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.

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!

• • Reset from holiday sweets by shopping at local farmers’ markets including Jack London Square in Oakland.
  • The Year of the Rabbit begins on January 22. Find local Lunar New Year celebrations >
  • School is out for a few days this month. Keep them busy with 50 things to do when school is out >
  • Don’t miss Monster Jam trucks as they ride into Oakland on January 7 and Bluey will be in San Francisco on January 21 & 22. More tickets to know about for families >
  • Book ahead for Kid’s Night Out so YOU can spend the night out this month.

Week of Sunday, January 1

1/1  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 Join a family movie screening at the library.
1/5  Jam out at Musical Storytime at Freight & Salvage.
1/6  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!

Week of Monday, January 9

1/9  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 Discover your favorite pose at Yoga Storytime.
1/12Feed 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 Shop local vendors at the Jack London Square Weekly Farmers’ Market.

Week of Monday, January 16

1/16 Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day by giving back to the community.
1/17 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 Take a sweet little walk to look for tiny fairies in Pt. Richmond.
1/20 Scramble up the rock parks of North Berkeley.
1/21 Welcome Year of the Rabbit at a celebration in Jack London Square.
1/22 Run around the light installations at Entwined in Golden Gate Park.

Week of Monday, January 23

1/23 Play at Peggy Thomsen Park before picking up moon cakes at 99 Ranch Market.
1/24 Fill 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 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 Spark a curiosity of nature at a  nature walk and storytime in Fremont.
1/29 Plan a snow day!

Week of Monday, January 30

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

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