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
Saturday, September 12, 2026
9:00 am – 2:00 pm: Black-Eyed Pea Festival @ Telegraph Ave and 46th Street10:00 am – 6:00 pm: Castro Valley Fall Festival @ Castro Valley Blvd @ Redwood Road
10:00 am – 12:00 pm: Kids Club: Quilted Foam Art @ Michaels, Emeryville
10:00 am – 12:00 pm: Kids Festival @ Golden Gate Park Bandshell
10:00 am – 3:00 pm: Kits Cubed STEM Fair @ Oakland Technical High School Auditorium
10:00 am – 12:00 pm: Quest Sparks: Paper Rockets @ Stockmen’s Park
10:00 am – 11:00 am: Secrets of Hummingbirds @ Coyote Hills Regional Park
10:00 am – 2:00 pm: The Bookout Block Party @ Marcus Books
10:30 am – 12:00 pm: Latinx Visual Arts Workshop @ West Branch | Berkeley Public Library
10:30 am – 11:30 am: Mid-Autumn Mandarin Storytime @ Lafayette Library and Learning Center
Free & Cheap Resources for Families
Hispanic/Latine Heritage Month for Kids & Families
Hispanic Heritage Month is September 15 through October 15. We found a variety of ways to celebrate with kids in the East Bay.
Park Profile: Totland in Berkeley
We love Totland for toddlers, and especially for parents who are on their own with a new second baby. Swings, climbing things, spinny rides, and ...
Celebrating Diwali with Kids in the East Bay
Buy your tickets now for these family-friendly Navratri and Diwali events in the East Bay and South Bay. Tickets will sell out.
19 Places in the Bay Area Where Kids Can See Animals
Our favorite places to visit with animals, including Zoos, museums, aquariums, small shops, & farms!
20+ Free Things to do Before Summer is Over
Take on one of these items as your mission every day, and you'll definitely be getting the most out of the East Bay.
Halloween Events for East Bay Kids
Fun and safe Halloween events and activities for kids in Oakland, Berkeley, and surrounding areas.
National Night Out Gatherings in the East Bay
It's time for National Night Out, a day centered on community building. Organize an event among your neighbors, or join a city-led event. Find one ...
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.
Cool Off at Castro Valley Park Splash Pad
During the summertime, a water feature at Castro Valley Community Park turns into a splash pad on Wednesdays through the weekends.
10+ Drop-in Toddler Activities in the East Bay for $10 or Less
A helpful list of toddler drop-in classes and activities that don't require advanced planning, for East Bay kids and parents.
