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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Plymouth Books with Badges (FREE)
Date(s): 06/15/2026 10:00 am - 11:00 amLocation: Zachary Playfields, 4355 Zachary Lane, Plymouth, MN, 55442
Enjoy a story time with Plymouth police officers and firefighters geared towards early readers (pre-K to kindergarten). Kids will receive a free book for attending.
Grove West Pop Up Splashpad
Date(s): 06/16/2026 4:00 pm - 6:00 pmLocation: Grove West Park, 7520 Inland Lane North, Maple Grove, MN, 55311
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.
Orono Evenings In the Park: Popsicles with Public Safety (FREE)
Date(s): 06/16/2026 5:00 pm - 7:00 pmLocation: Orono Park, 15899 Gary Street, Elk River, MN, 55330
One evening a month this summer, gather in Elk River’s Orono Park for free community entertainment. Here’s the lineup:
- June 16: Popsicles with Public Safety – 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, get a free popsicle courtesy Johnny Pops and play around in a foam party | 5-7pm
St. Louis Park Fire Department Open House (FREE)
Date(s): 06/16/2026 5:00 pm - 7:30 pmLocation: St. Louis Park's Fire Station #1, 3750 Wooddale Ave S, St Louis Park, MN, 55416
St. Louis Park Fire Department’s annual Open House is free and open to all ages. Stop by to meet some firefighters, enjoy snacks and participate in fun activities (see link for complete listing of events).
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Golden Valley Public Safety Open House (FREE)
Date(s): 06/17/2026 5:00 pm - 7:00 pmLocation: Golden Valley City Hall, 7800 Golden Valley Rd, Golden Valley, MN, 55427
Golden Valley’s annual Public Safety Open House allows the curious to tour the police and fire stations, try for prizes, and ogle the equipment Police and Fire Departments use to keep us safe!
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Maple Grove Storytime at the Station (FREE)
Date(s): 06/20/2026 10:00 am - 11:00 amLocation: Maple Grove Fire Station #2, 13450 Maple Knoll Way, Maple Grove, MN, 55369
A special summer edition of Maple Grove’s Storytime at the Station! The Maple Grove Fire-Rescue Department invites kids and their caregivers inside to hear the tales and see the trucks and safety equipment up close. It’s advised to bring a blanket to sit on.
Maple Grove Summer Safety Fair (FREE)
Date(s): 06/25/2026 5:00 pm - 8:00 pmLocation: Maple Grove Fire Station #2, 13450 Maple Knoll Way, Maple Grove, MN, 55369
The Maple Grove Fire Department hosts and educational and family-friendly Summer Safety Fair where all ages can explore emergency vehicles, watch live rescue demos, learn safety tips and grab some free food.
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Ham Lake Freedom Festival
Date(s): 06/27/2026 3:00 pm - 11:00 pmLocation: Ham Lake Lions Park, 1220 157th Avenue Northeast, Ham Lake, MN, 55304
At the Ham Lake Freedom Festival families can participate in kids’ activities, grab a free pulled pork sandwich, listen to live bands, explore a police and fire truck display, and watch fireworks at 10pm.Â
Minnetonka Fire Department Open House (FREE)
Date(s): 06/27/2026 4:00 pm - 5:30 pmLocation: Minnetonka's Fire Station #1, 14550 Minnetonka Boulevard, Minnetonka, MN, 55345
As part of Minnetonka’s Summer Fest, stop in for a special Fire Department Open House.
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Edina Art Together (FREE)
Date(s): 07/07/2026 5:00 pm - 7:00 pmLocation: Edina Fire Station 2, 4401 W 76th St, Edina, MN
Make art projects and enjoy a snack with Edina emergency personnel – police, firefighters, and more. This free, drop in event is for all ages. 2026 dates: June 9, July 7 & August 4.
Robbinsdale Whiz Bang Days Ice Cream Social (FREE)
Date(s): 07/10/2026 4:00 pm - 6:00 pmLocation: Citizens Independent Bank, 3700 W Broadway, Robbinsdale, MN, 55422
Whiz Bang Days is Robbinsdale’s summer festival! Family fun includes free ice cream, face painting, music and vehicle fair, parade & fireworks. The Whiz Bang Days Ice Cream Social includes a visit from a fire truck! Citizens Independent Bank parking lot, 4-6pm.
Boundary Creek Pop Up Splashpad
Date(s): 07/14/2026 4:00 pm - 6:00 pmLocation: Boundary Creek Park, 10455 Nathan Lane North, Maple Grove, MN, 55331
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.
New Hope Fire Department Open House (FREE)
Date(s): 07/21/2026 5:00 pm - 8:00 pmLocation: West Metro Fire Station No. 3, ,4251 Xylon Avenue North, New Hope, MN, 55428
Join West Metro Fire-Rescue personnel for a Fire Department Open House. Enjoy music by a kid-friendly DJ, watch fire and rescue demons, participate in a kiddie obstacle course and spray houses, train cart rides, explore static displays, and grab a bite to eat at onsite food trucks.
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Champlin Big Trucks & Cool Stuff (FREE)
Date(s): 07/30/2026 4:00 pm - 7:00 pmLocation: Champlin Parks & Public Works, Champlin Park & Recreation, Champlin, MN, 55316
Climb inside Champlin’s Public Works trucks, fire truck and police cars, plus check out other cool stuff at this free community event! Parking available at the nearby Ice Forum.
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Brooklyn Park’s Night Out
Date(s): 08/04/2026 7:00 pm - 9:00 pmLocation: Brooklyn Park Central Park, 8440 Regent Avenue North, Brooklyn Park, MN, 55448
In anticipation of the neighborhood night, Brooklyn Park hosts a city-wide event with family-friendly activities and attractions, a chance to get up close with police cars and fire trucks, games, food and a movie at dusk.
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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.
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.
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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