Discounts for East Bay Families
- Save on groceries. $20 Off + FREE Delivery on your first order when you spend $75 or more at Safeway.com.
- Free diapers. USE CODE: ‘510FAMILIES’ @ www.earth-baby.com to receive 1 pack of compostable diapers, 1 pack of compostable wipes, and 4 weeks of EarthBaby delivery, pick up, and compost service for FREE! No contract, subscription, or obligation necessary.
- More East Bay deals & discounts >
Family Fun in the East Bay
10 Mostly Free & Cheap Outings for Mixed Ages in the East Bay
With kids age two to nine, it is hard to find something for everyone. Here are ten terrific East Bay places that we all love.
Indoor Play Space: Red Panda in Castro Valley
As a mom of kids with a 3-year age gap, I felt I could watch both kids simultaneously without feeling stressed at Red Panda.
9 Playground Ziplines for Bay Area Kids
Our favorite nearby ziplines in the East Bay are in Berkeley and Alameda, but we found a dozen more for adventurous kids to try.
Park Profile: Colorful Krusi Park in Alameda
Krusi Park in Alameda is a super fun playground to bring both toddlers and school aged kids alike. My four kids asked to go two days in a row!
Teen & Tween Birthday Party Spot: Game On Berkeley
For ages 8+, this multi-room game experience invites you to laugh while solving custom-built puzzles that challenge your brain & body.
Apple Picking with Children Near the Bay Area
Apple-picking season is upon us. Here are a few U-pick options and Bay Area apple orchards worth a visit with your family. Always, call first!
Ticket Alert: Yo-Yo Ma & Angélique Kidjo in a Family-Friendly Show at the Greek Theatre
A not-to-miss event for East Bay families, on Saturday, August 30, musical legends Yo-Yo Ma and Angélique Kidjo will take the stage at Berkeley’s iconic Greek Theatre.
Favorite Visual Art Classes for Kids in the East Bay
Presenting our guide to getting your child started in art classes in the East Bay.
Holiday Tea at the Claremont Resort & Club
This elegant holiday tea at the historic Claremont is perfect for family time that doesn’t center around Santa or gifts. My daughter and I were delighted.
KidTopia in Fremont, East Bay’s Largest Indoor Play Center
KidTopia is the East Bay’s largest, soft play indoor recreation center for kids, packed with both active and imaginative play areas. Climb, pretend, slide!
Union City Play Space: Jolly Roger Land
Jolly Roger Land is a large, colorful, and incredibly entertaining open play space in Union City for children 12 and under.
Book Now: Napa Valley Santa Train Jolly Journeys
Modeled after the Polar Express, passengers take a 1.75-hour round-trip train ride up to the “North Pole” to receive a small gift and treats.
14 Free and Cheap Birthday Party Places
A dozen spots to host a kid’s birthday party for cheap — or free — in the East Bay Area! These are our go-to budget-friendly FUN parties.
Three Nunns Pumpkin Patch Has Tractors, U-Pick & Massive Corn Mazes for Acres of Fun
Open 9/18 through 10/31, Brentwood’s Three Nunns Farm has a u-pick pumpkins, 2 corn mazes, and lots more produce. Let’s get dirty.
Speer Family Farm Alameda Point Pumpkin Patch
Alameda Point Pumpkin Patch with many carnival amusements for families: hay bales, petting zoo, bouncy things!
Lemos Farm in Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Patch and More
Find pumpkins, pony rides, train rides, hay rides, petting zoo, haunted house, barn slide, car barn ride, barn jumpers – wheee!
Mickelson Pumpkin Patch in Petaluma
Visit Mickelson for wide-open pumpkin fields, gigantic hay maze, kids’ activities, and a beer garden serving ice cold beer in the shade.
Stafford Lake Bike Park in Marin: An Epic Playground for Bike Lovers
This 17-acre family-friendly mountain bike course offers all the exciting jumps, challenging tricks, and clever toys that mountain bikers of all ages will love.
Parkour and Ninja Warrior Classes for East Bay Kids
Gyms around the East Bay offering physical challenge classes that engage kids in parkour and ninja warrior training.
Best Things to Do With Kids in August
Turn up the heat and plan some amazing family outings filled with the best activities for August.
50 Things to Do With Bay Area Kids When School Is Out
Wondering what to do when school is out? Take one of these 50 fantastic Bay Area ideas and build your day around it.
Book Now: Christmas Tea in the Bay Area For Families
Christmas Tea makes a lovely — often expensive — holiday tradition for families. We break it down from near to far.
25 Best Things to Do in Oakland With Kids
Oakland offers many family-friendly activities, restaurants, and outdoor spaces. Where to begin? Take a look at 25 of our faves.
Indoor Fun: 10+ Things to Do on Rainy Days in the East Bay
On a rainy day, here are some great indoor fun East Bay destinations to make your kids happy and run off those ya-yas!
Where to Take Kids Ice Skating in the Bay Area
During the winter season temporary ice skating rinks are set up throughout the Bay Area, making ice skating more accessible than ever.
Escuela Bilingüe Internacional (Pre-K – 8) Offers the Gift of Bilingualism
Escuela Bilingüe Internacional (EBI) is a PK-8 Bilingual IB program designed to prepare students to thrive in a changing world.
Nicasio Valley Pumpkin Patch for Classic Fall Fun
Nicasio Valley Farm offered exactly what I was looking for: seasonal fun with rustic farm vibes and fewer carnival attractions.
Join Us: Baby’s Day Out with Kula at Spirited Play Labs
For parents with babies, 0 to 1, we are excited to welcome you to this beautiful, inclusive soft play space with a cozy infant lounge.
East Bay Preschool Guide
Guide to preschools for our children of the East Bay in Oakland and Berkeley, spanning from Richmond to Concord.
Field trip: The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito
Animal-loving kids will love to see the baby seals, learn about what they eat and how we can take better care of our ocean-dwelling friends.
On Sale Oct 21: Glowfari Lantern Festival at the Oakland Zoo
Tix on sale 10/21. Glowfari opens at the Oakland Zoo from Nov. 7 through January. Hundreds of gigantic glowing lanterns will be set up after dark.
Ticket Alert: Garden of D’Lights, a Sparkling Outdoor Holiday Event in Walnut Creek
Ruth Bancroft Garden lights up 3 acres of garden paths with twinkling lights to explore on a dark evening. Lovely outing for mixed ages.
East Bay Candy Buyback — Turn Candy into Cash!
East Bay children can exchange Halloween candy for cash at a Halloween candy buyback at the dentist’s office.
Ticket Alert: Bay Area Nutcrackers & Other Holiday Performances
Want to see the Nutcracker in Oakland? Here are some lovely holiday performances to choose from including larger- and small-scale theaters.
G&S Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze Is Festive Fun For The Whole Family
At G&S Farms, kids can pick their very own pumpkins straight from the vine and run through an awesome corn maze.
Welcome to {510} Families
For parents looking for more fun with their kids in the East Bay, this is your online guide. You’ll find free and cheap activities for babies and kids in Oakland, Berkeley and surrounding areas.
Discover what you can do this weekend, where you can play, and how to find everything an East Bay family needs. Help us build this community: submit tips and make comments. Thank you for visiting.
Discover our never-ending calendar of fun stuff to do with kids in the East Bay!
– Heather & Whitney
