This weekend is full of fun activities for the whole family! Everything from Free Drop-In Art Class at Artescape, Solar Viewing, Sea Otters and Kid- Friendly Carnivals in Petaluma, your weekend will be jam packed with fun! Enjoy!

Here’s your Go-To Guide for Sonoma Valley Fun and Beyond for Kids and Families this Weekend, March 8th-10th:

Friday, March 8th:

Sonoma Valley Farmers Market- 9:00-1:00pm
Stop be the year-round market featuring all the best Sonoma has to offer! Fresh salad greens, amazing local vegetables and artisans selling handcrafted goods. Depot Park.

Beauty and the Beast- Sonoma Valley High School is proud to present the Disney classic musical Beauty and the Beast at Sonoma Valley High School’s Little Theatre for their final weekend-March 8, 9,and 10. Shows are at 7:00 on Friday and Saturday and Sunday at 2:00. At a little over an hour the show is very family friendly and will be sure to impress! Adults-$15 and students, seniors $10. Event details here.

Bodega Marine Laboratory Drop-In Tours-2-4pm. Public drop in tours for all ages. See numerous marine aquarium displays with colorful local fish and marine creatures. Every Friday, FREE! Event details here.

Saturday, March 8th:

In Sonoma:

-Opening Day for Sonoma Little League! Games will be hosted throughout the day on Saturday at Teeter/Hughes Fields. Snack shack will be open! Come out and cheer on your favorite team!

-Scratchboard- Free Saturday Play at Artescape! 11:00-3:00. Bring your children ages 2 and up and discover the fun of Scratchboards. Drop in anytime and no reservations needed. 17474-A Sonoma Highway in Boyes Hot Springs. 707 938-5551. Event details here.

-Go to Sonoma Train Town or have a ball at Maxwell Golf Center! Both are open all weekend!

-Grab your fresh eggs and weekly winter vegetables at the ongoing Saturday Harvest Market at the Sonoma Ecology Center from 9am to 1pm. The Garden offers the freshest, seasonal produce available. A good friend went last weekend and told me early bird, catches the worm at this market so be sure to pop by close to 9:00!

-Cornerstone Gardens- Where else can you let the kids run through a large water pipe, a huge border of daisy pinwheels and sit in a giant adirondack chair? And for FREE! Open everyday from 10:00-5:00pm.

-California Missions Museum- Want to see the entire Mission Trail under one roof and for free? Head to Cline Winery (also one of my favorite kid-friendly wineries) and take a tour of all 21 Mission Models that were shown at the World’s Fair on Treasure Island in 1939. Open 10:00-4:00pm everyday. FREE. While your there, be sure to take a tour of the entire Cline property stopping along the way to find the resident turtles, carp and birds. Grab a picnic and enjoy! Details on the Mission Museum here and Cline Cellars details here.

-Depot Train Museum- My daughter and I stopped in last weekend and she loved the school display (especially the Teacher’s Rules) and ringing the bell. They also have a small dress up area.  Railroad buffs will love the Train Room and authentic railroad cars and history fanatics will enjoy the Victorian Life Displays. 270 1st Street West, Sonoma. FREE!  Open Friday-Sunday 1-4pm.  Click here for more information on their website.

-Girl Scout Cookie Time! Please support the local Girl Scouts if you see them out and about this weekend!

-Bouverie Preserve Guided Nature Walk; 9:30 am – 1:30 pm
Half-day Guided Nature Walks at Bouverie Preserve explore the 535-acre, private, non-profit, nature preserve. Participants are divided into small groups and paired with a trained Bouverie volunteer to explore the mixed evergreen forest, oak woodlands and rugged chaparral. The walks range from two to five miles. This is a great opportunity to explore this preserve, which is only open to the public on a limited basis throughout the year. Visitors of all ages are welcome. There is no fee for the program, but a $15 per person contribution is suggested and appreciated.

-Solar Viewing at Robert Ferguson Observatory. 11-3pm. Star Party at 7:00pm.
Solar telescopes are set up so you can safely look at and listen to our favorite star, the Sun. Free admission. Sugarloaf Parking is $8.00 per car. Event Details Here.

Beyond Sonoma-

-Annual Kids’ Cowpoke Carnival, Petaluma Parent Nursery School-11 am–2 pm
Come and join Petaluma Parent Nursery School for their annual Kids Cowpoke Carnival! Pan for gold and spend it at the general store and enjoy games, crafts, cake walk, food, music, raffle, silent auction, and much more. Cowpokes ages 2–8 $5, handlers free. Proceeds benefit PPNS, a cooperative preschool for children ages 18 months to 5 years. Location: McKinley School Auditorium, For more info, visit their website.

