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
Park Profile: May Nissen Community Park in Livermore
Go wild at Livermore’s woodland-themed playground with charming giant flowers and interactive play features.
Unusual TEPCO Beach in Richmond is Full of Riches
TEPCO Beach in Richmond is strewn with broken ceramics and stunning views of the Bay and Golden Gate Bridge. Best for ages 5+
Food Savings Tips to Save Time, Money, and Frustration
Our friends at StopWaste offer many insanely useful tips to stretch our food further to save time, stress, and money!
Magical Bridge in Palo Alto: Inclusive Playground Worth the Drive
You've gotta see this Palo Alto playground that is truly and uniquely for everyone: all ages, abilities and sizes.
Art with Kids: Andy Goldsworthy Nature Installations in San Francisco’s Presidio
If you love art and nature but struggle with your kids on long hikes or quiet art museums, the Andy Goldsworthy walking tour in the ...
Lafayette Playground: the Tippy Top of San Francisco, Super Clean & Gorgeous
Nets, castles, monkey bars, twisty slides, twirly poles, bridges and more at San Francisco's gorgeous Lafayette Park Playground in Pacific Heights.
{510} Family Faves with Kids Love Oakland
Lifelong Oaklander, Kamaria Lofton, shares her book series, Kids Love Oakland, and her 3 favorite places to go with her kids.
Simple, Creative Halloween Costumes
Super simple but creative Halloween costumes for kids or clever parents with easy DIY instructions.
DIY Outdoor School: Redwood Regional + Botany Exploration
We took this Montessori-inspired leaf classification activity out to the local trails to extend the learning and heighten our environmental awareness.
Delicious Strawberry U-Pick at Blue House Farm
Enjoy the fresh coastal air while picking delicious organic strawberries with your children, it is a practically perfect, stress-free outing near Half Moon Bay
