Things to Do with Kids

It is time once again for the Elizabeth Stewart Writing Contest in honor of the late Miss Liz, who was a remarkable Youth Services Librarian at Palo Alto City Library.

Kids and teens grades 3-12 are invited to participate. A virtual awards ceremony for all participants will be held in May. Winners will receive a grand prize and the opportunity to read their stories at the awards ceremony!

For the prompt, more info, and to submit your story, see here!

Submission window is March 1 - April 12, 2026.

Virtual

For many at Old Sturbridge Village, the first whiff of spring isn't the aroma of spring flowers - it's the smell of wood smoke and maple syrup, a sure sign that the sap is rising and spring is on the way. During Maple Days (on select dates in March), the Village’s working sugar camp demonstrates maple sugaring as it was done in early 19th-century New England!

You'll see the entire sugar-making process, from tapping the trees to "sugaring off," and learn why maple sugar was more commonly used than maple syrup in early New England. Costumed historians will also cook period foods made with maple products and the tinner and cooper will make maple-related items.

And don't forget to take home some maple treats for yourself from the gift shop! Get tickets here ($27/adults, $12/youth 4 - 17).

March dates:

• March 1
• March 4
• March 5
• March 6
• March 7
• March 8
• March 11
• March 12
• March 13
• March 14
• March 15

1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd

Sturbridge, MA 01566

Visit the Exploratorium in March and look for profiles throughout the museum that honor historic and contemporary women in math and math education, each one paired with a specific exhibit!

Among others, learn about programmer Ada Lovelace, the first person to realize the full potential of one of the earliest computers, the analytical engine; mathematician and scientist Katherine Johnson who calculated critical orbit trajectories for dozens of space exploration missions; mathematician Maryam Mirzakhani, the first woman and first Iranian to be honored with the Fields Medal, the most prestigious award in mathematics; computer scientist Grace Hopper who, among other things, coined the term “debugging”; and UC Davis professor Mariel Vázquez who studies the shape of DNA.

See the full guide here.

Get tickets here ($40/adults, $30/students).

Pier 15
(Embarcadero at Green Street)
San Francisco, CA 94111

Get directions

Purim is a joyful holiday filled with community, storytelling, and sharing treats. This week at the Children's Museum of Manhattan, families can explore generosity, celebration, and creativity through hands-on artmaking.

Schedule includes:

Purim Sweets From Around the World*
Sunday, March 1 | 11:00 am & 12:00 pm  | Ages 3 & up

You might be able to recognize the Hamentaschen, the triangular filled pastries central to the holiday of Purim, but did you know that there are many different types of sweet treats that are eaten in celebration of Purim around the world? Join CMOM staff in learning about many different types of sweets originating in Iraq, France, Morocco, and Spain, and create your own date-based no bake Purim candy, with a recipe from PJ Library!

*Sign-up required when you get to the Museum!

Dressup for Purim: Hero or Villain?
Sunday, March 1 | 11:15 am – 12:15 pm & 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm | Tuesday, March 3 | 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm | Ages 4 & younger

Explore different costume materials people use during the holiday. Put on costumes to create your own unique character. Would you rather dress up as a hero or a villain?

Gold Crown and Haman Hat Making
Sunday, March 1 | 2:00 pm – 4:15 pm | Tuesday, March 3 | 10:30 am – 12:30 pm & 2:00 pm – 4:15 pm | Ages 5 & up

During Purim, families enjoy playing dress up and playing pretend. Create your own paper crown or Haman hat and take turns pretending to be villains and heroes!

‍

Get tickets here ($17/ea).

The Tisch Building

212 West 83rd Street

New York, NY 10024

Join The Brooklyn Children's Museum as Lady B of Lavender Blues performs “The REMIXES,” a hip-hop concert for families. Parents and little ones will love this interactive, toe-tapping, get-out-of-your-seat good time with Lady B and her Bunnies!

FREE! RSVP for the event here.

145 Brooklyn Ave

Brooklyn, NY 11213

In the spirit of a classic quilting bee, join the DiMenna Children's History Museum in designing and sewing your own applique quilt squares. Learn how to select your fabric, cut out your shapes, and put it all together with hand stitching. Each square will form a piece of a Crafts and Classics Club quilt to be completed at the end of the five week session (held every Friday).

As you create your quilt square, settle in for a cozy read aloud of Louisa May Alcott’s beloved novel, Little Women. Each week you’ll hear about the adventures of the four March sisters, Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy, along with their neighbor Teddy Laurence, as they grow up together in 1860s Massachusetts.

