Indoor and rainy day activities with kids in Oakland

What's on for kids in Oakland

• Nature Walk for Kids

  Fri, Oct 9 · Redwood Regional Park · Ages 4–10

  Discover local wildlife and plants on a guided nature walk designed for kids.

• Kid's Science Day

  Mon, Oct 12 · Oakland Science Center · Ages 6–16

  Explore the wonders of science with hands-on experiments and demonstrations.

• Craft for Kids

  Wed, Oct 14 · 2:00 PM · Lakeview Branch · Ages 6–11

  Come and get creative with us here at Lakeview! We will be doing a different craft every week. Crafts are geared towards ages 6-11 but younger kids are welcome with an adult present. All supplies are provided.

• Art and Craft Workshop

  Wed, Oct 14 · Oakland Community Center · Ages 5–14

  A fun-filled workshop where kids can create their own artwork using various materials.

• Craft for Kids

  Wed, Oct 21 · 2:00 PM · Lakeview Branch · Ages 6–11

  Come and get creative with us here at Lakeview! We will be doing a different craft every week. Crafts are geared towards ages 6-11 but younger kids are welcome with an adult present. All supplies are provided.

• Kits Cubed STEM Fair 2026

  Wed, Oct 21 · 10:00 AM · Oakland Technical High School · Ages 5–15

  Join us for an exciting STEM fair aimed at kids to explore various scientific and technical topics.

• Craft for Kids

  Wed, Oct 28 · 2:00 PM · Lakeview Branch · Ages 6–11

  Come and get creative with us here at Lakeview! We will be doing a different craft every week. Crafts are geared towards ages 6-11 but younger kids are welcome with an adult present. All supplies are provided.

Rainy day ideas you already have the stuff for

• 

  Build a Simple Circuit

  In this activity, you'll use a basic electronics kit to bring components to life. You'll connect wires, a battery, an LED, and a switch to build a simple circuit that lights up. Then, you'll experiment further to create a buzzing sound. It's incredibly satisfying to see your connections work and understand how electricity flows to make things happen, giving you a real sense of accomplishment and a peek into the world of engineering. Start by following the instructions to connect the battery to an LED, then add a simple switch to control the light. Next, swap out the LED for a small buzzer to make some noise. To stretch this activity, try designing a simple alarm system or adding multiple LEDs in different arrangements, exploring series and parallel circuits as you go.

  10-13 · Indoor · 60 min

  Open
• 

  Learn to Juggle

  Learning to juggle is a super satisfying skill to master. You'll start with simple throws and catches, gradually building up to a smooth, rhythmic sequence. It's a fun challenge that helps you focus and develop your coordination. The feeling of keeping those objects in the air is a real confidence boost, and it's a cool trick you can share with friends and family. Start by practicing with scarves, which fall slowly and give you more time to react. Once you're comfortable, switch to soft balls or beanbags, focusing on two-ball patterns before adding a third for the classic cascade. A good tip is to practice against a wall to prevent your props from rolling far away. For an extra challenge, try juggling different sized objects or even juggling while moving.

  9-13 · Indoor/Outdoor · 30 min

  Open
• 

  Build a Catapult

  Build a small catapult using craft sticks, rubber bands, and a spoon. This activity lets you design and construct a working machine, which is very satisfying. You'll get to experiment with basic physics principles like leverage and projectile motion, seeing how small changes can affect distance and accuracy. It's a great way to put engineering skills to the test and then enjoy some friendly competition. Start by gathering your materials and assembling the base and arm of your catapult. Once built, test your design with a small, soft projectile like a cotton ball or a mini marshmallow. Pay attention to how far and consistently it launches. Refine your catapult by adjusting the rubber bands or the arm length to improve its performance before challenging family members to a distance or accuracy contest.

  9-12 · Indoor/Outdoor · 60 min

  Open
• 

  Family Band Marching Parade

  Let's make some noise! We'll grab our instruments, or make our own, and march around the house or yard playing our favorite songs.

  4,5,6 · Indoor/Outdoor · 25 min · About $22–$30

  Open

Questions parents ask about Oakland

What can you do with a toddler in Oakland on a rainy day?

Oakland's branch libraries are the fallback most parents use: short storytimes, free, and close enough to home that a wet walk back isn't a disaster. The indoor list for Oakland shows what's scheduled.

Are these activities free?

Most of what's listed here — lake paths, markets, library programs — costs nothing. Ticketed indoor play spaces are the expensive part of an Oakland rainy day. Anything ticketed links out to the organizer so you can check the price before you go.

How often is this page updated?

Event listings refresh automatically from local sources, so past dates drop off on their own.