Exploring the Farmers Market with Kids: A Fun and Educational Adventure!
Are you looking for a delightful and enriching family outing? Look no further than your local farmers market! With an abundance of fresh produce, vibrant colors, and a range of food and craft options, the farmers market is a wonderful place to take your kids for an exciting and educational experience. So, grab your bags and get ready to dive into the vibrant world of locally sourced delights!
Engaging the Senses
Visiting the farmers market offers a sensory feast for children. As you stroll through the aisles, your kids will be captivated by the vivid array of fruits and vegetables, their enticing aromas, and the multitude of textures. Encourage them to touch, smell, and sometimes even taste the samples. This hands-on experience will foster their curiosity, deepen their understanding of where food comes from, and awaken their taste buds to new flavors.
Learning Opportunities
The farmers market is a rich educational playground for children. Engage them in conversations with farmers and artisans, who are passionate about their products and eager to share their knowledge. Encourage your kids to ask questions about the produce, farming practices, and even recipe ideas. These encounters will not only expand their vocabulary but also build their appreciation for the hard work that goes into growing and creating the food they enjoy.
Farm-to-Table Connection
In a world driven by technology, it's easy for kids to become disconnected from the origins of their food. A trip to the farmers market offers a direct farm-to-table experience, bridging this gap. Engage your children in conversations about the benefits of buying local, supporting small businesses, and the positive impact it has on the environment. This connection empowers them to make conscious choices and builds a foundation for a more sustainable future.
Nurturing Creativity
As you explore the farmers market, take the opportunity to engage your kids' creativity. Encourage them to create a shopping list and assist in choosing ingredients for a meal they would like to prepare together at home. This hands-on involvement fosters their culinary skills and nurtures their imagination as they envision the dishes they will create. It's a wonderful way to involve them in meal preparation, develop a love for cooking, and cultivate healthy eating habits.
Supporting the Community
Visiting the farmers market with your kids provides an opportunity to teach the importance of supporting local businesses and the wider community. Explain how the money spent at the farmers market.
SATURDAY
Marin Country Mart Farmers’ Market, year round, 9am-2pm, Larkspur Landing Circle
Point Reyes Farmers’ Market, June-Nov, 9am-2pm, Toby’s Feed Barn, 11250 California 1
The Farm Stand, 10am-7:30pm, Garage & Gas Station on Sir Francis Drake, Forest Knolls
Ferry Plaza, 8am-2pm, Embarcadero, San Francisco
Petaluma Walnut Park Farmers' Market, May-Nov, 2pm-5pm, Walnut Park
Santa Rosa Farmers’ Market, year-round, 8:30am-1pm, 1501 Farmers Lane
Oakland Farmers’ Market, 9am-2pm, Lake Park Avenue
Hayward Farmers’ Market, 9am-1pm, 777 B St, Hayward
Grand Lake Farmers Market, 9am-2pm, Splash Pad Park, Oakland
Alameda Farmers’ Market, 9am-1pm, 710 Haight Ave
Downtown Berkeley, 10am – 3pm, Center Street @ M. L. King, Jr. Way
Brentwood Farmers’ Market, 7:30am - 12:00pm, 655 First St., Brentwood, California
Castro Valley Farmers' Market, 9am-1pm, BART Station at Redwood Rd & Norbridge
Danville Farmers’ Market, 9am - 1pm, 205 Railroad Ave.
El Cerrito Farmers Market, 9am - 1pm, 3060 El Cerrito Plaza
Niles Fremont Farmers' Market, 9am-1pm, 37573 Niles Blvd
Hayward Farmers Market, 9am-1pm, Hayward City Hall Plaza
Freedom Farmers' Market, 9am-2pm, July-November, Corner of Shattuck Ave and 46th St, Oakland
Grand Lake Farmers' Market, 9am-2pm, Grand Ave & Lake Park Way, Oakland
Orinda Farmers' Market, 9am-1pm, 22 Orinda Way
Pinole Farmers' Market, 9am-1pm, 798 Fernandez Ave at Pear St
Pleasanton Farmers' Market, 9am-1pm, Corner of W Angela & Main
Bayfair Mall Farmers' Market, 9am–1pm, Fairmont & E 14th St
San Ramon Farmers' Market, 9am–1pm, City Center Bishop Ranch
Union City Farmers' Market, 8am–12pm, Cesar Chavez Park
Vallejo Farmers' Market, 9am-1pm, Georgia & Marin St.
Diablo Valley Farmers' Market at Shadelands, 9am-1pm, Mitchell Dr & N Wiget Ln
SUNDAY
San Rafael Farmers’ Market, year round, 8am-1pm, Marin Civic Center (Northgate Mall July 2nd 2023)
The Farm Stand, 10am-7:30pm, 6700 Sir Francis Drake, Forest Knolls
Fort Mason Center Farmers’ Market, year round, 9:30am-1:30pm, Marina & Buchanan, San Francisco
UN Plaza, 7am-5pm, Market between 7th & 8th, San Francisco
Clement Street Farmers’ Market, 9am-2pm, San Francisco
Stonestown Farmers’ Market, 9am-1pm, San Francisco
Kenwood Farmers Market, June-Sept, 10am-2pm, St. Patricks Church, Kenwood
Jack London Square Farmers’ Market, 10am-3pm, Oakland
El Mercadito Farmers' Market, 11am-3pm, 665 Sebastopol Rd. Santa Rosa
Newark Farmers’ Market, 9am-1pm, 2086 Newpark Mall
Irvington Farmers' Market, 9am-2pm, Bay St & Trimboli Way
Kensington Farmers Market, 9am-2pm, Oak View Ave at Colusa Cir.
