Snow Park

Children's Fairyland, U.S.A.

Indoor skating all year downtown, and rentals start at a toddler size 6, so the very small ones are genuinely included rather than just watching.

A converted auto dealership turned sprawling open-air beer garden in Uptown: wood-fired pizza, communal tables, and enough space that a loud kid disappears into the ambient roar. Daytime and early evening are prime family hours.

Art spaces, a library, a play space and animals in one building, which is a lot of different moods covered under one roof.

A family-friendly beer garden with a patio where the cooks will make kids fancy-shaped pancakes.

A hands-on art studio and gallery near 12th Street BART, open for drop-in on weekends. Come in clothes you do not mind.