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 and emergency vehicles!
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! While kids see a touch-a-truck as pure fun and parents may only notice the mud and loud engines, it can be a learning experience, too. Kids are engaging in sensory exploration, getting a little bit of STEM education, developing motor skills, and practicing social interactions.
What to Expect at a Touch-A-Truck Event
The amount of access and type of vehicle offered can vary from event to event, but 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, rescue vehicles and more.
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.
Most Touch-A-Truck events are outdoors, so dress for the weather, pack the sunscreen and water bottles and consider bringing a stroller for toddlers who may tire before their bigger sibs. Build excitement ahead of time by reading some of your favorite big truck books together as the date approaches.
Best Months for Touch-A-Truck Events
While there are free touch-a-truck events throughout the year, the best times to find them 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.
Upcoming 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.
Victoria Truck Rodeo (FREE)
Date(s): 07/16/2026 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: Victoria Recreation Center, 8475 Kochia Lane, Victoria, MN, 55386
Families can explore exciting vehicles and meet the people who work with them during this free event. Vehicles include fire trucks (including Victoria’s first fire truck from 1929), snow plows, sheriff’s deputy cruisers, dump trucks, lawn mowers, a street sweeper, tractor, skid loader, excavator, wheel loader, snow plow dump truck, snow plow truck, school bus, zamboni, ambulance, helicopter, and more big machines. There will even be a mounted horse posse at the event. Meet in the North Parking Lot.
Monster Jam
Date(s): 07/18/2026 - 07/19/2026 SEE TIMES
Location: Grand Casino Arena, 199 West Kellogg Blvd, Saint Paul, MN, 55102
For kids and families who love BIG Trucks and action-packed excitement, Monster Jam is back in the Twin Cities. You’ll love the trucks, stunts, big air, and competition during this special event. Tickets $31.50+.
- Saturday, July 18, 2026 @ Noon & 6pm
- Sunday, July 19, 2026 @ Noon
Rosemount Fire Waffle & Sausage Breakfast
Date(s): 07/18/2026 7:00 am - 11:00 am
Location: Rosemount Fire Station 2, 2047 Connemara Trail W, Rosemount, MN, 55068
So many fun things to do at Rosemount’s annual summer festival, Leprechaun Days – kicking off with a Fire Department-sponsored all-you-can eat waffle and sausage breakfast. Plus the excitement of being up close to fire trucks! $10/person, 5 & under free.
New Hope Fire Department Open House (FREE)
Date(s): 07/21/2026 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: 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 pm
Location: 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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Maple Grove National Night Out & Emergency Equipment Show(FREE)
Date(s): 08/04/2026 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Location: ,
Before celebrating National Night Out with your neighborhood, visit with Maple Grove Police and Fire Departments during this FREE hotdog lunch and emergency equipment show.
Eden Prairie Neighborhood Night at the Fire Station (FREE)
Date(s): 08/06/2026 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: Eden Prairie, Fire Stations, Eden Prairie , MN
Got a kid who loves fire trucks? Bring them to your neighborhood Eden Prairie fire station to meet the firefighters, tour the station and see what the inside of a fire truck looks like!
Robbinsdale Public Safety Open House (FREE)
Date(s): 08/08/2026 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Location: Robbinsdale Public Safety Building, 4101 Hubbard Ave N, Robbinsdale, MN, 55422
A free, annual outreach event in Robbinsdale with fire truck rides, live demos and displays and food.
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Chanhassen Touch-a-Truck
Date(s): 08/15/2026 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location: Chanhassen Community Center, 2310 Coulter Boulevard, Chanhassen, MN, 55317
Chanhassen Community Day is a free event that includes a big Touch-A-Truck along with a bounce house, sports stations and free trial classes. Besides the expected public works vehicles and emergency vehicles, see a robotic lawn mower!
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Fridley Touch-A-Truck (FREE)
Date(s): 08/18/2026 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: Fridley Civic Campus, 7071 University Avenue NE, Fridley, MN, 55432
Big truck enthusiasts unite for a night of vehicles on display: trucks and diggers, a fire engine, police cars and patrol vehicles, a tow truck, school bus, lawn vehicles and more. Kids, grab yourselves a free popsicle, make some crafts, play lawn games and bounce in the inflatables. Pack a picnic from home or purchase dinner from one of the food trucks. All that FREE entertainment plus a concert starting at 7pm.
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Thoreson Pop Up Splash Pad
Date(s): 08/18/2026 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Location: 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 Touch-a-Truck (FREE)
Date(s): 08/19/2026 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: Central Park – Dale St. Athletic Fields, 2525 Dale Street North, Roseville, MN, 55113
At Roseville’s touch-a-truck event your kids can explore trucks, cars and vehicles of all sizes. The first half hour will be sensory friendly without horns, lights or buzzers.
