., Dec. 31
212 W 83rd St.
Upper West Side
Online: cmom.org

New Year’s Eve Evening and Nighttime Events in NYC

Dave & Buster's New Years Eve Party
It's all fun and games at the Dave & Buster's New Year's event, where families can play in the arcade, enjoy delicious appetizers, pop some party favors, and enjoy a 5-hour open bar and a complimentary champagne toast (for 21+ only, of course). A live DJ will play as the scene in Times Square outside is displayed on large screen TVs so everyone in attendance can count down to 2023 and watch the ball drop live. Special VIP packages are available to purchase, which include reserved seating in case you need a space for the younger members of your family to rest amid all the excitement.

Sat.-Sun., Dec. 31-Jan. 7 p.m.-1 a.m.
Dave & Buster's
234 West 42nd St., 3rd Floor
Murray Hill
Online: eventbrite.com

New Year’s Eve Fireworks in Prospect Park
Back for the first time since 2020, watch fireworks explode in beautiful colors over Prospect Park. The fun begins at 10 p.m. with a performance by Quintessential Playlist. The event is free but an RSVP is required to gauge interest and space.

Sat.-Sun., Dec. 31-Jan. 1, 10 p.m.-12:30 a.m.
Grand Army Plaza Flatbush Ave.
Prospect Heights
Online: prospectpark.org

New Year’s Day Events in NYC

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New Year's Day Dinner Cruise
See the city from a different perspective by heading out on Liberty Cruise's New Year's Day Dinner Cruise. Embark on your adventure onboard a three-deck vessel, where you'll be treated to a three-course meal with the evening NYC skyline and a live DJ to accompany the experience. Head to the Sky Deck for incredible 360 degree views and photo-ops of the city and passing landmarks.

Sun., Jan. 1, 7 p.m.
Pier 36
299 South St.
Lower East Side
Online: libertycruise.nyc

New Year's Eve on the Lanes in Bowlero
Strike out at Bowlero for an active and fun New Year's bowling session! Special family play slots are available to book right now, which include two hours of bowling (shoes included), your choice of food from the menu, unlimited soda, and a champagne or sparkling cider toast. If this sounds right up your alley, book soon: Most dec 31st time slots are already full, but at the time of this writing, there are still plenty of options on new year's day.

Sat., Dec. 31-Sun., Jan. 1, various times
222 W. 44th St.
Times Square
Online: bowlero.com

New Year's Day Super Hike in NYC Parks
Make 2023 a year of health and fitness by starting strong on the very first day of the year. Join a New Year's Day Super Hike in any one of the five participating parks, and walk away the previous year's worries and New Year's dinner. Urban Rangers lead these long walks, and take detours from the well-worn paths to explore hidden natural wonders, explore the city's urban forests, and breathe in some fresh air away from electronics and distractions.

Various times and locations
Online: nycgovparks.org

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Salute to Vienna at Lincoln Center
Based on Vienna's Neujahrskonzert (New Year's Concert), this tribute to the tradition is a great way to introduce kids to the world of Viennese music from the heights of the country's golden age of composition. Listen to well-known tunes like the Blue Danube Waltz, tap along with dances, be uplifted by overtures, and more. This Lincoln Center performance is in its 26th year, and features music played by The Strauss Symphony of America and dance by Europaballett (Austria) and champion ballroom dancers.

Sun., Jan. 1, 2:30 p.m.
David Geffen Hall, Lincoln Center
10 Lincoln Center Plaza
Lincoln Square
Online: salutetovienna.com

Harlem Gospel Choir New Year's Day Matinee
Catch the world-famous Harlem Gospel Choir on the first day of the new year as they sing in the new year with a New Year's Day Matinee. Held at Sony Hall, this concert features uplifting, joyous music to put you in the right mindset to tackle 2023. All ages are welcome to attend, and a brunch menu will be available for ordering.

