Date Night Kid Drop-Off Spots in San Francisco

A Little Yumminess - San Francisco Bay Area
September 18, 2012

Date nights remain essential post marriage and children. However, going out for a date night once you have children can get rather expensive, especially if you are paying a babysitter. Sometimes, even if you are willing to pay for a babysitter, it can prove to be challenging to find one. 

Below are some options around the city of San Francisco for parents to drop-off the children and enjoy some quality time with just each other. You drop the kids off at one of the locations below, and they take care of keeping your children engaged and happy. In addition to saving you the trouble of having to book a sitter, this option has the added advantage of being something the children can look forward to as well, versus just staying at home. It also allows them to spend time with other children and make some new friends. Another great idea is to arrange to have their friends dropped off at the same place, so they can hang out with their best friends, while the grown ups go out to dinner. This way every one gets a fun night out.

Seesaw

Seesaw is a play studio offering classes and special events for kids and families. Seesaw is run by the wonderful Dr. Sabrina Gabel, a licensed psychologist (you may want to check out their unique class offerings as well). Seesaw hosts a once-a-month date night drop off on a Friday or a Saturday (next one coming up is on September 21).  

The drop-off goes from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., and the children are given dinner, are led in supervised play activities, and they get to watch a movie before the night is over. Children should be between the ages of 3 and 6, and are welcome to come in their pajamas. The only requirement is that the children have to be potty trained. The cost is $20 per child, with siblings costing $15 per child. You have to email (info@seesawsf.com) or call 415-553-8070 to reserve your spot in advance.

Once you drop off the kids, the possibilities for a date night in the neighborhood are endless. Check out the Hayes Valley Biergarten and then perhaps dinner at Suppenkuche for a German-themed date night. After you pick up the children, perhaps you can grab a quick ice-cream together at Smitten Ice Cream.

Children's Art Center

Date Night drop-off at SF Children's Art Center at Fort Mason happens every Friday between the hours of 5:00 and 8:00 p.m. for children ages 3 to 10.  The parents can take advantage of the Off the Grid Food Truck Friday night extravaganza at Fort Mason or head to Chestnut or Union Street for dinner.

Children will spend time painting, drawing, sculpting, and more, and will go home with a variety of art projects. The evening will also include a healthy snack and story time, but children have to fed before they are dropped off.  No advance registration is required, but you may call 415-771-0292, if you prefer to reserve a spot for your child.

Tree Frog Treks

Every Saturday is Kids Play Night at Tree Frog Treks.  Between the hours of 5:30 and 9:00 p.m., you can drop the children off at the "Frog Hall" at 2114 Hayes Street for an evening of animal/science-related fun and enrichment. The little ones will get to meet and hang out with lizards, frogs, snakes & tortoises. They will also get to work on fun, creative, hands-on science and art projects from clay critters to puppets. Dinner is provided, as are healthy snacks. After some book reading, the children will get to watch a movie.

The drop-off is for kids aged 4 and above, and the cost is $35 per child and $25 for each additional sibling. Registration is required; your spots can be reserved by calling 415-876-3764

YMCA @ Presidio

The Presidio Community YMCA Parents Date Night is held on the third Friday of each month from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. It is probably the longest date night drop-off option out there and perhaps squeezing in a workout before a night of eating and drinking is not a bad idea.  

The children, who have to be between the ages of 2 and 8, enjoy games, sports, arts and crafts, story time, movies, and snacks.  You do have send along your child's dinner, but that is hardly an inconvenience given how long the drop-off is and how inexpensive it also is. If you are a Presidio YMCA member, the cost is $25 per child, otherwise is it $50. You have to call (415) 447-9622 to register ahead of time.

Planet Granite

The Planet Granite in San Francisco is an indoor climbing gym located in the Presidio for kids and adults. Planet Granite's "Climb and Dine" is a fantastic date night drop option for the active ones. Every second and fourth Friday from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m., drop off your kids for an exciting evening of climbing that ends with a kid-friendly dinner. If you do not want to go out to dinner with your date, consider taking their Friday night yoga together to relax yourself after a long week. The cost is $40 per child, and it includes climbing, harness rental, helmet, and a kid-friendly dinner. Call 415-692-3434 to register.

Stacie Dong and Simran Singh are the moms behind A Little Yumminess, a family food blog where they share spiced-up recipes, hands-on food-related activities and kid-friendly food adventures. You can also find them on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.