Things to Do with Kids in Palo Alto — 18 Family-Friendly Places

An award-winning inclusive playground designed for children of ALL abilities. Features a music zone, swing zone, spinning zone, and sensory wall. Every element is accessible and thoughtfully designed for kids with different needs.

The only permanent outdoor ice skating rink west of the Sierras, rated #1 in the US by Yelp. Open mid-October through mid-April with twinkling lights and a cozy atmosphere. Group classes for kids 5+.

One of the most spectacular spring wildflower displays in the Bay Area with carpets of poppies, lupines, and Indian paintbrush on rolling grasslands. Easy hiking trails along the ridge with views of the Pacific Ocean and Bay. The 2.5-mile Ridge Trail loop is gentle enough for young hikers.

The largest tract of undisturbed marshland remaining in the San Francisco Bay at 1,940 acres. Fifteen miles of trails through tidal and freshwater habitats. The Lucy Evans Baylands Nature Interpretive Center has wildlife displays, microscopes for kids, and guided nature walks. One of the best birdwatching areas on the West Coast.

A beautiful preserve along Skyline Boulevard with Alpine Pond (great for spotting newts and turtles), Horseshoe Lake, and the Daniels Nature Center with hands-on exhibits. The 1-mile Alpine Pond Trail loop is flat and perfect for young kids. Free admission.

One-on-one coding mentorship pairing kids with Stanford and UC Berkeley engineering students since 2011. Weekly 90-minute project-based sessions, in-person at Stanford or UC Berkeley, or virtually. Highly personalized curriculum.

An internationally recognized early childhood music program with classes across the Bay Area. Parent-child classes feature singing, dancing, and instrument play. Develops musical skills in babies through kindergartners in a joyful setting.

Silicon Valley's top kids coding program with personalized coaching and small teacher-to-student ratios. For ages 7-18 at all skill levels. Bay Area locations in Berkeley, Cupertino, Fremont, Palo Alto, San Jose, San Mateo, and more.

This long-running, beloved community theater serves 57,000+ annually with productions and arts education for ages 3 through high school. Classes in music, dance, and theater plus outreach programs in all Palo Alto elementary schools.

Family and kids cooking classes where young and old cook together with professional chefs. Caregiver & Cooking Classes for ages 2-8, plus summer camps for ages 4-17. A fun bonding experience for the whole family.

Kids chess classes and fun social chess club nights throughout the South Bay. Weekend group classes in Palo Alto, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, and Santa Clara for all skill levels, from beginners to competitive players.

A beloved Pakistani-Indian restaurant with flavorful kabobs, biryanis, and naan. Kids love the butter chicken and garlic naan. The casual counter-service format makes it easy with kids. Multiple Bay Area locations.

Portland's beloved artisan ice cream shop with seasonal, creative flavors like sea salt caramel ribbon and honey lavender. Staff happily offers unlimited tastings before you choose. Also in SF, Burlingame, and San Jose.

A wildly popular ice cream sandwich shop where you pick your cookies and ice cream flavor. The line is always worth the wait. Kids love watching their custom creations being made and the huge variety of flavor combos.

Upscale sandwich and salad chain with a fun play area for little ones at select locations. Kids eat free on Tuesdays with an adult entree purchase. Creative sandwiches and seasonal ingredients.

Classic American diner with amazing milkshakes, burgers, and pies. Always full of families so you never need to worry about how loud your kids are. Old-school diner charm in downtown Palo Alto.

Family-style Italian restaurant with huge portions meant for sharing. Festive atmosphere with vintage Italian photos. Perfect for birthday celebrations and large family gatherings.

An elegant open-air shopping center featuring kid-friendly stores like Pottery Barn Kids, Gap Kids, and American Girl. Kids love the fountains and outdoor spaces. Multiple family dining options in a beautiful garden setting.