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.
Friday, June 1, 2018
Friday Family Day @ Albany Bowl
Location: Albany Bowl – 540 San Pablo Ave Albany
Drop in* and enjoy the striking Friday price at Albany Bowl! Not limited to only families, open to all bowlers! *Special price is for walk-ins only. Call for reservation prices.
Time: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Cost: $1.50 pp/game
Wee Play - Drop-in Play Center
Location: Alameda Veteran’s Memorial Building – 2203 Central Avenue Alameda
Come and experience Alameda’s play center for infants and toddlers ages 6 months to 3 years! Activities include developmental and exploratory play, music time, and coloring. Activities are minimally structured which allows children to enjoy and explore on their own terms. Children must be accompanied and supervised by a parent…
Time: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Cost: $6 Drop-in per day per child OR $60 Drop-in Card for 12 visits
Free Lego Club
Location: Oakland Public Library – Dimond Branch – 3565 Fruitvale Ave Oakland
Design, build, and explore with thousands of LEGO® and Duplo® on the first Friday of each month. Come play!
Time: 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Cost: Free
$5 First Fridays at Chabot Space & Science Center
Location: Chabot Space and & Science Center – 10000 Skyline Blvd Oakland
Each $5 First Friday at Chabot is an exciting and immersive experience for all ages! Join us for hands-on activities and live demonstrations that are fun for the whole family. Plus, this month: live music, game show, Megadome theater and Planetarium shows, sci-fi story time, comedy show, interstellar d.j., and…
Time: 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Cost: $5
First Friday (Live) Bunny Party!
Location: Ruby's Garden – 5026 Telegraph Ave. Oakland
Join us on the First Friday of every month for our Bunny Party. We'll have refreshments, special party discounts, and best of all: real live bunnies! It's an easy family outing and you can stroll Temescal Alley and get ice cream after. RSVP for a chance to win a goodie…
Time: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Cost: FREE
Movies in the Park - Paddington 2
Location: Piedmont Park – 711 Highland Ave Piedmont
Enjoy summer with a family movie in the park!
Time: 8:45 pm - 10:45 pm
Cost: FREE
Saturday, June 2, 2018
Free Classic Cars Craft Workshop
Location: Home Depot Emeryville – 3838 Hollis Avenue Emeryville
Share the nostalgic pastime of car modeling with your child in our classic car hands-on workshop. Together you can build a vintage General Motors-style wooden car to put on display or take for a ride “with no particular place to go. Once your vehicle is built, your child can customize…
Time: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Cost: FREE
Grand Lake Farmers' Market
Location: Grand Lake – Grand Ave and Lake Park Ave Oakland
It's easy to see why the Grand Lake - Oakland Farmers Market is widely acclaimed as the best farmers market in the East Bay. Making the most of the cozy Splash Pad Park, this market welcomes over 44 local farmers, 30 specialty food purveyors, and a handful of local artisans.…
Time: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Cost: Free
Downtown Berkeley Farmers Market
Location: Downtown Berkeley – Center Street @ Martin Luther King, Jr. Way Berkeley
The Ecology Center Farmers' Markets are festive, family-friendly, open-air marketplaces where California farmers bring fresh, locally-grown produce and farm-processed foods to sell directly to consumers. Our markets feature fruits, vegetables, nuts, baked goods, jams and preserves, juices, olive oils, tofu, meat, cheese, prepared foods, nursery plants, and flowers. Often, musicians…
Time: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Cost: Free
San Leandro Cherry Festival
Location: Downtown San Leandro – 320 West Estudillo Ave. San Leandro
Fill the streets of Downtown San Leandro for the city’s longest-standing tradition - the San Leandro Cherry Festival! Enjoy the cherries, food, live entertainment, and special kids zone. There Parade kicks off at 10:00am - San Leandro Blvd.
Time: 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
Cost: FREE
Storytime: Oh, the Places You'll Go!
Location: Barnes & Noble Bay Street – 5604 Bay Street Emeryville
With his trademark use of humorous verse and illustrations, Dr. Seuss addresses the ups and downs life presents while encouraging readers to find the success that lies within them all. Activities to follow.
Time: 11:00 am
Cost: FREE
FREE Family Dance Classes
Location: 81st Avenue Community Library – 1021 81st Ave. Oakland
Luna Dance Institute offers FREE family dance for adults and children. MPACT (Moving Parents and Children Together) classes are a fun and comfortable way for families to play and dance together. They facilitate the parent-child bond through relationship-based dance curriculum, and help parents gain confidence in their ability to interact physically with…
Time: 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Cost: FREE
Free Music in the Park: Roses in Bloom Acoustical Series
Location: Berkeley Rose Garden – 1200 Euclid Ave Berkeley
Enjoy an afternoon of free family music.
