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, January 30, 2026
9:00 am – 4:00 pm: Explore Blake Garden @ Blake Garden9:00 am – 12:00 pm: Tot Splash (Ages 7 and Under) @ Richmond Plunge
10:00 am – 4:00 pm: Fairyland 510 Fridays @ Children’s Fairyland
10:15 am – 11:00 am: Bouncing Babies Storytime @ Fremont Main Library
10:30 am – 11:00 am: Story Time @ Crab Cove @ Crab Cove Visitor Center
10:30 am – 11:00 am: Toddler Plus Storytime @ Main | Alameda Free Library
3:30 pm – 4:00 pm: Goodnight Farm @ Tilden Little Farm
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm: Movie Night: Frozen 2 @ Cellarmaker Berkeley
7:30 pm – 10:30 pm: Free Telescope Viewings @ Chabot Space & Science Center
Saturday, January 31, 2026
9:30 am – 12:30 pm: Junior Rangers @ China Camp State ParkFree & Cheap Resources for Families
Best East Bay Holiday Lights: Alameda’s Christmas Tree Lane
The best holiday lights in the East Bay are on Christmas Tree Lane in Alameda where the neighbors create a magical holiday experience.
On Sale Now: Golden Gate Park Lights Up with Lightscape
Lightscape at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco is a glorious ticketed one-mile wander through light and sound.
East Bay Candy Buyback — Turn Candy into Cash!
East Bay children can exchange Halloween candy for cash at a Halloween candy buyback at the dentist's office.
10+ All-Abilities Playgrounds and Play Spaces Near Oakland
Inclusive playgrounds are designed with innovative features to welcome children of all ages and capabilities. These are within an hour of Oakland.
Free Storytimes Around the East Bay
A round-up of kid-friendly storytimes in the next 30 days including libraries, bookstores, and other fun places. Let someone else read your baby a book.
Heart Smart & Head Smart: Oakland’s Aurora School for K-8
Discover a vibrant community at Aurora School, an independent K-8 institution in Oakland's Upper Rockridge neighborhood.
DÃa de Los Muertos with East Bay Kids
In the East Bay, there are lots of ways to celebrate Dia de Los Muertos including festivals, performances, and crafts with children in tow.
Indigenous People’s Heritage Month for Kids
November is Indigenous People’s Heritage Month. Here are a few ways to reflect on the cultures, traditions, and history of the Bay Area's first peoples.
Halloween Events for East Bay Kids
Fun and safe Halloween events and activities for kids in Oakland, Berkeley, and surrounding areas.
Hispanic/Latine Heritage Month for Kids & Families
Hispanic Heritage Month is September 15 through October 15. We found a variety of ways to celebrate with kids in the East Bay.
