Looking for a change of scenery that’s fun for your kids and free (or nearly free) for you? Museums aren’t always “relaxing,” but they can be one of the easiest ways to spark curiosity, creativity, and real-world learning—without another screen or structured class.
This guide brings together San Francisco and Bay Area museums with free admission days, organized so busy parents can quickly find what works near them. We focus on spots where kids don’t just look—they touch, build, question, and explore, whether that’s science, art, history, or design thinking.
Jump straight to Poupular kids museum without free days
You’ll also find smart ways families actually get in free:
- Monthly free admission days
- Library Discover & Go passes
- Museums for All (EBT/CalFresh/Medi-Cal)
- Bank of America “Museums on Us” weekends
- Always-free museums worth a quick visit
- Popular kids museum with no free days
Before you go, spark interest at home with our easy STEM activities kids can try in 20 minutes or less. After your visit, keep the momentum going with our favorite critical thinking games and challenges that build real problem-solving skills.
Scroll down to explore your free options by location and day—and plan an outing that feels fun and meaningful.
FREE SATURDAYS
Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD) — Free Second Saturday
Best for: Ages 8–16
Why it’s great: Community-focused with performances and activities.
What kids do
- Art projects
- Music, dance, or storytelling events
💰 Maximize the free day
- Also, free community day -Thrive @ MoAD events vary monthl, visit the site for the dates
- Parents before/after: Yerba Buena Gardens or SFMOMA public spaces
📍 685 Mission Street (at Third), Montgomery Street BART, SF | www.moadsf.org
FREE FIRST SUNDAY
Asian Art Museum — Free First Sunday
Best for: Ages 5–14 |
Why it’s great: One of the world’s largest Asian art collections, right in Civic Center.
What kids do
- Explore colorful sculptures, armor, textiles, and storytelling galleries
- Attend occasional family workshops and cultural programs
💰 Maximize the free day
- Free permanent galleries on first Sundays
- Special exhibitions may require a surcharge
Good to know
- before/after: Civic Center farmers market or coffee on Hayes St
- Easy BART access (Civic Center)
📍 200 Larkin Street, Civic Center Bart, San Francisco | asianart.org
Oakland Museum of California — Free First Sunday
Best for: Ages 4–12
Why it’s great: Hands-on exhibits that let kids explore California’s nature and history (not just look at displays).
What kids do
- Climb into historic wagons, touch animal furs, watch short videos
- Play in OMCA Kids: Nature Playspace
- Enjoy festivals like Lunar New Year & Día de los Muertos
💰 Maximize the free day
- Kids 12 & under always free
- Special exhibits usually ~$6 for ages 13+
Good to know
- Outdoor garden = snack/picnic break
- Rotating exhibits vary in kid appeal
📍 Oakland | museumca.org
FREE TUESDAY
de Young Museum — Free First Tuesday
Best for: Ages 6–14
Why it’s great: A major art museum with kid-friendly programs and outdoor space.
What kids do
- Explore American art, textiles, and rotating exhibitions
- Join family art-making and gallery sketching on select days
💰 Maximize the free day
- Free permanent collection on first Tuesdays
- Bay Area residents free every Saturday
- Observation tower is always free
Good to know
- Great to pair with Golden Gate Park playgrounds,
- Visit before/after: Tea Garden, Stow Lake, or Outer Sunset lunch
📍 Golden Gate Park, SF | deyoung.famsf.org
San Francisco Botanical Garden — Free Second Tuesday
Best for: Ages 3–12
Why it’s great: 55 acres of gardens for kids who need room to move.
