We’ve got a ton of free and cheap activities for your family this month. Some of the best things in life are FREE, right? Now go do them with your kids in the East Bay already. Put your wallet away. Clicking the red title will take you right to our calendar entry with lots more info.
Tuesday, January 25, 2022
Trial Soccer Class for Ages 2-4
Location: Future Star Baseball Fields – 12000 Campus Drive Oakland
Register for a trial KickStart soccer class from One Village sports. Tuesdays, Jan 18 or 25 for a free trial (the Winter season continues through…
Time: 9:40 am - 12:00 pm
Cost: Free (new players only; one per player)
Wednesday, January 26, 2022
Virtual Family Storytime
Location: *Online* – Your House Your House
Join for stories, songs, fingerplays and more during virtual family storytime hosted by Berkeley Public Library on Facebook Live! Ages 0-5.
Time: 10:30 am - 11:00 am
Cost: Free
Sponsor
MOCHA Art Workshop in the Library (Spanish Bilingual): César E. Chávez Branch
Location: Cesar Chavez Branch | Oakland Public Library – 3301 E. 12th Street, Suite 271 Oakland
Join artists from the Museum of Children's Art MOCHA as they lead art workshops for children. Each week the artist will present art related to a…
Time: 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Cost: Free
Friday, January 28, 2022
Trial Soccer Class for Ages 3-4
Location: Future Star Baseball Fields – 12000 Campus Drive Oakland
Register for a trial KickStart soccer class from One Village sports. Fridays, Jan 21 or 28 for a free trial (the Winter season continues through…
Time: 9:40 am - 11:30 am
Cost: Free (new players only; one per player)
Sponsor
Storytime and Fish Viewing
Location: Crab Cove Visitor Center – 1231 McKay Ave Alameda
Come meet story characters like the Lorax, hermit crabs, and “Swimmy the Fish,” then meet a real animal, do a craft or scavenger hunt! No…
Time: 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Cost: Free
Free Telescope Viewings
Location: Chabot Space & Science Center – 10000 Skyline Blvd Oakland
Join Chabot astronomers on the Observatory Deck for a free telescope viewing! Weather permitting, this is a chance to explore stars, planets and more through…
Time: 7:30 pm - 10:30 pm
Cost: Free
Saturday, January 29, 2022
Drop-In Family Art Making
Location: de Young Museum – 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr. San Francisco
The Family Art Making table offers a drop-in art project activity led by professional teaching artists on select Saturdays from 11 am–3 pm. Artists of…
Time: 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Cost: Free, advance registration required
Music, Dance, and Storytelling in the Garden
Location: Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) – 1000 Oak Street Oakland
Welcome back to campus for OMCA's new free program series “Lunchtime Sessions: Music, Dance, and Storytelling in the Garden.” Grab your favorite picnic blanket, bring…
Time: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Cost: Free
Lunar New Year Celebration
Location: Jack London Square – 70 Washington Street Oakland
Jack London Square will be celebrating the “Year of the Tiger” with a fun-filled Lunar New Year event in the plaza by Plank. During the…
Time: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Cost: Free
Oakland Little Saigon Lunar New Year Celebration
Location: Clinton Square Park – 1230 6th Ave. Oakland
Join a Lunar New Year Celebration, known as Tết in Vietnamese culture, hosted by Oakland Vietnamese Chamber of Commerce. The outdoor event will include music, fashion,…
Time: 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Cost: Free
Free Telescope Viewings
Location: Chabot Space & Science Center – 10000 Skyline Blvd Oakland
Join Chabot astronomers on the Observatory Deck for a free telescope viewing! Weather permitting, this is a chance to explore stars, planets and more through…
Time: 7:30 pm - 10:30 pm
Cost: Free
Sunday, January 30, 2022
Temescal Farmer’s Market
Location: Temescal Farmer’s Market – 5300 Claremont Ave Oakland
Shop for produce, flowers, packaged goods, and more at the Temescal Farmer’s Market, located in the parking lot of the North Oakland DMV (5300 Claremont…
Time: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Cost: Free entry
SelfCare Sunday Family Bike Rides
Location: Unity Park on the Richmond Greenway – 16th and Ohio Ave Richmond
Come ride with Rich City Rides on Sundays. The family-friendly bike rides take place on the beautiful paths of Richmond. Everybody rides, all riders, all…
Time: 10:30 am - 1:00 pm
Cost: Free
Lunar New Year Virtual Storytelling
Location: *Online* – Your House Your House
San Francisco's Asian Art Museum welcomes the Year of the Tiger with this fun virtual Lunar New Year storytelling program for the whole family. Why…
Time: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Cost: Free, registration required
Drop-In Art Project: Valentine’s Day Mason Jar Vase
Location: Michaels, Alameda – 2650 S 5th St, Ste 10 Alameda
Come in store to make a Valentine’s Day Vase using a mason jar! There will also be a kids take & make craft kit available.
