20 Free Things to Do for Families in August
The Curtain Theatre presents Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream in Old Mill Park in Mill Valley, Saturday & Sunday, August.
August is here—and with it the last few weeks of summer vacation! You don't have to break the bank to have a great time with the kiddos, either! Here are 20 great ideas for affordable activities and outings in Marin and the Bay Area in August, all of which are free or really inexpensive. Keep in mind many of these free activities still require advance registration, so check before you go.
- Watch a free family movie at Marin Country Mart in Larkspur. Fridays, August 2, 9, 16 & 23, 6 pm.
- Go for a swim at McNears Beach pool in San Rafael, open Wednesday–Sunday, 10 am–5 pm.
- Enjoy Concerts on the Green in Novato with the Alex Lucero Band and Ideastream, Friday, August 2 & 16, 6–8 pm.
- See Pixar's Elemental in Mill Valley's Old Park. Friday, August 2, dusk.
- Take a hike to Point Bonita Lighthouse in the Marin Headlands, open Monday–Sunday, 12:30–3:30 pm.
- Step back in time to the Civil War era at Fort Point's living history day, Saturday, August 3, 10 am–5 pm.
- The first-ever Goodie's Kids' Fair in Mill Valley features a petting zoo, arts and crafts, face painting, a bounce house, and more, Sunday, August 4, 10 am–2 pm.
- Take a family walk with Marin Parks naturalists at Kehoe Beach in Point Reyes National Seashore, Wednesday, August 7, 10 am–1 pm.
- Kids 12 and under get in free to the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa on Thursday, August 8, 11 am–11 pm.
- Join Mill Valley Library at their End of the Summer Party for fun activities and treats for all ages, Thursday, August 8, 3:30–5 pm.
- Enjoy the last Creekside Friday event with Marble Party at the Tennessee Valley Cabin. Friday, August 9, 5:30 pm.
- Learn all about bats at Bat Night at Olompali State Historic Park in Novato, Saturday, August 10, 6–9 pm.
- The Curtain Theatre presents Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream in Old Mill Park in Mill Valley, Saturday & Sunday, August 10, 11 17, 18, 24 & 25, 2 pm.
- Join the Presidio for a family-friendly fiesta with music, dance, food trucks, and more, Sunday, August 11, 1–4 pm.
- Midnight Flyer performs a free concert in Belvedere Park, Sunday, August 11, 4 pm.
- Use ice paints to paint the sky at Novato Library's Nature Play program, Thursday, August 15, 10–10:45 am.
- Gather 'round the campfire for songs and s'mores at the historic Sonoma Barracks, Saturday, August 17, 7 pm.
- Enjoy hands-on activities, learn about programs, and explore trucks and heavy machinery at Mill Valley Recreation's free Family Fun Fest, Monday, August 19, 4–6 pm.
- Meet WildCare's Animal Ambassadors at Marin City Library, Friday, August 23, 1–2:30 pm.
- Enter your amazing creations in the Point Reyes Sand Sculpture Contest at Drakes Beach, Saturday, August 31, 9 am–4 pm.
