Rainy Days
Where to go on a Rainy Day with East Bay Kids
Bay Area rainy days with kids means indoor play spaces, kids museums, coffee shops, and splashing in puddles!
More Ideas for a Rainy Day
Indoor Play Spaces in the East Bay
For little ones who are in constant exploration mode, here is a guide to indoor play spaces in the Bay Area.
Reserve Your Tee Time: SubPar Mini Golf in Alameda
Beyond the charming indoor putt-putt, kids will go wild for the video games & laser obstacles Luckily, there’s also a full bar with adult beverages.
Kid-Friendly OMCA: Oakland Museum of California
Children under 12 are free. Kid-friendly exhibits and beautiful gardens make the Oakland Museum of California a win for families.
Urban Air Adventure Park Massive Indoor Play Space
It has everything: obstacle courses, trampolines, a 35-foot vertical playground, ceiling zip line, ropes course, climbing wall, and laser tag
Whimsy Willow: Fab Play Space & Garden in Alameda
Whimsy Willow in Alameda is an art studio and play garden with plenty of space to run around and be creative in big and small ...
Good Free Fun: The East Bay Vivarium
East Bay Vivarium has it all: Cute turtles swimming in tanks, giant tortoises munching on lettuce, tiny lizards, boas, enormous pythons, and more.
Best Places to Take Kids in Concord
Discover 15+ destinations and small town treasures for families to plan an amazing day in Concord.
Jumpity Bumpity: An Indoor Play Space in Concord
Concord's Jumpity Bumpity is a clean, spacious fun indoor play space with many creative slides and features to keep your kid moving!
5 East Bay Spots to Get Even Wetter on a Rainy Day
Outdoor spots to take kids after -- or during -- a rainy day in the East Bay.
Lucky Strike: Family Bowling in Alameda
Bowlero, a modern bowling alley in Alameda, caters to families by offering bumper bowling, bowling ramps, an arcade, and kid-friendly food options.
50 Things to Do With Bay Area Kids When School Is Out
Wondering what to do when school is out? Take one of these 50 fantastic Bay Area ideas and build your day around it.
Book Now: Christmas Tea in the Bay Area For Families
Christmas Tea makes a lovely -- often expensive -- holiday tradition for families. We break it down from near to far.
Indoor Fun: 10+ Things to Do on Rainy Days in the East Bay
On a rainy day, here are some great indoor fun East Bay destinations to make your kids happy and run off those ya-yas!
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.
Indoor Play Space in Berkeley: Children’s Club House
Children’s Club House in South Berkeley is a welcoming spot for parents seeking fun for their tiny tots.
Bay Play in West Oakland: A Fun Indoor Spot
The tree-themed jungle gym geared toward ages 0-8 featured obstacle courses and slides, and kept my toddler occupied most of the time
Laid-back Birthday Party: Pizza & Movie
Everything is awesome when you host a child's birthday party at the movies with pizza and cupcakes.
Indoor Play Space in Union City: Teeny Town
After exploring the ball pit, my 2 year olds hopped into their cozy coupes and drove the road to the various businesses within Teeny Town.
San Ramon Indoor Play Space: Kidplex
Kidplex is a modern, interactive play center. Take off your shoes and check out the movement activities, ball pits, and pretend play stations.
Animal Discovery Room at Lawrence Hall of Science
The Lawrence Hall of Science hosts an active Animal Discovery Zone from chinchillas to box turtles.
Teen & Tween Birthday Party Spot: Game On Berkeley
For ages 8+, this multi-room game experience invites you to laugh while solving custom-built puzzles that challenge your brain & body.
KidTopia in Fremont, East Bay’s Largest Indoor Play Center
KidTopia is the East Bay's largest, soft play indoor recreation center for kids, packed with both active and imaginative play areas. Climb, pretend, slide!
Union City Play Space: Jolly Roger Land
Jolly Roger Land is a large, colorful, and incredibly entertaining open play space in Union City for children 12 and under.
PlayGround: An Indoor Play Center in Castro Valley
PlayGround, an indoor play center in Castro Valley for kids ages 1 through 12, has a two-tiered play center with lots of soft play and ...
Explore & Pretend at OMCA Kids: Nature Playspace
Discover nature, climb, play, and let imaginations run wild at OMCA's indoor play area, designed for ages 2-5.
Free Drop-in Art Workshops with MOCHA in the Library
Museum of Children's Art (MOCHA) is partnering with Public Libraries to offer free art workshops to children throughout the week.
Drop-in Craft Projects at Michaels Stores
Join a free kid-friendly weekend craft session at Michael's in San Leandro, Emeryville, Alameda, or Pinole. Usually in a seasonal theme.
