In the San Francisco Bay area, there is no shortage of things to do. From hitting the beach for a sun-soaked day in the sand to cooling down while exploring the Aquarium of the Bay, you’re sure to have plenty of activities to occupy your kids. Eventually, however, the vacation mode will have to come to an end and you’ll need to get back to your responsibilities, running errands and finding affordable alternatives to entertain your family. Fun, engaging ideas don’t have to be over the top! There are plenty of ways to stay entertained at your local park, community center, or even the nearest mall. If you’re a parent in the San Francisco area, you definitely want to check out these family-friendly Tanforan Mall activities the next time you need to keep your littles occupied while getting some errands run.

When you are raising toddlers, it can feel like the world is working against you. You want them to have the opportunity to learn, but you don’t want them having too much screen time; you want them to be independent, but also have healthy relationships with their peers; you want them to be active, but you also want them to be safe. All the things you want to provide for your toddler seem contradictory to the ways you can facilitate those opportunities, but it doesn’t have to feel that way! Indoor playgrounds are the perfect play places for toddlers to learn and experience all the things you want them to in a safe environment where you, as the parent, can be involved.