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, June 25, 2026
9:00 am – 7:00 pm: Splash Park @ El Cerrito Swim Center9:00 am – 11:00 am: Tiny Tides @ The Wave at Emerald Glen Park
10:00 am – 11:30 am: Play Cafe @ 81st Avenue Branch | Oakland Public Library
10:15 am – 10:45 am: Storytime @ El Cerrito Library
10:30 am – 11:30 am: Summer Tinker Tots @ Main Branch | San Leandro Public Library
11:00 am – 1:00 pm: Exploration Station @ San Pablo Public Library
11:00 am – 11:45 am: Insect Discovery Lab @ Melrose Branch | Oakland Public Library
11:00 am – 12:00 pm: Story Stroll @ Point Pinole Regional Shoreline Park
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm: Read to a Dog @ Rockridge Branch | Oakland Public Library
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm: Stories that Dance: Laya Arts Collective @ Hercules Library
Free & Cheap Resources for Families
Winter Brainstorm: 25 Things to Do that Cost $10 or Less
$10 is enough for a fun family outing with a little kid in the Bay Area. Here are 25 low-cost ideas!
21 Places in the Bay Area Where Kids Can See Animals
A few favorite places to get a miniature zoo experience for FREE in the East Bay, small animal encounters, & farms!
Best Christmas Lights in the East Bay
We love holiday lights! Whether you stay in the car and do a "drive-by" or get out to stroll, East Bay Christmas light displays are ...
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.
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 story readings in the next 30 days, including libraries, bookstores, and other fun places. Let someone else read to you
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.