Lo’s Playtown in Benicia is Worth the Drive for Preschool Fun
This indoor playspace is a preschooler's paradise, featuring imaginative play areas, a climbing structure, and even a cozy workspace for parents.
4 Bay Area Trampoline Parks Where Kids Can Drop In and Jump
Trampoline parks are great because they are a ton of exercise and indoor fun. Perfect for a rainy day or tiring my kids out before ...
Our Favorites at Bay Area LEGOLAND Discovery Center
The LEGOLAND Discovery Center in Milpitas is a really cool indoor playground for all LEGO builders and wannabes, especially those ages 4 to 10.
Beyond Books: More to Love from the Library
Visit your local branch for some amazing checkouts and free offerings—from power tools and baking pans to telescopes and a museum outing.
Old-School Fun at High Scores Arcade Alameda
Located on Alameda’s fun section of Park Street, High Scores has 45 game cabinets with the capability to play over 400 classic 80’s games.
iFlip Gymnastics: Open Gym & Classes in Richmond
Located near Costco in Richmond, iFlip is a gymnastics-filled wonderland for kids, offering classes, parties, and open gym.
Silliman Aquatic Center: Crazy Fun Indoor Water Park
Take a look at Newark’s indoor water park, Silliman Aquatic Center. Large slides, lazy river, and a spray structure.
Tot Splash and Family Swim at Richmond Swim Center
Tot splash hours at Richmond Swim Center are inviting!
Get Free Museum Entry with Discover & Go
Powered by our local libraries, Discover & Go gets you and your kids in free to some of our most popular museums and attractions for ...
5 Open Gyms with Drop-in Hours
If your kid is bouncing off the walls, check this list of places where that kind of thing is welcome.
Cold or Wet Day? Go Indoor Swimming
My kids love to go to an indoor swimming pool even if the weather outside is frightful. Here are some fave East Bay pools.
Toddlers’ Guide to Lindsay Wildlife Experience
Everything at Walnut Creek's animal rescue and museum, Lindsay Wildlife Experience, is great for a three-year old.
Where to Grab (Hip) Coffee with Kids in the East Bay
I've frequented a lot of coffee shops in Berkeley and Oakland with kids in tow, here are some of our favorites and why!
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!
Three-Year Olds’ Guide to Monterey Bay Aquarium
Monterey Bay Aquarium has awesome otters, penguins, and play area. But it can be overwhelming, too. Here's our little kids' perspective.
Bay Area Road Trip: Monterey Bay
The Monterey Bay Aquarium is one of California's best indoor tourist attractions, a perfect mission for the long days of holiday school closures.
How to Find Salamanders in Wet Weather at Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park
Here's a mission for your little explorers and instructions on how to have a successful search for salamanders in the Oakland hills.
Worth the Drive: IlluminOdyssey at CuriOdyssey in San Mateo
CuriOdyssey includes a four-level indoor Redwood Hall (perfect for rainy days!) that is full of hands-on exhibits and light installations.
25 Best Things to Do With Kids in Berkeley
From the marina to the hills to the best attractions on the Cal campus & downtown, this is a guide to fun things to do ...
Worth the Drive: Mill Valley Aquatics Center
If you feel like it's time to swim, but the Bay Area weather is not cooperating, consider an indoor pool.
American Ninja Warrior Birthday Party at Traverse Fitness
For energetic children 7+, the birthday parties at the Traverse Fitness American Ninja Warrior warehouse are an exhilarating 90 minutes.
Play all the Games at Victory Point Cafe
Victory Point Board Game Cafe has food, snacks, coffee and 800 different board games to choose from. Pay per person to play them all.
San Francisco’s Exploratorium with Kids
San Francisco's Exploratorium with kids is a ton of fun -- hands-on science museum with lots to touch and room to climb. Don't forget the ...
Oakland’s Bouncy Birthday Party Place: Pump it Up
How to throw the easiest birthday party in the East Bay where the kids will be totally exhausted and happy at the end.
Drive-Through Coffee = Rookie Parents’ BFF
Iced or hot, drive-through coffee is a parent's best friend. But you have to know where to look. The East Bay hides them away.
Indoor Playspace in Alameda: Swings and Wings
A place for toddler activities, equipped with sensory toys, inflatables, and lots of swings, located in Alameda open for drop-in play.
Fun factory tours in the Bay Area with kids
Go behind the scenes at some of your favorite Bay Area companies to see how things are made!
Dance Classes for Toddlers in the East Bay
Ballet and pre-dance classes for toddlers and children under five are both popular and prolific. Find the perfect dance class for your child.
10+ Drop-in Toddler Activities in the East Bay for $10 or Less
A helpful list of toddler activities and outings that don't require advanced planning, for East Bay kids and parents.
