With 12 children between them, the parents of the Family Fun Twin Cities team sure appreciate a good deal. And October is filled with them – from FREE HALLOWEEN EVENTS & FALL FESTIVALS without admission fees to ongoing family art programs and other free entertainment. For hundreds more ideas on how to find free Twin Cities events for kids and families in October visit our:Â
Want to find free things to do in the Minneapolis-St Paul area this weekend? Find our current WEEKEND FAMILY GUIDE, packed with suggestions. We also publish a fresh update of THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK WITH KIDS in the Twin Cities. Our jam is inspiring you parents and caregivers to explore local communities and decide how best to invest the valuable time you’ve got with your young ones.
50 free things to do in the Twin Cities this October
Don’t view these ideas as a bucket list or one more to-do list you’ve got to hurry and check off before the end of the month. Rather, think of them as a back-pocket list you can whip out when it’s time to plan some family time.
Twin Cities free fall fun in October – visit a free pumpkin patch
We can’t promise free pumpkins, but when the patch doesn’t charge admission it could make for a frugal fall outing. (Do note: there may be fee-based activities to choose from and your kids will be very interested.) Here’s a quick rundown of our favorite free Twin Cities pumpkin patches; find our complete guide at the link.
- BARTEN PUMPKINS, New Prague: Free activities include live music most fall weekends, a nature play area for kids and photo opps. Open daily.Â
- COUNTRY SUN FARM, Lake Elmo: Free admission and a free petting farm. Small fee for other activities. Open daily.
- LENDT’S PUMPKIN PATCH, Wyoming: Free admission and a corn box.
- MARSHALL’S FARM MARKET, Eden Prairie: Doesn’t charge admission but requests you make a purchase. There’s also a free corn maze.Â
- PAHL’S MARKET, Apple Valley: Free admission plus a few free activities during their weekend fall festival.
- PETER’S PUMPKINS & CARMEN’S CORN, Shakopee: Complete with free hayrides.
More Twin Cities fall festivals with free admission
Get ready for a bumper crop of free fall festivals this October in the Twin Cities. Find these fun family events near the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area all throughout the fall season. We’re so excited to get back to picking out pumpkins, taking hayrides, jumping in the corn pit and soaking in all the colors. The following fall festivals offer FREE admission; find our complete listing on our FALL FAMILY FESTIVAL CALENDAR:
- CARPENTER NATURE CENTER APPLE FESTIVAL, Hastings – Free fall activities include pick-your-own apples, cider demos, live music & animals and kids activities. October 12-13, 2024, 10am-5pm.
- STILLWATER HARVEST FEST: Free kids activities all day both days, plus don’t miss the pumpkin regatta & giant pumpkin drop. October 12-13, 2024.
- WARGO NATURE CENTER FALL FESTIVAL, Lino Lakes – Pioneer-style activities, cider demonstrations and more for families. October 19, 2024, 1-3pm.
Tackle a free corn maze
5825 Kelvin Ave N, Lake Elmo, MN 55042
Rockpoint Church hosts a traditional fall corn maze – and admission is FREE. Plus other fun stuff like pedal cars and wagon rides. You can’t beat the price tag of a free corn maze, but if this one isn’t in the cards we have a list of 10 more to choose from. Maze open October 5-6, 2024, 11am-4pm.
Warm up around a free bonfire
Lebanon Hills Regional Park, 860 Cliff Rd, Eagan, MN 55123
Dakota County parks are host to Forever Wild Family Fridays –Â free outdoor activities the first Friday of every month. And, in chilly months like October, a bonfire is included. October 4, 2024, 6-7:30pm.
Twin Cities free outdoor fun in the parks in OctoberÂ
Free fun in Minneapolis & St Paul
ST PAUL Fall Flowers in Bloom at Como Conservatory
1225 Estabrook Dr, St Paul, MN 55103
Autumn colors are on fire at the Fall Flower Show in the Conservatory’s sunken garden. Plus, it’s all indoors and balmy so noses won’t freeze. Admission is always free w/ donations gladly accepted. Daily, 10am-4pm.
