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, September 10, 2026
10:00 am – 11:30 am: Play Cafe @ 81st Avenue Branch | Oakland Public Library, Oakland3:00 pm – 4:30 pm: MOCHA At The Library! @ Montclair Branch | Oakland Public Library, Oakland
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm: Read to a Dog @ Rockridge Branch | Oakland Public Library, Oakland
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm: Lincoln Summer Nights @ Lincoln Square Park, Oakland
Friday, September 11, 2026
3:00 pm – 4:30 pm: MOCHA At The Library! @ Elmhurst Branch | Oakland Public Library, Oakland3:30 pm – 5:00 pm: Science Fridays @ West Oakland Branch | Oakland Public Library, Oakland
More Family-Friendly Oakland Stuff to Know
Parents’ Guide to East Bay Gardens
Explore family-friendly East Bay Gardens for outdoor fun: admire flowers, follow butterflies, enjoy nature, & get inspired!
East Bay Summer Concert Round-Up for Families
If your family loves listening to live music, check out our round-up of outdoor concerts -- most of which are free -- to enjoy this ...
East Bay Outdoor Movie Round-Up
If your kids can stay up well past 9pm, there are a few outdoor movies you can see for FREE. Most start around 8:15-8:45ish. BYO ...
Five Dollar Tuesday at the Movies
$5 Tuesday movie showings for kids and families around the East Bay.
Park Profile: Kennedy Park in Hayward
The park is a farm-themed paradise for little kids with a carousel, train, teacup ride, and petting zoo on weekends. Target is right across the ...
Summer Fairs and Festivals for Bay Area Families
Here is a list of outdoor street fairs, carnivals, county fairs, and festivals to pencil into your Summer plans from May to August.
Book Now: Cool Bay Area Sleepovers You Can Do With Your Child
Lucky kids can try any of these amazing Bay Area sleepovers with you, the super cool parent: museums, amusement parks, and aircraft carrier!
Open for Swimming & Recreation: Lake Temescal in Oakland
Lake Temescal is a beautiful (almost hidden) gem nestled next to the Highway 24/13 interchange, near Montclair, in Oakland.
Book Now: Family Nature Adventures at Chabot Space & Science Center
Kids ages 3-8 can explore the redwoods with Chabot instructors and perform experiments with real science tools.
Frolic In An Unexpected Urban Gem: The Morcom Rose Garden
Roses bloom from April to October at the Morcom Rose Garden, but you can see turkeys anytime in this family friendly urban gem.
