Featured

Summer Cooking Camps for Kids & Teens | San Jose

Join Sur La Table for their week-long summer cooking camps where your emerging chef can have fun while learning. Choose from 5 days (3-4 for holidays) sessions focusing on the foundational skills in Baking 101,  learn about global cuisines in Culinary Excursion, and craft tasty fare in Better Than Takeout. 

What to Expect During Summer Cooking Camp

Camp classes are designed for kids 7-11 and teens ages 12 and older. Campers will receive a certificate at the end of each camp session. And for the teen camps, parents will be invited to sample a test menu made by their own foodie chefs!

  • Camps are $299 for five days, $239 for four days, and $199 for three days.
  • Classes are 2 to 2 1/2 hours unless noted in the class description.
  • Each day the campers will work on preparing 2-3 dishes. Each week’s menu is listed on the camp registration page.
  • Students will work with other students in groups of 4.
  • Hands-on classes are limited to 12-16 students, depending on location.
  • 10% off coupon for an in-store purchase while class is in session.

Kids Summer Cooking Camps

Kids camps for ages 7-11 are 10:30 am – 1 pm or 1 pm – 3:30 pm. Every student will go home with a printed menu and graduation certificate. Students also get a 10% discount coupon for purchases during the camp.

Baking 101 Cooking Camp Dates

In this five-day series, your little chef will enjoy a fun, hands-on baking experience—from mixing batter and rolling pie dough to decorating cupcakes and much more. Each session explores essential baking techniques, basic food prep skills, and best practices for kitchen safety.

Baking 101 Cooking Camp Dates
June 19 – June 23 @ 10:30 am
June 19 – June 23 @ 1 pm
July 10 – July 14 @ 10:30 am
July 10 – July 14 @ 1 pm
July 31 – August 4 @ 10:30 am
July 31 – August 4 @ 1 pm

Culinary Excursion Cooking Camp

In this five-day series, your young chef will explore new ingredients and flavors while having fun in the kitchen. As they chop veggies, knead doughs, cook chicken, and more, they’ll learn essential cooking techniques, basic food prep skills, how to repurpose food waste, and best practices for kitchen safety.

Culinary Excursion Camp Dates
June 12 – June 16 @ 10:30 am
June 12 – June 16 @ 1 pm
July 24 – July 28 @ 10:30 am
July 24 – July 28 @ 1 pm

Global Flavors Cooking Camp

In this five-day series, your future foodie will explore flavors from around the world while having fun in the kitchen. As they roll sushi, knead pasta dough, fry rice and more, they’ll learn essential cooking techniques, basic food prep skills, and best practices for kitchen safety.

Global Cooking Camp Dates
June 5 – June 9 @ 10:30 am
June 5 – June 9 @ 1 pm
June 26 – June 30 @ 10:30 am
June 26 – June 30 @ 1 pm
July 17 – July 21 @ 10:30 am
July 17 – July 21 @ 1 pm

Teens Summer Cooking Camps

Teen camps for ages 12-17 are 4 pm – 6:30 pm. Every student will go home with a printed menu and graduation certificate. On the final day, parents are invited to sample a test menu made by their star chefs.

Bakeshop Cooking Camp

Treat your budding foodie to five days full of hands-on kitchen experience this summer. They’ll master their basic baking skills and learn tried-and-true advanced techniques as they craft delicious pastries and other treats.

Bakeshop Cooking Camp Dates
June 19 – June 23 @ 4 pm
July 10 – July 14 @ 4 pm
July 31 – July 31 @ 4 pm

Better Than Takeout Cooking Camp

Treat your budding foodie to five days full of hands-on kitchen experience this summer. They’ll master basic kitchen skills and craft tasty fare that they’ll want to make time and time again—from Crispy Chicken Taquitos to Homemade Pizza.

Better Than Takeout Camp Dates
June 5 – June 9 @ 4 pm
June 26 – June 29 @ 4 pm
July 17 – July 21 @ 4 pm

Global Grub Cooking Camp

Treat your budding foodie to five days full of hands-on kitchen experience this summer. Teens will enjoy creating delicious foods—from whipping up tasty Feta with Grilled Pita Bread to making viral food friends like Crispy Rice Sushi and Brazilian Limeade.