What kids do
- Explore winding paths, koi ponds, and themed gardens
- Join Bean Sprout Days (hands-on gardening)
💰 Maximize the free day
- Free for all on second Tuesdays
- Free daily 7:30–9 AM
- SF residents always free
Good to know
- Bring snacks or picnic
- Great for strollers
📍Golden Gate Park, SF | sfbg.org
Legion of Honor — Free First Tuesday
Best for: Ages 8+
Why it’s great: Museum-quality art, ocean views
What kids do
- See ancient sculptures, paintings, and decorative arts
- Learn art appreciation (better for older kids)
💰 Maximize the free day
- Free for all on first Tuesdays
- Bay Area residents free every Saturday
Good to know
- Less interactive than de Young
- Pair with Lands End hike or Ocean Beach sunset
📍 Sea Cliff, SF | legionofhonor.famsf.org
Conservatory of Flowers — Free First Tuesday
Best for: Ages 3–12
Why it’s great: Warm, jungle-like experience year-round.
What kids do
- Spot butterflies
- Do scavenger hunts
💰 Maximize the free day
- SF residents free daily
- Parents before/after: Koret Playground or park walk
📍 Golden Gate Park | conservatoryofflowers.org
FREE WEDNESDAYS
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts — Free Wednesdays
Best for: Ages 8+
Why it’s great: Thought-provoking art with frequent community programs.
Free options
- Every Wednesday: Free gallery admission
- SF Art Week: Entire week free (January)
What kids do
- View immersive installations
- Attend workshops or performances (select days)
📍 Yerba Buena, SF | ybca.org
Bay Area Discovery Museum - FREE First Wednesdays — Mar, 4, 2026 Only Twice a Year
Best for: 1-10 | Focus: Creativity, science, indoor + Outdoor
Why it’s great: Hands-on play, creative learning, and Golden Gate views
What kids do
- fun outdoor play spaces and indoor exhibits focued on exploration especially for toddlers and early elementary kids.
- Attend special programs during SF Art Week
💰 Maximize the free day
- The free days are extremely popular and often reach cacpity early
- Parents before/after: Walk along Fort Baker for bridge views, lunch in Sausalit
📍 557 McReynolds Rd, Sausalito | bayareadiscoverymuseum,org
🐘 San Francisco Zoo — Select Wednesdays (SF Residents)
Best for: Ages 3–12
Free days
- Announced last-minute (check calendar)
💰 Maximize the free day
- Bring snacks
- Parents before/after: Ocean Beach walk
📍 Parkside | sfzoo.org
FREE THURSDAY
Museum of Craft and Design — Free First Thursday
Best for: Ages 6–14
Why it’s great: Art that focuses on how things are made.
What kids do
- Explore furniture, jewelry, kinetic sculptures
- Create hands-on projects in the MakeArt Lab
💰 Maximize the free day
- Free on first Thursdays
- Pay-what-you-can every Wednesday
Good to know
- Smaller museum; easy 45–60 min visit
📍 Dogpatch, SF | sfmcd.org
SFMOMA — Free First Thursday (Evenings)
Best for: Ages 8+
Why it’s great: Bold, thought-provoking art that sparks conversation.
What kids do
- Engage with contemporary installations
- Use sketching and observation to interpret modern art
💰 Maximize the free day
- Free evening admission on first Thursdays
- Popular — expect crowds
Good to know
- Better for tweens/teens than younger kids
📍 Downtown SF | sfmoma.org
SELECT / IRREGULAR FREE DAYS
SFMOMA — Free Family Days 14,June
Best for: Ages 5–14
Why it’s great: Huge space with colorful, engaging art.
