Sandra Lee

Sandra Lee is the community publisher and social media manager for Mommy Poppins Bay Area. With nearly a decade of writing in the parenting space, she’s passionate about helping parents create unforgettable memories with their kids. Her work has appeared in Tiny Beans, Zulily, and more. When she's not exploring or creating content, you’ll find her baking or practicing her hip-hop moves.

Latest posts by Sandra

Best Summer Day Camps in San Francisco

Submitted by Sandra Lee on Fri, 02/16/2024 - 12:45pm

Enjoy Interactive activities and outdoor exploration at summer day camps. Photo courtesy of Peekadoodle Summer Camp

Summer day camps in San Francisco and the Bay Area offer an array of exciting opportunities for kids to explore, learn, and have fun during their break from school. Choose from outdoor adventures to arts and crafts, sports, science, and technology summer camps.

Whether exploring nature trails, honing artistic skills, or discovering new passions, summer day camps provide a safe and engaging environment for children to thrive and make lasting memories. With a variety of options available, parents can find the perfect camp to suit their child's interests and schedule, making summer in San Francisco and the Bay Area an unforgettable experience for young campers.

For more summer camps, check out the best summer camps in San Francisco for preschoolers, discover STEM summer camps in San Francisco and the Bay Area, and plan more summer day camps for the kids with our San Francisco Summer Camp Guide.

Top Places to See Santa in San Francisco

Submitted by Sandra Lee on Sun, 12/03/2023 - 2:20am

Meet Santa amid dazzling lights. Photo courtesy of Enchant Christmas

Photos with Santa in San Francisco come in all places and styles at iconic Bay Area landmarks, from Ghirardelli Square to Filoli Gardens. From the South Bay to the North Bay (and everywhere in between), there are endless places to meet Santa in San Francisco with families, kids, and pets. Take a classic photo or sit down with the big man in red for breakfast with plates piled high with pancakes and orange juice.

And let's not forget about Mrs. Claus, the lady behind the big red suit making everything happen. There are holiday events in the Bay Area where you can decorate cookies and sip tea with her. Scroll below for the most unique spots in the Bay Area to see Santa in San Francisco.

For more holiday festivities in San Francisco and the Bay Area, check out our Christmas Activities Holiday Guide for San Francisco Bay Area Kids, which includes the Must Do Christmas Events and Holiday Events in San Francisco, where to see the best SF holiday lights, and Polar Express train rides near San Francisco that will make the holiday season even more magical.

Free Museum Days for Kids in San Francisco

Submitted by Sandra Lee on Wed, 11/29/2023 - 9:30am

The little ones can release their inner Picasso and create a work of art. Photo courtesy of the Museum

Free museum days will have your senses heightened when you hear that you won't even need a penny to enjoy San Francisco's best museums. Seriously though, what parent doesn't perk up to the word "free"? It's nice to give our wallets a break, especially after the holidays or a birthday party where the shopping and splurging are in full force. Having some free activities to do with the little ones in a cultural mecca brings sighs of relief. Luckily, museums (particularly kid-friendly ones in the Bay Area) get it and periodically offer free museum days where families can enjoy all the STEM, art, and play activities for the mere cost of nothing.

We've rounded up our favorite Bay Area museums with free museum days so you can take the kids to enjoy days of learning and exploration. Our list of free museum days has it all; from interactive art to mesmerizing gardens, science, and history, kids will get to employ their creativity while taking in antiquities.

39 Things To Do with San Francisco Babies Before They Turn 1

Submitted by Sandra Lee on Sun, 09/03/2023 - 4:45am

Take baby to the beach to admire San Francisco's most iconic landmark. Crissy Beach photo by Nicole Findlay for Mommy Poppins

San Francisco babies grow up amid culture, world-class cuisine, and some of the most iconic sights in the country. That first year for San Francisco babies is full of exciting discoveries, lots of photo ops, and new emotions as they immerse themselves in the world around them.

It can be tough to figure out what to do with San Francisco babies who are still learning how to walk, but before you know it, restaurant outings, family hikes in San Francisco, and day trips from the Bay Area with a little one in tow will be a no-brainer. Keep reading below for the best things for San Francisco babies to do before they turn one.

