Got kids who are just crazy about getting up close to big rigs? Good news! Your Modern Family recently shared their research on why this obsession makes kids smarter! Our calendar of Twin Cities Touch-A-Truck events and Public Works Open Houses will help you find events featuring a wide variety of different trucks!
While amount of access and type of vehicle offered can vary from event to event, children of all ages can expect the chance to climb into big vehicles like:
- Tow trucks
- Snowplows
- Tractors
- Excavators
- Utility Vehicles
- Skid Loaders
- Ambulances
- Police cars, and
- Rescue vehicles.
Participants can often sit behind the wheel of a fire truck and learn about the equipment from real firefighters at these family-friendly events. Guests sometimes even have permission to honk the truck’s horn or listen to the sirens.
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Best Months for Touch-A-Truck Events
While there are free touch-a-truck event opportunities throughout the year, the best times to find opportunities are in May, during National Public Works Week and National Police Week, and in October, during Fire Prevention Month. Because it is easier to offer these events outdoors, April through October naturally have more opportunities than winter months.
2024 Twin Cities Touch-A-Truck Events
Usually a vehicle fair is a free event, but we do sometimes share fun splurge big-truck events where there is an admission charge for attendance and a ticket holder gets a special experience. In those cases, we will list the price for individual tickets and any family deals.
April Touch-a-Truck Events
Many community organizations jump into spring with touch-a-truck events. Please note that the events are listed by date and are free unless otherwise noted.
NEW BRIGHTON Tots & Tires
Hansen Park, 400 10Th St. NW, New Brighton, MN 55112
Get ready for big tires attached to big trucks, tractors and more vehicles. There will also be a special storytime hosted by Ramsey County Libraries. We’re guessing the stories may be about big trucks, too. April 12, 2024, 9:30-11:30am.
MINNETONKA Sensory Friendly Open House
Minnetonka Fire Station 1, 14550 Minnetonka Blvd., Minnetonka, MN 55305
Get up close to fire trucks, ambulance and police cars without the lights or sirens. Meet a firefighter and get a cookie. April 20, 2024, 10m-1pm.
CRYSTAL Police Department Open House
4141 Douglas Dr N, Crystal, MN 55427
Besides checking out a SWAT truck and other police vehicles, visitors can meet police and take a self-guided tour including visiting the K9 area, forensics lab, jail and training areas. April 27, 2024. 10am-1pm.
May Touch-a-Truck Events
May 15 is Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week surrounding it is National Police Week. National Public Works Week is traditionally the third week of May. During May, watch for open house events at local police departments and public works departments.
EDINA Vehicle Day
10 Southdale Center, Edina, MN 55435
Kids can sit in the driver’s seat and pretend to be firefighters, truck drivers and delivery people at this annual touch-a-truck event. Find out more about events at Southdale Center. May 4, 2024, 10am-12pm.Â
INVER GROVE HEIGHTS Touch-A-Truck
Veterans Memorial Community Center, 8055 Barbara Ave, Inver Grove Heights, MN 55077
Kids of all ages will love these photo opportunities with a wide variety of different trucks on display, including IGH police cars, fire trucks, Public Works vehicles, Commemorative Air Force MN, and plenty more. May 11, 2024.
MENDOTA HEIGHTSÂ Touch-a-Truck
Mendakota Park, 2000-2198 Mendakota Dr, Mendota Heights, MN 55120
Get close up to fire trucks, police cars, mowers and plows. Also games, photo opps and refreshments. May 11, 2024, 10am-12pm.Â
OTSEGO Touch-A-Truck
Otsego Prairie Park, 13355 90th Street NE, Otsego, MNÂ 55330
Besides the Touch-A-Truck event, families can bring a picnic, play on the playground and the splash pad. Bring your own remote control car to race it on the park’s RC Race Track. May 14, 2024.
FOREST LAKE Big Rig Day
Hardwood Creek Library, 19955 Forest Rd N, Forest Lake, MN 55025
Vehicles like an ambulance, fire truck, garbage truck ad more will be at the Forest Lake Metro Transit Parking lot (behind the library). May 18, 2024, 9:30am-11:30am.