Sun., Jan. 1, 1:30 p.m.
Sony Hall
235 West 46th St.
Midtown
Online: sonyhall.com

Apple picking, epic roadtrips, and where to see fall foliage—check off all your Bay Area fall bucket list activities before the season is over

Fall in San Francisco is one of the best times to enjoy our glorious city. And with the Bay Area’s scorching days of the summer well behind us, it’s time to get out and enjoy the cooler weather with annual traditions like nearby apple picking, fabulously fun fall festivals around San Francisco and pumpkin spice everything. In order to keep your fall FOMO at bay, keep reading for all of the fun stuff to do in San Francisco this fall (and for more ideas, check out our Bay Area family date night ideas and our favorite Bay Area eateries with outdoor seating).

1. Nothing screams San Francisco in the fall than a trip to a local Bay Area u-pick apple farm with bushels of them open for picking now through mid-Nov. Pick the fruits to turn into a homemade apple pie, or cheat (we won't tell) and pick up a famously fresh dessert like a Dutch Apple or Pumpkin Pie from one of our favorite spots, Gizdich Ranch.

2. Fall is the best time for a family road trip from San Francisco for on-point fall foliage. Drive into the Sierras to see the beautiful aspens change color, or up to wine country where wine growers are celebrating the harvest and the autumn sunsets are breathtaking.

3. If you haven’t done it yet, this is your sign to finally get your tickets to ride the SkyStar Observation Wheel at Golden Gate Park. Standing 150 feet tall and covered in one million LED lights, this is a spectacular addition to the park and is a beautiful way to view the city—especially at night. 

4. Discover the haunting musical melody of the Wave Organ—one of our favorite hidden gems in San Francisco.

5. Get into the Halloween spirit and check out Alcatraz Island, one of the Bay Area's spookiest spot! The Alcatraz tour is self-guided, so you can take your time and explore at your own pace—ideal for families and kids who want to race ahead. 

6. An absolute San Francisco fall must-do? Pick up a decorative gourd (or two) at one of these local pumpkin patches. Bonus? At a bunch of these must-go pumpkin picking spots, you can also hop on a hayride, get lost in a corn maze, and try your hand at pumpkin bowling.

7. Live it up and take the kids for a visit to our local haunted house, the Winchester Mystery House. Despite its spooky reputation, the mansion tour is fun and family-friendly. Kids under five go free!

Related: More Fun & Free Things to Do around San Francisco This Month

8. Get lost (and found again) at a Bay Area corn maze (discover which one holds the world record for being the world's largest!). Solve these giant puzzles together, then have fun petting farm animals, tire out the kids on giant jumping pillows before choosing a pumpkin to take home.

9. Grab your rods and reels and spend the day fishing at these kid-friendly Bay Area fishing spots. You can even get free lessons at Golden Gate Park to get you started.

Related: More Family-Friendly Things to Do in Golden Gate Park

10. Celebrate the spookiest time of year at one of these Bay Area Halloween events. From learning all about nighttime creatures at Batfest, to a night of thrills at Six Flags Boo Fest, there’s something for everyone.

More Fall Bucket List Activities near San Francisco

Kate Loweth

11. Even though the nights are getting colder, you can still enjoy the outdoors by renting a cozy camper van for the weekend. Everything you'll need for a quick and easy weekend to explore the coast, forest, or mountains is included.

12. Pools are not just for summer! Keep the splish-splashing fun going at an indoor pool in the Bay Area. Or head to the newest Great Wolf Lodge for a whole weekend of family time in the huge indoor waterpark.

13. Make the most of the sunshine while it lasts. Take the kids to a playground and enjoy some water play in a beautiful natural creek before it (officially) gets too cold for splashing. If you’re in the South Bay, Vasona Park in Los Gatos has both a creek and a lake!

14. Cooler temperatures are ideal for a day at the zoo, and Bay Area zoos are holding events this year to make your visit extra special. Boo at the (Oakland) Zoo is holding a fun scavenger hunt for kids, while the SF Zoo is hosting a Boo at the Zoo as part of their Zootober Fest with a costume parade and a giant hay maze.

