The Bay Area has an incredible ecosystem of science museums, maker communities, robotics teams, and observatories. Many of these organizations run recurring STEM programs for kids and families throughout the year.
Below are some of the most interesting ongoing science, engineering, and creativity events across the Bay Area.
San Francisco STEM Events
Marine Science Sunday — The Marine Mammal Center (Sausalito)
The Marine Mammal Center
2000 Bunker Rd, Sausalito
March 8, 2026 – January 24, 2027
Second and fourth Sunday each month
Sessions at • 12 PM and 2 PM
Educational talks where kids learn about marine animal rescue and ocean conservation.
Mission Science Workshop Maker Lab — Mission Science Workshop (San Francisco)
Mission Science Workshop
2250 Harrison St, San Francisco
Wednesdays • 3 PM – 5 PM
Second Saturday each month • 10 AM – 3 PM
A legendary Bay Area maker space where kids build mechanical toys, electronics, and engineering projects using recycled materials.
Exploratorium Tinkering Studio Workshops — Exploratorium, Pier 15 (San Francisco)
Exploratorium, Pier 15, San Francisco
Runs year-round during museum hours
Tuesday – Sunday • 10 AM – 5 PM
Kids experiment with circuits, mechanical systems, motion, and creative engineering projects using real tools and materials.
Randall Museum Science Saturdays — Randall Museum (San Francisco)
Randall Museum
199 Museum Way, San Francisco
March 7, 2026 – January 2, 2027
Saturdays • 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Drop-in science programs where kids explore experiments such as rocket building, polymers, and physics demonstrations.
SF Jazz Family Matinee - SFJAZZ Center - Ends in May
SFJAZZ Center
201 Franklin St, San Francisco
March 14 – May 16, 2026
11 AM
Family-friendly live jazz performances where kids can interact with musicians and learn about music.
California Academy of Sciences: Academy Days & Live Animal Programs
Golden Gate Park, San Francisco | Year-round during museum hours
Weekly live science shows, animal feedings, and interactive deep-sea exploration stations. No registration required.
SFPL STEM Labs — Various SF Public Library Branches
Multiple locations (Main Library, Mission, Bayview, Parkside) | Year-round, weekly
Free drop-in coding, robotics (Sphero, Lego WeDo), and circuitry workshops for ages 7–14.
Swift Playgrounds Coding Sessions— Apple Stores (San Mateo, Palo Alto, Union Square)
Apple Stores in San Mateo, Palo Alto, and San Francisco
Runs year-round
Most kids sessions around • 11 AM (weekends)
Kids create digital art, animations, and interactive stories using iPads.
East Bay STEM Events
Chabot Observatory Telescope Viewing Nights — Chabot Space & Science Center (Oakland)
Chabot Space & Science Center
10000 Skyline Blvd, Oakland
Most Friday and Saturday evenings
7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
Visitors can observe the moon, planets, and deep-space objects through historic telescopes with astronomers.
ZooKids Program — Oakland Zoo (Oakland) -Ends in May
Oakland Zoo
9777 Golf Links Rd, Oakland
March 14 – May 16, 2026
Select Saturdays
Times vary by session
Young children explore animals through guided zoo walks, crafts, and close-up encounters.
Bay Area Fix-It Fests — Berkeley, Oakland & San Jose Community Centers
Various community centers across Berkeley, Oakland, and San Jose
Several events each month
Typical hours • 11 AM – 3 PM
Hands-on repair workshops where families bring broken electronics, toys, clothing, and small appliances to learn how they work and how to fix them.
Lawrence Hall of Science: Discovery Drop-Ins (Berkeley)
1 Centennial Dr, Berkeley
Saturdays & Sundays, 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Hands-on engineering challenges, animal encounters, and design labs. Rotating weekly themes.
Read more
MOCHA Art + STEM Studio — Museum of Children’s Art (Oakland)
1221 Broadway, Oakland
Wednesdays–Sundays
Art-meets-STEM workshops: stop-motion animation, cardboard engineering, simple machines.
Read more
Peninsula & South Bay STEM Events
Marine Science Institute: Eco-Voyages (Redwood City)
Select Saturdays Hands-on marine biology. Families go out on the SF Bay to study local fish, sharks, and water chemistry.
CuriOdyssey: IlluminOdyssey Summer (San Mateo)
Tuesdays – Sundays (Starts June)
Physics of light and perception. A massive indoor "electric playground" that is perfect for summer learning.
Foothill College Observatory Public Star-Gazing Nights (Los Altos Hills)
Foothill College Observatory
12345 El Monte Rd, Los Altos Hills
Select Friday evenings
Typical hours • 9 PM – 11 PM
Public telescope viewing sessions led by astronomers where families can observe planets, star clusters, and galaxies.
Swift Playgrounds Coding Sessions— Apple Stores (San Mateo, Palo Alto, Union Square)
Apple Stores in San Mateo, Palo Alto, and San Francisco
Runs year-round
Most kids sessions around • 11 AM (weekends)
Kids create digital art, animations, and interactive stories using iPads.
Home Depot Kids Builder Workshop — Home Depot Stores Across the Bay Area
Home Depot stores in San Jose, Palo Alto, Redwood City, Fremont and other cities
First Saturday of every month
9 AM – 12 PM
Kids build simple woodworking projects like birdhouses, toolboxes, and toy vehicles.
Community Repair & Engineering Workshops
Repair Café Silicon Valley — South Bay & Peninsula
Locations: Milpitas Library, Saratoga Library, Hacker Dojo (Mountain View), & Palo Alto
When: Monthly (Saturdays or Sundays) • 10 AM – 1 PM
Focus: Volunteer engineers and expert makers help families disassemble and fix electronics, toys, and appliances. It’s a masterclass in troubleshooting and mechanical engineering.
Read more: repaircafesv.org
Fix-it Fests — East Bay
Locations: Berkeley & Oakland Community Centers
When: Several events each month • 11 AM – 3 PM
Focus: Similar to Repair Cafés but deeply rooted in the East Bay maker community. These fests emphasize "learning by doing," where kids are encouraged to pick up tools and lead the repair process.
Read more: cultureofrepair.org
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