ARDEN HILLS Touch-A-Truck
Perry Park, 3700 New Brighton Road, Arden Hills, MN 55112
Got kids who are just crazy about getting up close to big rigs? Celebrate National Public Works Week in Arden Hills by getting a close-up look at some of your favorite vehicles, including a fire engine, squad car, boat, snowplow, and more. May 18, 2024, 10am to 1pm.
BLOOMINGTON Public Works Open House
1700 West 98th Street, Bloomington MN 55431
Equipment rides and demos, interactive displays, free snacks and prizes. May 18, 2024, 9am-12pm.Â
COON RAPIDS Public Works Open House
1831 111th Ave. NW, Coon Rapids MN
Take a tour of the Public Works facility and check out snowplows, tractors and other big rigs. Kids can learn about the city’s Recycling Center and other community services. May 18, 2024, 10am-12pm.
EAGAN Big Rig Rally
Central Maintenance Facility, 3501 Coachman Point, Eagan, MN
Families can get a close-up, behind-the-scenes glimpse at the City of Eagan’s big rigs: fire trucks, police cars, mowers, plow trucks and garbage truck! More family fun includes face painting, photo ops, refreshments and fun giveaways. Learn more about Eagan’s annual Big Rig Rally here. May 23, 2024, 4-7pm. FREE.
Summer Touch-a-Truck Events
WEST ST PAUL Mighty Machines
Wentworth Library, 199 Wentworth Ave E, West St Paul, MN 55118
Drop into Wentworth Library to explore all kinds of trucks and vehicles. June 6, 2024, 9:30-11:30am. FREE.
NORTH ST PAUL Touch-a-TruckÂ
Charles Street and 7th Ave. E, North St Paul MN
Kids can view fire trucks, police cars, snowplows, and more equipment during the History Cruzers Car Show. June 14, 2024, 4-8pm. FREE.
GOLDEN VALLEYÂ Public Safety Open House
Police Station & Fire Station 1, 7800 Golden Valley Road, Golden Valley, MNÂ 55427
Tour the stations, win p prizes and check out all the safety vehicles. June 26, 2024, 5–8 pm.
CARVER Vehicle Fair
Carver Station, Copper Hills Dr, Carver, MN 55315
Heavy equipment haven! Firetrucks, squad cars and more! Plus bounce houses for kids and food truck treats. June 28, 2024, 6-8pm.
ORONO Popsicles with Public Safety
Orono Park, 18599 Gary Street, Elk River, MN 55330
Besides the opportunity to explore public safety vehicles, kids can meet a K-9 officer, have a Child Safe ID kit created, meet police officers and firefighters and get a free popsicle. June 18, July 16 & August 20, 2024, 5–7 pm.
STILLWATER Big Truck Night
Lowell Park, 101 Water Street S., Stillwater, MN 55082
Big trucks on display you can climb on: fire trucks, a SWAT truck, army trucks and more. Part of Stillwater’s Summer Tuesdays event. July 16, 2024, 5:30-8:30pm. FREE.
VICTORIA Truck Rodeo
Victoria Recreation Center, 8475 Kochia Lane, Victoria MN 55386
Get close to the big trucks and machinery that keep the city running smoothly. FREE event. July 18, 2024, 6-8pm.
CHAMPLIN Big Trucks & Cool Stuff
Event: Public Works Yard, 11955 Champlin Drive, Champlin, MN 55316
Parking: Champlin Ice Forum, 12165 Ensign Ave N, Champlin, MN 55316
Get up close and personal with the Public Works vehicles. Sit in a plow truck, front end loader, one-ton, water truck, and more. August 1, 2024 4pm-7pm. FREE.
ST PAUL Linwood Vehicle Fair
Linwood Recreation Center, 860 St. Clair Avenue, Saint Paul, MN, 55105
Walk the park to see a variety of vehicles. Concessions available to purchase. August 8, 2024, 4-7pm.
CHASKA Touch-a-Truck
Chaska Community Center, 1661 Park Ridge Dr, Chaska, MN 55318
It’s a full-on carnival with games. treats, a kids DJ, bounce house and the vehicles of Chaska’s various public safety and recreation departments. August 22, 2024, 5-7pm. FREE.
