🌟Local Kiddo

🎯The Main Event 

SF JAZZ Family Matinee hits that rare sweet spot where everyone - yes, everyone - actually enjoys themselves. This is jazz that knows its audience: sophisticated enough for you, engaging enough for them, and in a space where nobody glares when kids move to the music.

Worth Knowing:

• $18-$25

• Saturday, February 8, 11am

• Almost sold out (grab tickets now)

• Perfect 60-minute length

• Audience participation encouraged

• Sound quality is incredible

• Like to plan ahead? Mark your calendars now for the next Family Matinee on March 22

Pro move: If you have time, grab a babka and a latte from Loquat before the show starts.

🚌 Getting There: Bart/Muni to Van Ness or Civic Center, 6-Haight/Parnassus, 7-Haight/Noriega, 31-Balboa, and 49-Van Ness/Mission

Can’t get tickets? Try this concert instead:

SF Chamber Orchestra's "Very First Concert" series offers another perfect introduction to live music. It's designed for young audiences but doesn't dumb down the repertoire. Think sophisticated programming with just enough interaction to keep everyone engaged.

Worth Knowing:

• $: Free

• Saturday, February 8, 11am or 11:45am

• SFPL Main Branch

• Perfect 30-minute length

• Intimate setting (RSVP encouraged, but not required)

Pro move: Take a 12 minute walk to grab lunch at RT Rotisserie and explore Hayes Valley after the show.

🚌 Getting There: Bart/Muni to Civic Center, 6-Haight/Parnassus, 7-Haight/Noriega, 9-San Bruno, and 31-Balboa

🎨Cultural Queue 

SFMOMA's Free Family Day: Seventh-Inning Stretch transforms the museum into something entirely different. Their family-friendly sports gallery actually engage both kids and adults (no small feat), and the 11am or 1pm storytime happens in the Phyllis Wattis Theater.

Worth Knowing: 

• $: Free

• Sunday, February 9, 10am-4pm

• Storytime at 11am and 1pm

• Artcade games and sports fan activities in the Koret Education Center

• SPARTS Action Arena: Sports is Art in the Gina and Stuart Peterson White Box

• Special guest appearance by Lou Seal of the SF Giants from 1-2:30pm

🚌 Getting There: Bart/Muni to Montgomery Street, 5-Fulton, 6-Haight/Parnassus, 7-Haight/Noriega and 38-Geary

🌙After Hours (Adults Only) 

When you finally secure that sitter: 

Chocolate Making with Recchiuti Finally, a Valentine's workshop worth the splurge. Yes, it's over the bridge in Sausalito, but some things are worth the drive. Michael Recchiuti (yes, that Recchiuti) is hosting an evening of chocolate mastery at Cavallo Point's Cooking School. Think champagne truffles, molded hearts, and actual dinner to balance out all that sampling.

Worth the $195:

• Hands-on instruction from SF's truffle master

• All materials (and gift packaging) included

• Light dinner served (smart move)

• Take home your creations

• That Cavallo Point view at sunset

Pro move: Book a ride share - you'll want to enjoy the champagne pairings.

Not crossing any bridges? Try this instead: Drop the kids at Acro Fun Night and choose your own date night adventure. They'll be bouncing on trampolines and riding ziplines while you enjoy actual adult conversation.

The details:

• Every 2nd and 4th Saturday

• 6:00-9:00pm

• Ages 6-12

• $50 per child

• Pizza included (no need to pack dinner)

• Max 25 kids = proper supervision

Parent intel: They consistently sell out at 25 spots, and now we know why - the kids actually beg to go back. Book early, then snag that impossible-to-get 6:30pm reservation you've been eyeing.

⚡ TLDR: The Gameplan

Saturday: Pick your music moment:

• 11:00am: SF JAZZ Family Matinee (almost sold out)

• OR -

• 11:00am/11:45am: SF Chamber Orchestra's "Very First Concert" at SFPL (free!)

Sunday: 

• 10:00am-4:00pm: SFMOMA Free Family Day

🔭 On Our Radar

The SF Zoo's stepping up their game for 2025 - mark your calendars:

Little Learners Program Finally, a virtual program for under-5s (although we do like to limit screen time) that actually engages them. Starting January 2025, the Zoo's education team is bringing animal facts and science down to toddler level. Think less "baby talk," more real learning with wiggle room.

• Thursday and Saturday mornings

• Virtual format (pajamas welcome)

• Free (yes, really)

• Visual representations of animals at the zoo that start with the letter being discussed

Spring Bilingual Camp Registration will open soon for the Zoo's spring break camp, and this one's different. They're combining behind-the-scenes animal encounters with bilingual instruction. Expect science experiments, nature art, and actual conservation learning. Saturdays, 9am-12:30pm, $300