Global Grub Camp Dates
June 12 – June 16 @ 4 pm
July 5 – July 7 @ 4 pm (3 days)
July 24 – July 28 @ 4 pm

Kids, Teens, and Family Classes

Sur La Table offers a selection of cooking classes for kids, and teens year-round. Most classes are available for teens 14+ with an accompanying adult. Check the schedule here. Classes for teens range from Handmade Pasta to Sushi at Home to Cast Iron Basics to Thai Takeout Favorites.

Kids classes (7+) are usually geared for holidays and seasons, such as Easter Cupcakes, High Tea Treats, and Mother’s Day Treats, but also favorites like American Classics and Pizza.

Important Links and Information

Address: Sur La Table
855 El Camino Real, Suite 57
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Phone: 650-289-0019

Kids & Teens Summer Camps [LINK]
Family Fun (Kids classes) [LINK]
Cooking Class Calendar [LINK]

Featured

Free Crafts at JC Penney Kids Zone

JC Penney Kids Zone crafts are free drop-by and take-it-home crafts offered the second Saturday of each month from 11 am – 12 pm.

JC Penney Kids Zone staff will give the kids the supplies they need for the craft or project.

Did you know that workshops, craft sessions, and cooking classes at local stores are a great way for your child to learn something new and have fun at the same time? Find other store events in the Bay area on our Store Events page.

JC Penney Kids Zone Dates for 2025

JC Penney Kids Zone Dates for 2025

January 11, 2025
February 8, 2025
March 8, 2025
April 12, 2025
May 10, 2025
June 14, 2025

July 12, 2025
August 9, 2025
September 13, 2025
October 11, 2025
November 8, 2025
December 13, 2025

Updated Jan 2025

What to Expect at the JC Penney Kids Zone

It will be a fun, free activity for your little one, including a free craft, with a lanyard, ID badge, a collector’s pin, and other supplies if needed. And a Project Master Medallion when they complete 6 projects.

Grownups will get something a special extra 10% off coupon to shop in-store, valid for one day only.

JC Penney Kids Zone Craft for February 2023

Rain or shine – no reservations needed. Check the JC Penney’s Kids Zone for details and dates. [LINK]

CelebrateFamily.us Best Bet: Did you know that workshops, craft sessions and cooking classes at local stores is a great way for your child to learn something new and have fun at the same time?  We promise not to tell!

CelebrateFamily.us

General Rules for Store Events: Minimum age for participation is 3 years. Event limited based on store capacity. Parents must stay with their child. Event is subject to change or cancellation without notice. While supplies last.

Find more Store Events on CelebrateFamily.us.

Featured

2022 National Cinema Day

National days can be fun to celebrate, but saving money is even more fun. For one day, theaters are offering all movies in all formats for $3. The ticket price does not include ticket fees. Enjoy!

Bay Area Theaters

We’ve confirmed these theaters are participating:

Cinemark
Regal
Cinelux
AMC
Maya Cinemas
Chabot
Vogue Theatre in SF
Marina Theatre in SF
Presidio Theatre in SF
Balboa Theatre in SF (Balboa at 38th) has $3 tickets for all screenings other than “The Room.

Check with your local theater to confirm participation.

Cinema Day Concession Special Deals

Cinelux Specials:
$5 Combo Small Popcorn and Drink

Cinemark Specials:
$3 Medium ICEE or Fountain Drink Beverage
$3 Candy
$3 Small Popcorn or upsize to large for $1 more.

Prices do not include applicable taxes and fees.

Independent Bookstore Day Activities in the Bay Area

Today we celebrate bookstores!!!

Check with your favorite bookstore for their events, special deals, and fun. Visit the Independent Bookstore Day site for information on special activities or reach out directly to your local bookstore.

Here is some of the info that we have found.

Linden Tree Books – Los Altos

  • Storytimes with local authors throughout the day (we had 13 authors participate last year; still finalizing this year’s list)
  • Every customer spins our Mystery Wheel during checkout which includes discounts (up to 100% off!) and giveaways
  • Free Linden Tree buttons, stickers, and other goodies, too!