Fall Touch-A-Truck Events
As we approach the fall, watch for Open House events at local fire departments in October during National Fire Prevention month.
MAPLEWOOD Touch-a-Truck
2100 White Bear Avenue, Maplewood MN
Get close to police cars, firetrucks, garbage trucks, snow plows and more favorites plus the event includes activity stations, free hot dogs and chips – all free. September 13, 2024.
CRYSTAL/ROBBINSDALE Vehicle Fair
Crystal Community Center, 4800 Douglas Drive North, Crystal, MN 55429
Bring your cameras and let your kids explore a wide variety of trucks and cars on display during this annual event. September 21, 2024, 10am-Noon. FREE.
WOODBURY Big Truck Day
8595 Central Park Pl, Woodbury, MN 55125
Find a variety of big trucks in the east lot of Central Park including an ambulance, fire truck and garbage truck. The Teddy Bear Band will perform from 9-11am. 2024 TBA; 9am-noon. FREE.
ELK RIVER Day of the Dozers
ERX Motor Park, 21591 US-169, Elk River, MN 55330
Kids get a chance to climb inside construction vehicles, play in sandpits and other fun activities. September 21, 2024, 9am. $20-25/child; $10-15/adult. Save on general admission by pre-registering.
Check back regularly for this year’s touch a truck events! We’ll list them as we learn of them.
An Any-Time Touch a Truck Opportunity
If you have never visited the Firefighters Hall and Museum in Minneapolis, this is a great place to climb on Fire Trucks any weekend. Open 2nd & 4th Saturdays of Every Month, 9am-4pm.
Related Articles - Cool Cars, Trains, Airplanes and Fire Trucks!
Past Twin Cities Touch-a-Truck Events We Are Watching For in 2024
Lil’ Sparkler Celebration
Richfield Band Shell & Ice Arena, 636 East 66th Street, Richfield, MN 55423
Richfield Police, Fire & Public Works vehicles will be on display during the annual Lil’ Sparklers Family Night. There will also be food trucks, a kidsdance, ice skating, a movie and a laser light show. 2024 TBA, 5:30-6:30 pm.
Fete des Lacs Public Safety Night / Touch-A-Truck
St. Genevieve Parish Community Center, 6995 Centerville Rd, Centerville, MN 55038
Besides the touch-a-truck, families can watch K-9 unit demonstrations, see a helicopter land and get a free first aid kit. July 2024 TBA, 6pm-8pm.Â
Maple Grove Days Big Truck Show
Grassy Lot across from Life Time, 12601 82nd Ave N, Maple Grove, MN 55369
The field will be full of fire trucks, police cars, National Guard trucks, cranes, diggers, and big trucks of all kinds that kids of all ages can climb on and explore.
July 2024 TBA;Â 9am-3pm.
Shakopee Community Ed Vehicle Fair
Shakopee High School, 100 17th Ave W, Shakopee, MN 55379Â
Families can explore a variety of vehicles free and first 500 guests get a free hot dot meal! August 2024 TBA, 5-6:30pm. FREE.
My son likes anything that has a steering wheel. Can’t wait!
That’s awesome, Henry. Let us know how he likes the touch a trucks!
Hello,
I wanted to let you know about another “Touch-a-Truck” event coming up in September. Shakopee Community Education will be hosting our annual Vehicle Fair! We will have music, activities, a free hot dog dinner for the first 500 attendees, and Kona Ice & Drooling Moose items available for purchase. Vehicles confirmed so far include the Life Link III helicopter, police, fire, and ambulance vehicles, city construction and utility vehicles, and many more!
Logistics:
Monday, Sep 26, 5-6:30pm
Shakopee High School – 100 17th Ave W, Shakopee, MN 55379
Please add to your list if you can. Thanks!
Emily Starke
Thanks for this information, Emily. We’ve added the event.
I’m satisfied reading your article , it was very interesting and informative .
I appreciated your blog i gained a lot of knowledge from your trucking blog
Thank you, Todd. I hope you and your kids can get out and enjoy some big trucks close up this season. The events seem to be coming back this year!