31 Things to Do With Kids in January - 510 Families

31 Things to Do With Kids in January

We appreciate Jack London Square in Oakland for sponsoring our January list of great activities for families. Visit for the festive Lunar New Year event, weekly farmers’ market, or stick around for dinner.

things to do with kids in oakland and berkeley in january

Wondering what to do with East Bay kids in the new year? Wonder no more! Here’s a day-by-day guide of some family-friendly activities with an emphasis on what’s free and cheap. Here’s to making family memories in 2023!

Ticket Alert: Make Your Reservations Now!

Oakland Jack London Square
Watch the ferries, sailboats, and container ships from the Jack London Square waterfront. | PC: Parul Patel

Week of Sunday, January 1

1/1 free Welcome 2023 with a nature walk at SF Botanical Garden—no admission today.
1/2 Check out the drive-in movie, Puss in Boots starts at 6!
1/3 Reserve your tickets to Glowfari. Don’t miss this amazing light show!
Note: The Oakland Zoo sustained significant damage in the December rains and is closed for some of January. The Zoo expects to extend the run of Glowfari.
1/4 freeJoin a family movie screening at the library.
1/5 free Jam out at Musical Storytime at Freight & Salvage.
1/6 free Feel the community love at First Fridays in Oakland or see a Science Show at The Lawrence.
1/7
Learn to play pinball in a league just for kids ages 5-12.
1/8 Cheer for the Cal Women’s Basketball team. Go Bears!

San Francisco Botanical Garden
Stomp through puddles while viewing the SF Botanical Gardens | Photo: Maureen Burke

Week of Monday, January 9

1/9 free Seek out little salamanders — here’s how to do it safely!
1/10 Go wild for the wetlands at a tot-friendly event at Lindsay Wildlife.
1/11 free Discover your favorite pose at Yoga Storytime.
1/12freeFeed the goats and cows at Tilden’s Little Farm.
1/13 View the world from a bug’s perspective at Cal Academy
1/14 
Twirl on the ice in Walnut Creek. See more ice skating rinks in East Bay >
1/15 free Shop local vendors at the Jack London Square Weekly Farmers’ Market.

Crowd watches Lion Dance at Lunar New Year event.
Celebrate the Year of the Rabbit! | Photo: Jack London Square

Week of Monday, January 16

1/16free Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day by giving back to the community.
1/17 free Explore outside on a hike just for little tykes.
1/18 Ride the ferry into San Francisco (kids under 5 ride free!) and explore the Ferry Building.
1/19 free Take a sweet little walk to look for tiny fairies in Pt. Richmond.
1/20 free Scramble up the rock parks of North Berkeley.
1/21 free Welcome Year of the Rabbit at a celebration in Jack London Square.
1/22 freeRun around the light installations at Entwined in Golden Gate Park.

boy hiking miller knox
There are countless hiking trails for families in the East Bay. | Photo: Anna Azimi

Week of Monday, January 23

1/23 freePlay at Peggy Thomsen Park before picking up moon cakes at 99 Ranch Market.
1/24 freeFill your morning with music and play at Baby Bounce.
1/25 Cook in the play kitchen or imagine at the train table in OMCA’s Nature Playspace.
1/26 free Drive out to Mt. Diablo State Park; rent a park pass from the library for free entry.
1/27 New Year’s resolution still going strong? Workout with your baby.
1/28 free Spark a curiosity of nature at a  nature walk and storytime in Fremont.
1/29 free Plan a snow day!

Oakland Jack London Square
Snap a photo with Stomper at Jack London Square on your way to the weekly Farmers’ Market. | PC: Parul Patel

Week of Monday, January 30

1/30 freeCreate in the BAMPFA Art Lab. Admission is free to kids under 13 + 1 accompanying adult.
1/31 free Reserve a spot with Discover & Go to visit a museum in February.

s p o n s o r
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This helpful guide of January activities was sponsored by Jack London Square, a top destination in Oakland for shopping, staying, and playing.

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