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 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.
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.
Ham Lake Freedom Festival
Date(s): 06/27/2026 3:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Location: 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 pm
Location: 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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Lakeville Touch-a-Truck
Date(s): 07/10/2026 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Location: Downtown, Lakeville, MN, 55044
Part of Lakeville’s Pan-o-Prog summer festival, the Touch-a-Truck event, presented by Lakeville Works, is your chance to get up close to big rigs, meet drivers and learn about their careers. This activity is conveniently close to all the other festival fun – a carnival, food trucks and live entertainment.
North St Paul Big Truck Night (FREE)
Date(s): 07/10/2026 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: 7th Avenue, 7th Avenue, North St Paul, MN, 55109
Kids (or any big vehicle enthusiast, really) can view fire trucks, police cars, snowplows, and more equipment at the North St Paul Touch-a-Truck event, part of the History Cruzers Car Show. Special appearances from the North St Paul Police & Fire Departments.
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Riverdale Village Touch-a-Truck (FREE)
Date(s): 07/11/2026 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Location: Riverdale Village, 12761 Riverdale Boulevard, Coon Rapids, MN, 55448
Riverdale Village is the place to be for young and old to climb aboard and explore cool vehicles like an ambulance, fire truck, police car, electrical lift truck, garbage truck and a snowplow. PLUS fun activities like a bounce house, face painting, balloon artist, caricature drawings, raffle prizes ($3 per ticket) and safety demos. Admission is free.
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Boundary Creek Pop Up Splashpad
Date(s): 07/14/2026 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Location: 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.
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.
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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Orono Evenings In the Park: Torchlight Theatre (FREE)
Date(s): 07/21/2026 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: 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
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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Robbinsdale Public Safety Open House (FREE)
Date(s): 08/08/2026 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Location: Robbinsdale Public Safety Building, 4101 Hubbard Avenue North, Robbinsdale, MN, 55422
A free, annual outreach event in Robbinsdale with fire truck rides, live demos and displays and food.
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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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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.
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!