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
Thursday, June 18, 2026
9:00 am – 7:00 pm: Splash Park @ El Cerrito Swim Center9:00 am – 11:00 am: Tiny Tides @ The Wave at Emerald Glen Park
10:00 am – 11:30 am: Play Cafe @ 81st Avenue Branch | Oakland Public Library
10:00 am – 4:00 pm: SF Zoo Kids Free Admission @ San Francisco Zoo
10:15 am – 10:45 am: Storytime @ El Cerrito Library
10:30 am – 11:30 am: East Bay Regional Park Nature Program @ Lakeview Branch | Oakland Public Library
10:30 am – 11:30 am: Summer Tinker Tots @ Main Branch | San Leandro Public Library
11:00 am – 12:00 pm: Mariela’s Music Time @ Melrose Branch | Oakland Public Library
12:30 pm – 1:15 pm: JAMaRoo for Kids @ Weekes Branch | Hayward Public Library
1:00 pm – 5:00 pm: Juneteenth Freedom Day @ Newark Pavilion
Free & Cheap Resources for Families
Adventure Playground in Berkeley Is Unlike Any Park You’ve Seen
Adventure Playground Berkeley lets kids imagine, build, and decorate their own play structures with saws, hammers, nails, and paint.
Parents’ Guide to East Bay Gardens
Explore family-friendly East Bay Gardens for outdoor fun: admire flowers, follow butterflies, enjoy nature, & get inspired!
East Bay Summer Concert Round-Up for Families
If your family loves listening to live music, check out our round-up of outdoor concerts -- most of which are free -- to enjoy this ...
Save the Date: San Ramon Art & Wind Festival
Kick off summer at the Bay Area’s beloved free two-day festival — the San Ramon Art & Wind Festival on Memorial Day Sunday & Monday
Crab Cove Alameda: Beach + Tide Pools for Little Kids
Children will enjoy exploring Crab Cove beach in Alameda, but start with the visitor center to get more out of your trip!
Kids Bowl Free & Cheap This Summer
Kids bowl free at participating bowling alleys in the East Bay: Antioch, Concord, Dublin, and Livermore. Deals in Alameda & Oakland.
East Bay Outdoor Movie Round-Up
If your kids can stay up well past 9pm, there are a few outdoor movies you can see for FREE. Most start around 8:15-8:45ish. BYO ...
Summer Fairs and Festivals for Bay Area Families
Here is a list of outdoor street fairs, carnivals, county fairs, and festivals to pencil into your Summer plans from May to August.
Roberts Regional Recreation Area: An Oakland Park with a Swimming Pool
Roberts Park AKA Roberts Regional Recreation Area is tucked away in the Oakland Hills with a huge playground, a calm pool, plus hiking trails and ...
Open for Swimming & Recreation: Lake Temescal in Oakland
Lake Temescal is a beautiful (almost hidden) gem nestled next to the Highway 24/13 interchange, near Montclair, in Oakland.
