Wondering what to do with East Bay kids in the new year? Wonder no more! Here’s a guide to family-friendly activities happening throughout the month, with an emphasis on what’s free and cheap. We’ll be celebrating winter (aka rainy season) , and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service. Here’s to more family memories in 2026!
We appreciate the San Francisco Bay Ferry for sponsoring our January list of great activities for families. Hop aboard San Francisco Bay Ferry this winter with discounted fares and special promotions: kids under 5 always ride free, and youth ages 5–17 ride for just $1 through January 2026.
Set sail with the San Francisco Bay Ferry
San Francisco Bay Ferry is the best ways to experience the Bay. Skip the traffic and enjoy unbeatable views along the way. Ride the ferry to Warriors games this season for a stress-free trip to Chase Center, or hop aboard Woodstock, the free Oakland–Alameda Water Shuttle, for an easy and scenic way to get around the waterfront. Whether you’re commuting or making a family day in the city, the ferry turns the journey into part of the fun. Learn more about routes and schedules >
Save the Date for These Exciting Community Events
- Jan 1: Happy New Year! Free Admission Day to San Francisco Botanical Garden
- Jan 3:Â Family Astronomy at Chabot Space & Science Center
- Jan 1-4: Winter Weeks at The Lawrence
- Jan 6: Hikes for Tykes at Encinal Beach
- Jan 8: Musical Storytime at the Freight
- Jan 10: Art of Manga Family Art Making at de Young
- Jan 11: The Bad Guys 2 at Alameda’s free movie matinee
- Jan 13: Trails and Tales
- Jan 14: Littles Skate: Skate on the Wild Side at Walnut Creek on Ice
- Jan 19: Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day by giving back to the community
- Jan 20: Brian Scott Magic Show
- Jan 21: Tilden Tots
- Jan 24: Berkeley Public Library Lego Day
- Jan 25: Family Studio: Watercolors! at SFMOMA
- Jan 24-25: Final weekend of IlluminOdyssey
- Jan 31: SF Chamber Orchestra Very First Concerts
Mixed Age Outings For Cousins, Siblings, & Family Friends
Whether you have a house full of kids or a planning an outing with another family, these destinations will give you a leg-up on planning a day with a mixed-age group. Glide and twirl at a local ice skating rink in the East Bay or San Francisco. Go Bowling at Lucky Strike in Alameda, which has the option for bumper bowling and an on-site arcade. Sink a hole-in-one on a mini golf course at one of these East Bay putt-putt locations (inside or outside). Hike the labyrinths at Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve in Oakland or one of the muddy-to-wet local trails. Plan a day at a museum that has interactive areas for all ages, like OMCA or The Lawrence Hall of Science. Or keep it simple at a park. Our mixed-age mama Julie rated her top East Bay playgrounds for free play.
Where to Have a Snow Day
Winter is here! Built a snowman, take a ski lesson, speed down the sled hill, or have a snowball fight. We rounded up several places that aren’t too far from the East Bay for families in search of a snow day. Looking to take things up a notch? See our top picks for sledding and tubing destinations, plus family-friendly mountains for skiing or snowboarding (Sugar Bowl Ski Resort is my family’s fave). We’re sharing our trips to make the drive to Lake Tahoe a little easier to navigate with some kid- and parent-approved stops along the way. Looking for an icy option closer to home? Cruise down the ice slide near the Walnut Creek Ice Skating Rink.
Reserve Tickets to Shows & Performances
There are so many fun characters and groups coming to the Bay Area this month. Don’t miss the Harlem Globetrotters or Dog Man: The Musical. Plan and reserve tickets now for future shows like Peppa Pig: My First Concert in February or Sesame Street Live! in April. See our full list of upcoming shows and performances for families >
Reserve a Spot at Kids’ Night Out
We love family time, but winter break can be long for some kids and parents. That’s where Kids’ Night Out/Parents’ Night Out (aka PNO) comes in. This evening, childcare is dressed up as a drop-off kid party at a local children-centric venue. Children usually eat pizza, have dessert (gasp!), watch movies, and play with other kids of a similar age until way past their bedtime. Parents can have a little date night. The formula varies depending on which organization is playing host, but overall it’s a win-win setup.
Favorite Free & Cheap Happenings
Phew, does your wallet need some downtime after last month? We’ve got you covered! We gathered up our favorite free and inexpensive winter activities in the East Bay, highlighting a few of our favorites are listed below to serve as a go-to, weekday itinerary when you’re in a pinch. Find more free & cheap events this month >
Mondays – Drop into a free playtime: Wee Play in Alameda
Tuesdays – Search for nesting ladybugs in Oakland
Wednesdays – Wave to animals at Sulphur Creek Nature Center
Thursdays – Spot shapes and colors in OMCA’s garden (garden access is free)
Fridays – Stroll through Blake Garden in Kensington
Saturdays – Hop on the Kennedy Express Train in Hayward
Sundays – Take a ride on Woodstock, the free Oakland Alameda Water Shuttle
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 >
Jan. 1:Â SFMOMA in San Francisco
Jan. 1 and 13: San Francisco Botanical Garden
Jan. 3-4: Bank of America Free Museum Days
Jan. 4: Asian Art Museum in San Francisco and First Sunday at OMCA (nearly free!)
Jan. 6:Â Conservatory of Flowers in San Francisco
Jan. 10 and 20: Museum of the African Diaspora in San Francisco
Every Saturday: de Young Museum in San Francisco
s p o n s o r 
This helpful guide to January activities was sponsored by San Francisco Bay Ferry. Take advantage of discounted fares on the San Francisco Ferry this January. Youth ages 5–17 ride for only $1 this month, and kids under 5 always ride free.
