Family Activities – Local Fun for Kids

Here are a few online resources that have collected events in and around the Bay Area. Set your preferred location, cost, and other factors, and see what pops up!

  • 510Families gets specific by age, stage, and city, which means they know that when you load up a bunch of kids for an outing, it needs to be worth it. Their reviews contain gems like slow times of day to visit, whether there are changing tables in the restrooms, and whether you can bring snacks into a venue. 
  • FunCheapSF lists a ton of events across the Bay -- you can plan your weekend or a whole month at a time. Annual street fairs are all listed here. Events span all age ranges (some adults-only), so customize your search for the people you'll be bringing along.
  • Oakland Unified School District and the City of Oakland joined forces and resources to bring us this guide to out-of-school events. Check out weekly online classes (crafts, dance, computers) and outdoor meetings and camps (archery, nature hikes), plus bonus one-time events. Some are free and some have registration fees. Because it was started during the beginning of the pandemic, I encourage you to check with the organization running the class/event to see what's still current.
    Image of two children wearing colorful boas during a Family Pride celebration in Oakland
  • As a bonus, remember that you can use your library card to get free or discounted admission to museums and other local attractions with the Discover & Go program! Start here and follow the instructions to book your passes. Certain restrictions on the calendar or on number of passes issued for the same day apply.

You may be missing the free events and activities usually offered by Oakland Public Library. We miss you, too! All OPL locations are back to full open hours with inside services, but the usual programs are limited. Please know that we are keeping safety in mind as we gradually plan in-person events. You can check the events calendar here to see what's coming up online or face-to-face, or visit a library branch to find out more.