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
Thursday, January 22, 2026
7:30 am – 9:00 am: Free Admission Hours @ San Francisco Botanical Garden9:30 am – 12:00 pm: Together Wee Move with the Story-Time Band @ Frances Albrier Community Center (San Pablo Park)
10:00 am – 11:30 am: Play Cafe @ 81st Avenue Branch | Oakland Public Library
10:00 am – 10:30 am: Toddler Time @ Albany Library
10:15 am – 11:15 am: Toddler Storytime @ Montclair Branch | Oakland Public Library
10:30 am – 11:00 am: Family Storytime @ Pinole Library
10:30 am – 11:00 am: Mother Goose on the Loose @ Main | Alameda Free Library
11:00 am – 12:30 pm: Hike and Storytime: Tilden Nature Area @ Tilden Nature Center
Friday, January 23, 2026
8:00 am – 9:00 am: BANANAS Playgroup @ Main Library | Oakland Public Library9:00 am – 4:00 pm: Explore Blake Garden @ Blake Garden
Free & Cheap Resources for Families
Little kids wanted for cool research at Cal
Years ago, I wrote about getting your baby a job as a scientist and I stand by that recommendation. I first learned about the super ...
It’s Your Move! a Temescal game store with place to play
I can’t believe I had been intimidated by this awesome neighborhood gaming spot. Luckily, my five-year old urged us into It’s Your Move Games, and ...
Little gems of Berkeley: Casa Latina
In a world where a single cookie at your local cafe can cost $2.25, it is delightful to discover a place where the whole family ...
New mom challenge: Visit the fabric store
Visit a fabric store with your baby awake and spend a naptime on one of these easy projects: play blanket, swaddle blanket, or carrier!
How to visit a Berkeley fire station with your child
Coordinating a firehouse visit in Berkeley was top on my list after I did a fire safety lesson with my 4 year old. It was ...
Tarea Pitman Hall South Berkeley branch library
The South Library and Tool Lending Library have recently reopened one block north of Ashby BART. There is no designated parking lot, but ample street ...
New book about food and family features many Bay Area writers
The Cassoulet Saved Our Marriage is a collection of essays about eating and how we learn to do it, with and from our families. Several ...
New mom challenge: Find bookstore events for babies
Celebrate your local, independent bookstores by discovering a new one, visiting with your well-behaved children and buying a terrific book. Better yet, find out which ...
Reader tip: Alberrito Streets
Lest we forget our neighbors to the North, my friend Wendy reminded me that this Saturday is the Alberrito Streets extravaganza. It is a monster ...
5 East Bay outings for a baby in a carrier
Babies in a carriers are a great companions. They go where you want them to; they guarantee that passersby will smile at you; and you ...
