Things to do this weekend with kids in San Mateo

Coming up near San Mateo

Nothing listed in San Mateo for this view right now. Here's what's on elsewhere in the Bay Area, plus ideas you can do today.

Within a short drive of San Mateo

• Martial Arts Training Day — San Francisco Bay Area

  Sat, Oct 10 · 9:00 AM · Hilton San Francisco Airport Bayfront · burlingame · 2 mi away · Ages 0–12

  A day of martial arts training for all skill levels.

• Sewing with Teacher Jessica

  Wed, Oct 14 · 3:45 PM · Burlingame Public Library, Main, Tech Lab · burlingame · 2 mi away · Ages 10+

  Join us in the Tech Lab and learn how to use a sewing machine and make fun projects. This class is open to beginning or...

Activity ideas that work any day in San Mateo

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  Flexible Racetrack Grand Prix

  Let's be track designers and build the ultimate racetrack. This flexible track can go over pillows, under chairs, and around corners for an epic race.

  4,5,6 · Indoor/Outdoor · 60 min · About $30–$35

  Open
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  Design a Dream Bedroom to Scale

  Transform your bedroom into a designer’s paradise by drawing a floor plan to scale. Kids this age enjoy imagining their own space and making independent decisions about it. Creating a scaled drawing is satisfying because it makes their dream room feel real and helps them think like an architect, using math skills in a fun, practical way. They get to design a space that’s uniquely theirs. First, measure your room and any furniture you want to keep. Then, decide on a scale (like one inch equals one foot) and draw your room’s outline on paper. Cut out scaled shapes for your dream furniture, like a gaming station or a reading nook, and arrange them until you find the perfect layout. To stretch this activity, try making a 3D model using cardboard for walls and furniture.

  10-13 · Indoor · 60 min

  Open
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  Learn a Few Guitar or Ukulele Chords

  Discover the joy of making music by learning a few basic chords on a guitar or ukulele. This activity offers a quick win, as kids can go from never playing to strumming simple tunes in one sitting. It's incredibly satisfying to hear the notes come together and realize they can play along to a favorite song, building confidence and sparking a potential lifelong interest in music. First, identify four easy beginner chords like C, G, Am, and F. Look up simple finger positions online or use a chord chart. Spend time practicing each chord individually until the notes ring clear, then work on smooth transitions between them. To stretch this activity, try looking up the chords to a simple song your child loves and learning to strum along.

  9-13 · Indoor · 45 min

  Open
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  Moon Rock Hunt & Sort

  Let's head outside on a mission to find special 'moon rocks'! Then we'll bring our treasures back to the lab to sort and examine them.

  4,5 · Indoor/Outdoor · 40 min · About $0–$5

  Open

Questions parents ask about San Mateo

What can you do with a toddler in San Mateo on a rainy day?

San Mateo's libraries run toddler storytimes most mornings, and the indoor play and gym classes nearby take drop-ins when it rains. The indoor list for San Mateo shows what's scheduled.

Are these activities free?

Library programs are free; the park train, rides and drop-in classes charge a few dollars per child. Anything ticketed links out to the organizer so you can check the price before you go.

How often is this page updated?

Event listings refresh automatically from local sources, so past dates drop off on their own.