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
Sunday, October 11, 2026
9:00 am – 2:00 pm: Kensington Farmers' Market @ Kensington Farmers’ Market9:00 am – 10:00 am: Movement and Sports for Girls @ Lake Temescal, North Entrance
10:00 am – 4:00 pm: Harvest Festival @ Ardenwood Historic Farm
11:00 am – 4:00 pm: Jack London Square Farmers Market @ Jack London Square
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm: Cal Field Hockey @ Underhill Field, UC Berkeley
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm: Craft Workshop: Ghost in a Jar @ Michaels, Emeryville
1:00 pm – 6:00 pm: Fairy Princess Party @ The Backyard
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm: Author Visit: Jennifer Liss @ Mrs. Dalloway’s Bookstore
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm: Mariachi in the Library @ Main | Alameda Free Library
3:00 pm – 5:00 pm: Ferry Lawn Concerts @ Jack London Square
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.
BAMPFA for Kids and Families
Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, BAMPFA, is for families and children with FREE admission for many and a hands-on art lab.
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 ...
Park Profile: Whale Park in Alameda Point
Alameda has a super playground with tons of space to run, climb and play including a big whale climbing structure, swings, and basketball court.
Drop-in Craft Projects at Michaels Stores
Join a free kid-friendly weekend craft session at Michael's in San Leandro, Emeryville, Alameda, or Pinole. Usually in a seasonal theme.
Half-day Trip: Lafayette Reservoir & Playground
This lovely East Bay spot for stroller walks and picnics has a wonderful new playground.
Ride a concrete slide in Berkeley
Get your thrills by zipping down a cement slide in the Berkeley Hills. There are TWO concrete slides in Berkeley that we know of.
A Crafter’s Paradise: East Bay Depot for Creative Reuse
The East Bay Depot for Creative Reuse is "every teacher's first stop and every artist's second home" for a good reason. Find your treasure.
It’s Free! The Edible Schoolyard at King Middle School
A stroll through the Edible Schoolyard garden is an ideal way to entertain visiting grandparents and small kids at the same time. Situated behind Hopkins ...
Join Us: Baby’s Day Out at Brushstrokes with Shef
We are so excited to announce a fun event for 510Families.com readers with pre-crawling babies made possible by Shef!
