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.

Free and Cheap Activities Scheduled This Month

Child playing with pretend garden/kitchen toys near parent

How to Get in FREE to Dozens of Bay Area Museums, Science Centers, + Gardens

10 Mostly Free & Cheap Outings for Mixed Ages in the East Bay

Berkeley library storytime with adult reading to two small children

Free Storytimes Around the East Bay

child in party hat with crabby face and plate of donuts

14 Free and Cheap Birthday Party Places

14 East Bay Restaurants Where Kids Eat Free

Upcoming Free or Cheap Events in the East Bay

Monday, September 21, 2026

10:00 am – 1:00 pm: Wee Play: Drop-In Playtime @ Alameda Veterans Memorial Building
12:00 pm – 12:30 pm: Baby Rhyme Time @ San Lorenzo Library
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm: Tiny Tots Yoga Time @ Fremont Main Library
3:00 pm – 3:30 pm: Little Dance Party @ Albany Library

Tuesday, September 22, 2026

9:00 am – 4:00 pm: Explore Blake Garden @ Blake Garden
10:00 am – 10:45 am: Itty-Bitty Storytime @ Richmond Civic Center Plaza
10:30 am – 11:00 am: Baby/Toddler Storytime @ Tarea Hall Pittman South Branch | Berkeley Public Library
10:30 am – 12:00 pm: Bananas Playgroup @ BANANAS – Havenscourt Cub House
10:30 am – 11:30 am: Music in the Parks @ Jean Sweeney Open Space Park
10:30 am – 11:00 am: Toddler Plus Storytime @ Main | Alameda Free Library

Free & Cheap Resources for Families

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

Child on slide at playground in Richmond

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.

Child riding carousel at Children's Fairyland

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.

Save The Date: Solano Avenue Stroll

Solano Avenue in Berkeley and Albany will come together for their superfun Solano Stroll on Sunday afternoon, September 11, 2022.

Child hangs on monkey bars at all-abilities playground

Matteo’s Dream Playground, Inclusive Fun in Concord

Imaginations can run wild at Matteo's Dream Playground in Concord, a space for all children to experience the joys of outdoor play regardless of their ...