SF Children & Nature

Insect Discovery Lab at Anza Public Library
2025-06-07 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Anza Branch Library, 550 37th Ave., San Francisco, CA, 94121, United States
Explore the fantastic lives of beetles, millipedes, hissing cockroaches, walking sticks, whip scorpions and more with SaveNature.org. Learn about the diverse world of insects and other arthropods and their key role in the web of life. Space limited. Reservations required: (415) 355-5717 (starting May 24).
Learn more >

Alebrijes & Nahuales at Yerba Buena Gardens
2025-06-08 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-06-09 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-06-10 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-06-11 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-06-12 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-06-13 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-06-14 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-06-15 08:00 - 17:00 | Yerba Buena Gardens, 750 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA, 94103
Come out to experience Colossal Creatures in Bloom at Yerba Buena Gardens. Inspired by the captivating world of Mexican magical realism, this extraordinary exhibition showcases seven monumental original works from Mexico, each towering 20 feet tall. The exhibition which runs from May 10 – June 22, pays tribute to the exceptional craftsmanship of Mexican artisans and celebrates Mexico’s rich cultural heritage.
Fantastic Animals from Mexico: Alebrijes and Nahuales is a nationwide tour, engaging thousands in public spaces across the United States. In partnership with local communities and institutions, the exhibition will foster arts accessibility, highlight local diversity, and promote cultural exchange.
FREE activity. Learn more >>

Library on the JFK Promenade
2025-06-09 16:00 - 19:00 | Corner of JFK Promenade and Conservatory Drive West, JFK Promenade & Conservatory Drive West, San Francisco, CA, United States
This summer, the San Francisco Public Library invites you to visit the Bookmobile at the JFK Promenade! Every Monday from June 2 to August 11, you can find the library on wheels at the corner of JFK Promenade and Conservatory Drive West from 4 to 7 p.m. Stop by to browse books, borrow materials, and take part in free activities for all ages.
Learn more >>

Swing into Stories @ Koret Playground (Golden Gate Park)
2025-06-10 09:30 - 12:00 | Koret Playground @ Golden Gate Park, Koret Children's Quarter Playground, Martin Luther King Jr Dr & Bowling Green Dr,, San Francisco, CA, 94117, United States
The Library’s YouthMobile is coming to the park! Movement and play are essential building blocks in fostering literacy and a love of reading. In partnership with the SF Rec & Park, we bring stories and song to our City’s beloved parks. Join us for a high-energy storytime in our beautiful outdoors!
The YouthMobile offers a diverse selection of children’s library materials available for check-out with an SFPL library card. From the City’s only kid-focused bookmobile, we circulate materials, create library cards and provide the public with information about library services and programs. Come aboard and see what we have!
Tuesdays from 9:30 a.m.–12 noon.
Storytime at 10:30 a.m.
1st Tuesday of the month
Garfield Playground (Treat & 26th Streets)
2nd Tuesday of the month
Koret Playground (Golden Gate Park, by the carousel)
3rd Tuesday of the month
Hilltop Playground (Newcomb Ave & Whitney Young Circle)
4th Tuesday of the month
Redwood Grove Playground (McLaren Park, 200 John F. Shelley Dr.)
More info >

Bean Sprout Family Days @ the Botanical Garden
2025-06-10 10:00 - 14:00, 2025-06-11 10:00 - 14:00, 2025-06-12 10:00 - 14:00, 2025-06-13 10:00 - 14:00 | Children’s Garden at the SF Botanical Garden, 1199 9th Ave San Francisco, San Francisco, 94122, United States
Come out to the Children’s Garden for Bean Sprouts Family Days to explore, create, and play in nature. Hop from log to log at the Stump Jump, build castles in the Sandlot, and create your own masterpieces in the Fort Forest. Families with children of all ages will find something to enjoy
Summer hours are Tuesday–Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. from June 10 through August 1.
The Children’s Garden is only a 10 – 20 minute (stroller-friendly!) walk from the Botanical Garden’s Main Gate.
Admission to the Botanical Garden is FREE for San Francisco Residents (with proof of residency), Members, School Groups, and Veterans.