More free fall fun at COMO PARK ZOO & CONSERVATORY: Don’t miss Como Lil’ Explorer Thursdays. Each themed week is packed with free games, art projects and sensory tables. Thursdays in October 2024, 10am-12pm.
ST PAUL Climb the Highland Park water tower
782 Snelling Ave S, St Paul, MN 55116
Get a beautiful, birds-eye view of the fall colors blanketing the city of St Paul. This is one of only two chances a year to climb the historic tour and learn about public waterworks for free. October 12-13, 2024, 9am-5pm.
MINNEAPOLIS October Family Funday at North Mississippi Regional Park
5116 N Mississippi Dr, Minneapolis, MN 55412
Learn about and hunt for Mississippi River rocks at this free family program. October 12, 2024, 10:30am-12pm.
MINNEAPOLIS Garden Storytime at Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden
1 Theodore Wirth Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55405
A naturalist hosts a different nature themed story each week within the Garden followed by an activity. Meet just outside the Visitor Shelter. Bring a blanket to sit on. Ongoing Thursdays (10 am-10:30 am) through October 12 and Saturdays (3 pm-3:30 pm) thru October 19, 2024. Â
Free fun in the Twin Cities North Metro parks
BROOKLYN PARK October Free Family Fun Days at Mississippi Gateway Regional Park
10360 W River Rd, Brooklyn Park, MN 55444
Free nature drop-in programs offered each Sunday in October thanks much Three Rivers Parks. Themes this month at Mississippi Gateway include a Storywalk and fall color scavenger hunt, and a leaf art program. Sundays in October, 2024, 1-3pm. Learn more about MISSISSIPPI GATEWAY REGIONAL PARK.
MAPLE GROVE Free Funday Sunday at Eastman Nature Center
13351 Elm Creek Rd, Maple Grove, MN 55369
Drop in for free nature programs with new themes each week. Make sure to check the link for the most up to date schedule at EASTMAN NATURE CENTER. Sundays, October 6-20, 2024, 1-4pm.
ST ANTHONY Puppet Art Adventures
Silverwood Park, 2500 County Rd E, St Anthony, MN 55421
Watch a nature-conservation themed puppet show (with plenty of humor). Then, work on a related craft or join a naturalist-guided outdoor hike. October 13, 2024, drop in between 1-4pm.
Free fun in the Twin Cities South Metro parks
BLOOMINGTON Pond Dakota Mission Park open houses
401 E 104th St, Bloomington, MN 55420
Hands-on living history programs fun and free of charge. New themes each week. Ongoing Saturdays, October 12-26, 2024. Drop in from 1-4pm.
BLOOMINGTON Free Family Fun Days at Richardson Nature Center
8737 E Bush Lake Rd, Bloomington, MN 55438
New themes each Sunday in October. Learn more about indoor and outdoor fun at RICHARDSON NATURE CENTER. October 6-27, 2024, 2024. 1-3pm.
EAGAN Caponi Art Park
1220 Diffley Rd, Eagan, MN 55123
Wander the self-guided trails through the sculpture park. Open daily thru October 2024, 9am-8pm. FREE admission, donations appreciated.
FARMINGTON Forever Wild Family FridayÂ
Whitetail Woods Regional Park, 17100 Station Trail, Farmington, MN, 55044
Visit a select Dakota County park the first Friday of every month for family-friendly outdoor activities. This month learn all about white-tailed deer in the park. October 4, 2024, 6-7:30pm. Free. No registration necessary
WASHINGTON COUNTY PARKS Free Tuesday
Explore Washington County Parks free on the first Tuesday of every month (non-holiday). No permit required. Find a listing of parks here. October 1, 2024.