15. Not too hot, not too cold: autumn is the best time to take a hike in the Bay Area. From strolls with spectacular views of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, to hikes through the redwoods, we love hitting the trails. 

16. We've sussed out the best Bay Area fall foliage spots where you can enjoy a kaleidoscope of color as the trees turn vivid colors of red and gold. 

17. There is no better season than fall to visit wine country—with kids in tow! These family-friendly vineyards near San Francisco welcome young children (and dogs).

18. F is for fall and festivals. Find out where to go in our fall-tastic festival guide for the Bay Area. From Diwali to Día de los Muertos, there’s a lot of fabulous fall fests going on this time of year.

19. The days are shorter which means more time to play after dark. Our family date night for Bay Area families guides has tons of inspo on what to do and where to go with the whole family in tow, from bowling and mini golf to stargazing. 

20. This quiet town on California’s Central Coast is the perfect family roadtrip—all the reasons why Morro Bay is the ultimate fall getaway for Bay Area families.

—Additional reporting by Sarah McDonald

 

Family-friendly fall festivals and fairs in the Bay Area that are a perfect family outing

Fall is officially here and with our perfect mid-70s weather, that also means it’s also family fall festival season! So grab the kids, put on your seasonal scarf, and head to one of these events in the Bay Area. Not to be confused with Halloween festivals in the Bay Area, pumpkin patches that deliver more than just pumpkins, or Bay Area corn mazes that are also a ton of fun, these Bay Area festivals and fall fairs are community fests and cultural events—picture autumn lights and on-the-vineyard harvest festivals that will delight, awe, inspire, and fill you with treats in a different kind of way. Find your next family-friendly fall festival and fair near San Francisco below and get ready to celebrate all the wonderful things that the fall season has to offer.

26th Annual Sunset Community Festival
Oct. 1: Enjoy live music, delicious local bites, and bring your kids to the Fun Zone for life-sized games, face painting, balloon animals, and more! This free family-friendly event for all ages draws Sunset residents and celebrates the diversity of the region, building bridges among neighbors and providing performances from dance groups, musical artists, and more. The festival features Sunset Mercantile’s pop-up marketplace, showcasing local eats, merchants, makers, and artisans. Event details.

Great Glass Pumpkin Patch
Oct. 1-2: More than 25 artists take months to hand-blow and hand-craft the more than 10,000 beautiful glass pumpkins, which range from teeny-tiny to gargantuan. The pumpkins come in all colors and various shapes. Event details.

Japanese Cultural Festival
Oct. 2: Live performances, demonstrations, hands-on activities for adults and children, food booths, wine, beer and sake booths all celebrate the Japanese culture. Event details.

San Francisco Fleet Week
Oct. 3-10: See air shows, take ship tours and watch the parade of ships at this epic celebration of patriotism. Event details.

California Seaweed Festival 2022
Oct. 7-8: The California Seaweed Festival is a free in-person family friendly event celebrating the seaweed diversity of California. The festival will showcase seaweed uses and applications in art, cooking, farming, science, sustainable technology, and conservation. At the all-day event, we will have booths, exhibits, workshops, galleries, and hands-on activities to immerse you and your family in seaweed fun and knowledge. We also encourage the use of masks when in a crowded and enclosed areas, following the California set guidelines. Event details.

Italian Heritage Festival Parade
Oct. 8: The Parade begins at 12:30 pm at the foot of Jefferson and Powell Streets in Fisherman’s Wharf, proceeds south through North Beach on Columbus Avenue and ends in Washington Square in front of Saints Peter and Paul Church. Parade viewing is available throughout the entire route. Event details.

San Francisco Water Lantern Festival
Oct. 8: The Water Lantern Festival is a floating lantern event that is all about connections. Watch your unique lantern drift out into the water as it joins other lanterns carrying hope, love, happiness, healing, peace, and connection. Event details.

