The Twin Cities offers plenty of opportunities for kids to meet real firefighters and get up close to fire trucks and other fire fighting gear. While October is our favorite month for visiting a fire station, there are actually two year-round fire-related museums in Minnesota and private tours can be scheduled at many stations throughout the year.
For Fire Trucks and More, check out our Touch-A-Truck Calendar
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Thoreson Pop Up Splash Pad
Date(s): 08/18/2026 4:00 pm - 6:00 pmLocation: Thoresen Park, 6259 Eagle Lake Dr, Maple Grove, MN, 55369
Join the Maple Grove Fire and Police Departments for some splash happy fun. Fire trucks will spray water, plus there will be water games and treats. Meet local firefighters and police officers, ask questions, learn about safety and tour a police car.
Roseville Fridays with Firefighters (FREE)
Date(s): 08/21/2026 10:00 am - 12:00 pmLocation: Roseville Fire Station, 2701 Lexington Ave North, Roseville, MN, 55113
Roseville Fire Station will host three family-friendly events this summer featuring vendors and information like a Close Before You Doze trailer that teaches kids about fire safety at home. Each event will serve ice cream and donuts. Cost is free and all ages are welcome.
Summer 2026 Fridays with Firefighters
- June 12
- July 17
- August 21
Fire Prevention Day at the Minnesota State Fair
Date(s): 08/28/2026 7:00 am - 11:00 pmLocation: Minnesota State Fair - Dan Patch Park, MN, MN
Special and hot, hot, hot today: learn all about fire prevention at the Minnesota State Fair today! A variety of fire education presentations, demos and activities will be offered around the fairgrounds. See our schedule of free Fire Prevention Day family-friendly events. These events take place August 28 only and are included with admission to the Minnesota State Fair.
Burnsville Festival & Fire Muster
Date(s): 09/10/2026 - 09/12/2026 SEE TIMESLocation: Burnsville Fire Muster, Multiple Locations, Burnsville, MN, 55337
The Burnsville Fire Muster includes inflatables and a kids area, a medallion hunt, a food truck festival, city block party with live music, fire truck display, carnival with family activities and an exciting drone and fireworks show. Full festival runs September 10-12, 2026.
Farmington Fire Prevention Open House (FREE)
Date(s): 09/16/2026 5:30 pm - 8:30 pmLocation: Farmington Fire Station 1, 21625 Denmark Ave, Farmington, MN, 55024
Farmington’s Fire Prevention Open House gives you an educational glimpse into the workings of the fire department with station tours and touch-a-fire-truck opportunities plus fire fighter demos and photo opportunities with Sparky the Fire Pup.
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Lake Elmo Fire Department Open House
Date(s): 09/28/2026 4:00 pm - 7:00 pmLocation: Lake Elmo Fire Department, 3880 Laverne Avenue North, Lake Elmo, MN, 55042
Visit the Lake Elmo Fire Station and meet firefighters and other first responders, learn about fire safety and prevention, see fire trucks and tour the facilities.
Chanhassen Fire Department Open House (FREE)
Date(s): 09/28/2026 5:30 pm - 8:00 pmLocation: Chanhassen Fire Station, 7610 Laredo Drive, Chanhassen, MN, 55317
The Chanhassen Fire Department Open House is an annual fall event. Families can tour fire trucks, an ambulance and a squad car, participate in kids activities, play in a bounce house and watch demos. Refreshments are available beginning at 5:30pm. Donations for Southern Valley Alliance in Shakopee are appreciated. FREE. Drop In. All Ages.
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Apple Valley Fire Prevention Week Fun
Date(s): 10/04/2026 - 10/10/2026 SEE TIMESLocation: Apple Valley Municipal Center, 7100 147th Street West, Apple Valley, MN, 55124
Look for fun open house events hosted by the Apple Valley Fire Department during Fire Prevention Week. Events will be family-friendly with hands-on activities, demos, and a chance to check out the gear and fire trucks and meet the firefighters of Apple Valley.