-Novato Mothers Club Rummage Sale at Novato Teen Center. 9-3pm
One-stop shopping for your growing family. All items sold are in good condition. Maternity clothes, boys and girls clothes, toys, and books for infants, toddlers, & preschoolers. Plus everything you need for your baby—strollers, high chairs, & nursing items and more. Doors close from 1:30–2 pm for additional markdowns; items 50% off after 2 pm. Location: 950 Seventh Street, Novato. For more info, visit their website.

Carolyn Parr Nature Center Museum- Open Saturdays and Sundays, 1:00-4:00pm Free; Family Fun, Museums & Exhibitions: Attractive still life displays of local habitats include local animals and plants. A well mounted 6′ mt. lion in display case is most recent addition. Library, gift shop, kids games, microscope and hands on skins and bones available. Weekday tours available for groups. Call 255-6465. 3107 Browns Valley Rd, at Westwood Hills Park.

Tara Firma Farms Tour, Petaluma: Take advantage of one of our FREE Farm Tours! Every Saturday & Sunday 10 A.M., 12 NOON, & 2pm. No reservations required. www.tarafirmafarms.com. We offer fresh in-season produce, quality meats,and an on-the-farm experience! Bring the whole family! Enjoy the rural beauty of Petaluma! Pet our farm animals!

Whale Watching at Bodega Head-FREE. Pack a picnic and the binoculars and take a trip out to Bodega Head. The view is amazing and the Pacific Grey Whales are migrating thru April.

Redwood Empire Farmers Market
Year round-Wednesdays and Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. to noon at the parking lot of the Santa Rosa Veterans Memorial Building, 1351 Maple Ave. Rain or shine. Fresh produce from local farmers.

Sunday, February 24th-

The Marine Mammal Center-Marine Science Sunday: Coastline Cuteness: Sea Otters-10am-5pm; FREE! Join us on the 2nd Sunday of each month for Marine Science Sunday – a FREE engaging ocean-inspired classroom series from our education experts. Did you know that the sea otter is the furriest animal in the entire world?  The smallest marine mammal is also one of the most special with adaptations to stay warm, find food, and even use tools!  2000 Bunker Road, Fort Cronkhite in Sausalito. Details here.

Snoopy Home Ice, The Redwood Empire Ice Arena
Parent and Puppy session on Sunday mornings from 10:30 to noon for kids 11 and under and their parents ( includes a 15 minute lesson). Parent and puppy sessions cost $7 for adults and $5.50 for kids, no skate rental charged. 1667 West Steele Lane, Santa Rosa. 707-546-7147, snoopyshomeice.com

Marin Civic Center Farmers Market-8:00-1:00pm. Rows and rows of fresh breads, fruits and vegetables. I love going at 12:00 when most sellers mark everything at half off! Lots of samples for the kids!

Off The Grid- Food Truck Extravaganza at Marin Country Mart, Larkspur Landing
Sunday, 11 am–3 pm- Come and enjoy Off the Grid’s delicious mobile gourmet food market, every Sunday at the Marin Country Mart. Eat your way through the largest gathering of mobile food trucks in Marin, while listening to live music, and taking in the views of the bay and Mt. Tam. This is a year-round event. For more info, visit their website.

Scientopia Discovery Center, 1785 Tanen Street, Napa. Open from 10-3 every Sunday.  General admission-Children 1-10 years: $10, each additional $8, parents free. Enjoy the Children’s Garden  with bubble play, worm bin, garden and outdoor picnic area , Produce Stand & Little Diner; Dress-Up Area; Little Dig – rubber gravel, buckets, shovels, & trucks galore; NV Trains – giant train table with pop up holes in the center ; Puppet Theater – kids can create their own puppet show and much more!

Keep up with the daily Grape Juice! Follow Grape Juice Kids by email by clicking on SUBSCRIBE-I have new posts 3-4 times per week and “Like” Grape Juice Kids on Facebook and follow me on Pinterest! And I love your comments! Be sure to leave me your weekly or special event to include in the next newsletter!

A MOMMY & ME CLASS:  Spanish Immersion

Wednesdays, ongoing Room 110.New at SCC: A Mommy & Me Class
Spanish Immersion
with Nancy Morales
Fridays, April 19-May 24
Ages up to 2.5 years: 9:30-10:15 am
Ages 3-5: 10:15-11:00 am

Babies and children are exceptional in the manner they absorb and produce language. Together, with your child, you’ll enjoy activities such as music, dance, storytelling, movement, song, and play, which provide diverse and fun ways to engage learning. Through interaction and fluent language instruction, parents and caregivers will participate in helping their child, and themselves, learn another language. Enroll early! Call (707) 938-4626 x1.