Life is Living Festival
Oct. 8: This multi-generational, multi-disciplinary festival celebrates and highlights everything that is beautiful about Oakland – the joy, diversity, adversity, and revolutionary spirit that vibrates through the streets of the city. Event details.

Day on the Bay 2022
Oct. 8: Come out and celebrate the Bay! This resource fair showcase the beautiful Alviso Marina, along with several family-friendly and recreation activities. This special event is a wonderful opportunity to share information, services, and resources with the local community. Event details.

Celebrate the Harvest at Bricoleur Vineyards
Oct. 9: Celebrate the 3rd Annual Harvest Party! Enjoy wine, music, bocce ball, and all-around fun at Bricoleur Vineyards. Event details.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day at Filoli
Oct. 10: Join Filoli this Indigenous Peoples' Day for an hour of history, dance, and storytelling by Sewam American Indian Dance and the Association of Ramaytush Ohlone. Eddie Madril will perform and share how native dancing and music represents a beautiful expression of Native American heritage. Jonathan Cordero and Gregg Castro will give an overview of Ramaytush village sites and touch on the Association's goals around cultural revitalization, land rematriation, and ecological restoration. Children and families are welcome! The hour-long free program will be repeated at 11:00 and 1:00 and will be held in Filoli’s Ballroom. Space is limited so registration is recommended. Event details.

Safeway World Champ Pumpkin Weigh-Off
Oct. 10: Pumpkin growers far and near will vie for heaviest pumpkin at the annual Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off. In a pay-by-the-pound system, the winner will take home a hefty $9 per pound for the champion mega-pumpkin. In addition, a $1000 award will go to the most beautiful pumpkin. A special $30,000 bonus mega-prize will be awarded to any grower who breaks the world record at Half Moon Bay (the current world record is 2,703-pounds set at a 2021 weigh-off in Italy). The grand champion gourd (along with the top five overall) will be on display at the Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival on Oct. 15-16. Event details.

Autumn Lights Festival
Oct. 11-15: Art and nature enthusiasts from all over the region will flock to Oakland's Lake Merritt to immerse themselves in the 11th Annual Autumn Lights Festival, a one-of-a-kind interactive art experience that is always the talk of the town. Event details.

Diwali Festival
Oct. 15: Diwali is a festival of lights and one of the major festivals celebrated in India and other South Asian countries. Diwali symbolizes the spiritual "victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance". During Diwali, people wear their finest clothes, illuminate the interior and exterior of their homes with diyas  (lamps) and rangoli, perform worship ceremonies of Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity and wealth, light fireworks, and partake in family feasts, where mithai (Indian sweets) and gifts are shared. Diya lighting, music, performances, arts and crafts, henna, kids zone, food trucks, costume parade and more! Event details.

Potrero Hill Festival
Oct. 15: Celebrate the Potrero community outdoors on 20th Street as we stretch out over 4 blocks with magic, music, food, family, and fun! The Potrero Hill Festival is a benefit for the Potrero Hill Neighborhood House, our local community center providing essential services to Potrero’s most in need. Join us for this one-of-a-kind community event for all ages! Event details.

Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival
Oct. 15 & 16: Celebrate the "Great & Almighty Gourd" as Half Moon Bay presents its 50th annual bountiful pumpkin season with a special weekend filled with four stages of blockbuster entertainment, the Great Pumpkin Parade, harvest-inspired crafts, and home-style foods. Farmer Mike swill sculpt a monster pumpkin, plus there will be an opportunity to take photos with the grand champion mega-gourd, enter into pie-eating and costume contests, and so much more. Event details.

German Day in Golden Gate Park 2022
Oct. 16: Various German organizations and performers will showcase their talents and entertain the audience from the stage and each organization will also sponsor an informational table. There will be activities for children and adults, food available for purchase and beer and wine available in an enclosed "Biergarten." Event details.

