STEM Programs in San Francisco, CA

Our afterschool art studio program is designed to give children a creative, relaxed space to unwind after the school day. Afternoons will include art projects, creative play, outdoor exploration, snack and opportunities to connect with friends throughout our amazing SF community. This is designed for grades TK through 8th,

Join us for a morning of messy, creative fun! Our Toddler Messy Art Studio offers little artists the freedom to explore open-ended art, sensory materials, and hands-on activities at their own pace. Designed especially for toddlers and young children, each session encourages curiosity, creativity, and independence through process-focused art and child-led exploration. Our instructors are there to introduce materials, offer gentle guidance, and support each child’s creative journey. Come for as long as it works for you! Studio hours are 9:30–11:30 AM, and families can stay for the full two hours or drop in for just an hour. Studio Details: ~ Open-ended, process-focused art ~ Sensory-rich, hands-on materials ~ Child-led exploration with instructor support ~ Flexible 9:30–11:30 AM studio time ~ Stay for the full session or just an hour Come get messy, make art, and explore with us!

Join us for a Halloween Costume Party! Wear your costumes, and join us for Fall fun! We'll have Halloween Arts and Crafts and a Halloween Themed Music and Movement Class! Teacher Natalie will also be face painting! Adults are FREE! First student is $45, siblings are 50% off!

Calling all inventors, builders, and tinkerers! In our Gears & Gizmos Day Camp, young artists will use their imaginations to design and build their very own robots, gadgets, and fantastical inventions. Campers will work with cardboard, recycled materials, craft supplies, and kid-friendly tools to cut, construct, connect, and experiment as they bring their ideas to life. With hot glue, cardboard cutters, and plenty of materials to explore, campers will discover how simple pieces can become elaborate machines, imaginative robots, and completely original creations. There’s no blueprint and no single “right” way to build! Campers will make decisions, solve problems, change their designs, and experiment throughout the process. This one-day camp is all about creative problem-solving, hands-on making, and letting young inventors take their ideas wherever they go. 📅 Wednesday, November 11 — Veterans Day 👧 Ages 4–8 🕘 Camp Schedule Drop-off: Begins at 9:00 AM Pick-up: 2:45–3:00 PM 🧺 What to Bring Please help your child come prepared for a fun (and messy!) creative day! 🚫 Please do not pack any nuts or nut products. Two healthy snacks (morning & afternoon) Lunch (no candy, gum, or sugary drinks) Refillable water bottle Comfortable, paint-friendly clothes Jacket, sunhat, and layers for outdoor play Sunscreen applied before camp Full change of clothes (just in case!) 🧒 Camper Requirements To help make camp safe, fun, and successful for everyone: Campers must be 4 years and 6 months old by the camp date. Campers should be able to follow safety instructions and participate in activities for approximately 30 minutes at a time. Campers must be fully potty-trained and able to use the bathroom independently. Please share any medical, behavioral, or developmental information (such as allergies, neurodiversity, or trauma) during registration so we can best support your child. All information is kept confidential. 💰 Refunds & Cancellations 100% refund for cancellations made within 24 hours of registration. All registrations include a non-refundable 20% deposit. Cancellations made 30 or more days before the camp date receive a refund minus the 20% deposit. Cancellations made within 30 days of the camp date are not refundable unless we are able to fill your child's spot. If the spot is filled, you will receive camp credit, minus the 20% deposit. All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing via email.

Unlock the secrets of the laboratory! Join us for a deep dive into the 'how' and 'why' behind the world’s most exciting substances. Our Curious Chemists will investigate the core principles of matter and density through interactive experiments that spark curiosity and critical thinking. By observing chemical reactions firsthand and exploring the behavior of the tiniest molecules, students will build a strong foundation in scientific reasoning—all while getting a little messy in the name of discovery!

What is the true source of a Super Hero's strength? In Elemental Superheroes, we reveal the chemistry behind the capes. We’ll explore the microscopic world of atomic bonding and experiment with 'mercurial' substances that change in the blink of an eye. By studying the amazing properties of the elements, students will draw inspiration to design their own scientific Super Hero identities. It’s chemistry—with a heroic twist!

Join us for a special day of cooking, playing, crafting, and tasting! Kid-chefs will get to craft their own breakfast, lunch, and sweet snack throughout the day, spend time outdoors, create fun food-inspired art, and much more! General Schedule: 9:00-9:15 am - Drop-Off 9:00-9:30 am - Arrivals & Activity Centers I 9:30-10:00 am - Morning Circle & Stretching 10:00-11:00 am - Cooking Activity 1 11-11:30 - Brunch, Helping Jobs & Quiet Time 11:30-1:00 pm - Cooking Activity II & STEAM 1:00-1:45 pm - Lunch, Dessert & Helping Jobs 1:45-2:45 pm - Outdoor Adventure Time 2:45 - 3:00 pm - Sharing Circle & Story Time 3:00pm - Pick-Up Max of 26 students in this camp.

