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, November 4, 2025
10:00 am – 10:45 am: Itty Bitty Storytime @ Richmond Public Library10:30 am – 11:45 am: Hikes for Tykes: Redwood Regional @ Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park
11:00 am – 11:30 am: Music and Movement @ Hayward Public Library
11:00 am – 12:00 pm: Storytime and Garden Play @ Elmhurst Branch | Oakland Public Library
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm: Baby Storytime @ Albany Library
3:00 pm – 5:00 pm: Dinovember Crafternoons @ Claremont Branch | Berkeley Public Library
3:30 pm – 5:00 pm: MOCHA at the Library @ Asian Branch | Oakland Public Library
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm: Teokalli Aztec Dance @ Hercules Library
6:30 pm – 7:30 pm: Family Storytime @ Kensington Library
8:30 pm – 11:00 pm: Family Fun Nights: Discount Movies @ West Wind Solano Drive-In
Free & Cheap Resources for Families
10 Mostly Free & Cheap Outings for Mixed Ages in the East Bay
With kids age two to nine, it is hard to find something for everyone. Here are ten terrific East Bay places that we all love.
9 Playground Ziplines for Bay Area Kids
Our favorite nearby ziplines in the East Bay are in Berkeley and Alameda, but we found a dozen more for adventurous kids to try.
Park Profile: Colorful Krusi Park in Alameda
Krusi Park in Alameda is a super fun playground to bring both toddlers and school aged kids alike. My four kids asked to go two ...
Fourth Street Lights Up With Dazzling Holiday Lights
On Saturday, November 8, 2025, head on down to Berkeley's Fourth Street at Delaware for an extra dose of holiday cheer beginning at 5 pm.
14 Free and Cheap Birthday Party Places
A dozen spots to host a kid's birthday party for cheap -- or free -- in the East Bay Area! These are our go-to budget-friendly ...
How to Enjoy a Campfire Without Camping
Experience a glowing campfire without the hassle of camping at EBPRD's summertime campfire programs
Stafford Lake Bike Park in Marin: An Epic Playground for Bike Lovers
This 17-acre family-friendly mountain bike course offers all the exciting jumps, challenging tricks, and clever toys that mountain bikers of all ages will love.
Park Profile: Totland in Berkeley
We love Totland for toddlers, and especially for parents who are on their own with a new second baby. Swings, climbing things, spinny rides, and ...
National Night Out Gatherings in the East Bay
August 5 is National Night Out, a day centered on community building. Organize an event among your neighbors, or join a city-led event. Find one ...
Family Summer Movies Deals
The Century 14 Walnut Creek will show eight kid-friendly movies for the summer with a deal on admission and snacks.