Get lost (and found again) at one of these epically fun corn mazes all located in the Bay area

Getting lost in a corn maze or a hay maze is practically a childhood rite of passage (along with a road trip to leaf peep some nearby fantastic fall foliage) and with these locations in the Bay Area, there’s so many fun mazes to choose from. Try your navigation skills at a world-record holding maze that (might) take you and the kids hours to find your way out. Or, for something a little less intense, check out the assortment of mini mazes created especially for shorter legs.

And don’t forget, there are night mazes and a minotaur maze that will increase the fall fun factor. A bunch of these spots also double as u-pick fruit and veggie spots, pumpkin patches as well as your go-to source for festive fall activities so if you want to get your fall fix all in one spot, these family-friendly farms featuring corn mazes and hay mazes were made just for you.

The Best Hay Mazes in San Mateo County

Webb Ranch: Haunted house inside the corn maze? Yep, this spot has that plus more! In addition to the maze, there is over 30 acres to explore, and kids can let off steam in the jumpy houses before picking their pumpkins. They also offer train rides, hay rides, pony rides, a petting zoo, a bird zoo and a reptile zoo. Weekend visits are by reservation only. 

When: Sept. 23-Oct. 31
Hours: 10 am.-6 p.m.

2718 Alpine Rd.
Portola Valley
Online: webbranchinc.com

best hay maze near san francisco
Arata's Pumpkin Farm

Arata's Pumpkin Farm: See if you can beat the Minotaur's Labyrinth two-acre hay maze! A visit to Arata’s Farm in the Bay Area's pumpkin capital, Half Moon Bay, is a whole day event with train rides, a petting zoo, pony rides and more. Combine all the attractions in an all-access pass or pay for individual tickets but make sure to take a pumpkin home.

When: Oct. 1 through the end of the season
Hours: Sun.-Thur. 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m.; Fri. & Sat. 9 a.m.-10:30 p.m.

185 Verde Rd.
Half Moon Bay, CA
Online: aratasfarm.com

Related: Fall Road Trips from the Bay Area

The Best Hay Mazes in Alameda County

G & M Farms: Nestled in gorgeous Livermore Valley, G & M Farms has a 6-acre corn maze plus an enormous pumpkin patch and fresh produce you can take home. Weekend activities include pony rides, a cow train, pedal cart and jumping pillows (think: large, inflatable pillow the kids can jump on till they’re tired).

When: Oct. 1-31
Hours: Wed. & Thurs. 3-8 p.m; Fri. 3-9 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

487 East Airway Blvd.
Livermore
Online: gmfarms.com

Related: The Bay Area’s Best Pumpkin Patches

The Best Hay Mazes in Santa Clara County

Spina Farms: This spot is a South Bay tradition and for good reason—it has something for everyone. Pick a sunflower, get lost in the corn maze (according to the site, “This year our maze has doubled in size and features an all-new layout to find your way out of!”), ride their Spina Double Express Train for the whole family, let a pumpkin rip from their Pumpkin blaster cannon or let your littlest pumpkin have their own ride in their barrel train.

When: Sept. 26-Oct. 31
Hours: 9 a.m-5 p.m and then later hours as the it gets closer to Halloween

Corner of Laguna Ave & Santa Teresa Blvd.
Morgan Hill
Online: spinafarmspumpkinpatch.com

Gilroy Ostrich Farm is currently closed for renovations. Will update once we have more information.
Gilroy Ostrich Farm: This spot is the only only one on this list that involves ostriches—and the largest farm of ostriches in the state of California to boot! Make sure to see the ostriches, get your pumpkin and let the kids run through the hay bale maze.

5560 Pacheco Pass Hwy.
Gilroy
Online: gilroyostrichfarm.com

The Best Hay Maze in San Benito County 

Swank Farms Fall Experience: If there were ever a one-stop shop for fall festivities, this would be it! In addition to a corn maze and pumpkin patches, you will find pig races, a hay jump, gem mining, bouncy houses, a jumping pillow and…. beer!  Still looking for fun? Try the family-friendly Trail of Lights & Field of Frights which is a magically light journey through the farm. 