Time: 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Cost: Free
Monday, January 31, 2022
Free Hour at Japanese Tea Garden
Location: Japanese Tea Garden – 75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive San Francisco
Enjoy the beautiful setting of the Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. Enter between 9-10 am every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for…
Time: 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Cost: Free before 10am
Visit the Little Farm
Location: Tilden Little Farm – 600 Canon Dr Berkeley
Bring celery or lettuce to feed the animals—cows, chickens, pigs, and sheep—at Tilden Park's Little Farm. Free fun for all! Learn more >
Time: 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
Cost: Free
Tuesday, February 1, 2022
Free Admission Hours
Location: San Francisco Botanical Garden – 1199 9th Avenue San Francisco
Enter the San Francisco Botanical Gardens between 7:30 - 9 am for free admission. Explore the grounds, including the Children's Garden. Dig, water, pick, build,…
Time: 7:30 am - 9:00 am
Cost: Free before 9am
Free Admission Day
Location: de Young Museum – 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr. San Francisco
General admission is free the first Tuesday of every month. This offer applies only to the permanent collection galleries. Full-priced admission to special exhibitions still…
Time: 9:30 am - 5:15 pm
Cost: Free
Free First Tuesday
Location: Conservatory of Flowers – Golden Gate Park, 100 John F. Kennedy Drive San Francisco
Explore flowers in one of the oldest buildings in the Golden Gate Park on the first Tuesday of the month - the Conservatory of Flowers.…
Time: 10:00 am - 4:30 pm
Cost: FREE
Hikes for Tykes
Location: Lake Chabot Regional Park – 17936 Lake Chabot Rd Castro Valley
Discover what animals and plants live in and near the lake! Take a hike and tire-out the tykes by exploring in nature before naptime! Join…
Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Cost: Free
Story Time at Grove Street Park
Location: Grove Park – 1730 Oregon Street Berkeley
Join BPL's librarians for books, rhymes and songs geared for toddlers and babies. Gather in front of the recreation building near the toddler play area.…
Time: 10:30 am - 11:00 am
Cost: Free
MOCHA Art Workshop in the Library: Main Branch
Location: Main Library | Oakland Public Library – 125 14th St Oakland
Join artists from the Museum of Children's Art MOCHA as they lead art workshops for children. Each week the artist will present art related to a…
Time: 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Cost: Free
Wednesday, February 2, 2022
MOCHA Art Workshop in the Library (Spanish Bilingual): César E. Chávez Branch
Location: Cesar Chavez Branch | Oakland Public Library – 3301 E. 12th Street, Suite 271 Oakland
Join artists from the Museum of Children's Art MOCHA as they lead art workshops for children. Each week the artist will present art related to a…
Time: 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Cost: Free
Thursday, February 3, 2022
Musical Storytime in the Park
Location: George Florence Park – 2121 Tenth Street Berkeley
Please join Berkeley librarians for a weekly outdoor storytime fun at George Florence Park. For children ages 2-5, but older and younger children are welcome as…
Time: 10:30 am - 11:00 am
Cost: Free
Friday, February 4, 2022
Storytime and Fish Viewing
Location: Crab Cove Visitor Center – 1231 McKay Ave Alameda
Come meet story characters like the Lorax, hermit crabs, and “Swimmy the Fish,” then meet a real animal, do a craft or scavenger hunt! No…
Time: 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Cost: Free
Teen Game Nights
Location: Asian Branch | Oakland Public Library – 388 9th Street, Suite 190 Oakland
