Family Events
Ongoing
Second Saturdays: Hands-on activities and participatory readings designed for kids and their families.
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- Upcoming
Films - Past
Films - Past
Events
Upcoming Events
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Saturday, December 9, 11:30 AMGallery + Studio: My Birthday Pyramid
Use geometry, color, repeating patterns, and personally significant dates to build a triangular calendar that’s all about you!
For ages 6–12 with accompanying adult(s)
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Saturday, December 9, 2 PMRoundtable Reading: A Rover’s Story by Jasmine Warga
As millions of people back on Earth follow his progress on Mars, will Resilience have the courage and determination to succeed, survive, and live up to his name?
Recommended for ages 8 and up with accompanying adult(s)
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Saturday, January 13, 11:30 AMGallery + Studio: Mixed Media with Handmade Pigments
Make a mixed-media artwork using handmade pigments inspired by Duane Linklater’s exhibition.
For ages 6–12 with accompanying adult(s)
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Saturday, January 13, 2 PMRoundtable Reading: The Care and Feeding of a Pet Black Hole by Michelle Cuevas
A pet black hole can be your light in the darkest dark. But who would have thought that a pet could cause so much trouble?
Recommended for ages 8 and up with accompanying adult(s)
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Saturday, February 10, 11:30 AMGallery + Studio: Take Flight!
Tap into the playful spirit of Niki de Saint-Phalle’s sculpture to imagine and create your own bird-inspired artwork.
For ages 6–12 with accompanying adult(s)
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Saturday, February 10, 2 PMRoundtable Reading: The Girl Who Built a Spider by George Brewington
Three young inventors are offered the chance to work at Dr. Flax’s laboratory, where dazzling science, new friendships, and killer robots await.
Recommended for ages 8 and up with accompanying adult(s)
Past Events
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Saturday, November 11, 11:30 AMGallery + Studio: The Inner Life of Things
Inspired by the work of Bay Area artists Masako Miki and Woody de Othello, use felt, fabric, clay, and other materials to create sculptures with personality.
For ages 6–12 with accompanying adult(s)
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Saturday, November 11, 2 PM¡Roundtable Reading Bilingüe! Wonder / La lección de August by R. J. Palacio
Auggie wants nothing more than to be treated like an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past his extraordinary face. / Auggie no quiere nada más que ser tratado como un niño normal, pero sus nuevos compañeros de clase no pueden superar su extraordinario rostro.
Recommended for ages 8 and up with accompanying adult(s)
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Saturday, October 14, 11:30 AMGallery + Studio: Berkeley—The City and Its People
Inspired by Romare Bearden’s depiction of Berkeley and artist Jill McLennan’s style of documenting Oakland, create a mixed-media collage of your neighborhood.
For ages 6–12 with accompanying adult(s)
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Saturday, October 14, 2 PMRoundtable Reading: The Samosa Rebellion by Shanthi Sekaran
Muki’s life in the island nation of Mariposa changes in numerous small ways when his grandmother Paati comes to live with his family, and in larger ways when she is detained for deportation, and he and his friends need to plan her escape.
Recommended for ages 8 and up with accompanying adult(s)
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Saturday, October 7, 11:30 AM–1:30 PMArt Making for All Ages
Drop in and make art inspired by Duane Linklater: mymothersside with local artists. Materials will be provided.
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Saturday, September 9, 11:30 AMGallery + Studio: Get Personal: Watercolor Self-Portraits
Make a self-portrait in a drippy watercolor style incorporating personally significant objects to tell a story about you.
For ages 6–12 with accompanying adult(s)
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Saturday, September 9, 2 PMRoundtable Reading: Stuntboy, in the Meantime by Jason Reynolds
Perennially popular author Jason Reynolds and renowned illustrator Raúl the Third combine forces to tell the story of Portico Reeves, a.k.a. Stuntboy, in this funny, thoughtful, and award-winning graphic novel.
Recommended for ages 8 and up with accompanying adult(s)
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Saturday, July 8, 11:30 AMGallery+Studio: Thinking GIANT
Explore Cihuatlampa, the Place of the Giant Women, by Amalia Mesa-Bains, and envision a special garment for someone you consider a heroine.
For ages 6–12 with accompanying adult(s)
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Saturday, July 8, 2 PMRoundtable Reading: Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas
Can Bree defy the odds and guide her team to a state championship in swimming, or have the Mighty Manatees swum their last lap?
Recommended for ages 8 and up with accompanying adult(s)
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Saturday, June 10, 11:30 AMGallery+Studio: A Book of Us
Inspired by Amalia Mesa-Bains’s handmade books, tell the story of your own personal and family memories.
For ages 6–12 with accompanying adult(s)
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Saturday, June 10, 2 PMRoundtable Reading: Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great by Judy Blume
What will it take for Sheila to admit to the other kids in Tarrytown, and to herself, that she’s only human?
