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.
Saturday, September 24, 2022
Free Entrance Day at National Parks
Location: Muir Woods – 1 Muir Woods Rd Mill Valley
Come experience the national parks, including nearby Muir Woods National Monument! On five days in 2022, all National Park Service sites that charge an entrance…
Time: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Cost: Free entry
Rides and Readers Classic Car Show
Location: San Leandro Public Main Library – 300 Estudillo Avenue San Leandro
Join SLPL for its first Car show event at the Library!
Time: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Cost: Free
Sponsor
Berkeley Old Time Music Convention Kids' Show
Location: Civic Center Park (Berkeley) – 2151 Martin Luther King Jr. Way Berkeley
Families and music lovers of all ages are welcome to enjoy the Berkeley Old Time Music Convention's special kids' show. This year the guest is…
Time: 10:15 am - 10:45 am
Cost: Free
Toddler Storytime
Location: Main Library | Alameda Free Library – 1550 Oak St. Alameda
Toddler Storytime is a 20-30 minute program that uses stories, songs, fingerplays, and movement to help young children ages 1-3 years old develop word and…
Time: 10:30 am - 11:00 am
Cost: Free
Sponsor
Albany Concerts in the Park
Location: Memorial Park | Albany – 1325 Portland Ave Albany
Gather at Memorial Park in Albany for a free Concert in the Park. Play on the exciting playgrounds or enjoy the musical performances. 2022 Schedule:…
Time: 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Cost: FREE
Family Fun on the Farm
Location: Forest Home Farms Historic Park – 19953 San Ramon Valley Blvd San Ramon
Fun on the Farm Activities is FREE crafts and activities that highlight farm life and the late Victorian era. These Saturday events are an opportunity to step…
Time: 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Cost: Free
Free Saturday Programming for Families
Location: de Young Museum – 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr. San Francisco
de Young Museum invites Bay Area families to attend a literacy-themed, "back to school" program with Get Empowered! and Youth Speaks. This free event includes…
Time: 11:00 am - 2:30 pm
Cost: Free
Pear and Wine Festival
Location: Moraga Commons Park – 1425 St. Mary's Road Moraga
The annual Pear and Wine Festival is a community event celebrating Moraga’s heritage and fall harvest. This family-friendly event features kids' activities, jump house, pie…
Time: 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Cost: Free
The Oakland Black-Eyed Pea Festival
Location: Oakland Technical High School Football Field – 365 45th Street Oakland
The 7th Annual Black-Eyed Pea Festival is a celebration of African American Tradition through soul food, live music and art. There will also be arts…
Time: 11:00 am - 6:00 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, September 25, 2022
Montclair Village Farmers' Market
Location: Montclair Village – Mountain and Medau Place Oakland
Shop fresh produce, bakery goods, flowers and more at Montclair Village's weekly Farmers' Market. Located on La Salle Avenue at Moraga Avenue. CLOSED on Christmas &…
Time: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Cost: Free entry
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
Chicken Party and Rabbit Fest
Location: Tilden Little Farm – 600 Canon Dr Berkeley
Commune with popular farm animals and learn how to be a good farmyard citizen. Meet at the bird pen. No registration required; Drop-in Program only.
Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Cost: Free
Mommy and Me Tot Group
Location: Washington Park – 740 Central Avenue Alameda
Join a weekly meet-up for Moms and Tots ages 0-3. Mommy and Me offers the opportunity to meet other Moms, share experiences, discuss motherhood and…
Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Cost: Free; Register in advance
Self-Care 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: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Cost: Free
Rosh Hashanah Celebration for "Tots"
Location: Temple Israel & Community Center (Alameda) – 3183 Mecartney Road Alameda
Ring in the new year with this adorable Rosh Hashanah Early Childhood Service geared for children ages 0-5 years with their families. Gather in the…
Time: 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Cost: Free
Golden State Model Trains Operating
Location: Golden State Model Railroad Museum – 900-A Dornan Drive Point Richmond
A visit to the 10,000 square foot Museum of operating model trains provides an inexpensive, fun-filled outing for young and old, with plenty of room…
Time: 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Cost: $5/Adult; $3/Children (4-11, kids under 4 are free); $10/Family
Michael's Drop-In Craft Project: Candy Corn Clay Pot
Location: Michaels, Alameda – 2650 S 5th St, Ste 10 Alameda
Head over to your local Michael's for a fun craft during their Sunday Make Break! This session will focus on how to make a painted…
Time: 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Cost: Free
Monday, September 26, 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 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
MOCHA Art Workshop in the Library: 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
Children's High Holy Day Services - Rosh Hashanah
Location: Beth Chaim Congregation – 1800 Holbrook Drive Danville
Celebrate the High Holy Days with puppets, musical prayers, singing, dancing, stories and instruments! Fun for the whole family, with a focus on children ages…
Time: 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Cost: Free
Soulful Storytime: Rosh Hashanah Edition!
Location: Central Park (Lake Elizabeth) – 40000 Paseo Padre Pkwy Fremont
Join for another Soulful Storytime: Rosh Hashanah edition. Celebrate the Jewish New year with stories, crafts, and friends! Bring a blanket or mat to sit…
Time: 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Cost: Free; Register in advance
Family Storytime
Location: San Pablo Public Library – 13751 San Pablo Avenue San Pablo
Join at San Pablo Library for family storytime every Monday at 5:15pm. Reading stories and singing songs together is a wonderful opportunity for young children…
Time: 5:15 pm - 5:45 pm
Cost: Free
Tuesday, September 27, 2022
Baby Bounce: Songs and Playtime
Location: Golden Gate Branch | Oakland Public Library – 5606 San Pablo Avenue Oakland
Bring your babies to the library for songs, socializing, and playtime! Best for parents and caregivers with babies from birth to 18 months. Every Tuesday…
Time: 10:15 am - 10:45 am
Cost: Free
Storytime and Playtime in the Library
Location: Melrose Branch | Oakland Public Library – 4805 Foothill Blvd Oakland
Families are invited to a Storytime with rhymes, books, and songs! It will be followed by playtime and toys. All kids welcome, but program is…
Time: 10:15 am - 11:30 am
Cost: FREE
Toddler Storytime
Location: Piedmont Ave. Branch | Oakland Public Library – 80 Echo Avenue Oakland
Songs, active rhymes, and stories especially for ages 18 months to 3 years. Every Tuesday at 10:15 am. This storytime will take place outdoors weather…
Time: 10:15 am - 10:45 am
Cost: Free
Spanish Bilingual Storytime/Hora De Cuentos Bilingüe
Location: San Leandro Public Main Library – 300 Estudillo Avenue San Leandro
Join for stories, songs, and other interactive, fun activities in a bilingual environment (English & Spanish)! This program is designed for children ages 2 to…
Time: 10:30 am - 11:15 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
Toddler Storytime
Location: West End Branch | Alameda Free Library – 788 Santa Clara Avenue Alameda
Toddler Storytime is a 20-30 minute program that uses stories, songs, fingerplays, and movement to help young children ages 1-3 years old develop word and…
Time: 10:30 am - 11:00 am
Cost: FREE
Family Storytime
Location: West Oakland Branch | Oakland Public Library – 1801 Adeline St Oakland
Family storytimes are great for all ages. Bring the whole family to enjoy these stories and activities! This storytime will take place indoors. For your safety and…
Time: 11:30 am - 12:00 pm
Cost: Free
Preschool Storytime
Location: San Leandro Public Main Library – 300 Estudillo Avenue San Leandro
Get ready for kindergarten with preschool storytime, featuring books, songs and rhymes, flannel stories, and lots of movement, followed by a craft activity. Perfect program…
Time: 3:30 pm - 4:15 pm
Cost: Free
Family Storytime
Location: Kensington Library – 61 Arlington Ave Kensington
Families are invited to join for lots of picture books, songs, rhymes, and fun! Stuffed animals & pajamas welcome.