25 Places to Take Preschoolers in the East Bay – Indoors
Places to take East Bay toddlers and preschoolers: Bay Area destinations for younger kids featuring amazing indoor play spaces and museums.
Drop in to Pump It Up Playtime in Oakland
Get your jumps and wiggles out at a drop-in play session with bouncy houses, obstacle courses, bubbles, basketballs, tunnels, and giggles.
Day Trip to Bay Area Discovery Museum
The Bay Area Discovery Museum in Sausalito is a hands-on, outdoor science museum that will entertain & educate children under 5
Tour the Jelly Belly factory in Fairfield
The Jelly Belly jellybean company in the land offers free tours and will send you home with samples and fun facts to spare. Win win. ...
Visit Cat Town Oakland & RAWR Coffee Bar
Cat Town in Oakland is a fun outing for a feline-loving child for $12 each. Combo cafe and animal shelter. Reservations suggested.Â
Home Depot Offers Free Weekend Workshops for Kids
Spend a FREE morning at Home Depot building craft projects with your kid on the first Saturday of each month.
21+ Kid-Friendly Things to Do in Richmond
Visit the parks, playgrounds, pools, museums and other kids-friendly spots located in the city of Richmond. There's plenty to explore!
Plank offers family-friendly entertainment during non-peak hours
Plank Oakland, a bowling-alley-meets-gastropub-meets-entertainment-center in Jack London Square is loud and pretty kid-friendly. Timing is everything.
Best Mini Golf Courses in East Bay and Beyond
We rounded up the most entertaining and creative creatives for a family mini golf outing in the East Bay and beyond.
Créatif Art Studio: Drop-in painting in Pleasanton
Bring your little artist to this drop-in art studio for a creative outing. It's combination of art and tech make it worth the drive to ...
My Tween & Teens Loved Trivium Escape Room in Emeryville
Children as young as nine will enjoy the Trivium Games escape room with their families to solve the puzzles in Ghost Patrol.
Together Wee Play: Drop-in Play in Berkeley
Together Wee Play is a free, drop-in play program for kids 4 and younger. It is hosted 4 mornings a week at indoor and outdoor ...
Play Tourist at San Francisco’s Aquarium of the Bay & Pier 39
Aquarium of the Bay at SF Pier 39 for a fun day trip that's all about sea creatures and the waters of the Bay. Oakland ...
Field Trip: San Jose Children’s Discovery Museum
This indoor and outdoor children's museum in San Jose is engaging, interactive, and educational— worthy of a day trip to the South Bay.
teamLab: Continuity at the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco
teamLab: Continuity at the Asian Art Museum is totally awesome and your kids will love it. And kids under 12 are always free!
Guide to Indoor Fun for Grade School Kids
Too old for ball pits and water play tables? There are plenty of indoor amusement centers in the East Bay to entertain older kids from ...
Head Over Heels Youth Gymnastics: Get Your Wiggles Out
At Head Over Heels gymnastics in Emeryville, "Open Gym" means you can use the facility without being enrolled in a class.
Traverse Fitness: Biggest American Ninja Warrior Gym in California
Introducing the biggest Ninja Warrior gym in the Bay Area, welcoming kids 6 and up, plus adults, for classes, open gym, and birthday parties.
Outschool Surprised Me With Affordable Fun and Learning. Here’s What We Tried.
Outschool is a fantastic resource for low-cost live online classes that will actually engage your child, from fitness to problem solving.
10 Soothing Sensory Activities for Preschoolers Worth the Mess
Easy sensory projects to do with basic household objects that will delight your little one. Almost definitely worth the mess & clean up!
Yes, the Bay Area Does Have Seasons: Winter
We gratefully welcome back Annie Burke, founder of Outside Kids, for today’s post. Most people say that the Bay Area doesn’t have seasons. I disagree. ...
East Bay Indoor Birthday Party Places
A winter birthday means that it just might rain on your parade. Plan for an indoor party and stop worrying about the weather at one ...
The COOP in Pleasanton is now closed
The COOP Pleasanton is a clean, modern indoor play space perfect for preschoolers with full espresso bar, wifi, and magazines for the parents.
Drop-in maker space for the youngest creators
At Junior Center for Art & Science, a new youth maker space equips young innovators to create from low-tech, creativity-inspiring materials.
Visiting Bay Area Art Museums and Galleries with Kids
Presenting some must-know info for parents who plan to visit Bay Area museums with their children to make it more fun for all.
Kid Report: Lost Worlds in Livermore
Lost Worlds Livermore has fun places in it such as laser tag, trampolines, mini golf, you name it! The play structure is epic.
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 ...
