Hidden Year-Round STEM Events in the Bay Area That Parents Don’t Know About

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Updated on

March 27, 2026

The Bay Area has an incredible ecosystem of science museums, maker communities, robotics teams, and observatories. Many of these organizations run recurring STEM programs for kids and families throughout the year.

Below are some of the most interesting ongoing science, engineering, and creativity events across the Bay Area.

San Francisco STEM Events

Exploratorium Tinkering Studio Workshops — Exploratorium, Pier 15 (San Francisco)

Exploratorium, Pier 15, San Francisco

Runs year-round during museum hours
Tuesday – Sunday • 10 AM – 5 PM

Kids experiment with circuits, mechanical systems, motion, and creative engineering projects using real tools and materials.

Randall Museum Science Saturdays — Randall Museum (San Francisco)

Randall Museum
199 Museum Way, San Francisco

March 7, 2026 – January 2, 2027
Saturdays • 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM

Drop-in science programs where kids explore experiments such as rocket building, polymers, and physics demonstrations.

Mission Science Workshop Maker Lab — Mission Science Workshop (San Francisco)

Mission Science Workshop
2250 Harrison St, San Francisco

Wednesdays • 3 PM – 5 PM
Second Saturday each month • 10 AM – 3 PM

A legendary Bay Area maker space where kids build mechanical toys, electronics, and engineering projects using recycled materials.

Penguins & Pajamas Sleepover — California Academy of Sciences (San Francisco)

California Academy of Sciences
Golden Gate Park, San Francisco

March 14 – May 15, 2026
Overnight program

Families spend the night inside the museum with access to the aquarium, rainforest dome, and planetarium.

Age 5+

`SF Jazz Family Matinee - SFJAZZ Center`

SFJAZZ Center
201 Franklin St, San Francisco

March 14 – May 16, 2026
11 AM

Family-friendly live jazz performances where kids can interact with musicians and learn about music.

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East Bay STEM Events

Chabot Observatory Telescope Viewing Nights — Chabot Space & Science Center (Oakland)

Chabot Space & Science Center
10000 Skyline Blvd, Oakland

Most Friday and Saturday evenings
7:30 PM – 10:30 PM

Visitors can observe the moon, planets, and deep-space objects through historic telescopes with astronomers.

ZooKids Program — Oakland Zoo (Oakland)

Oakland Zoo
9777 Golf Links Rd, Oakland

March 14 – May 16, 2026
Select Saturdays
Times vary by session

Young children explore animals through guided zoo walks, crafts, and close-up encounters.

Bay Area Fix-It Fests — Berkeley, Oakland & San Jose Community Centers

Various community centers across Berkeley, Oakland, and San Jose

Several events each month
Typical hours • 11 AM – 3 PM

Hands-on repair workshops where families bring broken electronics, toys, clothing, and small appliances to learn how they work and how to fix them.

Peninsula & South Bay STEM Events

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Foothill College Observatory Public Star-Gazing Nights (Los Altos Hills)

Foothill College Observatory
12345 El Monte Rd, Los Altos Hills

Select Friday evenings
Typical hours • 9 PM – 11 PM

Public telescope viewing sessions led by astronomers where families can observe planets, star clusters, and galaxies.

LEGO Monthly Mini Builds — LEGO Store Westfield Valley Fair (Santa Clara) & Hillsdale Shopping Center (San Mateo)

LEGO Store
Westfield Valley Fair, Santa Clara
Hillsdale Shopping Center, San Mateo

First Tuesday of each month
Typical time • 5 PM

Kids build a small themed LEGO model and take it home.

Apple Kids Creative Sessions — Apple Stores (San Mateo, Palo Alto, Union Square)

Apple Stores in San Mateo, Palo Alto, and San Francisco

Runs year-round
Most kids sessions around • 11 AM (weekends)

Kids create digital art, animations, and interactive stories using iPads.

Home Depot Kids Builder Workshop — Home Depot Stores Across the Bay Area

Home Depot stores in San Jose, Palo Alto, Redwood City, Fremont and other cities

First Saturday of every month
9 AM – 12 PM

Kids build simple woodworking projects like birdhouses, toolboxes, and toy vehicles.

Public Ice Skating — Winter Lodge Outdoor Ice Rink (Palo Alto)

Winter Lodge
3009 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto

Season • October – April
2026 closing date • April 12

A historic outdoor ice rink that has entertained Bay Area families for more than 65 years.

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Library STEM Events

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STEM Fridays (San Jose Hillview Library)
- Frequency: Weekly (Every Friday in April and May).
- Age: 8–15.
- 2026 Dates: April 3, 10, 17, 24; May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29.
- Focus: Different topics weekly, including animation, linkages, and bath bombs.
Junior STEAM Club (San Jose Calabazas Library)
- Frequency: Weekly (Every Thursday).
- Age: 5–12.
- 2026 Dates: April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; May 7, 14, 21, 28.
- Focus: Drop-in science, technology, engineering, and math adventures.
Tinker Thinkers (San Ramon Library)
- Frequency: Monthly (1st Tuesday of the month).
- Age: 6–11 (Grades 1–5).
- 2026 Dates: April 7 and May 5.
- Focus: Building and tinkering with rotating craft and engineering supplies.
STEAM Saturday (San Ramon Dougherty Station Library)
- Frequency: Monthly (2nd Saturday of the month).
- Age: 3–12.
- 2026 Dates: April 11 and May 9.
- Focus: Activity stations featuring engineering, building, and coding toys.
Bellarmine Robotics Demos (San Jose Rose Garden Library)
- Frequency: Monthly (Select Tuesdays).
- Age: 5–14.
- 2026 Dates: April 14 and May 12.
- Focus: Interactive demos where kids can try controlling competition-grade robots.

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Bay Area-Wide STEM Events

FIRST Robotics Competition Events — Various Bay Area Schools & Convention Venues

Multiple Bay Area venues including high schools, universities, and regional arenas

Season • January – April
Competition days typically • 9 AM – 5 PM

High school robotics teams build and program large industrial robots to compete in engineering challenges.

Repair Café Silicon Valley — Milpitas Library, Saratoga Library, Hacker Dojo & Other Locations

Milpitas Library
Palo Alto Library
Saratoga Library
Hacker Dojo, Mountain View

Monthly events throughout the year
Typical hours • 10 AM – 1 PM

Volunteer engineers and makers help families repair electronics, toys, appliances, bikes, and clothing.

Marine Science Sunday — The Marine Mammal Center (Sausalito)

The Marine Mammal Center
2000 Bunker Rd, Sausalito

March 8, 2026 – January 24, 2027

Second and fourth Sunday each month
Sessions at • 12 PM and 2 PM

Educational talks where kids learn about marine animal rescue and ocean conservation.

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Where can kids experience hands-on STEM activities in the Bay Area?

Many Bay Area museums, science centers, and maker communities offer hands-on STEM activities for kids throughout the year. Popular options include the Exploratorium in San Francisco, Randall Museum science programs, Chabot Space & Science Center telescope nights in Oakland, and Mission Science Workshop maker labs in San Francisco. Community events such as Repair Café workshops, LEGO building events, and Home Depot Kids Builder Workshops also allow kids to explore engineering and problem-solving in a fun environment.