Livermore Downtown Farmers' Market, 9am-1pm, 206 S. J St
Martinez Farmers' Market, 9am-1pm, 700 Main St
Moraga Farmers' Market, 9am-1pm, Mirage Center: Moraga Rd & Moraga Way
Newark Farmers' Market, 9am-1pm, 2086 New Park Mall
Fruitvale Village Farmers' Market, 8am–3:30pm, San Leandro & 35th Ave, Oakland
Jack London Square Farmers' Market, 10am–2pm, Webster St & Embarcadero West
Sunday 10–2Montclair Village Farmers' Market, 9am–1pm, Moraga & La Salle, Oakland
Temescal Farmers' Market, 9am–1pm, DMV parking lot at 5300 Claremont, Oakland
West Oakland Farmers' Market, 10am-2pm, 18th St and Peralta St
Walnut Creek Downtown Farmers' Market, 9am-1pm, N Locust St
MONDAY
The Farm Stand, 11am-7:30pm, 6700 Sir Francis Drake, Forest Knolls
TUESDAY
Strawberry Village Farmers Market, June-Nov, 10am-2:30pm, 800 Redwood Blvd
Novato Farmers’ Market, May-Sept, 4pm-8pm, 1701 Grant Ave behind the CVS on 7th
Ferry Plaza, year round, 10am-2pm, Embarcadero, San Francisco
Petaluma East Side Farmers' Market, year round, 10am-1:30pm, Lucchesi Park, 320 N. McDowell
Alameda Farmers’ Market, 9am-1pm, 710 Haight Ave
South Berkeley, 2pm – 6:30pm, Adeline Street and 63rd Street
Concord Farmers’ Market, 10am - 2pm, 2175 Willow Pass Rd.
El Cerrito Farmers Market, 9am - 1pm, 3060 El Cerrito Plaza
Fruitvale Village Farmers' Market, 11am–7pm, San Leandro & 35th Ave, Oakland
WEDNESDAY
Corte Madera Farmers’ Market, year round, 12-5pm, Corte Madera Town Center, Hwy 101 & Tamalpais
Fairfax Farmers’ Market, May-Oct, 4-8pm, Bolinas Park
Forest Knolls Organic Farm Stand, June-Oct, 12pm-7:30pm, 6700 Sir Francis Drake Blvd.
San Geronimo Valley Organic Farm Stand, June-Oct, 1pm-7:30pm, 6700 Sir Francis Drake Blvd
UN Plaza, 7am-5:30pm, Market between 7th & 8th, San Francisco
Petaluma Farmers’ Market, June-Aug, 4:30pm-8pm, Petaluma Theatre District
Santa Rosa Farmers’ Market, year-round, 9:00am-1:30pm, 1501 Farmers Lane
Cotati Community Farmers' Market, June-Sept, 4:30pm to 7:30pm, La Plaza Park
Downtown San Leandro Farmers' Market, 3pm-7pm, 300 Estudillo Ave
THURSDAY
Marin Farmers’ Market, year round, 8am-1pm, June - April, Northgate Mall
The Farm Stand, 11am-7:30pm, 6700 Sir Francis Drake, Forest Knolls
San Rafael Farmers’ Market, June-Sept, 6pm-9pm, Downtown San Rafael, 4th Street between Lincoln and B Street
Ross Valley Farm Stand, May-Oct, 3pm-7pm, US Post Office parking lot, Lagunitas and Ross Commons
Ferry Plaza, year round, 10am-2pm, Embarcadero, San Francisco
Mission Community Market, 3-7pm, March - November, San Francisco
Cotati Farmers Market, June-Aug, 4:30-7:30pm, La Plaza Park
Petaluma Evening Farmers' Market, June-Sept, 4-8pm, Sonoma Marin Fairgrounds
Benicia Farmers’ Market, 4-8pm (April-August) and 4-7pm (September-October), First Street between B and D Streets
North Berkeley, 3pm – 7pm, Shattuck Avenue @ Vine Street
Concord Farmers’ Market, 4pm - 8pm, 2175 Willow Pass Rd.
Dublin Farmers’ Market, 4pm - 8pm, April - September, 4201 Central Pkwy.
Fairfield Farmers’ Market, 3pm - 7pm May - September, 2023 600 Texas Street
Carnegie Park Farmers' Market, 4pm – 8pm, 2155 Third St
Fruitvale Village Farmers' Market, 11am–7pm, San Leandro & 35th Ave, Oakland
FRIDAY
Mill Valley Farmers’ Market, year round, 9:30am-2:30pm, CVS Pharmacy parking lot, 759 E Blithedale
The Farm Stand, 10am-7:30pm, Garage & Gas Station on Sir Francis Drake, Forest Knolls
Rohnert Park Farmers Markets, June-Aug, 5-8pm, 500 City Center Drive
Star Route Farms Farm Stand, year round, 12pm-6pm, 95 Olema-Bolinas Road
Old Oakland Farmers' Market, 8am–2pm, 9th St btwn Broadway & Clay
Richmond Farmers' Market, 8am–5pm, 24th & Barrett Ave
RESOURCES
* Updated: June 2023