Free & Cheap
Family-friendly Bay Area Fun on The Cheap
Discounted admission to museums, plays, classes and other tips to discover free fun for East Bay Area children.
Upcoming Free or Cheap Events in the East Bay
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
10:00 am – 10:45 am: Itty Bitty Storytime @ Richmond Public Library10:00 am – 8:00 pm: Where's Waldo? Rockridge @ Pegasus Books Rockridge
10:30 am – 11:45 am: Hikes for Tykes: Encinal Beach @ Encinal Beach
11:00 am – 11:45 am: Pop & Go Puppets @ Richmond Library | Bayview Branch
11:00 am – 12:30 pm: Prescott Circus Free Youth Circus Performance @ Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts
11:45 am – 12:00 pm: Baby Bounce @ Montclair Branch | Oakland Public Library
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm: Fairy Gardens Craft @ El Cerrito Library
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm: Paint A Volcano @ San Lorenzo Library
1:00 pm – 1:45 pm: The Rhythm Builders @ Elmhurst Branch | Oakland Public Library
1:30 pm – 2:15 pm: Pop and Go Puppets @ Cesar Chavez Branch | Oakland Public Library
Free & Cheap Resources for Families
Swings on Bridgeview Trail are Delightfully Dangerous
The handbuilt swings hidden among the majestic redwoods and dripping vines make this small hike much more exciting for children.
Roberts Regional Recreation Area: An Oakland Park with a Swimming Pool
Roberts Park AKA Roberts Regional Recreation Area is tucked away in the Oakland Hills with a huge playground, a calm pool, plus hiking trails and ...
Open for Danger: Adventure Playground Berkeley
Adventure Playground Berkeley lets kids imagine, build, and decorate their own play structures with saws, hammers, nails, and paint.
44 Best Activities for Teens in the East Bay & Beyond
What to do with East Bay teens? Our teenagers' Bay Area favorites include museum deals, hiking, beach day, little farm, & fire pits at ocean ...
Splashing & Swimming at the San Leandro Family Aquatic Center
The San Leandro Family Aquatic Center is a summertime gem with splash pool, water play structure, swimming pool, spray park, and waterslide.
East Bay Fireworks & Other Fourth of July Events
Parades, pancakes, flags, festivals, & fireworks! Our Fourth of July Guide for East Bay families has it all.
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.
A Daycation at Don Castro Swimming Lagoon in Hayward
The clear blue water, sandy toddler-friendly beach and shallows, and affordable price all make for the perfect East Bay daycation with your family.
19+ Ways to Celebrate Juneteenth With Kids
Celebrate Juneteenth, June 19th, with community gatherings, great meals, lively music, and cultural celebrations. Or a little of everything.
Now Open: Swimming at Cull Canyon in Castro Valley
A swimmable lake within a stones throw from Oakland, perfect for little kids.
