Emeryville may be just over a square mile, but it keeps surprising us. Beyond the Swedish furniture, a wild, bird-filled shoreline, a whole crop of family-friendly eats, and a welcoming school campus await.
Thank you to East Bay German International School (EBGIS) for sponsoring our guide to Emeryville family favorites. Together with East Bay International High School (EBIHS), EBGIS offers education from age 2 to grade 12 on a lovely campus. We’ve noted their favorite places for children with a tiny symbol 
Here are 30 Terrific Places to Go & Things to Do with Kids in Emeryville
Where to Eat | Where to Play | Paths to Walk or Roll | Calendar of Events | EBGIS + EBIHS Picks | Bonus Ideas
Where to Play with Kids in Emeryville
- EBGIS Campus on the Weekends — The East Bay International High School & East Bay German International School campus at 1070 41st Street is open to the public on weekends, making it your new favorite spot. Kids can run wild on the turf field, filled with earth-friendly cork, then shoot hoops on the basketball court, or rally on the tennis/pickleball court. Little ones will head straight for the large play structure, and there’s plenty of picnic seating, so pack lunch and stay a while.
- Athletic Playground — Kids from age 2 through their teens can flip, vault, and climb at this movement gym, which runs more than 100 classes a week in parkour, circus arts, acrobatics, and aerial silks. Little ones start in “Mini Monkey” classes. Older kids can sign up for teen classes, drop-in sessions, and day or half-day camps during school breaks. Ask about parkour birthday parties, too. Website >
- Home Depot workshops — Wait, what? Yep! Monthly kids’ workshops teach construction skills using basic tools, with parent involvement. They supply the kits, you bring the patience.
- See a cheap movie — At Bay Street, join the AMC movie club, called Stubs A-List, for $5 Tuesday movies.
- Christie Park — Tucked behind the Public Market, you’ll find an inventive play structure for your kids to explore. Whale Park is super cute and well-designed in a nautical theme, but not fenced in. For a coffee fix, order your Peet’s from the app, and it will be waiting for you.
- Emeryville Swim Center — This lovely pool at the Emeryville Center of Community Life offers recreational swimming, swim lessons for all ages starting at infancy with parent participation, swim clubs, and ECCL pool parties!
- Head Over Heels — We love this gymnastics studio for its classes, camps, Parents’ Nights Out, and birthday parties. Website >
- Michael’s Craft Projects — For less than $2 each, kids can drop in most Saturdays for a craft project like painting rocks or building a photo frame.
- Huchiun Park — Find this 3-acre park with modern and natural features on the other side of the Red Bridge from Bay Street. Best for those under 5.
- Temescal Creek Park — An awesome little, modern neighborhood park and playground at 47th and Adeline. Enjoy the cool equipment, small basketball court, and many butterflies during your visit.
- ECCL vertical playground, open after 6 pm on weekdays and longer on weekends; this entirely vertical climbing equipment is as cool as it looks!
- Doyle Hollis Park — With a modern climbing structure, spinny things, and large green space, this playground is wonderful. Too bad it isn’t fenced in, though; my kids are runners. Across from the park is Ruby’s Cafe, where you can get coffee and great sandwiches.
- Davenport Mini Park — Really close to Target, this adorable aquatic-themed playground is the perfect spot to keep in your back pocket when you need to run an errand.
More Emeryville Favorites from EBGIS
EBGIS | EBIHS Campus
The teaching staff, high school students, and parent community love to enjoy Emeryville. In addition to our favorites, they also suggested:
- MINISO — Kids and teens can easily spend their allowance at this Bay Street variety store. Shelves are packed with plushies, Sanrio and Hello Kitty goodies, stationery, accessories, and imported snacks. It’s a great place for small birthday gifts and party favors.
- Red Door Escape Room — Teens love a challenge, and this Bay Street escape room gives them 60 minutes to crack cryptic puzzles and find hidden clues. Round up 4-6 friends for a birthday outing or weekend adventure. Games start at about $38 per player, and the enchanted-forest room, Enchantment, is gentle enough to bring along younger siblings.
- Planet Fitness — Now open in the former CVS on San Pablo Avenue, this gym is a huge hit with students at East Bay International High School. Teens can lift weights, hit the cardio machines, and get free coaching from certified trainers. Memberships start at just $15 a month.
- Tipsy Putt — Rainy day? This indoor 9-hole mini golf course on Bay Street has a suspension bridge and other fun obstacles. It turns into a 21+ pub at 7 in the evening, so plan for a daytime round with the kids.
Free Community Festivals at EBGIS — Mark your calendar. The school invites the whole community to its German-style celebrations.
