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
8:30 pm – 10:30 pm: Discount Drive-In Movies @ West Wind Solano Drive-InWednesday, 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
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm: East Bay Regional Park Nature Program @ 81st Avenue Branch | Oakland Public Library
Free & Cheap Resources for Families
Sweeney Open Space Park: Fab Playground in Alameda
Four tiers of rope climbing; a super-sized interactive chime instrument; an extra-wide slide with an AstroTurf-protected landing at the base; and, a zip-line with seat ...
Best Places to Take Kids in Oakland’s Grand Lake Neighborhood
Nestled in the Northeast corner of Oakland’s Lake Merritt is the quaint, and easygoing Grand Lake neighborhood with so many places to push a stroller.
Cornerstone Sonoma: Kid-friendly Botanical Garden and Wine Tasting
Want a good family-friendly wine country activity? We love Cornerstone Sonoma, a botanical garden/art exhibit/wine tasting experience in one.
What to Do With Kids in the Elmwood (Berkeley)
Our favorite fantastic places in the Elmwood to enjoy with children including where to eat, where to play, and where to shop!
What to Do With Kids in Kensington
Find all the fun things to do with kids in and around Kensington and Colusa Circle from Blake Garden to the perfect sweet treats.
Rolling Around Brooklyn Basin (Oakland) with Kids
Township Commons Park at Brooklyn Basin is a beautiful & expansive part of the Oakland waterfront with places to dine, fish, scooter, and more.
Oakland Scavenger Hunt: These Adorable Gnomes Will Delight Your Kids
Hundreds of gnomes fill the sidewalks of Oakland, and will delight you every time. Here's where, and how to find them.
Knowland Park: Behind The Oakland Zoo (Cloudy With a Chance of Spotting Animals)
The walking paths of Knowland Park lead to spectacular views of the Bay, and if you go at the right time, you can see into ...
Visit Umbrella Alley and Add a Touch of Kid-friendly Whimsy to an SF Adventure
Give your kids a camera and get up close with one of San Francisco’s latest Instagram-worthy art experience destinations.
U-Pick Strawberries at George’s Berry Farm in Brentwood
As of April 2025, George’s Berry Farm is not open. Is it now Farmer’s Daughter? Maybe. The article that follows is from 2021. U-Pick fruit ...
