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 1, 2018
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
Crab Cove Fish Festival
Location: Crab Cove Visitor Center – 1252 McKay Ave Alameda
Celebrate all things fishy at Crab Cove Visitor Center and Aquarium's annual Fish Festival! Decorate your bike for the chance to win prizes in our special Fish on a Bike Parade at noon (along a family-friendly parade route). Experts will give free fishing lessons all day, and Crab Cove’s Aquarium will…
Time: 10:00 am - 4:00 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
Kids Club Craft with Michaels
Location: Michaels, Emeryville – 3991 Hollis St. Emeryville
They craft, you shop! Kids 3 and up can enjoy a quick project. Sign up in store or online, or just drop in. $2 per project, ages 3+, supplies included. Parent or guardian must remain on premises during the event.
Time: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Cost: $2-5/Child
Family and Youth Shabbat Services
Location: Temple Beth Abraham – 327 MacArthur Blvd Oakland
Shabbat morning services are the first Saturday of each month starting in September and ending in May. There are two age-appropriate services. Shabbat Mishpacha is for families and pre-school age children for an interactive hour of singing and dancing ending with a small snack. Families are welcome to hang around…
Time: 10:15 am - 11:15 am
Cost: free
Free Crafts for Kids
Location: Lakeshore Learning Center – 1929 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Walnut Creek
Join Lakeshore Learning every Saturday for a fun, free craft. Best for ages 3+.
Time: 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Cost: Free
Free Crafts for Kids
Location: Lakshore Learning – 1144 Montague Ave San Leandro
Join us every Saturday for FREE crafts for kids. No reservation necessary. To find out what we're making, check here>
Time: 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Cost: Free
Free Summer Beats Concert
Location: Alameda South Shore Center Court – 523 South Shore Center West Alameda
Alameda South Shore Center hosts the annual Summer Beats Concert Series, featuring notable bands in a festive outdoor atmosphere throughout the summer, a glitter tattoo artist, face painting, wine, beer, and more. The free outdoor concert series kicks off on Saturday, August 18th with Pride and Joy and will end…
Time: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Cost: Free
Sunday, September 2, 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
Brazilian Street Festival
Location: BrasArte – 1901 San Pablo Ave Berkeley
The FREE festivities unfold in Berkeley as a street party with musical procession, capoeira and dance demonstrations, live music, children's games, Brazilian food, Beer & Caipirnha gardens and a welcoming samba circle for all. The Afro-Brazilian festival honors two major celebrations in Brazil - Brazil's Independence Day and a recreation…
Time: 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
Cost: FREE
FREE ABSC Soccer Sunday Playdates (Ages 4-6)
Location: Albany Memorial Park – 1325 Portland Ave Albany
ABSC invites children ages 4-6 to FREE play dates to experience the the exciting and social game of soccer. Our Under-5, Under-6 and Under-7 Programs provide young players with a pressure free introduction to the world’s most popular sport with developmentally appropriate activities. Through creative play we work on developing…
Time: 10:00 am - 11:15 am
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
Tuesday, September 4, 2018
Baby Storytime (0-2years)
Location: Richmond Public Library – West Side Branch – 135 Washington Avenue Richmond
Aimed at babies from birth to 2 years. Join us for lively sixty-minute programs held regularly each week. Led by our talented librarians, children will hear stories, sing songs, and learn fingerplays. Story times can help encourage brain development, increase vocabulary, and improve motor skills. At the same time, children,…
Time: 9:30 am - 10:30 am
Cost: FREE
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: Berkeley Public Library – South Branch (Tarea Hall Pittman) – 1901 Russell Street 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
Wednesday, September 5, 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
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
Jamaroo Dance & Music Class!
Location: Habitot Children's Museum – 2065 Kittredge St. Berkeley
Get those wiggles out and let the little ones dance around at the free dance and music class. Kids will develop coordination, strength, balance, self esteem, flexibility, music appreciation, creative thinking and more! The class is held weekly in the Infant-Toddler Garden.