Event Details Here.

Looking for a fun new dance class IN Sonoma? Sonoma Dance is back at their new location starting April 15th with classes ranging from tap dancing to hip-hop! Spring Session runs April 15th thru June 14th and are $144 or drop-ins are $20 per class. Sign-up at Sonoma-Dance.com.

Have a birthday party on the horizon and don’t know where to start? Check out my new Celebration Page (you can find it above in the header)! I have over 15 different recommendations with everything from rainy-day venues to face painting to live Safari animals!

This is a starting list and I will be adding to it! Check it out and let me know if you would like to be added by leaving a comment below!

Looking for the something fun to do with the kids this weekend? From Dr. Seuss to Thrift Store Finds-Grape Juice Kids has you covered! Now, go out and have some fun!

Sonoma Valley Fun for Kids and Families this Weekend: March 1-3

Friday, March 1st:

Snipz Open House- 12:00-5:00. Stop by and book a haircut at Sonoma’s newest, state of the art, salon just for kids! Face Painting, Kettle Corn, Raffles.  75 Andrieux Street, Suite B.

Beauty and the Beast- Sonoma Valley High School is proud to present the Disney classic musical Beauty and the Beast at Sonoma Valley High School’s Little Theatre on March 1, 2, 3 and next weekend-8, 9, 10. Shows are at 7:00 on Friday and Saturday and Sunday at 2:00. At a little over an hour the show is very family friendly and will be sure to impress! Adults-$15 and students, seniors $10. Event details here.

Saturday, March 2nd:

In Sonoma:

*Dr. Seuss’s Birthday. Celebrate by reading your favorite Dr. Seuss book!*

-Go to Sonoma Train Town or have a ball at Maxwell Golf Center! Both are open all weekend!

-Grab your fresh eggs and weekly winter vegetables at the ongoing Saturday Harvest Market at the Sonoma Ecology Center from 9am to 1pm. The Garden offers the freshest, seasonal produce available. A good friend went last weekend and told me early bird, catches the worm at this market so be sure to pop by close to 9:00!

-Cornerstone Gardens- Where else can you let the kids run through a large water pipe, a huge border of daisy pinwheels and sit in a giant adirondack chair? And for FREE! Open everyday from 10:00-5:00pm.

-California Missions Museum- Want to see the entire Mission Trail under one roof and for free? Head to Cline Winery (also one of my favorite kid-friendly wineries) and take a tour of all 21 Mission Models that were shown at the World’s Fair on Treasure Island in 1939. Open 10:00-4:00pm everyday. FREE. While your there, be sure to take a tour of the entire Cline property stopping along the way to find the resident turtles, carp and birds. Grab a picnic and enjoy! Details on the Mission Museum here and Cline Cellars details here.

-Depot Train Museum- My daughter and I stopped in last weekend and she loved the school display (especially the Teacher’s Rules) and ringing the bell. They also have a small dress up area.  Railroad buffs will love the Train Room and authentic railroad cars and history fanatics will enjoy the Victorian Life Displays. 270 1st Street West, Sonoma. FREE!  Open Friday-Sunday 1-4pm.  Click here for more information on their website.

-Escape from Planet Earth (PG)-Showing all weekend in regular and 3-D. Check website for times.

-Girl Scout Cookie Time! Please support the local Girl Scouts if you see them out and about this weekend!

The Barn Sale for the Schools-You can join in on the first Saturday of the month at Sonoma’s FIELD OF GREENS at 1777 West Watmaugh. Each month you’ll find a wonderful array of household items, books, furniture, etc. and there are generally baked goods available as well. We have found quite a few treasures here! All proceeds are given to the public schools in Sonoma Valley via teacher grants. 9-4pm

Sonoma Valley Treasure Hunt Weekend-Come celebrate Girlfriends’ Getaway Month! Grab a friend and join in for a treasure hunt weekend! Raffles and special deals galore! Grand Prize: Spa Package!

Shopping resale in the valley has never been better – Republic of Thrift, Plain Janes, Bon Marche, Vignette, Sandbox, SISTERS, My Girlfriend’s Closet.
Maps to all the stores available at Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau and at each of the participating stores.
**10 percent of net proceeds will benefit F.I.S.H. (Friends in Sonoma Helping). Come celebrate Girlfriends’ Getaway Month by shopping resale in Sonoma Valley! I recently posted about the Bon Marche’s ongoing special- 10 books for $1 and their huge bin of kids clothes for $1 each! One of my kids’ favorite stores too!

