Kids’ Activities San Francisco: 20+ Indoor Winter Break Ideas

Winter break in San Francisco can be tricky with energetic kids and foggy weather. Luckily, plenty of Kids’ Activities San Francisco keep children active, learning, and entertained, including hands-on science, creative workshops, and indoor fun without stepping into the cold.

Top Kids’ Activities in San Francisco: Indoor Fun for Winter Break

1. The Exploratorium Museum

An interactive museum blending science, art, and human perception. Children can experiment with hands-on exhibits exploring physics, light, sound, and motion. Every visit sparks curiosity, encourages creativity, and fosters playful learning, making it a must-see destination for families in San Francisco.

• Entry: Ticketed
• Location: Pier 15, The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94111
• Website: https://www.exploratorium.edu/

2. California Academy of Sciences

A multifaceted science museum featuring an indoor rainforest, aquarium, planetarium, and natural history exhibits. Kids can observe penguins, explore tropical habitats, and participate in interactive learning experiences. It offers a full day of immersive, educational entertainment for curious young minds.

• Entry: Ticketed
• Location: 55 Music Concourse Dr, San Francisco, CA 94118
• Website: https://www.calacademy.org/

3. Children’s Creativity Museum

The Children’s Creativity Museum is an interactive arts and technology museum for kids. It offers hands-on exhibits where children can explore animation, music, design, and multimedia projects. Workshops encourage creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving while fostering imagination. It’s a fun and enriching experience for families.

• Entry: Ticketed
• Location: 221 Fourth Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
• Website: https://creativity.org/

4. Randall Museum

Focused on science, nature, and the arts, Randall Museum offers interactive exhibits, live animal encounters, and craft workshops. Children can explore ecosystems, participate in hands-on experiments, and discover their creativity, making learning engaging, entertaining, and educational in a family-friendly environment.

• Entry: Free
• Location: 199 Museum Way, San Francisco, CA 94114
• Website: https://randallmuseum.org/

5. Walt Disney Family Museum

Showcases the life and legacy of Walt Disney with engaging exhibits, interactive displays, and archival footage. Families can explore animation history, original artworks, and innovations that shaped entertainment. Kids experience storytelling magic while learning about creativity, imagination, and Disney heritage.

• Entry: Ticketed
• Location: 104 Montgomery Street, The Presidio, San Francisco, CA 94129
• Website: https://www.waltdisney.org/ 

6. Indoor Rock Climbing at Movement

Movement’s indoor rock climbing gyms in San Francisco offer walls for all skill levels, from kids to seasoned climbers. Families can try bouldering, roped climbing, and fun challenges with expert instruction. It’s an adventurous way to build confidence, strength, and teamwork indoors.

• Entry: Ticketed
• Location: 924 Old Mason St, San Francisco, CA 94129
• Website: https://movementgyms.com/san-francisco/

7. Ice Skating at Yerba Buena Gardens

A seasonal indoor ice rink perfect for families and beginners. Children can glide under festive lights, practice skating skills, and enjoy energetic, active fun. Rental skates and supportive staff make it accessible for all ages, offering memorable moments and playful winter activity.

• Entry: Ticketed
• Location: 750 Folsom Street, San Francisco, CA 94107
• Website: https://www.skatebowl.com/pages/home

8. Music Workshops at SF Jazz Center

Engaging music programs where children explore instruments, rhythm, and sound. Interactive workshops foster creativity, musical expression, and teamwork. Kids can participate in performing arts activities, enjoy live demonstrations, and develop a deeper appreciation for jazz and collaborative artistic experiences.

• Entry: Ticketed
• Location: 201 Franklin Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
• Website: https://www.sfjazz.org/ 

9. Arcade at Player’s SF

With over 85 arcade game stations, the venue blends classic pinball, VR, racing simulators, and redemption games. Perfect for birthday parties and family fun, it offers an exciting mix of nostalgic favorites and modern interactive entertainment for all ages.

• Entry: Ticketed
• Location: PIER 39, 2 Beach St, San Francisco, CA 94133
• Website: https://www.playerssf.com/arcade

10. House of Air Trampoline Park and Café

House of Air Trampoline Park + Café is a high-fly fun spot in The Presidio. Kids (and adults) bounce across interconnected trampolines, race dodgeball, master aerial tricks, and recharge in the café. Perfect for active family time indoors, rain or shine.

• Entry: Ticketed
• Location: 926 Old Mason St, San Francisco, CA 94129
• Website: https://houseofair.com/san-francisco/

11. Musée Mécanique

Located at Fisherman’s Wharf, Musée Mécanique is a museum/arcade hybrid filled with over 300 coin-operated mechanical games, vintage arcade machines, pinball, fortune tellers and more. Kids (and parents) can pull levers, press buttons, and explore quirky historic amusements in one playful space. It’s a good mix of nostalgia, fun, and simple interactive gaming.

