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Kids + Families Activities + Programs

Experience new ways to discover the world with your family. Check out our unique events and programs for visitors of all ages and explore the intersection between learning and fun.

Upcoming Events

Stories of Change

Now Open

Humans have an amazing capacity to cope with and adapt to change. And some changes bring opportunity. Humans also can be the agents of change—we can reimagine our futures, or work to create a more supportive, just, and sustainable society. Share your stories of change.

Positive of a plate taken with the 5-foot Einstein camera at the 1922 eclipse in Wallal, Australia. The circles indicate the locations of the stars on the plate measured to test the “Einstein effect.” © UC Regents/UCSC Special Collections.

Einstein Was Right

Friday, September 23–Monday, January 2, 2023

One hundred years ago, Lick Observatory played a critical role in testing one of Einstein’s greatest and most beautiful theories—general relativity. This exhibition tells the story of this scientific quest.

Painting of a skull and heart for Dia de los Muertos.

Festival of Altars

Friday, November 11–Sunday, December 4, 2022

Connect with beautiful ofrendas (altars) from this year’s Día de los Muertos celebrations at this temporary exhibition created in partnership with the Marigold Project.

Film still from Attraction by Emily Scaife

Glow Cinema: Illuminated Frames

Thursday, November 17, 2022–Sunday, January 29, 2023

The dimmed atmosphere of the microcinema sets the perfect scene to luxuriate in these abstract, transportive, and luminescent motion pictures.

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A large ofrenda depicts a person with long, braided hair.

Festival of Altars Farewell Celebration

Saturday, December 3, 2022 • 11:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Celebrate ofrendas (altars) from Día de los Muertos as we bid farewell to our temporary exhibition Festival of Altars. Enjoy hands-on activities, meet the artists who created the altars, hear live music, and dance!

Dec
3

Purple, green, red, and white light swirl and spiral.

Glow Fest

Saturday, December 3, 2022 • 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Dig into the art and science of light at this all-ages celebration! Enjoy hands-on activities and glowing demos, and discover luminous sculptures big and small.

Dec
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Still image from the short film Con Brio by Sandra Eber

Saturday Cinema: Let Your Light Shine

Saturday, December 3, 2022 • 1:00 and 3:00 p.m.

Animated and abstract short films shimmer in the theater’s darkness to conjure luminous worlds, both kinetic and contemplative.

Dec
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People walk along the Embarcadero in front of the Exploratorium.

Exploratorium Free Admission: December 4, 2022

Sunday, December 4, 2022

REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT IS FULL. On Sunday, December 4, the Exploratorium is participating in San Francisco Free Museum Weekend.

Dec
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Illustration of a child standing in front of an enormous book, from which lights emerge like stars.

Storytime Science for Kids: Lamplights and Fireflights

Weekends, December 4–24 and 31, 2022 • Noon and 2:00 p.m.

Join us at the Exploratorium for Storytime Science, a storybook read-aloud and science activity geared toward young children. Come hear a story, do an activity, and learn something new!

Dec
10

Illustration of a red octopus on a blue background.

Octopuses Have Zero Bones: Book Reading and Activities

Saturday, December 10, 2022
Readings: Noon and 2:00 p.m. • Activities: 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

Join us for a reading of the whimsical, fact-filled counting book Octopuses Have Zero Bones with author Anne Richardson. And get hands-on with math puzzles from the Julia Robinson Mathematics Festival.

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