Free Twin Cities Nature Centers
Nature and outdoor interpretive centers are wonderful places that offer free admission and hands-on exhibits and outdoor play opportunities most days of the week. Find our complete listing of TWIN CITIES NATURE CENTERS.
Free Twin Cities Halloween events for kids & family
A scary-huge list of FREE Halloween events have creepy-crawled their way into our 2024 TWIN CITIES FAMILY HALLOWEEN GUIDE. Please find our list here – click on the graphic for all the details – because there are far too many free Halloween events in the Twin Cities Metro to list all of them here! Here’s a spooky sampling of our favorite FREE finds:
ANOKA Halloween Grand Day Parade
Main Street & Fifth Ave, Anoka
Curious as to why Anoka has been dubbed the Halloween Capital of the World? Find out during one of the myriad FREE events scheduled for 2024’s celebration including the huge Halloween parade. October 26, 2024, 1-3:30pm.
ST PAUL Landmark Center Great Pumpkin Halloween Celebration
75 W 5th St, St Paul, MN 55102
Get out your costumes for all the free stuff: a parade, treats, storytelling and a live entertainment. October 27, 2024, 1-3pm.
Free Twin Cities trick-or-treating events
- HALLOWEEN TRUNK-OR-TREAT It’s a twist on traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating that may be a great option for your family. The setup is typically a church parking lot where kids can move between vehicle trunks (often all decked out for the season) and collect candy. Bonus – all the church parking lot trunk-or-treat events on our list are FREE to attend.
- FREE TRICK-OR-TREATING AT TWIN CITIES SHOPPING CENTERS Collect treats traveling from shop-to-shop at spots like Midtown Global Market in Minneapolis (October 26), 50th & France in Edina (also October 26) and downtown Stillwater’s Main Street (October 27).
- FREE TRICK-OR-TREATING AT TWIN CITIES GROCERY STORES Grocers host free trick-or-treating events such as Kowalski’s Boo Bash and Lunds & Byerly’s Boo Blast & Fall Festivals.
Twin Cities free fun with arts & crafts in October
MINNEAPOLIS Walker Art Center’s First Free Saturday
725 Vineland Pl, Minneapolis, MN 55403
During this special First Free Saturday, enjoy music and dancing in the garden, pick up a craft kit, and, as always, free admission to the Walker’s galleries. October 5, 2024, 10am-3pm.Â
MINNEAPOLIS Institute of Art Family Day
Arts and Folk Crafts – kid-friendly activities related to the MIA exhibition, then pick up an art kit to experiment with different materials at home. October 13, 2024. 10am-5pm.
ST PAUL Saturday Vibe at George Latimer Central Library
This month, there are stand-out art activities hosted on Saturdays at the library including a mini-maker event and a kids program with Leonardo’s Basement. There is a family storytime once a month as well. Ongoing Saturdays in October 2024.
MULTIPLE LOCATIONS Home Depot Kids Workshops
Twin Cities Home Depot locations
The first Saturday of each month is workshop day at Home Depot. Kids get a kit to build, apron and pin while supplies last; adults must accompany their kids. Please pre-register. October 5, 2024, 9am-12pm.
MULTIPLE LOCATIONS Lakeshore Learning Monster Lab
1721 Beam Ave A, Maplewood, MN 55109
5699 W 16th St, St Louis Park, MN 55416
Explore color, texture and other sensory activities at this open-house style event. October 19, 2024, 11am-3pm.
More free things to do in October in the Twin Cities
October is Fire Prevention Month!
Whose got kids that stop in their tracks at the sight of one of those monster safety vehicles? There are more chances this month to see the big rigs than any other – check our Twin Cities Touch-a-Truck Calendar to plan ahead! Cities that are hosting FREE meet-and-greets with firetrucks and their handlers:
- EAGAN Fire Department Open House October 3
- EXCELSIOR Fire Prevention Open House & Safety Fair October 3
- CHAMPLIN: Police & Fire Open House October 5
- SHOREVIEW Touch-a-Truck October 5
- ST MICHAEL Fire Department Open House October 5
- EDEN PRAIRIE: City-wide Open House featuring helicopters. October 5.
