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 many 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 1, 10 am–5 pm.
2. The Curtain Theatre presents free Shakespeare in Old Mill Park. Saturday–Monday, through September 1, 2 pm.
3. The Bay Area Discovery Museum is free on the first Wednesday of the month, September 3, 10 am–4 pm.
4. Meet WildCare's Animal Ambassadors at the Marin Civic Center Library, Wednesday, September 3, 2:30–3:30 pm.
5. See Inside Out 2 in Mill Valley's Old Mill Park, Friday, September 5, dusk.
6. Pack a picnic and bring the family to San Francisco's free Opera in the Park, Robin William's Meadow, Sunday, September 7, 1:30–3:30 pm.
7. Sing & Stomp with kids' musician Emily Bonn at the Mill Valley Library's Outdoor Amphitheater, Tuesday, September 10, 10:15–11 am.
8. Learn about newts and create a newt craft to take home at Fairfax Library, Saturday, September 13, 2–3 pm.
9. Watch A Bug's Life outdoors in Novato's Pocket Park, Saturday, September 13, 7:30 pm.
10. Family Movie Night at Creek Park in San Anselmo presents a double-feature with School of Rock (5:30 pm) and That Thing You Do (7:30 pm), Saturday, September 13.
11. Join Novato Library for a screening of Disney's Encanto, Wednesday, September 17, 6–7:45 pm.
12. Pitch in to help on Coastal Cleanup Day at various locations in Marin, Saturday, September 20, all day.
13. See a screening of Madagascar outdoors at McInnis Park in San Rafael, Saturday, September 20, 5–8 pm.
14. Enjoy a free afternoon of music, community and fun at PorchFest, Gerstle Park, San Rafael. Sunday, September 21, noon–5 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. Make a seasonal suncatcher at Lagoon Park in San Rafael, Saturday, September 27, 1–2 pm.
18. Learn about spiders on a family walk at Lake Lagunitas, Sunday, September 28, 10 am–1 pm.