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 21, 2026
9:00 am – 11:00 am: Tiny Tides @ The Wave at Emerald Glen Park10:00 am – 10:45 am: Itty-Bitty Storytime @ Richmond Civic Center Plaza
10:00 am – 11:00 am: Storytime for Caregivers @ Local Economy
10:00 am – 4:00 pm: Visit with Wildlife @ Sulphur Creek Nature Center
10:15 am – 10:45 am: Storytime and Playtime @ Melrose Branch | Oakland Public Library
10:15 am – 10:30 am: Toddler Storytime @ Piedmont Ave. Branch | Oakland Public Library
10:30 am – 11:30 am: Toddler Plus Storytime @ Main | Alameda Free Library
11:00 am – 12:00 pm: Storytime and Garden Play @ Elmhurst Branch | Oakland Public Library
11:45 am – 12:15 pm: Baby Bounce @ Montclair Branch | Oakland Public Library
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm: Lunch and Plot, Paint, and Pot @ El Cerrito Library
Free & Cheap Resources for Families
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.
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.
Codornices Park in the Berkeley Hills
Codornices Park in Berkeley has so many features that my visits have changed completely as my kids have grown older with new parts to enjoy.
A Driving Christmas Light Tour of Walnut Creek and Concord
See who is bringing holiday cheer to their neighbors with the best Christmas Lights in the greater East Bay. We've got a map for you.
Tilden Park’s Miniature Trains
Each Sunday between now and the end of September, the Golden Gate Live Steamers open their tracks to the public for rides.