Keplers – Menlo Park

  • 11:00am – 12:00pm: Arree Chung: Presentation + Drawing Workshop
    Arree Chung is an award-winning author, illustrator, and international speaker known for his popular picture books Ninja! and Mixed. He inspires kids to share their creative ideas through art and storytelling. Arree’s latest graphic novel is Don’t Cause Trouble. For all those budding artists out there he will also give a drawing lesson.
  • 3:00pm – 4:00pm: Literary Spelling Bee: Prizes include gift cards and tickets to upcoming events.

Hicklebees – San Jose

  • Join us in celebrating Indie Bookstore Day with our fabulous lineup of authors! There will be giveaways, prizes, panels, readings, and more!

Rakestrawbook – Danville

  • We have all sorts of festivities planned including a special morning It’s StoryTime! with local author Susan Simms who joins us at 10:30 AM to share her picture book, Counting Train Track Choo Choo and Clickety Clack.

Books Inc. Pruneyard – Campbell

  • Libro FM’s Golden Ticket hiding in the store for one lucky winner!
  • Meet and Greet from 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM  with local author and high school student Bhargavi Vatte, to introduce readers to her book on neurodiversity. 
  • Meet and Greet at 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM with local author Rohan Srinivasan to explore his book, An Imagined Life.   
  • Meet and Greet from 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM with local author Patty Flores Reinhart to celebrate and sign copies of her book High Water!

Books Inc – Palo Alto

  • A Libro.fm golden ticket hunt plus a free mystery book with any purchase while supplies last!

Books Inc – the Marina SF

  • There will be a dog photo booth, typewriters to write with, magnetic poetry.
  • Libro.fm golden ticket hunt!
  • Local author Leslie Laurence from noon to 3pm to learn more about her new book Lulu’s Sheep, and create some adorable dog bookmarks! 

Books Inc – Mountain View

  • A story time at 10:30am to read some books about books. 
  • A Libro.fm Golden Ticket hunt, a scavenger hunt for kids and adults
  • Giveaways with purchases, and the first 50 people who purchase a drink at Bloomsgiving will get 10% off a book!
  • In the afternoon, we will host a meet and greet with local author Lisa Towles to get some signed copies of her new thriller Specimen!

Books Inc – Alameda

  • 11:30 am Storytime and Book signing –  featuring local children’s author,  CaTameron Bobino  for kids ages 5+ Reading from her series of stories centered around Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.  
  • 12:30 pm Student Puppeteer Showcase – Meet 9 year old  puppeteer extraordinaire  Eleanor Lee Dussud performing 6 selected puppets. Will be in conversation with Jerry T.
  • 1:30 pm Meet the spectacular storytellers from Stagebridge, the bay area’s legendary senior storytelling troupe.  Performing stories that are filled with magic, history and inspiration.  
  • 2:30 pm Meet three local writers and graphic artists in conversation.   Featuring Rasauhn Ali Tatum, Grey Starr, and LaMarr Thomas.  Discussing their current works and shared artistic practices. 
  • 3:30 pm Meet Cathleen and James Myers and selected performers of The Period Events & Entertainments Re-Creation Society, Inc. (PEERS),  a Nonprofit Corporation dedicated to remembering, researching, and re-creating the performing arts of the past.  Based in Alameda, their monthly historical costume ballroom dance classes are legendary!  Please join us as they present an hour of enchanting Circa 1900 in store performance,  ala  My Fair Lady!  
  • 4:30 pm Meet Hans and Pedro, owners of Dahaom 1516 joining us to discuss everything about having fun and sharing  the joy of brewing beer with a uniquely Bavarian flare! 
  • 5pm –  We are honored to welcome Alameda Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft who will visit to help commemorate our 21st year serving the Alameda community!  

Books Inc – Laurel Village SF

  • 11:00 am Friendship storytime with Miss Ingrid 
  • 3:00 pm Friendship bracelet crafting with bookseller Kirsten 
  • 5:00 pm Romance book swap and bubbles (21 plus).
  • A Libro.fm Golden Ticket Treasure Hunt (18+), a Frog and Toad Treasure Hunt (ages 2-9), and fabulous limited edition gift items and books!