All programs FREE of charge, no preregistration required.

Learn more >

Presentation: Wild Science with Tree Frog Treks
2025-06-11 10:30 - 11:30 | Glen Canyon Park, Elk Street and Chenery Street, San Francisco, CA, 94127, United States
Meet reptiles and amphibians face-to-face and learn about the natural world around us. For children and their caregivers. Space limited. Seats available first come, first served. Program by: Tree Frog Treks Note: This event is cross-posted from the SF Public Library website. Please check the original posting for full details and any cancellations.

California State Parks Week Kick Off
2025-06-11 11:00 - 14:00 | Samuel P. Taylor State Park, 8889 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Lagunitas, CA, 94938, United States
Celebrate California’s incredible state parks with events that inspire everyone to explore, connect with nature, and take action to protect these special places.
Kickoff Celebration – Wednesday, June 11 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Samuel P. Taylor State Park.
Enjoy:
+ A walk through majestic old-growth redwoods
+ Guided hikes highlighting local wildlife and park stewardship
+ Hands-on activities and exhibits from Bay Area partner organizations
This free, family-friendly event is co-hosted by California State Parks, California State Parks Foundation, Parks California, and Save the Redwoods League — come celebrate our shared love for nature and the work being done to care for it.
Learn more and find an event near you >>

Workshop: Recycled Bottle Terrarium
2025-06-11 14:00 - 15:00 | Visitacion Valley Branch Library, 201 Leland Avenue, San Francisco, CA, 94134, United States
Create a terrarium out of recycled materials and watch seeds grow. For children and their caregivers. Groups larger than 5, email vvamgr@sfpl.org for reservations. Note: This event is cross-posted from the SF Public Library website. Please check the original posting for full details and any cancellations: https://tinyurl.com/SummerStride-Nature

Workshop: Young Leaders in Climate Action
2025-06-11 14:00 - 17:00 | Main Library, 100 Larkin St, San Francisco, California, 94102, United States
Rising 7th–9th graders in the Bay are invited to this series of hands-on, youth-led workshops designed for students interested in environmental issues and youth advocacy. Participants will learn about important topics like climate justice, environmental science, and sustainability—both on a global level and in their own communities. Note: This event is cross-posted from the SF Public Library website. Please check the original posting for full details and any cancellations: https://tinyurl.com/SummerStride-Nature

Workshop: Young Leaders in Climate Action
2025-06-12 09:30 - 15:00 | Main Library, 100 Larkin St, San Francisco, California, 94102, United States
Learn about important topics like climate justice, environmental science and sustainability—both on a global level and in their own communities. For ages 12 –15. Space limited. Reservations required: email gabbielistana@gmail.com and 26mnguyen@shcp.edu. Note: This event is cross-posted from the SF Public Library website. Please check the original posting for full details and any cancellations: https://tinyurl.com/SummerStride-Nature

Activity: Gather and Garden
2025-06-12 11:00 - 12:00 | Portola Library, 380 Bacon Street, San Francisco, CA, 94134, United States
Gather and garden every other Thursday with activities, adventure and more! Explore and enjoy Portola’s own community garden. Note: This event is cross-posted from the SF Public Library website. Please check the original posting for full details and any cancellations: https://tinyurl.com/SummerStride-Nature

Presentation: A Bit About Bats with NorCal Bats
2025-06-12 13:00 - 13:45 | Main Library, 100 Larkin St, San Francisco, California, 94102, United States
Meet live bats and learn about the bats of San Francisco, amazing winged wonders. Learn how they fly, what they hunt and echolocation. Bats are vital to gardening and farming due to the quantity of agricultural pests that they consume. Participants will learn about local species and have the opportunity to meet live, native bats. Program by: NorCal Bats Note: This event is cross-posted from the SF Public Library website. Please check the original posting for full details and any cancellations: https://tinyurl.com/SummerStride-Nature