And Beyond Sonoma-

Friedman’s KidsWorx Creative Workshop!- Kids will have the opportunity to not only learn how liquid can sometimes defy gravity, but will also be observing wiggly, wriggly worms. Free. 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Friedman Brothers. 4055 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa. www.cmosc.org

Carolyn Parr Nature Center Museum- Open Saturdays and Sundays, 1:00-4:00pm Free. Family Fun, Museums & Exhibitions: Attractive still life displays of local habitats include local animals and plants. A well mounted 6′ mt. lion in display case is most recent addition. Library, gift shop, kids games, microscope and hands on skins and bones available. Weekday tours available for groups. Call 255-6465. 3107 Browns Valley Rd, at Westwood Hills Park.

Science Saturday at Spring Lake Regional Park-Saturday, Mar 2, 1:00p to 4:00p Environmental Discovery Center Santa Rosa. The first Saturday of each month is Science Saturday at the Environmental Discovery Center at Spring Lake Regional Park in Santa Rosa. Families can join a Discovery Center naturalist for fun, hands-on activities focused that start on the hour at 1, 2 or 3 p.m. Science Saturdays feature tangible experiments that let children explore the world around us. This is a free event. 393 Violetti Rd. (707) 539-2865

Rohnert Park Library-Craft time to Celebrate Dr. Seuss Day! Drop in to the Children’s Room to create a fun craft in honor of the great author Dr. Seuss! Ages 4 and up. 10:00-4:00,Free.

Tara Firma Farms Tour, Petaluma: Take advantage of one of our FREE Farm Tours! Every Saturday & Sunday 10 A.M., 12 NOON, & 2 P.M. No reservations required. www.tarafirmafarms.com. We offer fresh in-season produce, quality meats,and an on-the-farm experience! Bring the whole family! Enjoy the rural beauty of Petaluma! Pet our farm animals!

Charles M. Schulz Museum Free Saturday-10 am–5 pm
Enjoy FREE admission to the museum all day!Location: 2301 Hardies Lane, Santa Rosa. For more info, call (707) 579-4452 or visit their website.

Whale Watching at Bodega Head-FREE. Pack a picnic and the binoculars and take a trip out to Bodega Head. The view is amazing and the Pacific Grey Whales are migrating thru April.

Redwood Empire Farmers Market
Year round-Wednesdays and Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. to noon at the parking lot of the Veterans Memorial Building, 1351 Maple Ave. Rain or shine. Fresh produce from local farmers.

Sunday, February 24th-

Snoopy Home Ice, The Redwood Empire Ice Arena
Parent and Puppy session on Sunday mornings from 10:30 to noon for kids 11 and under and their parents ( includes a 15 minute lesson). Parent and puppy sessions cost $7 for adults and $5.50 for kids, no skate rental charged. 1667 West Steele Lane, Santa Rosa. 707-546-7147, snoopyshomeice.com

Marin Civic Center Farmers Market-8:00-1:00pm. Rows and rows of fresh breads, fruits and vegetables. I love going at 12:00 when most sellers mark everything at half off! Lots of samples for the kids!

Off The Grid- Food Truck Extravaganza at Marin Country Mart, Larkspur Landing
Sunday, 11 am–3 pm- Come and enjoy Off the Grid’s delicious mobile gourmet food market, every Sunday at the Marin Country Mart. Eat your way through the largest gathering of mobile food trucks in Marin, while listening to live music, and taking in the views of the bay and Mt. Tam. This is a year-round event. For more info, visit their website.

Scientopia Discovery Center, 1785 Tanen Street, Napa. Open from 10-3 every Sunday.  General admission-Children 1-10 years: $10, each additional $8, parents free. Enjoy the Children’s Garden  with bubble play, worm bin, garden and outdoor picnic area , Produce Stand & Little Diner; Dress-Up Area; Little Dig – rubber gravel, buckets, shovels, & trucks galore; NV Trains – giant train table with pop up holes in the center ; Puppet Theater – kids can create their own puppet show and much more!

Keep up with the daily Grape Juice! Follow Grape Juice Kids by email by clicking on SUBSCRIBE / Like Grape Juice Kids on Facebook and follow on Pinterest! And I love your comments! Be sure to leave me your weekly or special event to include in the next newsletter!