Homeschool hub: SF Bay Area
Homeschool days and rates, free passes, educator discounts that include homeschool teachers, curriculum swaps, book sales and daytime library programs. Every card links to the venue's, store's or library's own page.
4homeschool programs & free days
2educator discounts that include homeschool teachers
All our homeschool lists:
Museum programs and free days, free passes you can borrow with a library card, and stores whose own policy says their teacher discount includes homeschool teachers.
Price listedAlso on our SF Bay Area page
The Tech Interactive
Select Wednesdays built for homeschooling families: full access to all exhibits, mini STEAM demonstrations led by the education team, a Drop-In Lab for open-ended science and engineering activities, and special workshops just for homeschool families. Free downloadable lesson plans come with it. The page says a detailed schedule is coming.
- Ages: All ages
- Cost: $30 per person
- When: Wed Jan 13, 2027 (more dates may be added) · 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
See the full card on our SF Bay Area page →
Price listedAlso on our SF Bay Area page
Exploratorium
The 2026–27 field-trip season runs Sept 22, 2026 to June 4, 2027, Tuesday–Friday, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. The field-trip price is $10 per youth (PreK–12), free for children 3 and under, with one adult free per 10 youth and extra adults $10. Reservations are required.
- Ages: PreK–12
- Cost: $10 per youth (PreK–12), 3 and under free
- When: Tue–Fri, Sept 22, 2026–June 4, 2027, by reservation · Not listed on source
See the full card on our SF Bay Area page →
FreeAlso on our SF Bay Area page
Oakland Museum of California
Free admission to the galleries of California art, history and natural sciences, now including special exhibitions, on the first Sunday of every month. The museum encourages reserving free tickets online ahead of time. Tickets are also available at the admissions desk first come, first served.
- Ages: All ages
- Cost: Free
- When: First Sunday of each month · Not listed on source
See the full card on our SF Bay Area page →
FreeAlso on our SF Bay Area page
San Francisco, Oakland and San José public libraries
Cardholders can reserve free or discounted passes to museums, science centers, zoos, theaters and other cultural venues online with their library card number and PIN. Each library serves its own residents: San Francisco Public Library for San Francisco residents, San José Public Library for City of San José residents, and Oakland Public Library for residents of Oakland, Emeryville and Piedmont (age 14+). You can hold two active reservations per card. Once you print or download a pass you cannot cancel it, so wait until just before your visit.
- Ages: All ages
- Cost: Free with a library card
- When: Year-round, while passes last · Not listed on source
See the full card on our SF Bay Area page →
Educator discount
Area: Michaels stores in the SF Bay Area, and online
Michaels' own policy lists "teachers who work in ... home schools" under who qualifies for its 15% teacher discount. Many items are excluded (for example clearance, books, classes and some brands), so check the list on the policy page.
- Ages: For the parent-teacher
- Cost: Free to join (Michaels Rewards)
- When: Year-round
- Proof needed: Verify as a teacher in Michaels Rewards (checked by a third-party service) with a document showing your name, your school or organization, and your status. Michaels says a valid educator ID lets you make 3 purchases while verification finishes.
Educator discount
Area: Apple Store online and Apple Stores in the SF Bay Area
Apple's Education Sales Policy says any K-12 employee is eligible for education pricing, "including homeschool teachers."
- Ages: For the parent-teacher
- Cost: Education prices (vary by product)
- When: Year-round
- Proof needed: Apple may ask for extra qualifying information before it accepts an order, and it audits education purchases, so keep documents that show you homeschool. Yearly limits apply (for example one MacBook and two iPads per year).