Recommended for ages 8 and up with accompanying adult(s)
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Saturday, May 13, 11:30 AMGallery+Studio: Cabinet of Memories
After learning about assemblage in Amalia Mesa-Bains’s art, decorate a found picture frame with objects that enhance your feelings about a family photo.
For ages 6–12 with accompanying adult(s)
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Saturday, May 13, 2 PM¡Roundtable Reading Bilingüe! La lección de August / Wonder by R. J. Palacio
Auggie wants nothing more than to be treated like an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past his extraordinary face.
Auggie no quiere nada más que ser tratado como un niño normal, pero sus nuevos compañeros de clase no pueden superar su extraordinario rostro.Recommended for ages 8 and up
Recomendado para las edades de 8 años en adelante -
Saturday, April 8, 11:30 AMGallery+Studio: Torn Paper Portraits
With Frank Moore’s paintings as an inspiration, use torn tissue paper to “paint” a portrait of your own.
For ages 6–12 with accompanying adult(s)
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Saturday, April 8, 2 PMRoundtable Reading: Clean Getaway by Nic Stone
Join eleven-year-old Scoob and his beloved G’ma as they take an unforgettable RV road trip together.
Recommended for ages 8 and up with accompanying adult(s)
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Saturday, March 11, 11:30 AMGallery+Studio: Found Object Sculpture
Inspired by the textures and colors in Rina Kimche’s art, make an abstract sculpture of your own from found objects.
For ages 6–12 with accompanying adult(s)
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Saturday, March 11, 2 PMRoundtable Reading: Join the Club Maggie Diaz by Nina Moreno
Seventh grade is all about figuring out who you are—good thing Maggie Diaz has the perfect plan!
Recommended for ages 8 and up with accompanying adult(s)
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Saturday, February 18, 1 PMFinger Puppets with Maya Noga Djiji
Make finger puppets with guest artist Maya Noga Djiji. In this workshop, we will use fabric, yarn, buttons, needles, and thread to create little finger characters that can be simple or intricate depending on the student’s level.
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Saturday, February 11, 11:30 AMGallery + Studio: Stories to Tell
Inspired by Amalia Mesa-Bains’s altars, re-create a family story or memory in a miniature altar of your own.
For ages 6–12 with accompanying adult(s)
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Saturday, February 11, 2 PMRoundtable Reading: The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glaser
The five Vanderbeeker children have eleven days to convince their landlord, Mr. Beiderman, to let them stay in the only home they’ve ever known. All is fair in love and war when it comes to keeping their home!
Recommended for ages 8 and up with accompanying adult(s)
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Saturday, February 4, 11:30 AM–2 PMArt Making for Families / Creación artística para familias
Make art inspired by Amalia Mesa-Bains: Archaeology of Memory with local artist Rebeca Flores. / Haz arte inspirado en la exposición, Amalia Mesa-Bains: Archaeology of Memory, con la artista Rebeca Flores.
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Saturday, January 14, 11:30 AMGallery + Studio: A Little Fluxusbook
Inspired by Alison Knowles’s many imaginative books, create your own Fluxusbook from elements of your choosing.
For ages 6–12 with accompanying adult(s)
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Saturday, January 14, 2 PMRoundtable Reading: A Wolf Called Wander by Rosanne Parry
Inspired by the true story of the wolf called OR-7, this book tells the story of Swift and his remarkable journey across the Pacific Northwest.
Recommended for ages 8 and up with accompanying adult(s)
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Saturday, December 10, 11:30 AMGallery + Studio: A House of Imagination
Follow artist Alison Knowles’s example and generate poetic instructions for building a house!
For ages 6–12 with accompanying adult(s)
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Saturday, December 10, 2 PMRoundtable Reading: Honestly Elliott by Gillian McDunn
Elliott’s life is messy in lots of ways, including his ADHD. But his passion for cooking calms and focuses him, and gives him a way to help a classmate who becomes a new friend.
Recommended for ages 8 and up with accompanying adult(s)
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Saturday, November 12, 11:30 AMGallery + Studio: The Structured Stitch
Inspired by Hannah Levy’s use of contrasting materials, explore shapes, textures, and sewing as you make your own constructions.
For ages 6–12 with accompanying adult(s)
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Saturday, November 12, 2 PM¡Roundtable Reading Bilingüe! Dancing Home/Nacer bailando by Alma Flor Ada and Gabriel Zubizarreta
For cousins Margie and Lupe, a year of discoveries culminates in a performance full of surprises as they find their own way to belong.
Para las primas Margie y Lupe, un año de descubrimientos culmina en una actuación llena de sorpresas mientras encuentran su propia manera de pertenecer.