Asian Branch Library invites teens to join on Fridays after school for Game Nights. Get ready to have some fun and meet other teens! Ages…
Time: 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Cost: Free
Oakland First Fridays: Family-friendly Street Party
Location: Telegraph Ave & W Grand Ave – Telegraph Ave & W Grand Ave Oakland
From 5 pm to 9 pm, there'll be food, music, community, and art along Telegraph St between West Grand and 27th Streets. To keep this…
Time: 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Cost: Free to attend, food and shopping costs
Free Telescope Viewings
Location: Chabot Space & Science Center – 10000 Skyline Blvd Oakland
Join Chabot astronomers on the Observatory Deck for a free telescope viewing! Weather permitting, this is a chance to explore stars, planets and more through…
Time: 7:30 pm - 10:30 pm
Cost: Free
Saturday, February 5, 2022
Lunar New Year Celebration
Location: Central Library | Berkeley Public Library – 2090 Kittredge Berkeley
Celebrate the Year of the Tiger with Berkeley Public Library and Downtown Berkeley Association. Join for a storytime, crafts and Leung's White Crane Lion Dancers.…
Time: 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Cost: Free
Community Day: Lunar New Year
Location: San Jose Museum of Art – 110 S Market St San Jose
Join San Jose Museum of Art in welcoming the year of the Tiger online and onsite, with virtual artmaking activities, cultural demonstrations, and live performances.…
Time: 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Cost: Free
Free Telescope Viewings
Location: Chabot Space & Science Center – 10000 Skyline Blvd Oakland
Join Chabot astronomers on the Observatory Deck for a free telescope viewing! Weather permitting, this is a chance to explore stars, planets and more through…
Time: 7:30 pm - 10:30 pm
Cost: Free
Sunday, February 6, 2022
Temescal Farmer’s Market
Location: Temescal Farmer’s Market – 5300 Claremont Ave Oakland
Shop for produce, flowers, packaged goods, and more at the Temescal Farmer’s Market, located in the parking lot of the North Oakland DMV (5300 Claremont…
Time: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Cost: Free entry
Abalone and Pine Nut Bead Making
Location: Coyote Hills Regional Park – 8000 Patterson Ranch Road Fremont
Ohlone Peoples knowledge and connection to the land enabled them to thrive as the First Peoples of this land and who are still here today.…
Time: 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Cost: Free
Akoma Outdoor Market
Location: Liberation Park – 7101 Foothill Blvd Oakland
Join the East Oakland Black Cultural Zone at the Akoma Outdoor Market on the 1st Sunday of the month (weather permitting). Support Black & Brown…
Time: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Cost: Free entry
First Sundays at OMCA
Location: Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) – 1000 Oak Street Oakland
Spend your weekend at First Sundays at OMCA! Grab a custom to-go picnic box from OMCA's café and enjoy the updated sculpture and outdoor spaces,…
Time: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Cost: Free, suggested donation of $5 per person
SelfCare Sunday Family Bike Rides
Location: Unity Park on the Richmond Greenway – 16th and Ohio Ave Richmond
Come ride with Rich City Rides on Sundays. The family-friendly bike rides take place on the beautiful paths of Richmond. Everybody rides, all riders, all…
Time: 10:30 am - 1:00 pm
Cost: Free
Nature Storytime
Location: Del Valle Regional Park – 7000 Del Valle Rd Livermore
Join us for some nature and a good book on the first and third Saturday. We'll read aloud to your family and friends, discuss what…
Time: 11:00 am - 11:30 am
Cost: Free; $6 parking fees
OACC 2022 Lunar New Year Celebration
Location: Oakland Asian Cultural Center – 388 9th St (Suite 290) Oakland
