Best Things to Do With Kids in August

Summer isn’t over quite yet and there’s still plenty of time to check off items from your summertime bucket list. Need some inspiration for East Bay fun activities? Here’s a rundown of the top things to do with kids in August.

Big thanks to San Francisco Bay Ferry for sponsoring this guide to the best Bay Area happenings in August for families! Download the ferry’s mobile app for the easiest access to routes and ticket purchases.

Save the Date for These Exciting Community Events

• Aug. 3: Oakland Public Library End of Summer Party
• Aug. 3-4: Fremont Festival of Arts
• Aug. 4: Free Entrance Day to National Parks and Together In Motion Festival
• Aug. 6: National Night Out
• Aug. 7: First Wednesday Street Festival in Walnut Creek
• Aug. 10: Laurel District StreetFair
• Aug. 10-11: The Giant Bay Area Aloha Fest
• Aug. 11: Fiesta en el Parque comes to one of our fave playgrounds
• Aug. 17: Family Art Day and Salsa Dance Party
• Aug. 24-25: Puppet Fair at Children’s Fairyland
• Aug. 31: Free Fishing Day
• Check our kid-friendly events calendar for something special every day >

Summer Olympics

The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris will be in full swing this August. What a great way to introduce your kids to new sports and maybe a little bit of world geography. Cheer on 30 Bay Area Olympians whether you watch at home in pajamas or join Olympic watch parties at New Parkway Cinema and Bay Street Emeryville. Play along at Kids Olympics at the Berkeley Library or Summer Science Games at The Lawrence. We can all get into the Olympic spirit!

Take the SF Bay Ferry Across the Bay

• Take the Oakland & Alameda Ferry to a Giants Game — During baseball season, reserve your spot on a ferry between Oakland Jack London Square, Main Street Alameda, and the Oracle Park ferry terminal for select San Francisco Giants games. This trip operates directly to/from the ferry landing in front of the Oracle Park Marina Entrance Gate. Purchase Ferry Tickets Here >
• Ferry to/from Seaplane Lagoon in Alameda — The 20-minute route between the Alameda Seaplane Lagoon near the USS Hornet connects the Downtown San Francisco Ferry Building. Service runs on weekdays. Bring your bike for a kid-friendly 4-mile cycling trail of Alameda Point’s beer gardens and playgrounds (the third on our list).
  Alameda Seaplane Lagoon Ferry Terminal at 1701 Ferry Point Road, Alameda
• Ride the free Woodstock Shuttle — This adorable yellow boat takes a five-minute ferry ride to/from Jack London Square and Alameda Landing near Target and Bohol Circle Immigrant Playground. Service runs on a schedule and is totally free. From a distance, it looks like a yellow school bus, super cute! Details and Schedule Here >
• Ride the free ferry from the Ferry Building to Pier 41 — On this green and clean, 100% hydrogen-powered ferry machine, the only emission is water which you can drink via the onboard water fountain! This pilot program expects to run through December so let’s show them how awesome we think it is.

Reserve Tickets to Shows & Performances

Dodocaca Children’s Festival comes to the Alameda County fairgrounds, the Ringling Bros Circus returns to Oakland, and you can enjoy a classical performance of The Little Mermaid in Walnut Creek. Find more upcoming ticketed performances and events >

New Playgrounds & Places to Play

A top joy in my child’s life (and likely yours) is visiting a new playground: crossing the monkey bars, zooming down the slide, catching air on the swings, and running through the other offerings are super exciting. We’re loving these new(ish) and remodeled destinations for play. Try one that’s new to you!

• The Presidio Tunnel Tops Outpost— SF’s newest park is definitely worth the drive. Presidio Tunnel Tops offers amazing views along with natural climbing structures and water features for kids of all ages.
• Grove Park in Berkeley— Kids will enjoy climbing the large net structure at this recently remodeled playground. Plus there’s a zip line and a fenced-in tot playground.
• Ohlone Park in Berkeley— Another recently remodeled playground worth a visit, it features unique natural play structures for kids to climb and swing.
• Dusterberry Neighborhood in Fremont — Ideal for climbers and slide lovers, this new playground will keep school-aged kids moving. There is also a multi-use field, walking paths, and nature play spaces.
• Tot-Friendly Splash Pads — Treat your child to a new-to-your-family splash pad. We found 5 options that are welcoming to tots and a romping fun time for older kids, too!

Watch a Movie Under the Stars

Moana at Kennedy Park, Ninja Turtles at Cedar Rose, Kung Fu Panda 4 in Alameda, and many other opportunities to enjoy your favorite family-friendly films alfresco on the big screen. Movies begin just after sunset at local parks and gathering spaces–such a simple way to earn the title of “best parent ever.” Bring blankets, chairs, and picnic dinners or snacks to make the most of the outing. See the full outdoor movie round-up >

August is National Peach Month

Whether or not you celebrate food-themed holidays, we can all agree that peaches are delicious! And there’s something special about picking your own fruit. Take advantage of the peak season to select your own peaches, apricots, and other stone fruit at local farms within day-trip driving distance. Now is also the time to pick berries and other seasonal fruit. See all the details in our Bay Area Fruit Picking Guide >

Enjoy a Campfire (No camping required)

Discover bats, spiders, and other local animals at one of the East Bay Regional Park District’s evening campfire programs. These community events center around a theme and are filled with songs, games and other activities to spur nature-based discovery. Bonus, they are free and drop-in friendly. Learn more >

Favorite Free & Cheap Happenings

Need some planning inspiration? We’ve got you covered! We gathered up our favorite free and inexpensive activities in the East Bay to serve as a go-to itinerary when you’re in a pinch. Find more free & cheap events this month >

• Mondays – Visit Tilden Little Farm (bring celery, too)
• Tuesdays – Discount Tuesdays at Cinemark Theaters
• Wednesdays – Visit Blake Gardens in Kensington
• Thursdays – Musical Storytime or Ride the Woodstock Shuttle
• Fridays – 510 Summer Fridays at Fairyland, Oakland
• Saturdays – Ride the No-Emission Short Hop Ferry in SF
• Sundays – Sunday Story time at Tilden

Plus, plan an outing to one of the world-class museums in the Bay Area; take advantage of free admission on certain days. Learn more about ways to get into museums for free >

• Aug. 1: BAMPFA in Berkeley and SFMOMA in San Francisco
• Aug. 2: Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco
• Aug. 3-4: Bank of America Free Museum Days
• Aug. 4: Asian Art Museum in San Francisco and First Sunday at OMCA (nearly free!)
• Aug. 6: Conservatory of Flowers in San Francisco
• Aug. 6 and every Saturday: de Young Museum in San Francisco
• Aug. 7: GLBT Historical Society Museum in San Francisco
• Aug. 10: Museum of the African Diaspora in San Francisco
• Aug. 13: San Francisco Botanical Garden

Big thanks to San Francisco Bay Ferry for sponsoring this guide to the best Bay Area happenings in August for families! Download the ferry’s mobile app for the easiest access to routes and ticket purchases.

What are your plans for the final month of summer? Tell us in the comments section.