# Free things to do with kids in San Jose

Parks, playgrounds and other things to do in San Jose that are free to get into. 10 listed.

Last updated 2026-10-22, from the newest confirmation among these places.

## The list

1. [Hellyer County Park](https://ourplayday.com/places/hellyer-county-park-san-jose) (playground, San Jose). A 30-foot play structure with enclosed slides plus a rock-formation splash pad that switches on whenever it hits 70 degrees, next to Cottonwood Lake (fishing) and the Coyote Creek trail. Permanent restrooms; $6 county parking. Has: free to enter.
2. [Rotary PlayGarden](https://ourplayday.com/places/rotary-playgarden-san-jose) (playground, San Jose). San Jose's first all-inclusive play space: a $6M Rotary-built playground where kids with and without disabilities use the same structures, expanded in 2023 with more shade and play pieces. Free, right on the Guadalupe River trail. Has: free to enter.
3. [Almaden Lake Regional Park](https://ourplayday.com/places/almaden-lake-regional-park-san-jose) (playground, San Jose). Two playgrounds by the lake, including the new all-inclusive 'Playground of Possibilities,' plus bocce, a seasonal snack bar, and permanent restrooms on both sides of the park. The lake loop is stroller-friendly. Has: free to enter.
4. [Alum Rock Park](https://ourplayday.com/places/alum-rock-park-san-jose) (playground, San Jose). California's oldest municipal park (1872): 720 rugged canyon acres with a small mid-canyon playground, creekside picnic lawns, and real hiking. Has: free to enter.
5. [Emma Prusch Farm Park](https://ourplayday.com/places/emma-prusch-farm-park-san-jose) (playground, San Jose). A working city farm in San Jose: barns with goats, chickens and rabbits, an orchard to walk, and no entry charge. Has: free to enter.
6. [History Park at Kelley Park](https://ourplayday.com/places/history-park-at-kelley-park-san-jose) (park, San Jose). A 14-acre village of 30+ historic and replica buildings (print shop, schoolhouse, ice cream parlor, candy store) with free weekend trolley rides. Admission is free. Has: free to enter.
7. [Doerr Park Playground](https://ourplayday.com/places/doerr-park-playground-san-jose) (playground, San Jose). Tall tube slides, a rock climbing wall, monkey bars and ropes for energetic kids, with a separate 2 to 5 area for the younger ones. Has: free to enter.
8. [Japanese Friendship Garden](https://ourplayday.com/places/japanese-friendship-garden-san-jose) (garden, San Jose). Six acres of koi ponds, bridges, and waterfalls inside Kelley Park, patterned after Okayama's Korakuen Garden. Free to enter, next to Happy Hollow. Has: free to enter.
9. [San Jose Municipal Rose Garden](https://ourplayday.com/places/san-jose-municipal-rose-garden-san-jose) (garden, San Jose). A free, flat, five-acre rose garden with thousands of bushes, best April through June. Flat paved paths make it stroller-easy. Has: free to enter.
10. [Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum](https://ourplayday.com/places/almaden-quicksilver-mining-museum-san-jose) (museum, San Jose). A free museum in the Casa Grande mansion telling the story of the mercury mines, with period rooms kids can wander and mine trails in the surrounding county park. Has: free to enter.

## Other lists for San Jose

- [High chairs](https://ourplayday.com/united-states/california/san-jose/with-high-chairs) (12)
- [Changing tables](https://ourplayday.com/united-states/california/san-jose/with-changing-tables) (6)
- [Kids' menu](https://ourplayday.com/united-states/california/san-jose/with-kids-menu) (8)
- [Wheelchair accessible](https://ourplayday.com/united-states/california/san-jose/wheelchair-accessible) (31)
- [Cribs](https://ourplayday.com/united-states/california/san-jose/with-cribs) (7)
- [Pool](https://ourplayday.com/united-states/california/san-jose/with-a-pool) (7)
- [Free breakfast](https://ourplayday.com/united-states/california/san-jose/with-free-breakfast) (4)
- [Fridge in the room](https://ourplayday.com/united-states/california/san-jose/with-a-fridge) (5)
- [Separate bedroom](https://ourplayday.com/united-states/california/san-jose/with-a-separate-bedroom) (4)
- [Restrooms](https://ourplayday.com/united-states/california/san-jose/with-restrooms) (54)
- [Shade](https://ourplayday.com/united-states/california/san-jose/with-shade) (5)
- [Water play](https://ourplayday.com/united-states/california/san-jose/with-water-play) (14)
- [Order at the counter](https://ourplayday.com/united-states/california/san-jose/order-at-the-counter) (8)

## About this list

Every place here is a listing on Play Day, and a place is listed only when something positive is known about it for kids. Each listing carries the kid facts (high chairs, changing tables, kids' menus, wheelchair access) A list needs at least three places to exist.

Page: https://ourplayday.com/united-states/california/san-jose/free-to-visit. All of San Jose: https://ourplayday.com/united-states/california/san-jose