Free Thinking Kids' Activities: Bay Area Museums050

Many Bay Area museums offer free or reduced admission on certain days throughout the year. Museums often offer special children's and family activities and events on free days; be sure to check their website.

Our editors make every attempt to keep this list as current as possible, but changes to these programs do happen. We recommend that you visit the museum websites for exceptions, other qualifying details, and any updates before visiting the museums themselves.

San Francisco
Asian Art Museum : Admission is free the first Sunday of every month. Children 12 and under are always admitted free.

Burlingame Museum of Pez is open free to the public on the first Thursday of every month.

Cable Car Barn and Museum Admission is free.

California Academy of Sciences: Admission is free the third Wednesday of every month. The Academy also hosts numerous "Neighborhood Free Days" twice a year. Check the website for details.

Cartoon Art Museum: The first Tuesday of every month is "Pay What You Wish" Day.

Contemporary Jewish Museum: Youth (18 and under) are always admitted free. Free admission days are offered throughout the year. Check the website for specific dates.

de Young Museum: Admission is free the first Tuesday of every month.

Exploratorium: Admission is free the first Wednesday of every month.

Legion of Honor: Admission is free the first Tuesday of every month.

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art: Admission is free the first Tuesday of every month.

Zeum: Free admission days are offered throughout the year. Check the website for specific dates.

East Bay
Habitot Children's Museum: Free admission days are offered throughout the year. check the website for specific dates.

Oakland Museum of California: Admission is free the first Sunday of every month.

South Bay/San Jose
Coyote Point Museum: Admission is free the first Sunday of every month.

The Intel Museum, located in Santa Clara, is open Mon-Sat and is always free to the public.

The Tech Museum of Innovation The Tech Museum of Innovation : The museum has an open access policy and does not want fees to be a barrier to participation or access to the educational exhibits in our galleries. Visitors who cannot afford the full admission fee, can see the staff at the Ticketing counter in the center of the lobby at the start of their visit. The second Saturday of the month is the official free day.

North Bay
Bay Area Discovery Museum: Admission is free the first Wednesday of every month.

Check our calendar for more San Francisco and Bay Area museum events and activities for kids and families!