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Home | 20 Free Things to Do for Families in August

20 Free Things to Do for Families in August

Visit the Marine Mammal Center for Science Sunday, August 27, noon & 2 pm

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.

  1. View the August full moon at China Camp State Park, Tuesday, August 1, 8:45–9:45 pm
  2. Learn about catch-and-release crabbing and fishing with NPS rangers at Fort Baker in Sausalito, Wednesday, August 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30, 9 am–1 pm.
  3. Kids 12 and under get in free to the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa on Thursdays, August 3 & 10, 11 am–11 pm.
  4. Join Mill Valley Library at their End of the Summer Party for a day of fun activities and treats for all ages, Thursday, August 3, 3:30–4:30 pm.
  5. See a free family movie at Marin Country Mart in Larkspur. Fridays, August 4, 11, 18 & 25, 6 pm
  6. Take a hike to Point Bonita Lighthouse in the Marin Headlands, open Monday, Thursday & Friday, 12:30–3:30 pm, Saturday & Sunday, 9:30 am–3:30 pm
  7. Get hands-on with art at Marin MOCA's Free Family Day, Sunday, August 6, 11 am–3 pm
  8. Make some art in the park with Marin Parks rangers at Paradise Beach in Tiburon, Monday, August 7, noon–2 pm.
  9. Make a wand and brew a potion at Wizard Day at the Point Reyes Library, Monday, August 7, 3–4:30 pm.
  10. Join Megan Schoenbohm for kid-friendly tunes at Bon Air Center in Greenbrae, Tuesday, August 8, 11:30 am.
  11. Enjoy the last Creekside Friday event with Marble Party at the Tennessee Valley Cabin. Friday, August 11, 5:30 pm.
  12. See Pixar's Finding Nemo in Mill Valley's Old Park. Friday, August 11, dusk.
  13. Meet owls and bats and enjoy live music at the Nature & Community Fair at the Casa Grande in Sonoma, Saturday, August 12, 4 pm.
  14. Get up close to vintage aircraft at Sonoma Valley Airport at this month's display weekends, Saturday & Sunday, August 12, 13, 19 & 20.
  15. The Curtain Theatre presents a free production of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet in Old Mill Park in Mill Valley, Saturday, August 12, 19 & 26, 2 pm.
  16. Steel 'n' Chicago performs a free concert in Belvedere Park, Sunday, August 13, 4 pm.
  17. Enjoy Concerts on the Green in Novato with The Soulshake, Saturday, August 19, 6–8 pm
  18. Gather 'round the campfire for songs and s'mores at the historic Sonoma Barracks, Friday, August 19, 7–8 pm.
  19. Get hands-on with nature crafts when the Tam Van visits Fairfax Library, Wednesday, August 23, 3–4 pm.
  20. Learn about marine mammals of San Francisco Bay at the Marine Mammal Center's Marine Science Sunday, August 27, noon & 2 pm.