In recognition of the diversity of new year’s festivities across the Asian Pacific region, OACC presents a hybrid celebration of Asian Pacific New Year traditions…
Time: 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Cost: Free
Monday, February 7, 2022
Free Hour at Japanese Tea Garden
Location: Japanese Tea Garden – 75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive San Francisco
Enjoy the beautiful setting of the Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. Enter between 9-10 am every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for…
Time: 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Cost: Free before 10am
Visit the Little Farm
Location: Tilden Little Farm – 600 Canon Dr Berkeley
Bring celery or lettuce to feed the animals—cows, chickens, pigs, and sheep—at Tilden Park's Little Farm. Free fun for all! Learn more >
Time: 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
Cost: Free
Tuesday, February 8, 2022
Free Admission Day
Location: San Francisco Botanical Garden – 1199 9th Avenue San Francisco
On the second Tuesday of the month, gain free admission to the San Francisco Botanical Garden.
Time: 7:30 am - 4:00 pm
Cost: Free
Free Admission Hours
Location: San Francisco Botanical Garden – 1199 9th Avenue San Francisco
Enter the San Francisco Botanical Gardens between 7:30 - 9 am for free admission. Explore the grounds, including the Children's Garden. Dig, water, pick, build,…
Time: 7:30 am - 9:00 am
Cost: Free before 9am
Little Learners Virtual Storytime
Location: *Online* – Your House Your House
Join this virtual storytime as children learn through stories, songs, and movement activities. Toddlers, preschoolers and families are welcome. Little Learners Storytime is held on…
Time: 10:00 am - 10:30 am
Cost: Free
Story Time at Grove Street Park
Location: Grove Park – 1730 Oregon Street Berkeley
Join BPL's librarians for books, rhymes and songs geared for toddlers and babies. Gather in front of the recreation building near the toddler play area.…
Time: 10:30 am - 11:00 am
Cost: Free
MOCHA Art Workshop in the Library: Main Branch
Location: Main Library | Oakland Public Library – 125 14th St Oakland
Join artists from the Museum of Children's Art MOCHA as they lead art workshops for children. Each week the artist will present art related to a…
Time: 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Cost: Free
Teen Tidbits: Citrus Fruits
Location: Central Library | Berkeley Public Library – 2090 Kittredge Berkeley
Hey teens! Stop by the Library after school to taste test a variety of winter citrus fruits. The Library starts tastings at 3:30 PM and…
Time: 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Cost: Free
Wednesday, February 9, 2022
MOCHA Art Workshop in the Library (Spanish Bilingual): César E. Chávez Branch
Location: Cesar Chavez Branch | Oakland Public Library – 3301 E. 12th Street, Suite 271 Oakland
Join artists from the Museum of Children's Art MOCHA as they lead art workshops for children. Each week the artist will present art related to a…
Time: 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Cost: Free
All About Owls: Virtual Presentation
Location: *Online* – Your House Your House
Whooo isn’t fascinated by owls? Learn all about these curious creatures in this live Zoom presentation with 3 ambassador owls from the Ojai Raptor Center,…
Time: 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Cost: Free
Thursday, February 10, 2022
Musical Storytime in the Park
Location: George Florence Park – 2121 Tenth Street Berkeley
Please join Berkeley librarians for a weekly outdoor storytime fun at George Florence Park. For children ages 2-5, but older and younger children are welcome as…
Time: 10:30 am - 11:00 am
Cost: Free
These and other amazing family-friendly activities are kept on our calendar. Find more over there >
