Second Saturdays: Hands-on activities and participatory readings designed for kids and their families.
Read full descriptionUse 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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Drop in and make art inspired by Duane Linklater: mymothersside with local artists. Materials will be provided.
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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
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)
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)
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)
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)
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.
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)
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)
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.
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)
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)
Follow artist Alison Knowles’s example and generate poetic instructions for building a house!
For ages 6–12 with accompanying adult(s)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Explore the museum’s galleries with mini tours featuring interactive activities, plus a free all-ages screening of Charlie Chaplin's The Gold Rush.
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
This guide invites you to look closely at the art of Rosie Lee Tompkins and do related hands-on art activities!