Recommended for ages 8 & up (younger kids welcome as listeners) / Recomendado para las edades de 8 años en adelante (niños menores son bienvenidos como oyentes)
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Saturday, October 8, 11:30 AMGallery + Studio: Animal Flags
Inspired by the many animal companions in Candice Lin’s art, make a personal animal flag featuring your favorite animal!
For ages 6–12 with accompanying adult(s)
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Saturday, October 8, 2 PMRoundtable Reading: Maizy Chen’s Last Chance by Lisa Yee
Enjoy reading about Maizy as she bonds with her grandparents, discovers the joys and pains of growing up, and learns about her family’s Chinese American heritage.
Recommended for ages 8 and up with accompanying adult(s)
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Saturday, September 10, 11:30 AMGallery + Studio: Five Tiny Things to Save and Share
Compose a small box filled with a mini collection of special objects, images, and instructions to be activated by the future recipient of your box.
For ages 6–12 with accompanying adult(s)
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Saturday, September 10, 2 PMRoundtable Reading: The Witch Boy, a graphic novel, by Molly Knox Ostertag
Even magic has rules, and Aster seems to be breaking them. Instead of shapeshifting, like boys are supposed to, he likes witchcraft, which is girls’ territory. Aster learns that to be truly himself takes courage.
Recommended for ages 8 and up with accompanying adult(s)
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Saturday, July 9, 11:30 AMGallery + Studio: The Artist’s Eye: Nature’s Vibrations
Artists can be inspired by works that feel like—but don’t look—like their own. Inspired by some of the paintings in The Artist’s Eye, use watercolors to explore sensations and variations in nature.
For ages 6–12 with accompanying adult(s)
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Saturday, July 9, 2 PMRoundtable Reading: Beezus and Ramona by Beverly Cleary
Young Ramona exasperates her older sister, Beezus, in more ways than she can count. Is there anyone in the world like Ramona?
Recommended for ages 8 and up with accompanying adult(s)
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Sunday, June 12, 11 AM - 2 PMSpring Free Family Day: A Day of Art & Film
Explore the museum’s galleries with mini tours featuring interactive activities, plus a free all-ages screening of Charlie Chaplin's The Gold Rush.
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Saturday, June 11, 11:30 AMGallery + Studio: The Sounds Among Us
Compose your own visual soundscape inspired by Caroline Kent’s Art Wall and architectural features of BAMPFA’s building.
For ages 6–12 with accompanying adult(s)
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Saturday, June 11, 2 PMRoundtable Reading: New from Here by Kelly Yang
Ten-year-old Knox Wei-Evans, a recent transplant from Hong Kong, learns about courage, hope, and resilience as he adjusts to life in San Francisco during the initial outbreak of COVID-19.
Recommended for ages 8 and up with accompanying adult(s)
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Saturday, May 14, 11:30 AMGallery + Studio: Live from Somewhere
Inspired by Tammy Rae Carland’s art and her selections for The Artist’s Eye, create a stage set for imaginary action!
For ages 6–12 with accompanying adult(s)
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Saturday, May 14, 2 PMRoundtable Reading: Simon B. Rhymin’ by Dwayne Reed
Read aloud from this bounce-to-the-beat underdog story about a young rapper named Simon, whose rhymes help bring his community together while they build his confidence.
Recommended for ages 8 and up with accompanying adult(s)
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Saturday, April 9, 11:30 AMGallery + Studio: Textured Mixed-Media Painting
Discover the images, textures, symbols, and layers in David Huffman’s art, and compose your own visual story in a mixed-media painting.
For ages 6–12 with accompanying adult(s)
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Saturday, April 9, 2 PM¡Roundtable Reading Bilingüe!: The Donkey Lady Fights La Llorona and Other Stories / La Señora Asno Se Enfrenta a La Llorona y Otros Cuentos by Xavier Garza
Find out what happens when Margarito encounters the ghostly weeping woman in white, green-skinned brutes with sharp teeth, giant pterodactyl-like thunderbirds, and other creepy creatures in this bilingual collection of eerie tales from Mexican American folklore.
Recommended for ages 8 & up (younger kids welcome as listeners) / Recomendado para las edades de 8 años en adelante (niños menores son bienvenidos como oyentes)
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Saturday, March 12, 11:30 AMGallery + Studio: Expressive Landscapes
Inspired by Wesley Tongson’s paintings, use watercolor, ink, brushes, and pens to create your own expressive landscape.
For ages 6–12 with accompanying adult(s)
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Saturday, March 12, 2 PMRoundtable Reading: Maya and the Robot by Eve L. Ewing
Meet Maya, an aspiring fifth-grade scientist who brings an abandoned robot to life just when she most needs a friend—and a science-fair project!
Recommended for ages 8 and up with accompanying adult(s)
Related
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Family Guide: Rosie Lee Tompkins
This guide invites you to look closely at the art of Rosie Lee Tompkins and do related hands-on art activities!
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