20 Free Things to Do for Families in September

The Bay Area Discovery Museum is free the first Wednesday in September.

September is here and school's back in session, but there are still plenty of fun family activities and events out there this month. You don't have to break the bank to have a great time with the kiddos, either! Here are 20 great ideas for great affordable activities and outings in Marin and the Bay Area in September, all of which are absolutely free. Keep in mind some of these activities require advance registration, so check before you go.

1. Take one last swim at the McNears Beach pool in San Rafael. Friday–Sunday, through September 2, 10 am–5 pm.
2. Experience free Shakespeare in Old Mill Park with the Curtain Theatre. Saturday–Monday, through September 2, 2 pm.
3. The Bay Area Discovery Museum is free on the first Wednesday of the month, September 4, 10 am–4 pm.
4. See Trolls Band Together in Mill Valley's Old Mill Park, Friday, September 6, dusk.
5. Enjoy Concerts in the Plaza in downtown Mill Valley, Saturday & Sunday, September 7 & 8, 11 am–7 pm.
6. Pack a picnic and bring the family to San Francisco's free Opera in the Park, Robin William's Meadow, Sunday, September 8, 1:30–3:30 pm.
7. Learn about spiders on a family walk at Lake Lagunitas, Sunday, September 8, 10 am–1 pm.
8. Sing & Stomp with kids' musician Emily Bonn at the Mill Valley Library's Outdoor Amphitheater, Tuesday, September 10, 10:15–11 am.
9. Movie Night at Creek Park in San Anselmo presents a double-feature with Princess and the Frog (5:30 pm) and The Goonies (7:30 pm), Friday, September 13
10. Watch Despicable Me outdoors in Novato's Pocket Park, Saturday, September 14, 7:30 pm.
11. Enjoy a free afternoon of music, community and fun at Porch Fest, Gerstle Park, San Rafael. Sunday, September 15, noon–5 pm.
12. Hola amigos!! Learn, sing & shake your body with our super fun bilingual storytime at the Fairfax Library, Tuesday, September 17, 10 am.
13. Pitch in to help on Coastal Cleanup Day at various locations in Marin, Saturday, September 21, all day.
14. Cast out with the kids to learn lake fishing at Stafford Lake Park in Novato, Sunday, September, 24, 1–3 pm.
15. Visit the spectacular Presidio Tunnel Tops and Outpost Playground in San Francisco. 
16. Visit the seals and sealions at the Marine Mammal Center in the Marin Headlands. Reserve your free tickets.
17. Follow the paper trail at a Junior Ranger program at Samuel P. Taylor State Park, Friday, September 27, 3:30–4:30 pm.
18. Meet real live wild animals at WildCare Family Nature Day at Paradise Beach Park in Tiburon, Saturday, September 28, 11 am–12:30 pm.
19. Explore Tunnel Tops at Access for Adventure family fun day at the San Francisco Presidio, Saturday, September 28, 11 am–3 pm.
20. Visit Paradise Beach Park in Tiburon to take fall family photos, Sunday, September 29, 11 am–1 pm.