14 Free and Cheap Birthday Party Places

I love a happy birthday party that doesn’t cost a ton – Target Dollar Spot anyone (though now it’s more like $3 spot)? Pick up cute plates, a tablecloth, and even little party favors for an easy party sure to please everyone. We asked our Facebook community where you like to throw parties on the cheap in the East Bay, and we’ve rounded up the top twelve. Thanks, guys!

Birthday donuts at Terrace Park. | PC: Anna Azimi

12 cheap birthday party places in the East Bay

Adventure Playground

How about painting and sawing at Adventure Playground and picnicking at the spaces near Shorebird Park? A great option for a 6th birthday party since you have to be that old to ride the zipline. Here’s how we throw a birthday party at Adventure Playground.

Bike Ride

Depending on the age of your kiddo, this may be better as a scooter ride. Find your favorite flat stretch (here are some great places), and ride as a group. Bring along lunch and cupcakes to enjoy at the end. For the more adventurous, try Dirt World, maybe with a Mad Max type of themed party.

ocean beach kite kid — Beach and a kite – a party to remember! | Photo: Julia Gidwani

Beach Party

Try Albany Bulb for a close-by, small beach adventure (as long as your kiddo likes dogs though!). Keller Beach in Point Richmond is another great option, as is Crown Memorial Beach in Alameda. Or travel farther afield to one of these great beaches.

Codornices Park

Daniella tells us her favorite party park is Codornices for the big open field, playground and concrete slide. You can reserve a picnic spot, or get there early and grab the tables by the creek north of the tot park for free. Check out how to host a simple but fun birthday party at Codornices Park.

Fly a Kite

Wind is free and accessible throughout the East Bay, so consider putting together a Kite-Flying Party for your next birthday bash. Whitney went to a kite-flying birthday party with her daughter and had a blast. And here are three more windy spots to consider>

Little Farm at Tilden Park

Rachel and Britt love the Little Farm at Tilden, free for kiddos to run around and play. The nearby picnic sites need to be reserved, but they’re not too expensive. Bring enough celery for each child to feed a bunch to the goats. How to have an affordable kid birthday party at Little Farm.

Tilden Park’s Little Farm | Photo courtesy East Bay Regional Parks District

Public School Playgrounds

Check to see if your public school playground is open on the weekends, and tell everyone to bring their wheels and helmets. Set up a track with chalk and let the kids wheel around. Bring a ball and have an epic kickball game! Thousand Oaks School and Park is a popular spot.

Lagoon Swimming

For summer birthdays, check out one of the fun swimming holes in the East Bay. Don Castro and Cull Canyon both have first-come first-served picnic sites available and very cheap entry fees. Read more about our visits here and here.

Roberts Regional Park

Can be a picnic party in the spring or fall, or a swim party in the summer (pool set to re-open Summer 2024!). Here’s how to throw a cheap birthday party at Roberts Regional Park >

Splash Park

Summer birthdays can take advantage of a nearby splash park. Arrive early to get the perfect spot and bring water squirters or reusable water balloons for extra fun.

Steam Train at Tilden Park

If you have a train loving kiddo, the steam train at Tilden Park is a fabulous birthday party idea. First-come, first-served for the picnic tables located up the hill from the trains (in between the two parking lots). More information about the steam train here>

Temescal Regional Park

Some of the picnic sites are reservation-based, but many are FREE. Learn more about this hidden gem here>

Your Favorite Neighborhood Park

Pick up a dozen donuts and chocolate milk cartons to serve your guests at your neighborhood park. If you’re into Nerf or water guns, bring along your cache of weapons and have an epic battle with friends. We do this every year and it never disappoints. Bonus points if you set up a scavenger hunt!

Zipline Party

Pick a park with a zipline and let the kids go crazy. Create your own playground based obsticle course for bonus points. Here are a bunch of playgrounds with ziplines>