31 Things to Do With Kids in January

Wondering what to do with East Bay kids in the month of January? Wonder no more! Here’s a day-by-day guide of some family-friendly activities with an emphasis on what’s free and cheap.

Ticket Alert:

Buy your tickets and make your plans for some of these activities and shows now while they’re available: Harlem Globetrotters, Monster Jam, Oakland Zoo Glowfari, 30+ Sweet Experience Gifts & Memberships.

New Year’s Weekend

1/1  Kick off the New Year with a nature walk at SF Botanical Garden for free.
1/2  Enjoy the Afro-futurism exhibit at OMCA First Sundays (free!).

Week of Monday, January 3

1/3 Photograph the King Tides! Learn more >
1/4  Storytime at Grove Street Park followed by some time on the baby swings.
1/5  Visit the Bay Area Discovery Day for a free day.
1/6 Dip warm cookies in milk just because.
1/7  It looks like First Friday everywhere. Take your pick!
1/8  Look through the giant telescope tonight. Attend a 3 Kings Day event.
1/9  Seek out little salamanders — here’s how to do it safely!

Week of Monday, January 10

1/10  Feed animals at Tilden’s Little Farm.
1/11 The Entwined lights at Golden Gate Park are out to enjoy until the end of the month.
1/12 Ride BART to Powell Street for a full day of fun on public transit.
1/13  Go on a nature walk with your kiddo.
1/14 Stop by MOCHA’s open studio to make art together.
1/15 Take a twirl on Berkeley’s Five Palms Rink or Alameda’s Little Ice Rink (closing soon).
1/16 Carry out something tasty during Alameda Restaurant Week.

Week of Monday, January 17

1/17 Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day by giving back to the community.
1/18 Ride a ferry into San Francisco. It’s a thrill for both kids and adults.
1/19 Take a sweet little hike to look for tiny fairies in Pt. Richmond.
1/20 Visit Oakland’s Shoreline Park where you can see the big container ships.
1/21 Sing & play at Round1 Bowling & Entertainment.
1/22 Visit Fairyland and walk along the lake.
1/23 Geek out at Contra Costa Con Comic Fest.

Week of Monday, January 24

1/24 Play at San Pablo Park before grabbing dinner supplies from Berkeley Bowl
1/25 Visit the West Oakland Farm Park for a little play and learning.
1/26 Check out the Art of the Brick LEGO Art Show near Union Square.
1/27 New Year’s resolution still going strong? Workout with your baby.
1/28 Take a day trip to a kid-friendly art museum in wine country (really!).
1/29 Take a snow day!
1/30 Play at Peggy Thomsen Park before picking up moon cakes at 99 Ranch Market.
1/31 Reserve a spot with Discover & Go to visit a museum in February.