They might be babies now, but they do grow up so fast, so take it all in at a pace, and enjoy these 100 things to do in San Francisco with kids before they grow up and find more resources in our San Francisco Baby Guide for Parents.

Oakland with Kids: 34 Best Things To Do in Oakland, CA

Submitted by Sandra Lee on Sun, 08/27/2023 - 3:30am

Admire the hundreds of animals at the Oakland Zoo. Photo courtesy of the Oakland Zoo

Oakland is a vibrant, family-friendly, diverse city full of culture and hidden nature gems, making it an excellent urban escape for a day or weekend of exploring with kids.

Less crowded than its famous neighbor of San Francisco, Oakland is packed with beautiful hikes, kid-friendly museums, and over-the-top ice cream sundaes, making it worthy of a destination on its own. Keep reading below for the best things to do in Oakland with kids.

Seek more adventure with the top day trips from San Francisco, and the best urban hikes for families in the Bay Area. Pack up the car and hit the road with the help of our Weekend Getaway and Day Trips Guide for San Francisco.

Puerto Vallarta with Kids: 21 Best Things To Do in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Submitted by Sandra Lee on Sat, 08/19/2023 - 12:51pm

Paddleboarding is even more fun when you do it with a sea lion. Photo courtesy Vallarta Adventures

Puerto Vallarta has everything that makes Mexico such a popular family vacation destination: warm and sunny weather, beautiful beaches, loads of outdoor activities, delicious cuisine, and family-friendly all-inclusive resorts. The city's manageable size and affordability are added bonuses that ensure everyone, from curious toddlers to uber-cool teens to adults in need of a little R&R, has a great time.

Whether you're swimming in the turquoise ocean water, learning to cook a new dish, or relaxing on a hammock while the kids play in the pool, you're bound to make lasting memories in Puerto Vallarta, as my family has over the years.

Here are the 21 top things to do in Puerto Vallarta with kids, including great Puerto Vallarta hotels and Puerto Vallarta restaurant options for families. Visit our Best Mexican Family Travel Guide for more great places to visit in Mexico, as well as our list of the best all-inclusive resorts in the US, Caribbean, and Mexico for kids.

Free and Cheap After-School Programs for San Francisco Area Kids

Submitted by Sandra Lee on Sun, 08/13/2023 - 7:05am

Kiddos can keep the learning going strong with after-school STEM activities. Photo courtesy of the Bay Area After- School All-Stars program..

After-school programs keep the kids engaged and looked after while you finish working, go grocery shopping, or cross off those last-minute errands. They are also great for socialization and keep the kiddos entertained. Don't wait for these programs—popular ones tend to fill up quickly.

From after-school programs at the always accessible (and affordable) Parks and Rec programs to STEM activities and homework help, there is something for every kid's interests and hobbies, from pre-k to pre-teen. Keep reading below for favorite after-school programs in the San Francisco Bay Area that are not only fun and engaging for the kids but easy on your wallet.

While school might be top of mind, summer camp planning will follow suit, so plan with these free and cheap summer camps in San Francisco.

Best Splash Pads for Kids in San Francisco

Submitted by Sandra Lee on Fri, 07/28/2023 - 9:15am

Jump into summer fun at our favorite splash pads in San Francisco. Photo courtesy of the City of Castro Calley

Splash pads are such an excellent way to cool off during the summer. Most are at kid playgrounds, and parents love these free and easy spots where it's almost guaranteed for little ones to have a blast without going to one of their favorite beaches. Splash pads are perfect for toddlers that aren't quite swim-ready yet, not to say that kids of all ages can't have fun.

We've rounded up our favorite splash pads and parks where kids can jump, splash, and beat the heat all for free, and also included some not-to-be-missed water parks for when everyone needs a day in the pool to cool off. Don't forget to pack a change of clothes and some snacks for an afternoon of serious water fun!

For more summer fun on a budget, explore awesome free things to do in San Francisco this summer with kids, and dive into our Ultimate San Francisco Kids Summer Vacation Guide.

Sandra Lee

Latest posts by Sandra

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