🗓️ Nov. 13: Laternenfest. Your little one can bring a lantern or craft one on-site as families parade through the evening, singing traditional lantern songs.
🗓️ Feb. 12: Fasching. Kids dress up in their wildest costume for Germany’s version of Carnival.
🗓️ May 1: International Summer Fest. Ring in summer with student performances, food, and games.
🗓️ Check the school calendar for details.
Where to Wander & Roll with Kids in Emeryville
- Public Art Walking Tour — Tiny Emeryville has an outsized collection of public art. Download one of the city’s free art maps & walking guides and turn it into a scavenger hunt for sculptures and murals.
- Emeryville Greenway — Pedal, scooter, or push your jogging stroller on the multi-use path from Berkeley on the Emeryville Greenway through to Doyle-Hollis Park with your young ones. Find your way on the Emeryville Greenway >
- Emeryville Marina along the Bay Trail — Head out Powell Street to the Emeryville Marina for lawns, picnic areas, and walking paths with big views of the Bay Bridge and San Francisco. Kids love watching the sailboats and kiteboarders, and the western lots along the shoreline park offer free 4-hour parking. Find your way on the Bay Trail >
- Emeryville Train Station — the Emeryville train station at 5885 Horton Street is well-positioned for visiting, trainspotting, and launching an adventure trip to Martinez, Sacramento, or points beyond. Even the footbridge over the track is exciting.
- Emery Go-Round — Ride this bus FOR FREE around Emeryville and parts of S. Berkeley and N. Oakland. Check maps and schedules >>
Where to Eat with Kids in Emeryville
Whether you eat together at a restaurant, grab a meal on a patio, pick up carry-out for lunch in the park, or bring dinner home, some of our favorite family-friendly eateries call Emeryville home.
- Tokyo Central and The Hand Roll Factory — This Japanese grocery on Bay Street is a treasure hunt of snacks, candy, and bento. Grab temaki from The Hand Roll Factory inside, made with warm rice and freshly toasted nori, or pick up chirashi to go. Enjoy your bento at the public seating just outside.
- Bay Street Shopping Center — When everyone wants something different, head upstairs at Bay Street. Burgers from Shake Shack, noodles from Uchiwa Ramen, and slices at Arthur Mac’s Little Snack (with retro arcade games on the patio) keep the whole crew happy. Save room for a scoop at Humphry Slocombe.
- Mamacita at Public Market Emeryville — Tacos, quesadillas, and burritos make this Public Market stall an easy win with picky eaters. This upscale food court offers many lunch and dinner options for different palates. Play games inside or eat al fresco outside near the play structure. Website >
- Arizmendi Emeryville Bakery & Pizza is open Wednesday through Sunday for bread, cookies, pastries, and a special daily pizza. Grab and go. Website >
- Good to Eat Dumplings — Taiwanese dumplings and comfort food from a cult-favorite pop-up turned restaurant. Little hands love dumplings. Website >
- Comeback Cafe — Freshly renovated, this spot on Christie Avenue serves banh mi, pho, and vermicelli bowls, plus milk tea for the kids. Yelp >
- Secrets of Tiger — A casual Thai spot on Hollis Street offers mild noodle and rice dishes for young diners. Yelp >
- IKEA Restaurant — Refuel at IKEA with Swedish meatballs, affordable kids’ meals, and lots of room to spread out.
- Cafe Colucci — Just over the border on San Pablo Avenue in Oakland, this family-owned Ethiopian restaurant has been a local favorite for decades. Kids love eating with their hands, scooping up stews and veggie dishes with spongy injera bread. It offers plenty of vegan options and a cozy back terrace.
Upcoming Family Events Around Emeryville
Saturday, October 24, 2026
Friday, October 30, 2026
Saturday, October 31, 2026
Saturday, November 7, 2026
Bonus Playtime!
Hotel with a pool — Both Sheraton Four Points and Hyatt House have swimming pools and are within walking distance from Bay Street and Public Market, great for visiting grandparents or a clever tween birthday party.
Bay Play — Just over the border in West Oakland, this 10,000-square-foot indoor play space has a multi-level playground, a ninja warrior course, climbing walls, a bounce house, and arcade games. It’s perfect for burning off energy on a rainy afternoon.
Berkeley Ironworks — Just across the Berkeley border, this climbing gym has towering walls to scale and bouldering for every level. Kids can take climbing classes, sign up for youth camps during school breaks, or try out for the Team Touchstone youth climbing team. It’s also a fun spot for a birthday party, and kids 12 and under climb free with a family membership.
Thank you again to EBGIS & EBIHS for sponsoring our guide to Emeryville family favorites.
