10 Things to Do with Bay Area Kids this January (2026)

In this guide to 10 Things to Do with Bay Area Kids This January, you’ll find the best January events and activities for kids across San Francisco, the Peninsula, the South Bay, the East Bay, and beyond... Think magical light experiences, hands-on museums, animal encounters, whale watching, tide pooling, and easy snow day trips. Save this list for weekend planning, rainy-day backups, and those “what are we doing today?” moments.

Short on time? Use the quick links below to skip to any event.

1- King Tides

2- Ice skating

3- Holidays at Filoli

4- IlluminOdyssey at CuriOdyssey

5- SF Zoo: Kids Free all month long

6- Snow Play Adventures

7- Whale Watching

8- CalAcademy Claude's Celebration of Life

9- New Year Kickoff at AVAC in San Jose

10- The Physics Show

11- Napa Lighted Art Festival

** Free Community Calendar

[Image: starfish tidepooling san francisco ]

1-King Tides are coming...

Dates: January 2, 3, 4 (check your local low tide time). These are the next California King Tide dates, which also bring extra-low tides for great tidepool viewing.

What it is: Tidepooling = exploring rocky shoreline at lowest tide (best when it's a negative number) to spot sea stars, anemones, crabs, snails, and more. Go slow, step on bare rock, and never turn your back on the ocean. (High surf/sneaker-wave advisories may apply this week.) It's very important to leave no trace and not touch/ disturb the sea creatures.

Where (great spots & addresses):

Pro tip: Aim for the lowest tide of the day (ideally a negative number), arrive 20–30 minutes early, wear grippy shoes, and check conditions before you go.

2- Ice Skating: Last Call for holiday ice rinks

Find a list of places to ice skate as well as closing dates--> [ click here for the list ]

[Image: ice skating ]

3-Holidays at Filoli (Final days!)

Dates: Now through January 11, 2026

What it is: Filoli’s holiday experience includes festive daytime décor (Gilded) and a whimsical train village (Thistlewyck), plus a third experience in the evening (requires separate ticket from daytime events)- “Holiday Lights” walk through glowing gardens.

Addresses:

86 Cañada Rd, Woodside, CA 94062

[Image: san francisco holiday lights filoli ]

4-IlluminOdyssey at CuriOdyssey

Dates: Now - Jan 25

What it is: An immersive, interactive winter light experience inspired by the science of light—CuriOdyssey’s Redwood Hall turns into a glowing, hands-on light “forest” with exhibits like refraction, projections, and shadow play.

Address: 1651 Coyote Point Drive, San Mateo, CA

[Image: illuminodyssey at curiodyssey san mateo ]

5- SF Zoo: Kids get in free all month long

Dates: January 1 - January 31, 2026

What it is: Kids 11 & under get free admission all month with a paid adult ticket (limit 5 kids per adult).

Address: San Francisco Zoo & Gardens- Sloat Blvd. @ the Great Highway, San Francisco, CA

6- Snow Play Adventures

Dates: January - March 2026 (winter season; weather permitting)

What it is: Now is the time to start planning your winter getaway to play at a SNO-park, do some sledding, snow tubing, skiing or snowboarding!

Places to visit to play in the snow: Tahoe, Truckee, Arnold (Calaveras Area), Tuolumne County/ Highway108 (Pinecrest area)

*** [ Read more about where to go for snow play adventures here ]

[Image: snow tubing tahoe ]

7-Whale Watching

Dates: January - March

What it is: In January, you’re mainly watching for migrating gray whalesn as they travel close to the California coast. Book a whale watching tour or find a shore-based viewing spot

Where: San Francisco: Golden Gate whale watching boat tour (Pier 39) | Half Moon Bay: Whale watching from Pillar Point Harbor (Riptide Charters) | Monterey Bay: Year-round whale watching (Monterey Bay Whale Watch) | Point Reyes: Shore-based whale watching (Point Reyes Lighthouse area)

8- Claude Forever: A Celebration of Life

Dates: January 18, 2026 at 11:00am

What it is: free outdoor community celebration of life packed with stories, speeches, performances, and activities for Claude fans of all ages. After the celebration, head across the street to Cal Academy for special programming, craft activities, and an artisan marketplace featuring commemorative Claude souvenirs available for purchase from local vendors. [ Click here for details ]

Address: Golden Gate Bandshell, Golden Gate Park Music Concourse, San Francisco, CA 94118, between Cal Academy and the de Young Museum

9- New Year Kick off at AVAC in San Jose

Dates: Saturday, January 10 from 9am to 1pm

What it is: Free event -Take turns trying new classes and playing pickleball while the kids burn energy in AVAC’s popular NinjaZone classes which combine ninja skills and obstacle course training. Bonus: complimentary assessments, chair massages, and prizes. Click here for more details: avac.us/nyko.

Address: 5400 Camden Ave [at Kooser Road] | San Jose, CA

[Image: parent and child fitness class at AVAC in san jose ]

10- The Physics Show at Foothill College

Dates: Jan 3, Jan 4, & Jan 10, 2026 (multiple showtimes each day: 10:00am, 1:00pm, 3:30pm)

What it is: A kid-friendly live science show packed with fun, memorable physics demonstrations for kids and families. Tickets are just $6! Best for kids age 5 and up. [ Click here for more details ]

Address: Smithwick Theater, Foothill College — 12345 El Monte Rd, Los Altos Hills, CA 94022

[Image: The Physics Show for kids in Los Altos Hills Foothill College]

11- Napa Lighted Art Festival

Dates: Jan 17 – Feb 15, 2026 (nightly: Sun–Thu 6–9pm, Fri–Sat 6–10pm)

What it is: A free, walkable outdoor light-art festival in downtown Napa featuring ~15 illuminated installations for five weeks, plus projection art on iconic buildings during the first 9 nights. [ Click here for more details ]

Address: Downtown Napa (various sites & buildings).

Plan Faster With GO Find Fun

Browse everything on the GO Find Fun calendar by date, city, age, and budget.

[Image: san francisco bay area family events calendar]