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, June 23, 2026
6:30 pm – 7:15 pm: Soul 4Kidz @ Dimond Branch | Oakland Public Library8:30 pm – 10:30 pm: Discount Drive-In Movies @ West Wind Solano Drive-In
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
10:00 am – 1:00 pm: Wee Play: Drop-In Playtime @ Alameda Veterans Memorial Building10:30 am – 11:00 am: Baby & Me @ West End Branch | Alameda Free Library
10:30 am – 11:30 am: Possibly Puppets @ Richmond Civic Center Plaza
10:30 am – 11:00 am: Storytime on the Lawn @ North Branch | Berkeley Public Library
10:30 am – 11:00 am: Teddy Bear Picnic @ Lincoln Park
10:30 am – 11:00 am: Toddler & Me Dance Fitness Class @ Castro Valley Library
11:30 am – 12:00 pm: Later Gator Storytime @ San Lorenzo Library
1:00 pm – 1:45 pm: Mariela’s Music Time @ Elmhurst Branch | Oakland Public Library
Free & Cheap Resources for Families
Best Alameda Beaches for Little Kids
Easy parking, shallow waters, and open space make Alameda's beaches ideal, free outings for families.
Park Profile: Centennial Park in El Cerrito
Centennial Park playground near the Ohlone Greenway has natural surfaces, climbing ropes, sand, and a platform swing. Great for kids under five.
What to Do With Kids in Fremont
Some of the most fun you can have with kids in Fremont no matter what the season. Where to go to play, learn, and go ...
Best BARTable Play for Toddlers
Riding BART can be a real treat for train-loving toddlers. Here is a handful of mostly free BART-friendly destinations for toddlers and their parents.
Choose Your Adventure at Lands End: A San Francisco Hiking Destination
Come to Lands End to hike, but stay for the beautiful views and exploration. Put this San Francisco destination on your "Places to Visit" list.
Codornices Park Birthday Party: Keeping it Simple
Find out how to throw a simple and cheap birthday party at Codornices Park in Berkeley
Park Profile: Solano Playlot in Richmond
Add this park to your "must visit" list: Solano Playlot in Richmond. Fun for the kids with nearby treats and snacks worth a stop.
Where to Ride a Carousel in the East Bay
For classic childhood fun, we rounded up 12 carousels to ride in the East Bay and beyond.
Together Wee Play: Drop-in Play in Berkeley
Together Wee Play is a free, drop-in play program for kids 4 and younger. It is hosted 4 mornings a week at indoor and outdoor ...
{510} Family Faves with Beautiful Brown Adventures’ Angel
Angel is a Puerto Rican and Indigenous mom of two in Alameda, a doula, and a co-founder of Beautiful Brown Adventures. Here are her faves.
