10 fun summer activities for kids in the Bay Area

Learn something new this summer at San Francisco's Exploratorium. Photo courtesy of Exploratorium. 

Looking for fun and refreshing ways to entertain your kids this summer? The Bay Area is a fantastic place to be! From playgrounds and pools to museums and movie deals, these BARTable activities are sure to keep everyone smiling. Happy summer, and don't forget your Clipper card. 

Use BART’s Trip Planner for detailed routes and transit options.

Kid-approved summertime activities in the Bay Area

Cool off this summer at the Mission Community Pool in San Francisco. Photo courtesy of San Francisco Recreation and Parks.

1. Go swimming | Multiple

Summertime around the Bay heats up, and when it does, families with little ones can cool off at fun BARTable pools, coves and lagoons. From the beautiful shores of Lake Anza in Berkeley to the family-friendly pools in San Francisco, Fremont and Pleasant Hill — there’s no shortage of places to take a dip. It's easy to splash this summer.

Enjoy family-friendly flicks this summer in the Bay Area. Photo courtesy of Century Cinema. 

2. Catch a summer flick | Multiple

There’s nothing better than an air-conditioned matinee on a hot day. This summer, big-time movies will debut, like “Smurfs” and “The Bad Guys 2,” but the biggest hit of the season will be the BARTable movie theaters offering $1–$3 summer movie deals for families:

• Cinemark’s Summer Movie Clubhouse runs Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. through Aug. 7, with tickets for just $1.75.
• Regal offers $1 Summer Movie Express showings on Tuesdays and Wednesdays until Aug. 6.
• AMC’s Summer Movie Camp is back with $3 screenings on Mondays and Wednesdays. 

So grab some popcorn and enjoy the show!

Don't miss The Exploratorium's summer exhibits. Photo courtesy of The Exploratorium. 

3. Learn something new at The Exploratorium | Embarcadero

San Francisco’s Exploratorium is the perfect way to spark learning this summer. Kids (and adults, too) will love the interactive activities that teach science, art and human perception. Over the next few months, check out new exhibits like "Adventures in AI," and don’t miss the Tactile Dome. Take BART to Embarcadero and walk 0.6 miles to Pier 15 at Embarcadero and Green St.

Children's Fairyland will bring a bit of magic to your summer. Photo courtesy of Visit Oakland. 

4. Feel the magic at Children’s Fairyland | 19th St/Oakland

Head to Oakland’s iconic storybook-themed park this summer. This year, they’re celebrating their 75th anniversary, and for families with little ones aged zero to eight years old, it’s a fantastically whimsical place to spend the afternoon. Special summer events include summer sleepovers (featuring puppet shows, dinner, breakfast, and cozy sleeping bag fun), a Teddy Bear Picnic Day, and a two-day Puppet Fair in August. Fairyland is just 0.4 miles from 19th St/Oakland at 699 Bellevue Ave.

You'll love a summer afternoon at MOCHA – Museum of Children's Art. Photo courtesy of Visit Oakland. 

5. Get creative at MOCHA – Museum of Children's Art | 12th St/Oakland City Center

Visit the Museum of Children's Art for their open studio on the first and third Saturdays of each month. It’s a creative, drop-in space where children (up to age 10) and their families can explore art freely, guided by a teaching artist. In addition to hands-on activities, visitors can also view community exhibitions featuring work by local artists and Oakland students. Older kids (grades six through eight) might enjoy MOCHA’s Counselor-in-Training summer program. All of this is just steps from 12th St/Oakland City Center.

BARTable playgrounds are a great way to spend an afternoon with little ones. Photo courtesy of Roma Collaborative.

6. Spend the afternoon at playgrounds and splash pads | Multiple

The Bay Area is full of great BARTable playgrounds — some even have splash pads to beat the heat. From tots to tweens, there’s an active space for everyone. Pro parenting tip: In San Francisco, grab a coffee and pastry to-go from Mariposa Baking Company inside the Ferry Building. Then head across the street to Sue Bierman Park Playground to watch little ones run wild on climbing structures inside a cute, fenced-in area. 

Find family activities, live music and fantastic food at OMCA's Friday Nights this summer. Photo courtesy of Oakland Museum of California. 

7. Dance, eat and play at OMCA’s Summer Friday Nights | Lake Merritt

Every Friday night through August, the Oakland Museum of California comes alive with family-friendly fun. All ages will enjoy live music, Off the Grid food trucks and hands-on activities in the garden. OMCA is just 0.3 miles from Lake Merritt Station, so bring the entire family and make Friday Nights at the OMCA a weekly summer tradition.  

Shop, play and dine at the San Jose Flea Market. Photo courtesy of San Jose Flea Market. 

8. Visit the San Jose Flea Market | Berryessa/North San Jose

Since 1960, the San Jose Flea Market has entertained families. Spanning 120 acres, the space is packed with antiques, handmade goods, live music, a carousel, train rides, playgrounds and more. There are also over 60 food carts and 30 snack bars, so there is something for every taste, no matter how picky your kiddos are. Entry is free, and it’s only 0.5 miles from Berryessa/North San José.

There are so many things to do with kids this summer at Central Park in Fremont. Photo courtesy of Expedia. 

9. Spend the day at Central Park | Fremont

Central Park is 450 acres of summertime fun. Lake Elizabeth is the centerpiece, and is surrounded by playgrounds, a two-mile paved trail (perfect for biking and scooting), sports fields, snack bars and even the Aqua Adventure Waterpark and Stivers Lagoon Nature Area. Take BART to Fremont Station to play, splash and picnic 0.8 miles away at 40000 Paseo Padre Pkwy.

Get creative this summer with kids at the Children's Creativity Museum. Photo courtesy of supportforfamilies.org.

10. Feel inspired at the Children’s Creativity Museum | Powell St

The Children’s Creativity Museum in San Francisco invites kids to imagine, create and share. From animation studios and music production to tech labs and design challenges, it’s a hands-on haven for curious minds. Open Thursday–Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — there’s a lot to do here, but don’t miss a spin on the LeRoy King Carousel next door. The Children's Creativity Museum is just 0.4 miles from Powell St.