Though summer is ending, there are still plenty of opportunities for fun family outings and educational days for your kids. Take advantage of the many free events in the San Francisco area in the upcoming months!

National Park Free Entrance Days

Muir Woods National Monument

There are three entrance fee-free days for all National Parks in the upcoming months:

• Sunday, August 25th – National Park Service Anniversary
• Saturday, September 28th – National Public Lands Day
• Monday, November 11th – Veterans Day

Parks in Northern California include Muir Woods, Redwood, Sequoia, and Yosemite. Set out on a weekend camping trip before the weather turns too cold, or take a nature-filled day trip for a short escape from the bustling city. Go for a hike and point out different plant and animal species along the way for a great combination of exercise and hands-on learning!

Check out more details about the entrance fee-free days, and mark “I’m Interested” to receive reminders and extra information about the event.

Museum Free Admission Day

This year, on Saturday, September 21st, museums and cultural institutions across the US are participating in the Smithsonian’s Free Museum Day.

The Tech Interactive

Museums encourage your children to think critically and creatively about the contents of the exhibits and why they’re being displayed, and can also be a great source of inspiration if your child is interested in science, art, history, or any other subject. Do your kids have the misconception that museum trips are too long and boring? Read some tips about how to get them to love these educational institutions.

In the Bay Area, museums include the Bay Area Discovery Museum, The Tech Interactive, Museum of Craft & Design, and the New Museum Los Gatos (NUMU). Each reserved ticket allows for free admission for two people at one museum, so get yours soon!

More family-friendly free events are bound to pop up as the year goes on, so make sure to check back for updates!