East Bay, CA
Things to Do with Kids in East Bay This Weekend
Looking for things to do in East Bay with kids? We have mapped 199 family-friendly places across the area, from outdoor playgrounds (48), outdoor pools and water parks (18) and museums and educational attractions (17).
Find kid-friendly places to play, learn and explore in and around East Bay. Browse by category below, or jump to a few popular spots families visit.
Last updated 22 September 2026. Hours and prices come from each business.
Things to do in East Bay this weekend
Weekends are when most families actually get out, so start here. 101 of these places are outdoors and 44 are indoors, which matters more than usual when the forecast turns.
Indoor activities for kids in East Bay
When it rains, or when it is simply too cold to be outside for long, there are 44 indoor places to choose from. Museums and indoor playgrounds are the usual answer, and both work at short notice.
Free things to do with kids in East Bay
A good share of what is on this page costs nothing. 70 of the places we list are free to visit, which makes a short trip perfectly reasonable when attention spans are short.
Best places by age in East Bay
Splash pads, wading pools and indoor play areas suit toddlers, because they are shallow, close by and easy to leave early. Older children get more out of the hands-on museums and the bigger play structures.
Browse by category in East Bay
18 categories, 199 places. Counts change as businesses add listings.
Popular places in East Bay
8 of 199, ordered by distance from Oakland.
![Museum of Children’s Art [MOCHA]](https://mininavigators.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/childrens-museum-600x338.png)
Museum of Children’s Art [MOCHA]
Museum of Children's Art (MOCHA) in Oakland, California is an arts education museum where families can explore hands-on art studios and participate in creative…
Oakland Ice Center
Oakland Ice Center is a family entertainment venue in Oakland, CA that operates an NHL-sized and an Olympic-sized ice surface. The facility offers public skating…
Camron-Stanford House
Accepts Time Travelers
Accepts NARMA Victorian house museum on the shore of Lake Merritt, built in 1876. Visitors can tour the period rooms and learn about Oakland's 19th-century history. The house…
Lion Pool Oakland
City public pool; seasonal summer lap and family swim; lessons available
Children’s Fairyland
Children's Fairyland is a whimsical 10-acre storybook park located on the shores of Lake Merritt in Oakland, California, designed for families with young children…
Oakland Museum of California
Accepts NARMOakland Museum of California is a museum, garden, and gathering place in the heart of Oakland that explores the big ideas that shape California lives. Families can…
Lake Merritt Boathouse
Paddle boats kayaks rowboats; seasonal; Lake Merritt waterfront; kids love steering
Jack London Square Splash Pad
Jack London Square Splash Pad is a splash pad located in Oakland, California at Jack London Square, a historic waterfront area along the Oakland/Alameda estuary…
Nearby cities
The closest other places we cover.
Common questions
What are the best things to do with kids in East Bay?
We list 199 kid-friendly places in East Bay, led by outdoor playgrounds (48) and outdoor pools and water parks (18). Every listing shows hours, prices and what other parents thought.
What can you do with kids in East Bay for free?
70 of the places we list in East Bay are free to visit, including playgrounds, splash pads and several outdoor spaces.
Where can you take kids in East Bay when it is raining?
There are 44 indoor places in East Bay, including museums, indoor playgrounds and family entertainment centers.