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! 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!
While amount of access and type of vehicle offered can vary from event to event, 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, and
- Rescue vehicles.
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.
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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.
Elko New Market Touch a Truck (FREE)
Date(s): 03/07/2026 9:00 am - 2:00 pmLocation: Eagleview Elementary School, 25600 Nevada Avenue, Elko New Market, MN, 55020
The Elko New Market Chamber of Commerce invites families to their Touch-A-Truck event! Kids will be able to touch, climb in, and explore a variety of vehicles, including police cars, fire trucks, diggers and a real race car (Elko New Market is the home of Elko Speedway, after all)!
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Discover Plymouth Touch-A-Truck (FREE)
Date(s): 03/21/2026 9:00 am - 1:00 pmLocation: Plymouth Community Center, 14800 34th Avenue N, Plymouth, MN , 55447
A touch-a-truck exhibit will be held in the Plymouth Community Center parking lot during the city’s Discover Plymouth event. Families can explore a variety of large equipment and vehicles. Indoors find a community showcase, bounce house, crafts, indoor marketplace, volunteer opportunities and more family activities.
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New Brighton Tots & Tires
Date(s): 04/17/2026 9:30 am - 11:30 amLocation: New Brighton Community Center, 400 10th Street Northwest, New Brighton, MN, 55112
Get ready for big tires attached to big trucks, tractors and more vehicles. There will also be a special storytime hosted by Ramsey County Libraries. We’re guessing the stories may be about big trucks, too. Event is FREE, no registration required.
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Minnetonka Sensory Friendly Open House (FREE)
Date(s): 04/18/2026 10:00 am - 1:00 pmLocation: Minnetonka's Fire Station #1, 14550 Minnetonka Boulevard, Minnetonka, MN, 55345
Visit Minnetonka’s Fire Station #1 without the lights and sirens. Check out police, ambulance and fire truck displays, meet a firefighter, slide on an inflatable slide and grab a cookie. This event has been designed for families with kids who could use a calmer, quieter environment.
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Forest Lake Big Rig Day (FREE)
Date(s): 05/02/2026 9:30 am - 11:30 amLocation: Headwaters Transit Center, 19955 Forest Road, Forest Lake, MN, 55025
Vehicles like an ambulance, fire truck, garbage truck and more will be on display at the Forest Lake Metro Transit Parking lot behind Hardwood Creek Library. This event is hosted by Washington County Library.
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Edina Vehicle Day (FREE)
Date(s): 05/02/2026 10:00 am - 12:00 pmLocation: Southdale Center, 10 Southdale Center, Edina, MN, 55435
Kids get the chance to sit in the driver’s seat and pretend to be firefighters, truck drivers and delivery people during this annual event. Free event, all ages welcome.
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Mendota Heights Touch-A-Truck
Date(s): 05/09/2026 10:00 am - 12:00 pmLocation: Mendakota Park, 2111 Dodd Road, Mendota Heights, MN, 55118
Families can visit with fire trucks, police cars, and other city vehicles. There will also be games and refreshments.
GOT TEENS? In 2025 the City brought in a video game truck for ages 13 and up. We’ll watch for it back in 2026.
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Inver Grove Heights Touch-a-Truck
Date(s): 05/16/2026 9:00 am - 11:30 amLocation: Veterans Memorial Community Center, 8055 Barbara Ave, Inver Grove Heights, MN , 55077
Got kids who love trucks? This is the event for them! Jump into the cabs of these big rigs for free, no need to register. Face painting, other activities and an ice cream truck onsite as well. Free parking is available at the VMCC and remember, this event is all outdoors.
SENSORY-FRIENDLY Between 9-9:30 the event will not feature horns, lights or sirens.
Burnsville Public Works Open House
Date(s): 05/21/2026 3:30 pm - 7:00 pmLocation: Burnsville Maintenance, 13713 Frontier Court, Bursville, MN, 55337
Kids can get a passport vehicle card to climb into and tour the vehicles and equipment the City of Burnsville uses, tour the water treament plant and ask questions. Stamp your passport at each station to claim a free prize. Food trucks will be onsite during the event.Â
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Eagan Big Rig Rally
Date(s): 05/21/2026 4:00 pm - 7:00 pmLocation: Central Maintenance Facility, 3501 Coachman Point, Eagan, MN, 55122
Get a close-up, behind-the-scenes glimpse at the City of Eagan’s big rigs including fire trucks, police cars, mowers, plow trucks and garbage trucks. Plus face painting, photo ops, refreshments and fun giveaways. Cost is free.
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New Brighton Safety Fair (FREE)
Date(s): 06/16/2026 6:00 pm - 8:00 pmLocation: New Brighton Community Center, 400 10th Street Northwest, New Brighton, MN, 55112
New Brighton is hosting their very first Safety Fair! Free and family-friendly, just your community members for live safety demos, meet with safety pros, explore emergency and public works vehicles at a touch-a-truck experience, grab giveaways, and score some free hot dogs.
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TOUCH MORE TRUCKS! If you’ve got a kid who loves big rigs you will definitely want to check out our Twin Cities Touch-a-Truck Calendar so you don’t miss an event!
More information
- Event link: New Brighton Safety Fair
Roseville Touch-a-Truck
Date(s): 08/19/2026 5:00 pm - 7:00 pmLocation: Central Park - Dale St. Athletic Fields, 2525 Dale Street North, Roseville, MN, 55113
Touch trucks, cars and vehicles of all sizes. The first half hour will be sensory friendly without horns, lights or buzzers. FREE. Drop In. All Ages.
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Mounds View Festival in the ParkÂ
Date(s): 08/21/2026 - 08/22/2026 10:00 am - 10:00 pmLocation: Silver View Park, 7542 Silver Lake Road, Mounds View, MN, 55112
Mounds View’s summer Festival In the Park includes a Friday evening parade and splash pad party at City Hall Park. Saturday, the fun moves to Silver View Park with kids activities, live entertainment, a car show and touch-a-truck, and fireworks to cap it off.Â
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.
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.
I’m satisfied reading your article , it was very interesting and informative .
I appreciated your blog i gained a lot of knowledge from your trucking blog
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!