✨ Happy New Year
A gentle start.
Hi parents,
Happy New Year! 🤍
This first week of January often arrives quietly. The holidays are behind us, school hasn’t fully restarted, and the calendar feels intentionally light. Instead of rushing to fill it, this feels like a good moment to pause, reflect, and ease into 2026 at our own pace.
If you’re craving something to do - but nothing too big - here are a few Peninsula ideas to help you shape the weekend without overplanning.
Weekend Highlights
IlluminOdyssey: A Winter Light Experience (Final Weekend)
Friday–Sunday | CuriOdyssey, 1651 Coyote Point Dr, San Mateo
Immersive light-and-shadow exhibits, glowing installations, and hands-on science experiences turn the museum into a winter wonderland. This is the final weekend to catch IlluminOdyssey before regular routines return.
Ages 3–12 | Paid admission | Tickets & details
The Physics Show (Family Science Show)
Saturday & Sunday (showtimes vary) | Foothill College, Los Altos Hills
High-energy physics demonstrations featuring motion, electricity, and dramatic experiments are performed like a stage show. Educational, surprising, and genuinely entertaining for kids and grown-ups alike.
Ages 6+ | ~$6 per person | Tickets & details
Friday, January 2
First Friday at CuriOdyssey
5:00 pm–8:00 pm | CuriOdyssey, 1651 Coyote Point Dr, San Mateo
A relaxed after-dark evening at the museum with science exhibits, live animals, music, and food trucks. A fun way to explore with kids without staying out too late.
Ages 3–12 | Paid admission | https://curiodyssey.org
Free First Friday at the San Mateo County History Museum
10:00 am–4:00 pm | Redwood City
Explore Peninsula history inside a beautiful historic courthouse during this free museum day. Easy to pair with lunch or a casual downtown stroll.
All ages | Free | https://www.historysmc.org
“Preschool Bear” Program & Craft
11:00 am | San Mateo County History Museum, Redwood City
A short, themed program introducing young kids to California’s bear, followed by a simple craft and gentle exploration designed just for preschoolers.
Ages 3–6 | Free | More details
🌧️ Rainy-Day Friendly Idea (Anytime This Weekend)
Family Bowling at Bel Mateo Bowl
Anytime (check lane availability) | Belmont
A classic, low-pressure family outing that works especially well on rainy days. Bumpers, lighter balls, and a casual vibe make this approachable even for first-time bowlers.
Ages 4+ | Paid lanes & shoe rental | Website
Indoor Playgrounds Around the SF Peninsula
When the rain keeps coming down, indoor play spaces can save the day. Here are a few reliable options parents often rotate between:
Kiddo Adventure | San Mateo (indoor play and activity space for younger kids)
Safari Run | San Mateo (large indoor playground with slides & climbing)
La Petite Playhouse | Redwood City (creative & pretend play stations)
Spirited Play Labs | Belmont (inclusive, movement-based indoor play designed for disabled, neurodivergent, or behaviorally different children)
Imagination City | Hillsdale Mall, San Mateo (indoor role-play town with themed play zones for younger kids)
Ages vary (generally 1–8) | Paid admission
Little Joys
You don’t need a big reset to begin again. Sometimes a new year starts with a slower morning, a shared snack, or choosing “enough” instead of “more.”
Wishing you a gentle, grounded start to 2026.
See you next week 🤍