Time: 3:00 pm
Cost: FREE
Free "Where We Grow" Author Book Reading
Location: Bella Vita – 5511 College Avenue Oakland
Author/illustrator Leah Bullen will read from her Where We Grow series. Including The story of Gigi and the story of Gabriella. The Where We Grow series is designed to introduce different cultures and foster kindness as a way of life. These stories are designed to be read out loud and…
Time: 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Cost: Free
Free Outdoor Movie - James & The Giant Peach
Location: Tilden Nature Area Environmental Education Center – 600 Canon Dr Berkeley
Join us at Tilden Nature Area for a FREE family movie, featuring James and the Giant Peach, rated PG, 80 minutes. Movie begins shortly after sunset (8:30pm) and is a great way to spend the evening with loved ones. Arrive early to secure a good seat, and enjoy your surroundings.…
Time: 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Cost: FREE
Sunday, June 3, 2018
Free Day @ The Oakland Museum of California
Location: Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) – 1000 Oak Street Oakland
The Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) is free the first Sunday of the month.
Time: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Cost: Free
Puzzle, Book & Toy Swap
Location: Albany Community Center – 1249 Marin Ave Albany
Are yours toys bored with your kids? It's not fair to torture them any longer. Take the time to clean your house and give your gently used items a new home! HOW IT WORKS: Walk around your house with your children and have them help identify books, toys and puzzles…
Time: 9:00 am - 11:00 am
Cost: Free
FREE Butterfly & Bird Festival
Location: Coyote Hills Regional Park – 8000 Patterson Ranch Road Fremont
Join us for a joint celebration of nature's flying critters at this year's Butterfly & Bird Festival. Enjoy garden tours, family hands-on activities, educational speakers, photo presentations, and music. This event is dedicated to sharing 50 years worth of stories around increasing the numbers and species of butterflies and birds…
Time: 10:00 am - 3:30 pm
Cost: FREE
Jack London Square Farmers' Market
Location: Jack London Square – 70 Washington Street Oakland
This waterfront market offers the best of California's agricultural bounty direct from local farmers to you. You can find fruits, vegetables, greens and nuts as well as freshly baked breads and pastries, delicious specialty foods, fresh flowers and much more.
Time: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Cost:
Storytime and Crafts with Megan Lamb
Location: Kaleidoscope Coffee – 109 Park Place Richmond
Every month is something fun and different! Megan Lamb engages individual imaginations with arts, crafts and stories. Enjoy some quality time with your kiddo. Savor a rich cup of coffee or a refreshing mimosa while your youngster makes something cool! Ideal for anyone aged 4-10.
Time: 10:00 am - 10:30 am
Cost: Free
Sunday Streets Berkeley
Location: Shattuck Ave, Durant Ave, Telegraph Ave – Center St. Berkeley
Sunday Streets Berkeley is back! Enjoy this FREE community event, which will close off blocks of Shattuck, Durant, and Telegraph, so people of all ages can peacefully stroll, cycle, dance, and joyfully play! This year we’ll feature events such as: Downtown Berkeley Pet Parade, Cornerfest at Cornerstone, Spats Retro Dance…
Time: 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Cost: FREE
Salsa Sundays Music Series!
Location: Bay Street – 5616 Bay Street Emeryville
Bay Street is set to spice things up with the continuation of Salsa Sundays, a music series featuring a live salsa band and a dance floor with plenty of room, every Sunday in June. From pros to newbies, everyone is invited to turn up the heat and enjoy FREE festive…
Time: 2:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Cost: FREE
Monday, June 4, 2018
Aquatics Play Time
Location: East Oakland Sports Center – 9161 Edes Ave Oakland
Join us for Aquatics Play Time. Children are FREE with a paying adult (up to two kids per adult). Children MUST be 6 and under and any child under 4 years old MUST wear a swim diaper.
Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Cost: $8/adult
Wee Play - Drop-in Play Center
Location: Alameda Veteran’s Memorial Building – 2203 Central Avenue Alameda
Come and experience Alameda’s play center for infants and toddlers ages 6 months to 3 years! Activities include developmental and exploratory play, music time, and coloring. Activities are minimally structured which allows children to enjoy and explore on their own terms. Children must be accompanied and supervised by a parent…
Time: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Cost: $6 Drop-in per day per child OR $60 Drop-in Card for 12 visits
Community Sing-Along
Location: Alameda Main Library – 1550 Oak St. Alameda
Join us every Monday and Wednesday for Community sing-along - 45-minutes parent-led singing, dancing, shaker play, and parachute time. On Mondays, this program is before library open hours. Please enter from the rear parking lot, garden entrance.
