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
Sunday, September 20, 2026
11:00 am – 7:00 pm: Drop-In Art Making @ Berkeley Art Museum (BAMPFA)12:00 pm – 7:00 pm: Sunday Funday Emeryville PRIDE @ The Public Market
Monday, September 21, 2026
7:30 am – 9:00 am: Free Admission Hours @ San Francisco Botanical Garden9:00 am – 12:00 pm: Pop-N-Play @ Ruby’s Tumbling
10:00 am – 1:00 pm: Wee Play: Drop-In Playtime @ Alameda Veterans Memorial Building
10:30 am – 12:00 pm: Bananas Playgroup @ BANANAS – Eastmont Office
10:30 am – 11:15 am: Music & Movement Storytime @ Richmond Civic Center Plaza
10:30 am – 11:00 am: Toddler Storytime @ Main Library | Oakland Public Library
12:00 pm – 12:30 pm: Baby Rhyme Time @ San Lorenzo Library
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm: Tiny Tots Yoga Time @ Fremont Main Library
Free & Cheap Resources for Families
Adventure Playground in Berkeley Is Unlike Any Park You’ve Seen
Adventure Playground Berkeley lets kids imagine, build, and decorate their own play structures with saws, hammers, nails, and paint.
Parents’ Guide to East Bay Gardens
Explore family-friendly East Bay Gardens for outdoor fun: admire flowers, follow butterflies, enjoy nature, & get inspired!
East Bay Summer Concert Round-Up for Families
If your family loves listening to live music, check out our round-up of outdoor concerts -- most of which are free -- to enjoy this ...
Save the Date: San Ramon Art & Wind Festival
Kick off summer at the Bay Area’s beloved free two-day festival — the San Ramon Art & Wind Festival on Memorial Day Sunday & Monday
Crab Cove Alameda: Beach + Tide Pools for Little Kids
Children will enjoy exploring Crab Cove beach in Alameda, but start with the visitor center to get more out of your trip!
Kids Bowl Free & Cheap This Summer
Kids bowl free at participating bowling alleys in the East Bay: Antioch, Concord, Dublin, and Livermore. Deals in Alameda & Oakland.
East Bay Outdoor Movie Round-Up
If your kids can stay up well past 9pm, there are a few outdoor movies you can see for FREE. Most start around 8:15-8:45ish. BYO ...
Park Profile: Kennedy Park in Hayward
The park is a farm-themed paradise for little kids with a carousel, train, teacup ride, and petting zoo on weekends. Target is right across the ...
Summer Fairs and Festivals for Bay Area Families
Here is a list of outdoor street fairs, carnivals, county fairs, and festivals to pencil into your Summer plans from May to August.
Open for Swimming & Recreation: Lake Temescal in Oakland
Lake Temescal is a beautiful (almost hidden) gem nestled next to the Highway 24/13 interchange, near Montclair, in Oakland.
