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, April 14, 2026
12:00 pm – 8:00 pm: Free Cone Day @ Ben & Jerry’s Scoop ShopWednesday, April 15, 2026
10:30 am – 11:00 am: Storytime on the Lawn @ North Branch | Berkeley Public Library11:00 am – 11:30 am: Little Listeners Storytime @ San Lorenzo Library
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm: Kids Craft Hour @ Albany Library
3:00 pm – 7:00 pm: Downtown San Leandro Farmers' Market @ Downtown San Leandro
Thursday, April 16, 2026
9:30 am – 11:00 am: Together Wee Play @ James Kenney Park & Community Center10:00 am – 11:45 am: Garden Playdate @ Melrose Branch | Oakland Public Library
10:00 am – 11:30 am: Play Cafe @ 81st Avenue Branch | Oakland Public Library
10:00 am – 10:30 am: Toddler Time @ Albany Library
10:15 am – 10:45 am: Storytime @ El Cerrito Library
Free & Cheap Resources for Families
Get Free Museum Entry with Discover & Go
Powered by our local libraries, Discover & Go gets you and your kids in free to some of our most popular museums and attractions for ...
Park Profile: Dorothy Bolte Park in the Berkeley Hills
With a thrilling 40-foot concrete slide connecting two playgrounds, Dorothy Bolte Park in the Berkeley Hills provides hours of amusement.
Discover the Miniature, Magical Fairy Doors in AlamedaÂ
You have to look down to find these sweet little fairy doors hiding in plain site in Alameda. A curious toddler will see them for ...
Half-day Trip: Sulphur Creek Nature Center in Hayward
This wild animal rehabilitation center in Hayward allows kids to get up close and personal with drop-in hours and special programs.
Kid-Friendly Hike to a Playground in Kensington
With sweeping views of Tilden Park and a playground near the out-and-back loop, this Kensington hike is fun for families anytime.
Cold or Wet Day? Go Indoor Swimming
My kids love to go to an indoor swimming pool even if the weather outside is frightful. Here are some fave East Bay pools.
Tilden Park Steam Trains are a Cheap Thrill
The Tilden Park steam trains in the Berkeley hills are open daily for summer vacation. Wonderful fun for toddlers. Plan your visit.
Kids Like IKEA Emeryville, Too
The Emeryville monster store, Ikea, is a colorful and fascinating place for a child with a bunch of hidden perks!
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.
