Best Things to Do With Kids in October

September 30, 2025
by Tiffany Maxwell
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We appreciate Treasure Island for sponsoring our October list of great activities for families.

Boo-ya, it is October! We’re heading into the season of pumpkins, fall festivals, corn mazes, outdoor fun, and of course, Halloween. Here’s a day-by-day breakdown of amazing East Bay activities for the kids in our lives.

pumpkins with san francisco city view — Get your pumpkins with a view of San Francisco at Cityside Park on October 5 | Photo: Treasure Island

Save the Date for These Exciting Community Events

Oct. 1: Observe Yom Kippur, see our High Holidays Guide for ideas
Oct. 4: Oakland Black Cowboy Parade & Festival
Oct. 4-5: Oaktoberfest in Dimond
Oct. 5: Treasure Island Harvest Festival & Pumpkin Patch
Oct. 5-13: San Francisco Fleet Week
Oct. 11: Fall Family Day at Richmond Art Center and Off the Grid Treasure Island
Oct. 11-12: Latinx Heritage Celebration at Children’s Fairyland
Oct. 16-18: Lake Merritt Autumn Lights Festival
Oct. 18: Berkeley Harvest Festival
Oct. 19: Kensington Fall Picnic
Oct. 24: Halloween Movie in the Park and Spooky Astronomy at Chabot
Oct. 25: Truck or Treat and Halloween Family Fest
Oct. 26: Dia de los Muertos Celebration and Animal Day
Oct. 31: Halloween!

Check our kid-friendly events calendar for something special every day >

Halloween Happenings

Halloween is my family’s favorite holiday. There are so many themed events from the annual Goblin Jamboree at Bay Area Discovery Museum to Fairyland’s Halloween Jam. Find places to buy or create your costume and join in the fun from parades to puppet shows. It’s truly a holiday that children and kids at heart can enjoy! See our Halloween Guide for Families >

New this year: Treasure Island Harvest Festival and Pumpkin Patch

Celebrate the Spooky Season at the newly opened Cityside Park on Sunday, October 5, from 10 am to 4 pm, complete with gorgeous views of the downtown San Francisco skyline and Bay. Enjoy the fall fun featuring pumpkins for sale, a hay bale pyramid, bounce houses, a petting zoo, live music, and seasonal treats. Capture picture-perfect moments among the pumpkins. The event is free to attend, and ferry service to/from San Francisco is recommended, with $5 fares for adults and free rides for children under 5.

Claim your free spot.

Reserve Tickets to Shows & Performances

Some outings and activities require tickets this time of year. Plus, we have found cool shows and musical performances for kids. Does your child love Thomas and Percy? Or Blippi? If you’re interested in experiencing Christmas magic, some holiday train rides are now selling tickets.

Find more upcoming ticketed performances and events >

It’s Time for Apple Picking, Pumpkin Patching, and Corn Mazing

If your family is all about apples, we rounded up a handful of apple orchards in the Bay Area that should have a delicious crop well into October — there are also plentiful pomegranates. And don’t forget to visit the farm for a day of pumpkin picking and strolling through the corn maze. See our guide to Bay Area Pumpkin Patches and Corn Mazes with excellent choices for families. Remember to always confirm hours with the orchard or farm by phone or social media in advance.

girl walking in corn maze — The huge corn maze is best for kids over five and able to walk for about an hour (in Dixon) | Photo: Julie Herson

Hispanic Heritage Month Celebrations

Hispanic Heritage Month continues through October 15. There are multiple ways to celebrate the diverse Latinx communities and cultures throughout the East Bay and beyond. Look for drop-in crafting at local libraries and bilingual events and special shows. Find more opportunities to mark the vibrant histories, cultures, and contributions of Latinx individuals in our Hispanic Heritage Month Guide >

Later in the month, there are many Dia de los Muertos events, too!

Diwali Celebrations for Children

Festive Diwali events and parties with dancing, food, and lights begin around October 11 and continue through Diwali on October 20. Many Diwali events require a ticket >

kids doing crafts in costume — Discover *pumpkinspired*, *unboolievable* hands-on activities designed by the museum’s early education dream team at Goblin Jamboree | Photo: Bay Area Discovery Museum

Favorite Free & Cheap Happenings

Need some planning inspiration? We’ve got you covered! We gathered up our favorite free and inexpensive activities in the East Bay to serve as a go-to, weekday itinerary when you’re in a pinch.

Mondays – Splash around at Hayward Plunge Tot Swim
Tuesdays – Join Hikes for Tykes (first and third Tuesdays)
Wednesdays – Get your wiggles out at Rockin’ Kids Sing-Along
Thursdays – Sing and read at English/Spanish Storytime in Hayward
Fridays – Stroll through Blake Garden in Kensington
Saturdays – Get creative at MOCHA Workshops in Oakland
Sundays – View a Fish Feeding at Crab Cove

Cityside Park on Treasure Island is hosting a Harvest Festival, pumpkin patch, and entertainment on October 5 | Photo: Drew Altizer Photography for Treasure Island

Plus, plan an outing to one of the world-class museums in the Bay Area; take advantage of free admission on certain days. Learn more about ways to get into museums for free >

Oct. 1: GLBT Historical Society Museum in San Francisco
Oct. 2: BAMPFA in Berkeley & SFMOMA
Oct. 4-5: Bank of America Free Museum Days
Oct. 5: Asian Art Museum in San Francisco and First Sunday at OMCA (nearly free!)
Oct. 7: Conservatory of Flowers in San Francisco
Oct. 7 and every Saturday: de Young Museum in San Francisco
Oct. 14: San Francisco Botanical Garden

Thanks again to Treasure Island, San Francisco’s newest neighborhood, for sponsoring this month’s post. With nearly 1,000 new homes now available, Treasure Island offes a rare combination of skyline views, open space, and an 8-minute ferry ride to downtown.