Time: 10:15 am - 11:00 am
Cost: FREE
Baby Tickle Time! @ THPS
Location: Tarea Hall Pittman South Branch Berkeley Public Library – 1901 Russell St Berkeley
Join us for lapjogs, songs, books and music just for babies! This program is followed by an open playtime with toys and manipulatives.
Time: 11:00 am
Cost: Free
Free Rockin' Kids Sing-Along
Location: Albany Library – 1247 Marin Avenue Albany
Join East Bay children's musician Stephanie Pepitone for some singing, dancing and an instrument petting zoo. Fun for all ages; specializing in early childhood development. Featuring a mix of original children's music, multilingual nursery rhymes and family-friendly rock ‘n roll favorites.
Time: 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Cost: Free
Tuesday, June 5, 2018
Circle Time @ Bel & Bunna's Books
Location: Bel & Bunna's Books – 3581 Mt Diablo Blvd Lafayette
From newborns to 5 year olds, all are welcome to join in for a fun circle time. As well as a range of books for children and adults, the store is a great retreat from electronics and has bean bags to hang out on and read on; dolls; soft toys;…
Time: 9:15 am
Cost: FREE
Aquatics Play Time
Location: East Oakland Sports Center – 9161 Edes Ave Oakland
Join us for Aquatics Play Time. Children are FREE with a paying adult (up to two kids per adult). Children MUST be 6 and under and any child under 4 years old MUST wear a swim diaper.
Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Cost: $8/adult
Cheap Summer Movie Showing
Location: The Alameda Theatre & Cineplex – 2317 Central Ave Alameda
See a movie on the big screen on the cheap! Read more here>> Buy tickets here>> June 5, 6 Lego Batman June 12, 13 Boss Baby June 19, 20 Smurfs: The Lost Village June 26, 27 Captain Underpants July 3, 4 Despicable Me 3 July 10, 11 The Emoji Movie…
Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Cost: $2/Person
Free First Tuesday @ Conservatory of Flowers
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. Like a scene emerging from a children’s fairy tale pop-up book, it is the colors, shapes, and presentation of the flowers that draw you closer…
Time: 10:00 am - 4:30 pm
Cost: FREE
Baby & Toddler Storytime
Location: Tarea Hall Pittman South Branch Berkeley Public Library – 1901 Russell St Berkeley
Please bring a blanket to sit on. Join us as we discover the joy of books and language in this highly participatory program of books, songs, finger plays, friendly puppets and movement activities. This 25-minute program is followed by a 30-minute open play time with toys, puppets and manipulatives. Please…
Time: 10:15 am
Cost: FREE
Mommy and Me - Meal Prep for San Leandro Women's Shelter
Location: Castro Valley – Private Home- email for addess Castro Valley
Bring the kids and encourage them to engage in an act of kindness! Join us in preparing dinner for 30 women and children at Building Futures' San Leandro shelter. The women and children face domestic violence and homelessness challenges. We focus on making nutritious and delicious meals
Time: 10:30 am - 1:00 pm
Cost: FREE
Free Storytime with Muriel
Location: Bayfair Center – 15555 East 14th Street San Leandro
Join Muriel for Bayfair's weekly Story Time! This interactive hour of fun includes singing, educational activities, stories and a craft! All children 12 and under with parent/guardian are invited! Located by the circle at Entry 1 (near Macy's, Ulta & DSW). It's fun. It's free. It's the place to be!
Time: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Cost: FREE
Free Tot Tuesdays
Location: Alameda South Shore Center – 2219 A South Shore Center West Alameda
Family-friendly Tot Tuesdays are back this summer! Toddlers ages 1 (walking) to 3 years old are welcomed to play at Alameda South Center’s Adventure Court for story time, music and crafts. Caregivers are asked to stay with tots during playtime.
Time: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Cost: FREE
Lego Mania!
Location: 81st Avenue Community Library – 1021 81st Ave. Oakland
Play with library Legos and build something amazing! Join us on the first Tuesday of each month.
Time: 3:30 pm
Cost: FREE
Wednesday, June 6, 2018
Free First Wednesday @ The Bay Area Discovery Museum
Location: Bay Area Discovery Museum – 557 McReynolds Road Sausalito
Explore the Bay Area Discovery Museum the first Wednesday of each month for a full day of creative and fun experiences for all.
Time: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Cost: Free
Free Wednesdays at Botanical Gardens UC Berkeley
Location: UC Botanical Garden at Berkeley – 200 Centennial Dr. Berkeley
Walk around and admire the 34-acre UC Botanical Garden, one of the most diverse landscapes in the world. There are over 10,000 types of plants, including many rare and endangered species, that you can discover and learn about during the monthly free Wednesdays.