Appropriate for all ages.

This event is free with pay as you wish admission into the Museum. Get tickets here.

Lower level at The New York Historical

170 Central Park West

New York, NY 10024

If you’re navigating a magical, exhausting, and trans-formative time as a mom to be or new mom, join Blossom Birth & Family to pause, breathe, and celebrate the life you're creating!

Schedule for the day:

• 10:30 AM - 10:45 AM: Welcome and mingle
• 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM: Massage with Ericka
• 11:15 AM - 11:45 AM: Work out with Lacey
• 11:45 AM - 12:15 AM: Final stretch with Carolina
• 12:15 AM to 12:30 AM: Lunch (included by Ludwig's)

Just $10! Get registered here.

Oshman Family JCC

Jeff Center for Families/Room G-106

3921 Fabian Way

Palo Alto, CA 94303

In this program during Massachusetts Civic Learning Week, work together to think about what is important in our neighborhoods and communities. Working with the Acton Discovery Museum, draw and write about what you love about where you live. Then, you'll all send pictures and messages to elected leaders, or others you want to talk to about your community. A can't miss activity to get your kids engaged in community service in Acton and the greater state!

Learn more about MA Civic Learning Week here.  

177 Main Street (Route 27)

Acton, Massachusetts 01720

Good Pickin' Farms is hosting Homesteading Workshops this spring, ranging from keeping chickens to planning your garden!

March dates/topics include:

• Wooly Workshop (processing wool to create yarn/felting+): March 8
• Garden Planning (beginner garden planning and seed starting): March 22
• Goat Care Basics: March 29

Workshops are 2 hours long.

$15/individual, $35/family. Register here!

5 Gould Rd

Westford, MA 01886

Families with young kids are invited to explore The Whitney in an engaging pop-up play lounge, created and led by the Children’s Museum of Manhattan (CMOM), as part of Free Second Sundays. Appropriate for families with kids under 5.

Dive into playtime with CMOM’s expert early childhood education team! Together you will play in the sand, explore colors and shadows with their lightboards, build collaborative structures, dance your way through a bubble party, and let children take the lead during music and movement circle times.

Circle Time and Play Exploration Sessions:

• 11:30 am
• 12:30 pm
• 1:30 pm
• 2:30 pm

Though entry is free, registration is required, complete it here.

‍

Photo credit: whitney.org

‍‍The Whitney Museum of American Art

Floor 3, Artspace

99 Gansevoort St

New York, NY 10014

Artists of all ages are invited to the Whitney to transform themselves into a paper performer.

Step right up and join the circus. What will your act be? A daring sword thrower, a ferocious lion, or a tiptoeing tightrope walker?

Transform yourself into a two-dimensional circus character, then explore High Wire: Calder’s Circus at 100 one last time!

Appropriate for all ages!

Though the event is free, registration is required, complete it here.

Whitney Museum of American Art

Floor 3, Theater

99 Gansevoort St

New York, NY 10014

Take advantage of this free admission day to enjoy the Botanical Gardens!

Recurring, the second Tuesday of every month!

1199 9th Ave

San Francisco, CA

Have you always wanted to try fat tire biking and didn’t know how to go about it? With a little instruction participants, and staff, will explore single track trails together.

Basic bike riding ability is required. Appropriate for ages 13+.

$15/ea, register here.

Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park

Rice Creek Pavilion

7373 Main Street

Lino Lakes, MN, 55038

Register now for the 12th annual Girls in Science and Engineering Day! The Intrepid Museum is excited to welcome visitors to join as they celebrate women, girls and youth involved in engineering, science, technology and aerospace!

More than 20 organizations will lead hands-on activities designed to spark curiosity and demonstrate real-world STEM applications, particularly aerospace and engineering. Exciting demonstrations and captivating discussions will be led by experts from Intrepid Museum, Hudson River Park, Women in Aviation, Girls Who Code, NYC and The NYU Tandon’s Center for K-12 STEM and many more! An expanded college and career zone lets attendees meet role models, learn about next steps, colleges, and career pathways with representatives from Columbia University, NYU Tanden School of Engineering, Vaughn College, STEM professionals and others.

Adult chaperoned teens, youth or school groups, individuals and families of all ages and genders are welcome. Guests are encouraged to stay and explore the Museum throughout the day. The event is FREE with advance registration!

Pier 86

W 46th St

New York, NY 10036

‍