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, May 10, 2026
9:00 am – 12:30 pm: Splash Park @ El Cerrito Swim Center10:00 am – 11:00 am: Flower Walk @ Coyote Hills Regional Park
10:00 am – 4:00 pm: SF Zoo $5 Admission @ San Francisco Zoo
10:30 am – 11:00 am: Sunday Storytime @ Tilden Regional Park
11:00 am – 4:30 pm: Mother's Day Community Day @ Exploratorium
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm: Mother's Day Concert in the Park @ Golden Gate Park Bandshell
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm: Mother's Day Pine Nut Jewelry @ Coyote Hills Regional Park
1:30 pm – 2:15 pm: Low Tide Exploration @ Crab Cove Visitor Center
1:30 pm – 3:00 pm: Mother's Day Family Hike @ Del Valle Regional Park
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm: Family Movie Matinee @ Main | Alameda Free Library
Free & Cheap Resources for Families
25 Things to Do With Kids in Emeryville
25 fun activities, destinations, and places to wander with kids in Emeryville, CA. We love this little town with fab Bay views and hidden gems.
Take a Tour of the Boichik Bagel Factory
Take a FREE tour of the Boichik Bagel Factory in West Berkeley. Carbs, coffee, and heavy machinery - what's not to love?
Point Molate: Sea Glass Treasure & Burning Man Art in Richmond
Combine a tranquil beach with a steampunk art scene for a memorable day in Richmond. We also love the sea glass!
12 Things to Do at Memorial Park in Albany
Memorial Park in Albany is home to so many family-friendly resources and events, that all parents in communities north of Berkeley should know about it.
A kid-sized adventure to Krispy Kreme Doughnuts
Tour Krispy Kreme Doughnuts with a kid for a sweet factory experience (that is much easier than a real factory experience).
Salesforce Park: Free Gondola Ride and Play Area
A free, entertaining activity for kids of all ages in San Francisco, Salesforce Park is the perfect place to take visiting family and friends.
Where to Play on a Hot Day, East Bay
Our team of experienced parents weighed in on where to go and what to do when it is Just Too Dang Hot. Start with donuts.
Top 3 Family-Friendly Bike Rides in Alameda
Biking is the best way to experience the city of Alameda with your kids. Cross the island on a bike via clearly-marked bike routes. Here ...
Sweet Hike: Fairy Houses Galore in Point Richmond
I explored the magical fairy houses that make up Little Point Richmond of Washington Avenue with my children, age 2 to 8, and we were ...
10+ Drop-in Toddler Activities in the East Bay for $10 or Less
A helpful list of toddler activities and outings that don't require advanced planning, for East Bay kids and parents.