Ever wonder what it takes to change the world? Join us to step into the shoes of history’s greatest innovators! Students will explore the wild stories and brilliant minds behind the world's biggest breakthroughs, uncovering how a little 'out-of-this-world' curiosity can spark a scientific revolution.

Join us for a special day of cooking, playing, crafting, and tasting! Kid-chefs will get to craft their own breakfast, lunch, and sweet snack throughout the day, spend time outdoors, create fun food-inspired art, and much more! General Schedule: 9:00-9:15 am - Drop-Off 9:00-9:30 am - Arrivals & Activity Centers I 9:30-10:00 am - Morning Circle & Stretching 10:00-11:00 am - Cooking Activity 1 11-11:30 - Brunch, Helping Jobs & Quiet Time 11:30-1:00 pm - Cooking Activity II & STEAM 1:00-1:45 pm - Lunch, Dessert & Helping Jobs 1:45-2:45 pm - Outdoor Adventure Time 2:45 - 3:00 pm - Sharing Circle & Story Time 3:00pm - Pick-Up Max of 26 students in this camp.

Wednesday is 1/2 off! And a bonus we will have story time from 10:00-10:30am every Wednesday!* STEMful is a space designed for parents/caregivers to play with their children. We have a wide selection of toys and structures for children up to 8 years old. Use this daily pass to purchase/register a play space pass for your children. - To register children 0 up to 5 months, enter PlaySpace0 during check out old to pay $0/play pass. - To register children 6 up to 11 months, enter in PlaySpace50 during check to pay $3/play pass. Play Space package can be applied to a daily pass purchase. Children's name and birthday must be on registration account. *NO StoryTime on the following dates: 2025: 11/26, 12/24, 12/31 (closed on these dates) 2026: 6/3-9/2 (closed on these dates)

Hilltop Creative is nestled in Bernal Heights. Our space is aesthetically beautiful and calming for our days together. We are excited to spend the week being creative, building community and long lasting friendships. Hilltop Creative provides an enriching environment for children to explore art, nature, creativity and curiosity. We strive to build community and enrich social relationships. We also believe in the power and beauty of nature. We hold value in the important benefits it brings. Being outdoors brings increased happiness and reduces cortisol levels. We see better sleep, cognitive function and overall well being in ourselves. Here is a bit about our camp days: Drop Off is from 9am-9:30 and pick up is between 2:30-3 pm. During our days together at Hilltop Creative Summer Camp we will start our mornings off with free exploration, morning greetings, snack and an indoor creative activity. We will have outdoor time on neighborhood hikes and also will visit our local playgrounds and recreational areas Bernal Heights, Holly Park and St Mary's. Towards the end of the day we will gather indoors and will have an afternoon snack provided by Hilltop Creative. Our ration is 1:6and we do not go over 12 campers. Hilltop Creative Daily Schedule 9:00-9:30 Drop off and Check in 9:30-10:00 Centers/ Free Choice 10:00-10:15 Morning Meeting 10:15-10:45 Snack 11:00-12:00 Park or Activity 12:00-12:45 Lunch 12:45-1:15 Art Activity and Free Exploration 1:15-2:00 Bernal Playground 2:00-2:30 Snack Provided by Hilltop 2:30-3:00 Art Choice/ Free Choice and Pick -up

This club is all about the importance of pretend play and supporting your kids' imagination! Each week your kiddo will be greeted by a new theme packed with costumes, pretend play, and a themed craft! The perfect after-school adventure to spark your kiddos!
 Weekly Themes: 9/7 - 9/13: Pirate Cats - Ocean of Possibilities 9/14 - 9/20: Unicorn Wranglers - Glittering Hills 9/21 - 9/27: Little Bakers - The Dessert Islands 9/28 - 10/4: Baby Dragons - Dragons Pass 10/5 - 10/11: Moon Fairies - Dreamland 10/12 - 10/18: Superhero Critters - Solar System of Make Believe Planets 10/19 - 10/25: Witches & Wizards - Solid Gold Heights 10/26 - 11/1: Halloween Heroes - Granted Wish Caverns 11/2 - 11/8: Happy Campers - Moonsong Mountains 11/9 - 11/15: Forest Guardians - Warrior Princess Forest 11/16 - 11/22: Party Animals - Rainbow Jungle 11/23 - 11/29: No Studio Classes - Day Camps available! 11/30 - 12/6: Festive Flowers - Magic Garden 12/7 - 12/13: Ocean Olympians - Mermaid Lagoon 12/14 - 12/20: Frost Fairies - Frost Fairy Peaks 12/21 - 12/27: No Studio Classes - Day Camps available! 11/28 - 1/3: No Studio Classes - Day Camps available! By purchasing this series, you are securing your weekly spot for this session via a monthly membership. Standard Club Membership (one club/week) - $240/month Includes: - 10% off birthday parties - 5% off camps - Complementary admission to Saturday puppet shows (now showing twice a month!) Memberships are charged on the first of every month, and can be cancelled at any time. You may also purchase drop-in classes individually. No class the week of 11/23 - 11/27 No class the week of 12/21 - 12/25 No class the week of 12/28 - 1/1 *For months with less than 4 regular schedule or substitute classes available, memberships will be prorated accordingly *If you are unable to attend your regular class time, you are always welcome to come to a substitute class Drop off between 3:30pm - 4pm Pick up between 5pm - 5:30pm Photography Notice: We love to share the joy of our experiences on SmugMug and social media! Photos taken during our sessions may be used on our social media platforms. If you would prefer not to have photos taken of your kiddo, please add a note to your child's account on Care.com.

