In just a few weeks, parents all over the Bay Area will be sending their kids back to school. It’s been a lovely summer. The weather has been nice, there have been lots of activities to keep the entire family busy, and many of us had a chance to remember why we fell in love with living in the Bay in the first place! As we count down the days to the end of summer, make sure you’ve done everything that you can to squeeze all of the fun out of this summer break. If you haven’t, no worries! Check out this list of things to do with your kids in the Bay Area before the summer ends. Oh, and remember, even though school starts back at the end of August, summer doesn’t officially end until September 22nd. Even if you don’t get a chance to do all of these activities before school starts, the weekends are a perfect time to extend the fun!

There are some Bay Area mainstays that everyone knows about, but this list is not that. Try something different in the next few weeks! Explore, have an adventure, and get to know more about the place we live!

Get In The Water

Take advantage of the warm late summer days at Great America’s Boomerang Bay Water Park.

Swim without getting burned by the sun at Aquatech. Check out the calendar for family swim times.

Tire the kids out at the Antioch Water Park. There are slides, wave pools, and other attractions for all ages.

Build sandcastles at Alameda’s Crown Beach. Free parking and no crowds make this a great beach for families.

Get A Bite To Eat

Eat mac & cheese at Homeroom.

Get the most delicious ice cream sandwiches with homemade cookies from Cream in Berkeley.

Buy a bag of kettle corn from the Saturday farmer’s market at Lake Merritt.

Go to The Star on Grand Ave. in Oakland and have pizza for lunch. It’s less crowded, less expensive and just as yummy.

Share a big ole cinnamon bun at Cinnaholic in Berkeley.

Summer tradition: Head over to Fenton’s Creamery in Oakland for an ice cream sundae.

Get To The Movies

Put on jammies and head to the Oakland Zoo for family Zoovie night. The next one is 8/21.

Grab a chair and go down to Jack London Square for Sing-Along Cinema or Waterfront Flicks. Don’t miss Frozen on 8/6!

Pack up the car and go to the West Wind Solano Movie Drive-In in Concord. Tuesday is Family Fun Night!

Get Outdoors

Have a picnic at Lake Merritt by Children’s Fairyland. If you have little ones, go to Fairyland first to wear them out a bit!

Head into the Oakland Hills and hike at Joaquin Miller Park. Don’t forget your water bottle!

Take a walk or ride your bike on the Bay Bridge bicycle and pedestrian path. You’ll get the most beautiful views of the city!

Ride the ferry from Jack London Square in Oakland to San Francisco’s Pier 39 and then get lunch!

Get Artsy

Get family and friends together for a potluck and a musical at the Woodminster Amphitheater. The Producers and Aida are up next!

Your kids will love The Day the Crayons Quit by the Bay Area Children’s Theatre. Catch a show in August in the city!

Go to the Oakland Museum of California on a Friday night to dance, see art, and eat good food!