Time: 10:30 am
Cost: Free with admission/membership, $12.00 – Children & Adults (FREE under 12 mo.)
Bear Cubs Open Gym!
Location: Golden Bear Recreation Center at UC Berkeley – 25 Sports Lane Berkeley
Drop-in and enjoy Bear Cubs Open Gym - a perfect opportunity for your kid to burn off some steam in a fun environment! Gym time is designed for children from 1-5 years old. Children must be accompanied by a caretaker. Don’t forget to bring a packed lunch!
Time: 11:45 am - 1:15 pm
Cost: $5/child
Thursday, September 6, 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
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
North Berkeley Farmers' Market
Location: North Berkeley – Shattuck Avenue @ Rose Street 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: 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Cost: Free
Free Yoga at the North Berkeley Farmers' Market
Location: North Berkeley – Shattuck Avenue @ Rose Street Berkeley
Join us at the North Berkeley Farmers' Market for free yoga classes for the whole family with Yoga Kula!
Time: 4:00 pm - 5:15 pm
Cost: Free
Friday, September 7, 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
Tip Top Tots Sing-And-Dance Along (RSVP Required)
Location: Tip Top Bike Shop – 4800 Telegraph Ave Oakland
Tip Top Bike Shop is pleased to present our first-ever Tip Top Tots event. Join singer-songwriter, educator and mother, Melita, for a joyful and interactive sing-and-dance-along. Using puppets and an array of acoustic instruments, she inspires little ones to discover their creative spark through song, story, movement, and dance. Perks:…
Time: 10:00 am - 10:30 am
Cost: Free
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
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 from 3:30-5:00. 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
Lion King (Movies Under the Stars)
Location: Tice Valley Park – 2055 Tice Valley Blvd Walnut Creek
Free, family-friendly outdoor music and movies return this summer! Movies begin at sunset, with live music beforehand. Please do not bring pets. Music & Movies Under the Stars are brought to you by the City of Walnut Creek, Walnut Creek Arts + Recreation and Walnut Creek Downtown. Tice Park events are sponsored…
Time: 6:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Cost: FREE
Saturday, September 8, 2018
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
Castro Valley Fall Festival
Location: Eden Area Chamber of Commerce – 3160 Castro Valley Blvd Castro Valley
Join Castro Vally for their annual Fall Festival! The two day festival features over one hundred fifty arts and crafts, community and non-profit booths. Local business are chosen to accompany the vast assortment of food booths, joined by beer and wine!
Time: 10:00 am - 6:00 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
Free Spanish Storytime
Location: Escuela Bilingue Internacional (lower school) – 410 Alcatraz Ave. Oakland
Join us for a morning of stories, songs and fun at EBI! Our FREE Spanish Storytime is perfect for toddlers, preschoolers and kindergartners. It is open to Spanish and non-Spanish speakers, and all children must attend with an adult. During the school year, we offer our free Spanish Storytime on the second…
Time: 10:00 am - 10:30 am
Cost: Free
Kids Club Craft with Michaels
Location: Michaels, Emeryville – 3991 Hollis St. Emeryville
They craft, you shop! Kids 3 and up can enjoy a quick project. Sign up in store or online, or just drop in. $2 per project, ages 3+, supplies included. Parent or guardian must remain on premises during the event.
Time: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Cost: $2-5/Child
Luna Dance Free Open House
Location: Luna Dance Institute – 605 Addison Street Berkeley
Dance, play & have fun with your child at Luna Dance Institute’s free event! Our fall open house features Luna's nationally reputable developmentally appropriate approach to teaching creative dance and improvisation classes for all ages. Join us for family dance and free kids classes and check out our beautiful dance studio located only…
Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Cost: Free
Free Crafts for Kids
Location: Lakeshore Learning Center – 1929 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Walnut Creek
Join Lakeshore Learning every Saturday for a fun, free craft. Best for ages 3+.