Curious about our Toddler STEAM series? Come "test drive" the fun! You and your little scientist can join us for a special demo class. Our demo class is the perfect introduction to our hands-on curriculum. Your toddler will explore bubbling experiments, creative building, and sensory art—all designed to boost fine motor skills and spark early problem-solving. ✨ The Best Part: Your registration includes the guided demo class PLUS post-class access to our PlaySpace! Stay, play, and meet other families in our community. Note: This $10 demo class is reserved exclusively for families and students who are new to STEMful. Limit one per family.

Join us for a special day of cooking, playing, crafting, and tasting! Kid-chefs will get to craft their own breakfast, lunch, and sweet snack throughout the day, spend time outdoors, create fun food-inspired art, and much more! General Schedule: 9:00-9:15 am - Drop-Off 9:00-9:30 am - Arrivals & Activity Centers I 9:30-10:00 am - Morning Circle & Stretching 10:00-11:00 am - Cooking Activity 1 11-11:30 - Brunch, Helping Jobs & Quiet Time 11:30-1:00 pm - Cooking Activity II & STEAM 1:00-1:45 pm - Lunch, Dessert & Helping Jobs 1:45-2:45 pm - Outdoor Adventure Time 2:45 - 3:00 pm - Sharing Circle & Story Time 3:00pm - Pick-Up Max of 26 students in this camp.

STEMful is a space designed for parents to play with their children. We have a wide selection of toys and structures for children up to 8 years old. Use this daily pass to purchase/register a play space pass for your children. - To register children 0 up to 5 months, enter PlaySpace0 during check out old to pay $0/play pass. - To register children 6 up to 11 months, enter in PlaySpace50 during check to pay $7/play pass. Play Space package can be applied to a daily pass purchase. Children's name and birthday must be on registration account. Note: Saturday PlaySpace will be cancelled if a private party is booked. If you booked a date in advance we will refund you.

Join us for a Halloween Costume Party! Wear your costumes, and join us for Fall fun! We'll have Halloween Arts and Crafts and a Halloween Themed Music and Movement Class! Teacher Natalie will also be face painting! Adults are FREE! First student is $45, siblings are 50% off!

Discover the power of numbers! This interactive workshop helps students recognize the vital role mathematics plays in our daily lives. Through gamified learning and exploration, participants will master numerical sequences and explore the logic of counting. The experience wraps up with an exciting, data-driven science project that bridges the gap between math and discovery.

Ignite your curiosity aboard the 'Curiosity' Rocket as we embark on a stellar space mission. Students will journey to the moon to study lunar craters and delve into the science of astrobiology. This hands-on experience allows STEMful astronauts to explore the mechanics of our solar system, the life cycle of stars, and the unique characteristics that make Mars Earth’s 'sister planet.' Note: Aftercare runs until 5:30 PM on 12/28–12/30, and until 4:00 PM on 12/31.

The universe is calling! Join our Space Odyssey to uncover the science and history behind humanity's greatest frontier. Students will explore the evolution of space travel, investigating how space shuttles function and how astronauts survive—and thrive—aboard the International Space Station. We’ll go beyond the atmosphere to study the moon, the planets, and the celestial bodies that make up our incredible solar system. Through the stories of pioneering scientists and hands-on exploration, young STEMful explorers will gain a new perspective on our place in the galaxy. Your mission begins here!

Ever wonder what it takes to change the world? Join us to step into the shoes of history’s greatest innovators! Students will explore the wild stories and brilliant minds behind the world's biggest breakthroughs, uncovering how a little 'out-of-this-world' curiosity can spark a scientific revolution.

What is the true source of a Super Hero's strength? In Elemental Superheroes, we reveal the chemistry behind the capes. We’ll explore the microscopic world of atomic bonding and experiment with 'mercurial' substances that change in the blink of an eye. By studying the amazing properties of the elements, students will draw inspiration to design their own scientific Super Hero identities. It’s chemistry—with a heroic twist!