Time: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Cost: FREE
Cheap Summer Movie Showing
Location: The Alameda Theatre & Cineplex – 2317 Central Ave Alameda
See a movie on the big screen on the cheap! Read more here>> Buy tickets here>> June 5, 6 Lego Batman June 12, 13 Boss Baby June 19, 20 Smurfs: The Lost Village June 26, 27 Captain Underpants July 3, 4 Despicable Me 3 July 10, 11 The Emoji Movie…
Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Cost: $2/Person
Wee Play - Drop-in Play Center
Location: Alameda Veteran’s Memorial Building – 2203 Central Avenue Alameda
Come and experience Alameda’s play center for infants and toddlers ages 6 months to 3 years! Activities include developmental and exploratory play, music time, and coloring. Activities are minimally structured which allows children to enjoy and explore on their own terms. Children must be accompanied and supervised by a parent…
Time: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Cost: $6 Drop-in per day per child OR $60 Drop-in Card for 12 visits
Community Sing-Along
Location: Alameda Main Library – 1550 Oak St. Alameda
Join us every Monday and Wednesday for Community sing-along - 45-minutes parent-led singing, dancing, shaker play, and parachute time. On Mondays, this program is before library open hours. Please enter from the rear parking lot, garden entrance.
Time: 10:15 am - 11:00 am
Cost: FREE
Free Playgroup for Toddlers
Location: Melrose Branch Library – 4805 Foothill Blvd Oakland
Meetup for caregivers and playgroup for toddlers (ages 1-3 years). Enjoy • stories and songs • play with toys • delicious snack for children and caregivers • Free! No registration, drop-ins welcome!
Time: 10:15 am - 11:45 am
Cost: Free
Playgroup Storytime
Location: Tarea Hall Pittman South Branch Berkeley Public Library – 1901 Russell St Berkeley
Staff from the Bananas agency will teach children to laugh, explore, and create. Discover the many wonderful ways that play inspires learning. We will engage in pretend, play, celebrate music, create art, and dream up inventions while gaining new parenting tools and learning about child development.
Time: 10:30 am
Cost: FREE
Pee Wee Playtime at Bay Street
Location: Bay Street – 5616 Bay Street Emeryville
Bay Street invites parents and little ones to an hour and a half of free fun at Pee Wee Playtime every Wednesday in June. This popular series has interactive storytelling, dancing, sing-alongs, arts, crafts and more, for both parents and children (age one to five years old) to enjoy together.…
Time: 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Cost: FREE
Summer Sounds - Free Lunchtime Concert!
Location: 12th Street Oakland City Center BART – 1245 Broadway Oakland
Come down to Oakland’s City Center for free concerts outside the 12th Street Oakland City Center BART station. The concert series give a little taste of everything, from Motown and folk to classic and jazz bands.
Time: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Cost: FREE
Free After School Art Program!
Location: Artvale Gallery – 3463 Champion St Oakland
Enjoy Painting, Drawing, Sculpting, Collage and Paper-Works and much much more! The after school program is FREE for all local kids K-12
Time: 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Cost: FREE
Thursday, June 7, 2018
$1.50 Thursday Bowl Special
Location: Albany Bowl – 540 San Pablo Ave Albany
Every Thursday is "Let's Bowl" Special at Albany Bowl. The special $1.50 per person price is for walk-ins only, call for reservation prices (still need to pay for shoe rental which is $4.50 per person).
Time: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Cost: $1.50 per person, per game and $4.50 shoe rental per person
Circle Time @ Bel & Bunna's Books
Location: Bel & Bunna's Books – 3581 Mt Diablo Blvd Lafayette
From newborns to 5 year olds, all are welcome to join in for a fun circle time. As well as a range of books for children and adults, the store is a great retreat from electronics and has bean bags to hang out on and read on; dolls; soft toys;…
Time: 9:15 am
Cost: FREE
BAMPFA Free First Thursday
Location: Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive (BAMPFA) – 2155 Center Street Berkeley
Galleries free for all on the first Thursday of each month
Time: 11:00 am - 7:00 pm
Cost: FREE
Music & Movement @ Kids Gym Berkeley
Location: Kids Gym Berkeley – 2920 Seventh St. Berkeley
Today with your general admission to open play you can also enjoy music and movement! JAMaROO Kids has created combining our music program with our creative movement and dance program. During this class, students will sing traditional children’s songs and learn many new ones. They will have the opportunity to…
Time: 11:10 am - 11:40 am
Cost: $15 per child $12 Sibling
These and other amazing family-friendly activities are kept on our calendar. Find more over there >
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