Time: 6:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Cost: Free
Wednesday, September 28, 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
Outdoor Toddler Storytime
Location: Dimond Park – 3699 Dimond Ave Oakland
Songs, active rhymes, and stories especially for ages 18 months to 3 years. Join OPL librarians at Dimond Park's Toddler lot. Storytime starts at 10:15…
Time: 10:15 am - 10:30 am
Cost: Free
Musical Storytime
Location: El Sobrante Library – 4191 Appian Way El Sobrante
Join for stories, music, and movement each week. Library storytime is a great way to help young children build their early literacy and social skills.…
Time: 10:30 am - 11:00 am
Cost: Free
Toddler Time
Location: San Leandro Public Main Library – 300 Estudillo Avenue San Leandro
Join for stories, rhymes and romps - just the right pace for you & your toddler up to age 3. This program is designed for…
Time: 10:30 am - 11:00 am
Cost: Free
Little Listeners Storyime
Location: San Lorenzo Library – 395 Paseo Grande San Lorenzo
Come for stories, songs, and fun on Wednesday mornings! This storytime is designed for preschool aged children. However, all are welcome. Each week, libraries and…
Time: 11:00 am - 11:45 am
Cost: Free
Crafts at King Branch
Location: Martin Luther King Jr. Branch | Oakland Library – 6833 International Blvd Oakland
Stop by the King branch every Wednesday from 2:00-3:30 pm for all ages inclusive craft programs! Fun activities include painting, jewelry making, and perler beads.…
Time: 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Cost: Free
Make and Play Lab
Location: Albany Library – 1247 Marin Avenue Albany
Drop by the Albany Library after school every Wednesday* at the Albany Library for crafts, STEAM activities, Lego building, and more! We'll be doing a…
Time: 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
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: 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Cost: Free
Downtown San Leandro Farmers Market
Location: San Leandro Public Main Library – 300 Estudillo Avenue San Leandro
The Downtown San Leandro Farmers Market takes place weekly in the Main Library parking lot (a new location from previous years) from April 6 through…
Time: 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Cost: Free
School-Age Kids' Storytime
Location: Main Library | Alameda Free Library – 1550 Oak St. Alameda
Designed for children ages 5-8 in mind, this storytime incorporates longer songs and stories, perfect for children with longer attention spans. Parents and caregivers must…
Time: 3:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Cost: Free
Cascada De Flores Performance
Location: Richmond Public Library – 325 Civic Center Plaza Richmond
El Brujo y la Sirena is a story about a wizard, a mermaid, and the sea creatures that help them. Sing and dance with the…
Time: 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Cost: Free
Family Storytime
Location: San Leandro Public Main Library – 300 Estudillo Avenue San Leandro
Family Storytime features books, songs and rhymes, and flannel stories for families with kids of all ages to enjoy, followed by a craft (this storytime…
Time: 6:30 pm - 7:15 pm
Cost: Free
Thursday, September 29, 2022
Storytime for Little Ones
Location: El Cerrito Library – 6510 Stockton Ave El Cerrito
Join for music, finger plays, flannels, and book-centered fun for little ones! All children are welcome at this free program. Best suited for children ages…
Time: 10:15 am - 10:30 am
Cost: Free
Toddler Storytime
Location: Golden Gate Branch | Oakland Public Library – 5606 San Pablo Avenue Oakland
Songs, active rhymes and stories especially for ages 18 months to 3 years. Every Thursday at 10:15 am. See you there!
Time: 10:15 am - 10:45 am
Cost: Free
Toddler Storytime
Location: Montclair Branch | Oakland Public Library – 1687 Mountain Boulevard Oakland
At toddler storytime, toddlers and caregivers enjoy songs, active rhymes, and stories, especially for kids 18 months to 3 years old. There's also always lots…
Time: 10:15 am - 10:45 am
Cost: Free
Family Storytime
Location: Pinole Library – 2935 Pinole Valley Rd Pinole
Please join for the return of storytime at your local library! Prepare your littles for literacy with lively stories and songs. All kids ages welcome.…
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 >
