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
Friday, October 23, 2026
9:00 am – 4:00 pm: Explore Blake Garden @ Blake Garden10:00 am – 10:50 am: Community Preschool Yoga @ Yama Kids Yoga
10:00 am – 12:00 pm: Shabbat & Play @ Temple Sinai
10:30 am – 11:00 am: Story Time @ Crab Cove @ Crab Cove Visitor Center
11:15 am – 12:15 pm: Oaktown Jazz Storytime @ Richmond Library | West Side Branch
3:00 pm – 6:00 pm: Trunk or Treat @ Civic Park & Community Center (Walnut Creek)
3:30 pm – 5:30 pm: Costume Swap @ Swings and Wings
3:30 pm – 5:00 pm: MOCHA Creative Art Play @ Central Library | Berkeley Public Library
4:00 pm – 7:00 pm: Petting Zoo @ The Backyard
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm: Haunted Trail @ Pleasant Hill Park
Free & Cheap Resources for Families
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 ...
Park Profile: May Nissen Community Park in Livermore
Go wild at Livermore’s woodland-themed playground with charming giant flowers and interactive play features.