- ST ANTHONY: Fire Department Open House. October 5
- HASTINGS Fire Department Open House October 8
- MINNETONKA: Fire Department & City Open House October 8
- BURNSVILLE: Fire Department Open House. October 10
- ROSEVILLE Fri-Yay with the Roseville Fire Department October 11
- COLUMBIA HEIGHTS Fire Open House October 12
- FRIDLEY: Fire Open House October 12
- HOPKINS Fire Department Open House October 12
- SHAKOPEE: Fire Department Open House. October 10.
- MENDOTA HEIGHTS Fire Department Open House October 12
- SAVAGE Fire Open House October 12
- ROSEMOUNT Fire Safety Open House October 13
More free kids entertainment in OctoberÂ
BLOOMINGTON Mall of America Toddler TuesdayÂ
Free, live entertainment for the stroller the second Tuesday of the month in the Rotunda. Plus, on Toddler Tuesdays you can purchase an unlimited ride wristband for Nickelodeon Universe for a small discount and kids eat free at participating restaurants w/ purchase of an adult meal. October 8, 2024, 10am-12pm.
ST PAUL Ballet Tuesdays at Landmark CenterÂ
75 W 5th St, St Paul, MN 55102
Join the Saint Paul Ballet as they perform excerpts from the company repertoire. It’s the perfect sample outing for budding ballerinas. While you’re at Landmark Center, stop in and play with the instruments in the SCHUBERT CLUB MUSIC MUSEUM. An entire afternoon of free fun for young ones! October 8, 2024, 12pm.
More free special events for families in October
ST PAUL October Storytime at Red Balloon Bookshop
891 Grand Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55105
Storyteller Angela hosts a free storytime at the charming bookshop perfect for 3s & under (but all welcome) each Wednesday & Thursday in September. 10:30am.
MINNEAPOLIS October Stories & Crafts in the Gallery
Museum of Russian Art, 5500 Stevens Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55419
Currently, the museum is offering a FREE Storytime in the Gallery the third Saturday of the month with no charge for adults to accompany their kids. Then, explore the galleries with a scavenger hunt. October 19, 2024, 10:30-11:30am.
ST PAUL First Chapter October Storytime at Next Chapter Bookseller
38 Snelling Ave S, Saint Paul, MN 55105
A picture book read-aloud plus related activity just for kids. Ongoing Saturdays in October 2024, 10:30-11am. FREE.
ST PAUL First Free Sundays at Minnesota Children’s Museum
Free days are an awesome way to save big time and experience three full floors of fun exhibits designed just for kids including Curious George: Let’s Get Curious! October 6, 2024.
Twin Cities museums with free admission
- Minneapolis Institute of Art – FREE daily, plus Family Day is great for all ages.
- Walker Art Center, Minneapolis – FREE Thursday evenings & First Saturdays of each month
- Weisman Art Museum, Minneapolis – FREE dailyÂ
What am I going to do over MEA Weekend in the Twin Cities?
Well, first of all you’re going to consult our TWIN CITIES WEEKEND FAMILY GUIDE. And if that doesn’t do the trick, jump over to our GUIDE TO MEA WEEKEND IN THE TWIN CITIES. Fear not families, you’ll find something that fits your needs. And then, what a treat the long weekend will be.
Free weekly Twin Cities activities
Free abounds in the Twin Cities. Many local bookstores, libraries and other businesses offer free STORYTIMES during the week. Local coffee shops & cafes serve parents with free dedicated play spaces. TWIN CITIES NATURE CENTERS are wonderful places that offer free admission and hands-on exhibits and outdoor play opportunities most days of the week. And dozens of St Paul & Minneapolis recreation centers offer FREE OPEN GYMS & TOT TIMES to run your littles ragged during the cooler months. Explore from our links below.
