SF Children & Nature

Presentation: Fur, Scales and Tails Animal Show with Tracy Hill
2025-07-23 13:00 - 13:45 (America/Los_Angeles) | Sunset Branch Library, 1305 18th Ave, San Francisco, California, 94122, United States
Learn about wildlife, see some critters close-up and pet some of your favorite animal stars with Tracy Hill’s animal show. For children and their families. Program by: Tracy Hill’s Fur, Scales and Tails Animal Show 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

Bean Sprout Family Days @ the Botanical Garden
2025-07-24 10:00 - 14:00, 2025-07-25 10:00 - 14:00, 2025-07-29 10:00 - 14:00, 2025-07-30 10:00 - 14:00, 2025-07-31 10:00 - 14:00, 2025-08-01 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 >

Activity: Gather and Garden
2025-07-24 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
2025-07-24 13:00 - 13:45 | Bayview/Linda Brooks-Burton Library, 5075 03rd St, San Francisco, California, 94124, 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

Social: Climate Action Book Club and Plastic Bag Yarn Crafts
2025-07-24 15:00 - 16:00 | Bernal Heights Branch Library, 500 Cortland Ave, San Francisco, California, 94110, United States
Learn how to weave plastic bag yarn, check out some climate action books and add books, podcasts and other media to our recommendation wall. Choose your own adventure from our Green Teens Library: Books, Podcasts, and Action Tools Resource List. For ages 11–18.Connect: San Francisco Environment Department 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

Books in the Park: Catch the SummerMobile at Potrero Hill Rec Center
2025-07-25 09:30 - 11:30, 2025-08-01 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 >

Presentation: Wild Science with Tree Frog Treks
2025-07-25 15:00 - 16:00 | Western Addition Branch Library, 1550 Scott St, San Francisco, California, 94115, 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) 355-5727. 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

Activity: Gardening
2025-07-26 11:00 - 12:00 | Merced Branch Library, 155 Winston Dr, San Francisco, California, 94132, United States
De–stress and enjoy the fresh air. Garden with us. For ages 13–18. 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

Meet the Animal Keepers @ Randall Museum
2025-07-26 11:30 - 12:30, 2025-08-02 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 >

Presentation: Lizard Lady Reptiles
2025-07-26 14:00 - 15:00 | Ortega Branch Library, 3223 Ortega St, San Francisco, California, 94122, United States
Learn about endangered species, while cozying up to some of the coolest snakes and lizards on our planet.Space limited. Reservations required: (415) 355-5700 (starting June 1). Program by: Lizard Lady Reptiles 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

Social: Walk the Crosstown Trail from Visitacion Valley to Glen Park Library
2025-07-27 11:00 - 11:30 | Visitacion Valley Branch Library, 201 Leland Avenue, San Francisco, CA, 94134, United States
Join Bob Siegel, the primary visionary behind the Crosstown Trail, other volunteer members of the Crosstown Trail Coalition and library staff as we help you navigate a section of the Crosstown Trail from Visitacion Valley Library to Glen Park Library. Meet in front of Visitacion Valley Library at 11:00 a.m. for a short introduction to the trail and to pick up a scavenger hunt form to redeem for a free book at our destination. 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

Library on the JFK Promenade
2025-07-28 16:00 - 19:00, 2025-08-04 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 >>

Activity: Gardening Club
2025-07-29 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-08-05 13:00 - 14:00 | Excelsior Branch Library, 4400 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA, 94112, United States
Have fun planting seeds, watering plants and finding bugs in the Excelsior patio garden. Take planted seeds home and create your own urban garden. For children and their caregivers. 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

Climate talks: Reuse revolution part two
2025-07-29 15:30 - 18:00 | Main Library, 100 Larkin St, San Francisco, California, 94102, United States
Join SF Environment for part two of Climate Talks: Reuse Revolution, a discussion about tackling the plastic pollution crisis, featuring experts in reuse policy making. Whether or not you made it to part one, you’re welcome to jump in and be part of the conversation!
Part two will explore how reuse is a powerful tool in fighting climate change and building healthier communities through reuse advocacy. Whether you’re a student, activist, or new to the movement, this session will empower you with strategies for making change and shaping environmental policy.
What to expect:

Insights from a panel of experts in climate, policy, and advocacy

A deeper look at the environmental injustice burdens of single-use plastics

Strategies for implementing reuse in your school and neighborhood

Space is limited! Please RSVP early to secure a spot.
Can’t make it that day? Email ENV-Education@sfgov.org for information on future Climate Talks.

Workshop: Fix-it Clinic, Bike Repair
2025-08-02 10:30 - 12:30 | Western Addition Branch Library, 1550 Scott St, San Francisco, California, 94115, United States
BIKE REPAIRS with Bay Area BikeMobile – The BikeMobile will provide free tune ups & repairs and will fix flat tires, adjust brakes and gears, and even replace broken or worn-out parts like chains, seats, and tires. The only thing it can’t do is replace missing wheels or gears. Best of all…while the mechanics work on your bike they’ll explain how you can keep it running smoothly.Bike or no bike, everyone is welcome to attend to learn about maintenance, safety and more! 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
2025-08-02 12:00 - 12:45 | West Portal Branch Library, 190 Lenox Way, San Francisco, California, 94127, United States

Workshop: Ocean Escalanti: Intro to Natural Dyeing
2025-08-02 14:00 - 16:00 | Visitacion Valley Branch Library, 201 Leland Avenue, San Francisco, CA, 94134, United States
Color as Creation is an exploration and introduction to the world of Natural Dyes. Learn about local plants in the SF Bay Area that yield beautiful colors and ways in which you can access the natural world around you in an urban environment. Program includes a presentation on ethical foraging practices with hands on examples dyed materials and experiments in color shifting natural dyes. 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
2025-08-02 15:00 - 15:45 | Glen Park Branch Library, 2825 Diamond St, San Francisco, California, 94131, United States

Swing into Stories @ Garfield Playground
2025-08-05 09:30 - 12:00 | Garfield Playground, 3100 26th St, San Francisco, CA, 94110, 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. 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 >

Activity: Seed Balls with Fog City Gardener
2025-08-06 10:30 - 12:00 | Glen Canyon Park, Elk Street and Chenery Street, San Francisco, CA, 94127, United States
Learn about sustaining our bee pollinators while making seed balls, with local garden and farming advocates, Blas Craig Herrera and Jamie Chan. For children and their caregivers. Space limited. Seats available first come, first served. Program by: Fog City Gardener Note: This event is cross-posted from the SF Public Library website. Please check the original posting for full details and any cancellations.

Workshop: Succulent Planters with Fog City Gardener
2025-08-06 13:30 - 15:00 | Parkside Branch Library, 1200 Taraval St, San Francisco, California, 94116, United States
Learn about plant care and biology while planting cuttings of succulents to take home, with local garden and farming advocates, Blas Craig Herrera and Jamie Chan. For children and their caregivers. Space limited. Reservations required: (415) 355-5770 or sign up at the Information Desk (starting July 15). Program by: Fog City Gardener 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