Books Inc – San Leandro

  • A Libro.fm golden ticket hunt and lots of warehouse sale stock for purchase. 
  • We’ll have games, prizes, and giveaways! 

Books Inc. Opera Plaza – SF

  • Libro.fm golden ticket hunt plus other festivities like blind dates with a book and more.

Disclaimer: Verify event details with the organizer or venue, as cancellations, changes, and errors may occur after events are added to our calendar. Report Event 

Family Fun Days

April 17, 2025 @ 11:00 am 5:00 pm

CelebrateFamily.us family fun in the SF Bay area

Family fun days at Tilden Park Merry Go Round. Enjoy special prices and discounts every Thursday and Friday.

✅ Parents/Chaperones Ride FREE with a child’s ticket
🌭 $2 Hot Dogs – The perfect treat for a day at the park!
🎨 Creative Art Activities – Let your little ones explore their imagination!
🏆 Classic Lawn Games – Enjoy cornhole, ring toss, and more!
📸 Fun Photo Cut-Outs – Capture the memories with our adorable themed backdrops!
🎠 Make it a picnic day, relax under the trees, and let the kids experience the magic of the carousel!

Disclaimer: Verify event details with the organizer or venue, as cancellations, changes, and errors may occur after events are added to our calendar. Report Event 

$4 – $22
Wildcat Canyon Road and Grizzly Peak Boulevard
Berkeley, CA 94708
(510) 843-2137 ‎

Meet the Herptiles: Reptiles, Amphibians and More! | Hidden Villa

May 24, 2025 @ 10:00 am 12:00 pm

“Herps,” or more technically, herpetofauna, are some of the least observed of our wild vertebrate neighbors. Amphibians and reptiles are generally hard to find and to see up close, so they can pass under most people’s radar for years at a time.

This class will be a celebration of these forgotten fauna, focusing on slides and taxidermied specimens to prepare you for those rare occasions when you do glimpse one in the wild. Find out which snakes are dangerous and which are hugely helpful on our organic farm, which amphibians Hidden Villa is actively working to protect, and why one might consider the unassuming California Slender Salamander to be one of the fastest land animals around!

Disclaimer: Verify event details with the organizer or venue, as cancellations, changes, and errors may occur after events are added to our calendar. Report Event 

$30
26870 Moody Road
Los Altos Hills, CA 94022 United States

Birds and their Nests | Hidden Villa

May 10, 2025 @ 10:00 am 12:00 pm

Springtime is an especially fun time to pay attention to birds. Many will be at their showiest, singing their hearts out, defending territories, constructing nests, or perhaps already tending to their nestlings.

We will review species found at Hidden Villa, investigate some nests collected after past seasons, and then step outside to respectfully observe some pre-scouted nest attempts in progress. Come and marvel at the architectural prowess of these beautiful animals, who build their homes primarily with their mouths (don’t try this without special training!)

Binoculars are welcome, but will not be necessary to enjoy this class.

Disclaimer: Verify event details with the organizer or venue, as cancellations, changes, and errors may occur after events are added to our calendar. Report Event 

$30
26870 Moody Road
Los Altos Hills, CA 94022 United States

Sheep Shearing and Fiber Arts Festival | Hidden Villa

April 19, 2025 @ 10:00 am 3:00 pm

Sheep Shearing and Fiber Arts Festival

Join us for a celebration of farming, sheep, fiber and making! Engage your hands in wool processing and fiber activities. Fun for all ages!

Celebrate our sheep’s annual haircut, local natural resources, and artisans! Connect with the land, animals, artisans, and community members that enjoy slowing down and appreciating the beauty of our local fiber-shed!

Learn about regenerative agriculture, the wonders of wool, and the ways in which you can make informed choices about your time, community and clothes!

Explore opportunities to develop skills in handi-craft, think creatively about your farm to closet choices and develop new relationships at our Sheep Shearing & Fiber Arts Festival. We can’t wait to see you there!

Disclaimer: Verify event details with the organizer or venue, as cancellations, changes, and errors may occur after events are added to our calendar. Report Event 

Free Free but registration required to ensure space.
26870 Moody Road
Los Altos Hills, CA 94022 United States