When: Oct. 1-31
Hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. (Fri-Sun); Various hours on other days

4751 Pacheco Hwy.
Hollister
Online: swankfarms.com/fall

The Best Hay Mazes in Sonoma County

Santa Rosa Patch: Not to be outdone by anyone, this 8-acre corn maze has two different routes so it's perfect for kids of all ages. The short route takes about 25 minutes while the longer route can take up to an hour with night mazes open until 10 p.m. on Fri. & Sat. This spot also has a pumpkin patch, inflatable jumping pillow, petting zoo, hay ride, u-pick sunflower fields to fill your day.

Good to Know: The corn maze closes 45 minutes before the pumpkin patch closes.

When: Oct. 7 through the end of the season
Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 11 a.m.–6:00 p.m.; Fri. 11 a.m.-10:00 p.m; Sat. 9 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun. 9 a.m.-8 p.m.

5157 Stony Point Rd.
Santa Rosa
Online: santarosapumpkinpatch.com

Petaluma Pumpkin Patch & Amazing Corn Maze: Farm animals, a bouncy house, pony rides and food vendors on the weekends will keep the entire family entertained. The 4-acre maze with 10-foot tall corn stalks and only one way out is open daily. If you're looking for something more challenging, check out the night maze—open on Fri. and Sat. nights (kids 15 and under must stay with an adult inside the night maze).

When: Sept. 30 through the end of the season
Hours: Daily 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; night maze is open 6 p.m.-10 p.m.

450 Stony Point Rd.
Petaluma
Online: petalumapumpkinpatch.com

The Best Hay Maze in Solano County

Cool Patch Pumpkins: Holding a world record for the largest corn maze, every year the corn maze is new and completely unique. This year they are honoring the hard work and dedication that it takes to be a modern day farmer. Did you know that in the 1800s, 90-percent of the US population lived on farms? Today it is around one-percent.

Whether your crew chooses to use a map as a guide or attempts to do it on their own, fun hours are guaranteed. Littles can tackle the mini-maze on site and enjoy the pedal cars. 

When: Sept. 24 until the season is over
Hours: 9 a.m.- 8 p.m. 

6150 Dixon Ave West
Dixon
Online: coolpatchpumpkins.com

The Best Hay Maze in Marin County

Nicasio Valley Pumpkin Patch: We love this spot up north because it has 12-acres to explore plus a massively-fun hay maze for kids age seven to age 97, plus a hay pit for toddlers. Weekends include face painting, live music, and petting zoos—all of which will work up a big appetite for their on-site BBQ and ice cream.

Good to Know: This spot is cash only. 

When: Sept. 24-Oct. 31
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sat. & Sun. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

5300 Nicasio Valley Rd.
Nicasio
Online: nicasiovalleypumpkinpatch.net

The Best Hay Maze in Contra Costa County

best corn maze near san francisco
Three Nunns Farm

Three Nunns Farm: A tractor ride (for a fee) takes your family to this beautiful property with corn mazes and a pumpkin patch. The kids can then be let loose in the five acre corn maze while a mini-maze promises to be more relaxing for the younger ones. In addition to pumpkins, U-pick and pre-picked produce is also on hand for purchase. 

When: Sept. 17-Oct. 31
Hours: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

550 Walnut Blvd.
Brentwood
Online: threenunns.com

The Best Hay Maze in San Joaquin County

Dell'Osso Family Farm: This spot is about 90 minutes east of Fremont and totally worth the drive for a day of fall fun. Your daily wristband gets you into the massive corn maze as well as on other attractions like the hay ride, Dell'Osso Express train, tire pile and more. Upgrade your day to try out the ziplines and pony ride. Don't forget to come back here in the winter to ride the snow tubes!

