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
10 Soothing Sensory Activities for Preschoolers Worth the Mess
Easy sensory projects to do with basic household objects that will delight your little one. Almost definitely worth the mess & clean up!
Archery in Oakland at Redwood Bowmen
Bring your own bow and arrows to this archery range among the redwoods. Officially for archers 10 and up.
Join Us Wednesdays at Noon: Berkeley Music Circus
Grab an instrument -or just your voice- for a Wednesday at noon city sing-along. We'd love to see everyone sing and play along!
The Latest In Stay-Home Entertainment: Create an I Spy Game In Your Front Yard
A front yard scavenger hunt is easy to make, uses items you probably have around the house, and can even be made educational if your ...
How I Set Up a Quarantine Book and Toy Swap
My four kids are burning through every book, toy, puzzle and snack in the house. Here's what I did to refresh our toys and games ...
5 Tips to Get Your Teenager to Play Outside
As my kids get older, it is harder to take them outside into nature. Here are five strategies I’ve used to get my kids to ...
Half-day Trip to San Rafael and WildCare
A half day adventure in San Rafael starts with a visit to WildCare, a FREE rehabilitation facility for local animals that toddlers dig.
Save the dates: Sunday Streets Berkeley
Sunday Streets Berkeley will close down to car traffic to allow families to play in the streets, dance, bike, eat, and create. It's one huge ...
Learn to row with Berkeley High Crew (FREE)
Every spring Berkeley High Crew hosts a free Learn-to-Row Day open to youth ages 11 and up. Pre-register for this cool opportunity for your tween ...
Junior Center of Art & Science
The Junior Center for Art and Science is a wonderful gem of a science museum and art studio located next to the bird sanctuary at ...