• Entry: Free to enter; each game costs per play
• Location:  Pier 45, San Francisco, CA 94133
• Website: https://museemecanique.com/

12. Kid-Friendly Cooking Classes – Culinary Artistas

Culinary Artistas provides hands-on culinary experiences designed for children. Young chefs practice kitchen basics, explore healthy recipes, and build confidence while cooking. Classes encourage creativity, teamwork, and trying new foods, fostering practical life skills and turning cooking into a fun, educational family activity.

• Entry: Ticketed (pay per class or camp)
• Location: 851 Beach St, San Francisco, CA 94109
• Website: https://www.culinaryartistas.com/

13. Art Studios and Pottery Workshops

Creative spaces for children to explore painting, pottery, and sculpture. Hands-on workshops promote imagination, artistic expression, and problem-solving. Kids can craft personalized art pieces, learn new techniques, and develop confidence in their creativity, all while enjoying a fun, interactive experience.

• Entry: Ticketed
• Location: Various studios in San Francisco
• Website: https://www.artspan.org/

14. Little Oceanauts

Little Oceanauts is a three-story indoor playground featuring tunnels, slides, climbing structures, and a giant ball pit for ages 3 and up. This clean, safe space encourages active play and adventure, while providing comfortable areas for parents to relax nearby.

• Entry: Ticketed
• Location: 1917 Ocean Ave, San Francisco, CA 94127
• Website: https://www.littleoceanauts.com/

15. Holey Moley Indoor Mini-Golf

Holey Moley Indoor Mini-Golf is a playful, over-the-top adventure with quirky themed holes, neon lights, and lively music. Families can laugh, compete, and put through imaginative courses while enjoying a fun indoor outing that’s perfect for winter break entertainment.

• Entry: Ticketed
• Location: 1096 S Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94110
• Website: https://holeymoley.com/activities/mini-golf

16. Beat Museum

Celebrates the history of the Beat Generation through exhibits, memorabilia, and literary works. Children can explore American cultural history in a visually engaging way. While primarily for older kids, families gain insights into art, music, literature, and counterculture movements in a small, fascinating museum setting.

• Entry: Ticketed
• Location: 540 Broadway, San Francisco, CA 94133
• Website: https://beatmuseum.org/

17. Sandbox Virtual Reality Adventures

Sandbox Virtual Reality Adventures offers an immersive escape into interactive worlds where kids and families team up to solve puzzles, battle creatures, or explore fantasy landscapes. With cutting-edge VR gear and cinematic storytelling, it’s an exciting indoor experience that blends gaming, teamwork, and imagination.

• Entry: Ticketed
• Location: 767 B Market St, San Francisco, CA 94103
• Website: https://sandboxvr.com/sanfrancisco

18. Indoor Swimming Pools

Public indoor pools provide year-round aquatic fun for children of all ages. Kids can swim, play water games, and participate in lessons to build confidence, safety skills, and fitness. Pools offer a refreshing, energetic environment ideal for recreation and family bonding.

• Entry: Ticketed
• Location: Various locations in San Francisco
• Website: https://sfrecpark.org/

19. SF MOMA Family Workshops

Family-friendly art programs at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Children explore contemporary art, create projects, and engage in hands-on activities. Workshops encourage curiosity, self-expression, and critical thinking while fostering appreciation for visual arts in an inspiring museum setting.

• Entry: Ticketed
• Location: 151 3rd Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
• Website: https://www.sfmoma.org/

20. Storytime at Local Libraries

Engaging reading sessions for children featuring books, songs, and interactive activities. Storytime promotes literacy, listening skills, and imagination while providing a social, welcoming environment. Libraries offer a safe, enriching space for children to develop a love of reading and creativity.

• Entry: Free
• Location: Various library branches in San Francisco
• Website: https://sfpl.org/

21. The Escape Game San Francisco

The Escape Game is one of the top Kids’ Activities San Francisco, challenging families and kids to solve puzzles, uncover clues, and work together to ‘escape’ themed rooms within a time limit. It’s a thrilling, interactive indoor adventure that encourages teamwork, critical thinking, problem-solving, and endless fun for all ages.

• Entry: Ticketed
• Location: 150 Kearny St, San Francisco, CA 94108
• Website: https://theescapegame.com/sanfrancisco/

San Francisco offers a variety of Kids’ Activities San Francisco to keep children active, creative, and learning over winter break. Mix high-energy and calmer activities, plan ahead for tickets, and follow kids’ interests. With this list, cabin fever won’t stand a chance.

More…

• https://sfrecpark.org/1729/Early-Childhood-Programs 
• https://www.sftourismtips.com/san-francisco-with-kids.html 
• https://presidio.gov/kids-families