When: Oct. 1-31
Hours: Mon.-Fri., noon-7 p.m.; Sat. & Sun. 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

501 Manthey Rd.
Lathrop
Online: dellossofarm.com

 

 

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Gabe in the After

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With a storyline that hits close to home, Gabe is learning to navigate a post-pandemic world. As he and the 20-ish other survivors carry on, they came across a girl they've never met who sparks joy in their tiny community. Who is she? Ages: 10-14


The Agathas is a chapter book for teens.

The Agathas

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Young suspense enthusiasts will love this first book in a new series that's packed with suspense and drama. Agatha Christie-lover, Alice Ogilvie, has plenty of secrets of her own but the biggest mystery of Castle Cove is missing Brooke Donovan. Can our protagonist use her knowledge from her fave author to solve the question of what happened to Brooke? Written for mature audiences, this book is just as fun for moms and is the perfect beach read. Ages: 14+


Spineless is a chapter book for grade school kids.

Spineless

$15 BUY NOW

Budding naturalist Algie Emsworth may love exploring, but his asthma is keeping him from living his best life. Set in the late 19th century, he's sent to a health resort where things aren't as they should be. Amidst the mysterious dead carcasses surrounding the property, Algie also comes face to face with a new species and forces who yearn to extinguish it. Ages: 8-12


The Wind in the Willows in 20 Minutes a Day: A Read-With-Me Book

$19 BUY NOW

Introduce readers to the classics with this intuitive "Read with Me" format that uses discussion questions and definitions to bring the story to life! In 20 minutes a day, kids will love digging into each story in a meaningful way that isn't overwhelming. Ages: 8-12


Mr. Lemoncello's Very First Game

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OG Mr. Lemoncello fans will love this origin story prequel. Readers will get the entire backstory on the everyone's favorite game maker, Luigi Lemoncello, and his rise to stardom. Ages: 8-12


Life in the Doghouse Series

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Inspired by the hit documentary, "Life in the Doghouse," this series of chapter books brings real-life rescued pups to life. Perfect for puppy lovers, each book focuses on a wild and crazy dog who's found their furever home. Ages: 7-10


A Duet for Home is a chapter book

A Duet for Home

$15 BUY NOW

June, Maybelle and their mom have just lost their home and can't believe they've found themselves at Huey House, the local shelter. When June can't even bring her prized viola inside, she doesn't think their new accommodations will work. Then she meets Tyrell, a long-term resident. Together, they form a fast friendship that comes in handy when a new policy threatens to oust them from Huey House. Ages: 9-12


Zara's Rules for Record-Breaking Fun

$7 BUY NOW

Zara and Zayd are excited when a new family moves in across the street, until Naomi seems to want to take over. Ever the neighborhood fun queen, Zara isn't so sure she wants to play by newcomer Naomi's rules. So she creates her own way for record-breaking fun: setting a Guinness World Record. Hena Khan's newest book is a fun read that moves fast and evokes tons of laughter. Ages: 7-10


The Einsteins of Vista Point

$14 BUY NOW

The Einstein's are all living in the wake of tragedy when they move to Vista Point. As 11-year-old Zach settles into the new, small town with mysterious landmarks, he makes a new friend in Ann. But is Ann holding back secrets? Ben Guterson's story is deep, meaningful and poignant and an excellent read for young and old. Ages: 9+


Grow Up, Tahlia Wilkins!

$17 BUY NOW

The Fairy Godmother of Womanhood has finally paid Tahlia a visit––right before the famed upcoming class party. In addition to the zit adorning her chin, she just can't catch a break. Together with her friend Lily, Tahlia embarks on a journey to get to the party no matter what (oh yeah, and find some feminine protection) in this hilarious, coming-of-age story by Karina Evans. Ages: 9+


Best New Chapter Books for Kids

Willis Wilbur Wows the World

$14 BUY NOW

Willis has just finished third grade and he's ready to take the world––and the summer––by storm. Too bad his best friend won't be there like they planned. So instead, our main man decides he's found his calling as the new neighborhood life coach. Author Lindsey Leavitt's new book in the forthcoming series is the perfect summer read for youngsters, with plenty of laughable moments and tons of gumption. Ages: 8-12


