Fun for Free
Everyone loves FREE! What's better than doing something fun and engaging with your child for free? What's better than having a good time anywhere for free? Sure you can spend tons of money buying your kids fancy toys and clothes. You can spend wads of cash on a family day at a theme park, but there is something so satisfying about enjoying a fantastic day with your family and not spending a dime!
Being a mom of two with no steady income at the current moment I have really had to reevaluate where and how I am spending my money. Raising two kids in this country/ state/ area can be costly! The price of living in the Bay Area has gotten ridiculously out of control: with tech jobs, rising housing costs, child care, and trying to provide your children with healthy food options- it can be a lot on your pockets! Especially with more than one child to care for.
Ultimately children care less about your presents and more about presence. You don't have to spend a lot to show children you love them a lot, you just have to be present in their lives. What I noticed is that some of the most satisfying outings I have with my family are days where I didn't spend a thing!
How to have fun with the family for free:
1) Take your kids to a park, bring a blanket, a picnic, and make a day of it. Parks are meant for playing! Most parks in the Bay Area have green manicured lawns and plenty of places to sprawl out and stay a while.
You can click on some of our favorite parks for more info here:
*Codornices Park in Berkeley
*Marina Park in San Leandro
*Frog Park in Oakland
*Cerrito Vista Park in El Cerrito
2) Take your kids to the beach, bring some sand toys, bathing suits, and get ready to soak up the sun.
*Crown Memorial Beach in Alameda
*Ocean Beach in San Francisco
*Rodeo Beach in Sausalito
*Muir Beach in Marin
3) Take a hike. Nature is free, outdoor recreation is free, taking a hike is free!
*Roberts Redwood in Oakland
*Lake Chabot in Castro Valley
*Farimont Ridge in San Leandro
*Tilden Park in Berkeley
4) Three for FREE. Take your kids to these three free places that have activities:
*Adventure Playground in Berkeley
*Splash Pad Park at Castro Valley Recreation Center in Castro Valley
*Tilden Little Farm in Berkeley
5) Take your kids to a free day...each one of these places listed below offers free days either monthly. Be early, free days are enticing for all and get crowded quickly! Check their websites for more details...
*CuriOdyssey in San Mateo
*Lindsay Wildlife Museum in Walnut Creek
*Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito
You don't have to have to break the bank to show your kids a good time, just spend some time at one of these free places with them, while remembering to be in the present moment. So get away from your TV, get outside, and get exploring with your little ones!