What kids do
💰 Maximize the free day
- Go early for art-making activities and performances for the whole family in our Koret Education Center
- Parents before/after: Union Square, Coffee at Blue Bottle Mint Plaza
Good to know
- Always free for ages 18 & under
- Free Family Days (periodic; reservations required)
- Free Community Days announced throughout the year
- Free First Thursdays paused as of Feb 2026
📍 SoMa | sfmoma.org
Exploratorium — Annual Pay-What-You-Wish
Best for: Ages 5–16
Free option
- Mother’s Day (capacity limited)
💰 Maximize the free day
- Arrive early
- Parents before/after: Ferry Building or Embarcadero walk
📍 Pier 15 | exploratorium.edu
California Academy of Sciences — Annual / Discounted
Best for: Ages 4–14
Free/low-cost options
- Academy Day (April, Pay What You Can)
- Museums for All ($5)
- Discover & Go passes
💰 Maximize the free day
- Timed tickets required
- Parents before/after: Music Concourse or de Young tower
📍 Golden Gate Park | calacademy.org
⭐ ALWAYS FREE (or SF Residents Free Every Day)
Cable Car Museum
Best for: Ages 5–12
Why it’s great: Real machines kids can see in motion.
What kids do
- Watch cable systems operate
- Learn how engineering shaped San Francisco
📍 Nob Hill | https://www.cablecarmuseum.org
Japanese Tea Garden — SF Residents Free Daily
Best for: Ages 4+
Why it’s great: Calm, beautiful garden that works for all ages.
What kids do
- Watch koi fish
- Cross arched bridges
- Spot lanterns and pagodas
💰 Maximize the free day
- Everyone free Mon/Wed/Fri 9–10am
- Parents before/after: Coffee at Andytown (Outer Sunset) or walk Stow Lake
📍 Golden Gate Park | japanteagardensf.com
SF Botanical Garden — SF Residents Free Daily
Best for: Ages 3–12
Why it’s great: Huge, stroller-friendly outdoor space.
What kids do
- Explore Children’s Garden
- Spot koi fish
- Run along garden paths
💰 Maximize the free day
- Everyone free daily 7:30–9am
- Free for all on 2nd Tuesday
- Parents before/after: Picnic or Conservatory of Flowers next door
📍 Golden Gate Park | sfbg.org
Discover & Go (Library Program)
This is arguably the best resource for Bay Area families. With a valid library card from a participating public library system (including San Francisco, Oakland, San Mateo County, Tri-Valley and many others), you can reserve free family passes to dozens of museums, science centers, and zoos online. Passes are limited and released on a rolling calendar.
Eligibility
- You must be a resident of the library system
- SFPL = SF residents only
- Other counties have their own portals
Booking Rules (Most Libraries)
- Up to 2 active reservations
- Book up to 3 months in advance
- Some museums = 1 visit per year
- Weekends book fastest
Common Gotchas
- Some passes must be printed
- Some passes cover only 1 adult
- Special exhibitions are not included
- Capacity limits still apply
Top Kid-Friendly Venues on Discover & Go:
Exploratorium,
Children's Creativity Museum,
CuriOdyssey,
Charles M.
Asian Art Museum
California Academy of Science
The Tech Interactive
Schulz Museum, and more.
📍The link varies depending on the location of your library
Museums for All (EBT/WIC Cardholders)
A nationwide program where families presenting a SNAP EBT card, WIC card, or Medi-Cal card receive free or greatly reduced admission (typically $1-$3 per person) to participating institutions. This is valid any day during regular hours, not just specific days.
Local Participating Museums:
Exploratorium ($3),
Chabot Space & Science Center ($3),
Bay Area Discovery Museum (free), and many more.
Bank of America "Museums on Us"
These are the known Bay Area cultural sites where a cardholder can get free general admission on the eligible weekend dates. Participation can change, so check ahead before you go.
- de Young Museum (San Francisco)
- Legion of Honor (San Francisco)
- Oakland Museum of California (Oakland)
- San José Museum of Art (Sundays only) (San Jose)
- Computer History Museum (Mountain View)
- Napa Valley Museum Yountville (Yountville)
- The Napa Valley Museum of Art & Culture (St. Helena)
- Haggin Museum (Stockton)
- California Automobile Museum (Sacramento)
- Crocker Art Museum (Sacramento)
- The California Museum (Sacramento)
💡 Parent tip:
Because hours vary and some museums may only participate on one of the two weekend days, call ahead or check the museum website before you visit.
.svg)