Operation Sisterhood is a chapter book

Operation Sisterhood

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It's always just been Bo and her mom living in the Bronx, but now, things are changing. The two of them are moving to Harlem to live with Bill, her mom's boyfriend and the rest of the "house family." Oh, and a wedding is on the horizon. Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich weaves a beautiful tale of change, Black girlhood and the comforting communities found within the colorful streets of a New York City summer. Ages: 9+


Best New Chapter Books for Kids

Freewater

$14 BUY NOW

An important story for young adults, Amina Luqman-Dawson's story on a slave's journey to freedom is told through various narrators. Homer and his sister Ada have only known slavery, which is all the more reason to leave the plantation behind. When they find themselves in a secret community, Freewater, they almost forget the horrors of their past. But Homer has an important decision to make when their lives once again become threatened. Can he make it back to his mother to free her, too? Ages: 10+


The Night Bus Hero

$17 BUY NOW

Hector is a troublemaker, but when he takes it too far, he's committed to turning his life around. When he pranks a homeless person and is seen by a classmate, Hector embarks on a journey of meaning as his story introduces readers to bullies and the problem of homelessness. Ages: 10+


Abby In Between: Ready or Not!

$17 BUY NOW

Abby has a lot going on in life. Between her best friend moving away, her mom going back to work and being forced to join the running club, her life feels a bit chaotic. On top of everything, it's time for a BRA. Megan E. Bryant's coming of age novel is the first in a series that young readers and moms alike won't be able to put down. Ages: 9+


The Supernatural Society is a chapter book for kids.

The Supernatural Society

$17 BUY NOW

Will is devastated when his mom moves the family out of New York to East Emerson, a small town in the middle of nowhere. He's even more upset when he discovers the town is full of monsters. Yep, real-life zombies, minotaurs and mummies. When the pets in town start disappearing, Will has to team of up with his new friend Ivy and her brother Linus to figure out what's really going on, and if the monsters are to blame. Ages: 9+


Maizy Chen's Last Chance

$17 BUY NOW

Maizy has found herself in Last Chance, Minnesota for the first time. When she and her mom travel there to take care of her sick grandfather, she not only finds that her family are the only Asian Americans in town, but that her family's restaurant, the Golden Palace, has lots of secrets to unravel. Ages: 8-12


The Swallowtail Legacy: Wreck at Ada's Reef

$18 BUY NOW

Lark has found herself on Swallowtail Island for the summer with her sister, stepdad and stepbrothers, along with a summer job helping to research a book. When she starts to uncover the mysteries of an unsolved boat crash, what results is a revelation involving murder and so much more. Michael D. Beil's first novel in the new series is intriguing for any mature reader who loves mysteries. Ages: 11+


Sofía Acosta Makes a Scene

$17 BUY NOW

Sofía comes from a family of dancers, but she just doesn't have the feet to become a professional like her parents. As a Cuban-American fifth grader, she's learning to navigate her own worldview, understand who she wants to be in life and what it means to be an immigrant family. Emma Otheguy's coming of age novel addresses racism and so much more that will keep young readers riveted. Ages: 9+


The Witch's Apprentice (Dragons in a Bag #3)

$14 BUY NOW

Fans of Zeta Elliott's acclaimed series continue the story with book number three. Jax is navigating all sorts of things: from his lessons as a witch's apprentice, his friends Kenny and Kavita and the biggest of all: a phoenix egg! Ages: 8-12


Cornbread & Poppy

$7 BUY NOW

Cornbread and Poppy are best friends, but they're very different. Where Cornbread is ready to weather the winter, Poppy has just realized she is not prepared at all. In this three-chapter book, follow along as Caldecott Medalist Matthew Cordell takes the pair up Holler Mountain where they find a new friend. Ages: 6-8

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