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Chaska Touch-a-Truck (FREE)
Date(s): 08/20/2026 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: Chaska Commons, 164 Pioneer Trail, Chaska, MN, 55318
Big rig lovers, don’t miss this chance to see a fire truck, police squad car and a big snowplow up close and personal. All ages will enjoy this free community event featuring carnival games, ice cream and popcorn (while supplies last), Kids Dance DJ spinning tunes. Additional food and beverages will be available for purchase. Admission is free.
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Oakdale Touch-a-Truck (FREE)
Date(s): 08/20/2026 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: Walton Park, 1584 Hadley Ave N, Oakdale, MN
Lovers of big trucks, this is your chance to climb up and sit in the driver’s seat! Take photos and learn all about how trucks operate. Plus, free ice cream will be provided for all with additional concessions available for purchase. For those in need, a sensory tent will provide a non-stimulating space and note that there will be no loud noises, lights or sirens at this event.
Shakopee Vehicle Fair (FREE)
Date(s): 08/24/2026 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Location: Shakopee High School, 100 17th Ave W, Shakopee, MN, 55379
Families can explore a variety of vehicles free, including trucks, boats and more. A helicopter landing is one of the favorite parts of this event. Admission is free.
Otsego Prairie Festival
Date(s): 09/12/2026 10:00 am - 8:30 pm
Location: Prairie Park, 13355 90th Street Northeast, Otsego, MN, 55330
At Otsego’s Prairie Festival, families can catch a car show, touch-a-truck, enjoy a petting zoo, laser tag, inflatables and fireworks at dusk. See our complete schedule of events.
Touch-A-Tractor Weekend at the Orchard
Date(s): 09/12/2026 - 09/13/2026 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Location: Afton Apple Orchard, 14421 90th Street South, Hastings, MN, 55033
Besides the usual fall activities, visitors during the Touch-a-Tractor weekends can get close up to farm equipment and machinery! September 12-13 & 19-20, 2026, 10am-6pm.
Crystal Vehicle Fair (FREE)
Date(s): 09/19/2026 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location: Crystal Community Center & Crystal Cove Aquatic Center, 4800 Douglas Drive N, Crystal, MN , 55429
Families are invited to see and explore a wide variety of tractors, trucks and cars on display during the annual Crystal Vehicle Fair. Bring your camera and a non-perishable food donation.
Children's Minnesota Day of the Dozers
Date(s): 09/26/2026 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Location: ERX Motor Park, 21591 US-169, Elk River, MN, 55330
During Children’s Minnesota’s Day of the Dozers event, kids get a chance to climb inside construction vehicles, play in sandpits and other fun activities. Event takes place from 9am-4pm. Admission is $20-$30/child; $10-$20/adult. Save on general admission by pre-registering.
Lake Elmo Fire Department Open House
Date(s): 09/28/2026 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: 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.
Apple Valley Fire Prevention Week Fun
Date(s): 10/04/2026 - 10/10/2026 SEE TIMES
Location: 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 pm
Location: 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 pm
Location: Columbia Heights Fire Deparatment, 825 41st Avenue NE, Columbia Heights, MN, 55421
Any-Time Touch a Truck Opportunities
The “Fire Truck Museum”
If you have never visited the Firefighters Hall and Museum in Minneapolis, this is a great place to climb on Fire Trucks. Open 2nd & 4th Saturdays of Every Month, 9am-4pm.
The Children’s Museum
Minnesota Children’s Museum in Saint Paul offers opportunities to climb on, “drive” and even wash cool vehicles any time you visit.
Share Your Favorites
If you know of an event where kids can get up close to vehicles of all shapes and sizes, let us know in the comments or send us an email and we’ll add it.
We have several specialized police and fire vehicles we would like to share for touch-a-truck events. Is there a list of 2025 events in the Twin Cities available?
Hi Steve. We will keep adding as events get announced. However, we’re posting for parents looking for touch a truck events. If you want to get involved, I would suggest looking at the TBA list at the bottom of this article and contact the organizers ahead.
Hello- I am the School Leader at Step By Step in Edina and I was hoping to host a “Touch a Truck Event in August. Is there any information I can get to put me in the right direction? This will be a community event but also open to our current families and children who would absolutely LOVE this event!
Yes, Stacey. We can definitely share your event once you have the details. You can submit your event here, and I’ll make sure to get it both in this Touch-A-Truck article and in our Family Fun Calendar..
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.
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!