50 FREE Things to Do in with Kids This August

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Looking for something fun to do this August? Here are 50 more great ideas of FREE events, festivals, crafts, music, movies, and more. All events were checked but things change. Confirm before heading out.

  1. Nautical activities at Maritime Day in Sausalito (8/1)
  2. Meet Legendary Astronauts at The Novato Space Festival (8/1)
  3. Celebrate Dr. Seuss with Marin County School Volunteers at Book Passage (8/1)
  4. Worth a dam to check out the Beaver Festival in Martinez (8/1)
  5. AfroSolo Festival in the Gardens (8/1)
  6. Nihonmachi Street Fair (8/1-2)
  7. Pop over to the North Bay Mobile Drive-In, meets every other Saturday in Novato
  8. Celebrate Jerry Day outdoor concert and family fun (8/2)
  9. Got Zen? Children’s Program at Green Gulch (8/2)
  10. See grammy award winning musician Mary Chapin Carpenter in concert (8/2)
  11. Crosspulse, Unique Derique and Pi Clowns at Yerba Buena Garden Festival
  12. Craft Gym at Once Around, ages 10+, Mill Valley
  13. Learn to Skateboard with a park ranger, San Rafael (8/5)
  14. Bring the entire family to Art in the Park, Greenbrae (8/6)
  15. Los Lupeños de San José at San Francisco's City Hall Rotunda (8/7)
  16. Celebrate the Dog Days of Summer at the Mill Valley Dog Show at Whole Foods on Blithedale (8/8)
  17. Learn about red legged frogs at Science Saturdays at Mountain Lake (8/8)
  18. Pistahan, celebrating Filipino and Filipino-American culture (8/8-9)
  19. Count the shooting stars of the Perseides Meteor Shower (8/12-13) 
  20. Nike Missile Site at the Marin Headlands (Thur-Sat, 12:30-3:30pm)
  21. Nostalgia Days Rod and Kustom Car Show in Novato (8/14)
  22. 'Til Dawn A Cappella, Downtown Mill Valley (8/16)
  23. Traffic free fun in the Excelsior with Sunday Streets (8/16)
  24. Come along for the ride to explore Saturn at the Mt. Tam Star Party (8/22)
  25. Taming of the Shrew in Old Mill Park (8/22, 23, 29, 30)
  26. Picnic on the Plaza every Friday in San Anselmo 
  27. China Camp's Heritage Day (8/29)
  28. Romeo, Romeo, Where for art thou? Hint: He's in the Presidio (8/29-30)
  29. Get nerdy at Maker Saturday, Bon Air Center, Greenbrae
  30. Outdoor summer movies, whose bring the popcorn?
  31. Get ready to roll at the Skatin' Place at Golden Gate Park
  32. Marine Science Sunday, Marine Mammal Center
  33. Creative composition with the amazing John Muir Laws, Belvedere Tiburon Library.
  34. Discover the hidden playground in Green Gulch Farm and Zen Center
  35. Channel your inner tourist and take a spin around 49 Mile Drive
  36. Bring a magnet and cup to collect Black Sand on Ocean Beach
  37. Hidden gem Steep Ravine Hot Springs at low tide 
  38. 100th Anniversary of the Panama-Pacific International Exposition, the World's Fair
  39. Get a panoramic view at the top of the Hamon Observation Tower, De Young Museum
  40. Check out the Fire Department Museum
  41. Bark at the seals and enjoy street performers daily at Pier 39
  42. Kids bowl two free games
  43. What's for dinner tonight at a local farmers market
  44. Free walking tours with Greenbelt Alliance and San Francisco City Guides
  45. Tour the Dandelion Chocolate Factory and the Jelly Belly Factory too
  46. Creative Family Fun at the Presidio Officers Club every Saturday & Sunday
  47. Walk to the southwest tip of the Marin Headlands to the Point Bonita Lighthouse (Sat-Mon, 12:30-3:30pm)
  48. Simply great local music!
  49. Watch the fish frenzy at the Bay Model, Sausalito
  50. Local libraries gear up with more fabulous musical performances, puppet shows, book clubs, movies, workshops, and more. See the August Awesome List for more.