Time: 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Cost: Free
Free Crafts for Kids
Location: Lakshore Learning – 1144 Montague Ave San Leandro
Join us every Saturday for FREE crafts for kids. No reservation necessary. To find out what we're making, check here>
Time: 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Cost: Free
Celebrate Diversity at Day in the Park
Location: Maxwell Park – 4618 Allendale Avenue Oakland
Celebrate diversity in the community and this beautiful city with this family-friendly event. There will be live music, food vendors, local arts & crafts vendors, kids activities, exciting raffle prizes, and lots more! Hosted by The Maxwell Park Community Building Neighborhood Action Team.
Time: 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Cost: Free
Scientific Adventures
Location: Oakland Public Library – Dimond Branch – 3565 Fruitvale Ave Oakland
Create, discover, design, build, and have fun with your friends and family! Scientific Adventures presents a new STEAM project each month, inspired by favorite children's books and designed to test your creative, collaborative mind. Come learn about Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math concepts and put them to work in…
Time: 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Cost: Free
Sunday, September 9, 2018
Castro Valley Fall Festival
Location: Eden Area Chamber of Commerce – 3160 Castro Valley Blvd Castro Valley
Join Castro Vally for their annual Fall Festival! The two day festival features over one hundred fifty arts and crafts, community and non-profit booths. Local business are chosen to accompany the vast assortment of food booths, joined by beer and wine!
Time: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Cost: Free
Erev Rosh Hashanah at Solano Stroll
Location: between Ventura and Tulare Avenues (roughly 1650 Solano Ave). – between Ventura and Tulare Avenues Albany
Join the other families attending the Annual Solano Ave Stroll. Sprout will have a booth at the event which is also the day Rosh Hashanah begins (Erev Rosh Hashanah). Stop by to enjoy some holiday PJ Library books, find out about PJ Library Radio, and make some holiday crafts! The…
Time: 10:00 am - 2:00 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:
Solano Ave Stroll Street Festival
Location: Solano Avenue – Solano Avenue at San Pablo Berkeley
Join us for the East Bay's largest street festival - over 1 mile of FREE family fun! There will be a parade (begins at 10am), dance groups, rides, vendors, food stands and lots more fun for all the family to enjoy. Find out how to get to the stroll here.
Time: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Cost: FREE
Oakland Pride Parade & Festival!
Location: Oakland Pride Main Entrance – Broadway and 20th Street Oakland
Wave flags while watching the colorful Oakland Pride Parade, which kicks off 10:30am at Broadway & 14th Street. The festival opens at 11:00am and once again it is full of live entertainment and a ton of fun for the kids in the family fun zone - games, rides, craft, animals, jumpy…
Time: 10:30 am - 7:00 pm
Cost: General admission to Oakland Pride FESTIVAL is $10, children under 12 is $5. NO FEE to watch Oakland Pride PARADE (except in VIP/Grandstand* seating along the Parade route).
Oakland Pride Parade, Festival, & Family Garden
Location: Downtown Oakland – 21st St. & Franklin Oakland
Celebrate family and march with us at the Oakland Pride Parade! Then explore and relax in the Family and Children's Garden with a giant slide, bounce houses, art activities, games, petting zoo, story time and more. Parade starts at 10:30 am, at Broadway & 14th Street.
Time: 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Cost: Free
FREE Summer Sunday Cinema
Location: Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive (BAMPFA) – 2155 Center Street Berkeley
BAMPFA’s huge outdoor LED screen on Addison and Oxford Streets is the site for a summertime series of entertaining, family-friendly films that will make you feel like dancing in the streets! Featuring classic and contemporary films, the series is free for all. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy…
Time: 4:00 pm
Cost: FREE
These and other amazing family-friendly activities are kept on our calendar. Find more over there >
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