Burnsville Fire Open House (FREE)
Date(s): 10/08/2026 5:30 pm - 7:00 pmLocation: Fire Station No. 1, 14275 Newton Avenue South, Burnsville, MN, 55306
Burnsville Fire Department invites the community to visit Fire Station No. 1 for a family-friendly evening of learning, hands-on activities and fun for everyone. See the link for our full schedule of fire prevention events.
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Columbia Heights Fire Department Open House
Date(s): 10/10/2026 11:00 am - 2:00 pmLocation: Columbia Heights Fire Deparatment, 825 41st Avenue NE, Columbia Heights, MN, 55421
Fire Station Tours Anytime
Many Fire Stations offer tours by appointment throughout the year. If you don’t see your local station on this list, you can call their non-emergency number to inquire about tours.
- Saint Paul: To schedule a free tour, choose a fire station from this list, call the Fire Captain of the station to arrange a tour time.
- Minnetonka: Tours can be scheduled through the public education specialists by calling 952.939.8331.
- Inver Grove Heights: Call the Fire Operations Supervisor at 651-450-4303 to book a 30-45 minute tour.
- St. Louis Park: Offers tours by appointment by calling 952-924-2595.
- Burnsville: Contact Fire Administration at 952-895-4570 to schedule a tour.
- Eden Prairie: Station tours can be scheduled most Mondays and Fridays during regular business hours, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Call the Fire Prevention Bureau 952-949-8556 at least a week in advance of all requests.
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3 Fire-Related Museums
Firefighters Hall and Museum
664 22nd Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN, 55418 United States
Located in Northeast Minneapolis near Edison High School, this small interactive museum offers kids a chance to climb on fire engines and try on firefighter gear. There is also a dedicated exhibit to the heroes of the 2007 35W bridge collapse – first responders who risked their lives in this emergency.
Open the 2nd & 4th Saturdays in 2022. PLEASE call ahead to confirm.
Hinckley Fire Museum
106 Old Hwy 61 S, Hinckley, MN 55037
Located a little over an hour north of the Twin Cities, this museum memorializes the 1894 Hinckley Fire.
The museum is only May through mid-October. Find current hours and admission here.
Mill City Museum
704 South 2nd Street, Minneapolis, MN 55401
You might not think that a museum dedicated to flour would have anything to do with firefighting, but flour is very explosive and the building has suffered multiple fires over the years — in 1878, 1928 and 1990 — all of which are discussed during the Flour Tower experience.Â
Open Thursday through Sunday, year round.
7 At-Home Fire Prevention Activities For Young Firefighters
The good news is that, according to FEMA, children 14 and under are 50% less likely to die in a fire than the general population. The U.S. average over the last 10 years has only been 300-400 child deaths per year. I start there in hopes that I don’t add to your late-night worries. We have enough of those.
That said, according to Stanford Children’s Health, “Most child play related home fires begin in a bedroom or living room where children are left unattended. The majority of these fires are started by children playing with matches or lighters.” A little fire safety education can go a long way. We recommend starting with the list below:
- Earn a Junior Ranger Badge from the National Park Service. Print and complete a Wildland Fire: Junior Ranger Booklet to learn more about what wildland firefighters do. Complete the booklet to earn a virtual badge.
- Test Your Smoke Alarms: Let your kids press the button while you cover your ears.
- Check Off A Safety List: This is a good month to review the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Winter Safety Checklist: For Your Home as a family. Let your kids check things off as you finish the checklist.
- Screen Time Fire Safety Fun: The kids page of the National Fire Prevention Association is Sparky.org. It offers a variety of printable activities and lesson plans as well as videos games and other fun things to explore.
- Family Movie Night: Families with younger kids may enjoy Planes: Fire and Rescue.
- Read About It: Pick up some books about firefighters and fire safety at the library. We recommend for for Headstrong Hallie!: The Story of Hallie Morse Daggett, the First Female “Fire Guard” by local author Aimée Bissonette
- Activities from Pinterest: Check out these fun ideas we’ve gathered on Pinterest.
Watch A Fire Prevention Video
Your young firefighters can watch this video from the National Fire Protection Agency (“NFPA”) about the Great Chicago Fire anytime. It features author Lauren Tarshsis (of the “I survived” books)Â interviewing Casey Grant of the NFPA.
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