Activity: Creepy and Crawly Critters with Little Explorers Petting Zoo
2025-06-12 14:30 - 15:30 | Portola Library, 380 Bacon Street, San Francisco, CA, 94134, United States
Get to know reptiles, amphibians and insects. Touch, hold and observe these cold-blooded critters while learning about different species, habitats and characteristics of each animal. Space limited. For children and their caregivers. Program by: Little Explorers Petting Zoo Note: This event is cross-posted from the SF Public Library website. Please check the original posting for full details and any cancellations: https://tinyurl.com/SummerStride-Nature

Presentation: A Bit About Bats with NorCal Bats
2025-06-12 15:15 - 16:00 | Marina Branch Library, 1890 Chestnut St, San Francisco, California, 94123, United States

Books in the Park: Catch the SummerMobile at Potrero Hill Rec Center
2025-06-13 09:30 - 11:30 | Potrero Hill Rec Center, 801 Arkansas St., San Francisco, CA, 94107, United States
Calling all campers and summer explorers! The SF Public Library’s bookmobiles are hitting the road and making weekly summer stops at four city recreation centers from June 9 – August 14.
Come browse, check books out, and play in the park!
Weekly Stops:
+ Mondays, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | Minnie & Lovie Ward Rec Center
+ Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | Sava Pool
+ Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | Glen Canyon Park
+ Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | Potrero Hill Rec Center
Learn more >

Nature Play Day at Tenderloin Rec Center
2025-06-14 10:30 - 12:00 | Tenderloin Rec Center, 570 Ellis St, San Francisco, CA, 94109, United States
Come out for a joyful morning of exploration, creativity, and play in nature—designed especially for children ages 0–8 and their families.
Enjoy FREE hands-on nature activities, open-ended play, and outdoor fun in a welcoming neighborhood space.
This event is a collaboration by WuYee Children’s Services, Cross Cultural Family Center, the SF Public Library, SF Rec & Park, and SF Children & Nature.
RSVP here >

Meet the Animal Keepers @ Randall Museum
2025-06-14 11:30 - 12:30 | Randall Museum, Museum Way, San Francisco, CA, 94114, United States
Venture into the Randall Museum’s live animal exhibit, Wild in California, and join one of the animal keepers in an open discussion about the museum’s wildlife residents. Learn how the keepers care for the animals and how and where these creatures live in the wild. Kids and families will meet some of the animals up-close and can ask the keeper questions to find out more about their favorites. Visitors can meet a snake, check out a barn owl, or maybe even touch a tortoise.
This is a FREE drop-in event on Saturdays at 11:30am.
Learn more >

Back to Nature Block Party at Candlestick Point SRA
2025-06-14 12:30 - 15:00 | Corner of Carroll Avenue and Aurelious Walker Way, Carroll Avenue & Aurelious Walker Way, San Francisco, 94124, United States
Join Candlestick Point SRA for the Back to Nature Block Party. Everyone is invited to enjoy a day of fun with activities like kite flying, art stations, delicious food from local vendors, and Tree Frog Treks’ animal ambassadors, among other surprises.
Volunteers are welcome to assist in hanging artwork created by local artist Malik Seneferu in collaboration with Alice Griffith residents. The artwork celebrates the community activism that brought Candlestick Point SRA to life, in addition to local plant and wildlife.
The party will be held at the corner of Carroll Avenue and Aurelious Walker, across from Alice Griffith. Free parking is available in the field next to the maintenance lot at 1150 Carroll Avenue.
Learn more and RSVP >>

Presentation: Wild Science with Tree Frog Treks
2025-06-14 14:30 - 15:30 | Noe Valley / Sally Brun Branch Library, 451 Jersey St, San Francisco, California, 94114, United States
Meet reptiles and amphibians face-to-face and learn about the natural world around us. For children and their caregivers. Space limited. Reservations required: (415) 355-5707. Program by: Tree Frog Treks Note: This event is cross-posted from the SF Public Library website. Please check the original posting for full details and any cancellations: https://tinyurl.com/SummerStride-Nature

Presentation: A Bit About Bats with NorCal Bats
2025-06-14 15:00 - 15:45 | Park Branch Library, 1833 Page St, San Francisco, California, 94117, United States
