Oakland
There are tons of things to do with kids in Oakland, CA. From parks and playgrounds to annual events, family-friendly brewpubs, and other insanely useful resources for Oakland parents, we have it here.
Best Kid-Friendly Oakland Places
Upcoming Events for Oakland Kids & Families
Thursday, May 14, 2026
10:00 am – 11:45 am: Garden Playdate @ Melrose Branch | Oakland Public Library, Oakland10:00 am – 11:30 am: Play Cafe @ 81st Avenue Branch | Oakland Public Library, Oakland
10:30 am – 11:00 am: Toddler Storytime and Playtime @ Rockridge Branch | Oakland Public Library, Oakland
4:00 pm – 5:30 pm: Baby Brigade @ The New Parkway Theater, Oakland
5:00 pm – 7:30 pm: Bike To Wherever Day Street Party @ Old Oakland, Oakland
Friday, May 15, 2026
4:00 pm – 10:00 pm: Oakland Greek Festival @ Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Ascension, OaklandMore Family-Friendly Oakland Stuff to Know
Global Cuisine Restaurants for the Whole Family
Thank goodness for these family-friendly restaurants who have helped our kids learn to love new flavors by making it accessible and delicious.
Where to Grab (Hip) Coffee with Kids in the East Bay
I've frequented a lot of coffee shops in Berkeley and Oakland with kids in tow, here are some of our favorites and why!
Children’s Fairyland in Oakland: Rides and More
Spring hours and pricing updates: Children's Fairyland is a beloved storybook theme park for kids under age 8 at Lake Merritt in Oakland.
Oakland Aviation Museum for Kids Who Love Things that Go (with discount link!)
The Oakland Aviation Museum, open Wednesday thru Sundays, is located near the Oakland airport. Visit and learn.
14 East Bay Restaurants Where Kids Eat Free
Did you know there's a handful of restaurants where kids eat free? Skip cooking on Tuesday night and head to one of these places.
How to Find Salamanders in Wet Weather at Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park
Here's a mission for your little explorers and instructions on how to have a successful search for salamanders in the Oakland hills.
Best Resources for Raising a Bilingual Child in the East Bay
For East Bay parents hoping to raise their children multilingual, we have tons of information from reasons why to how to start.
Visit the Grand Lake Farmers Market, choose your own adventure
My favorite farmers market is located on the corner of Grand Ave and Lake Park Ave. in Oakland every Saturday, rain or shine.
Ticket Alert: Monster Jam Brings Monster Truck Action to San Francisco
Tickets for this loud, action-packed, dirty truck adventure are on sale now. If you like truck tricks and crashes, Monster Jam is the best!
Kid-Friendly Mexican Smackdown: Picante vs Tacubaya vs Cactus
Where to eat when the kids want Mexican food in North Berkeley. There are strong reasons for Cactus, Picante, and Tacubaya.
