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.
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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Minneapolis Arbor Day (FREE)
Date(s): 04/24/2026 4:00 pm - 8:00 pmLocation: Bethune Park, 1304 N 10th Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, 55411
In honor of Arbor Day, help plant trees (even take home a free seedling yourself), safely climb trees (harnesses included), explore and touch Forestry equipment, play giant lawn games and kids can use natural building materials to scramble around in a nature play area. Grab your dinner from one of the food trucks.Â
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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Crystal Police Department Open House (FREE)
Date(s): 05/02/2026 10:00 am - 1:00 pmLocation: Crystal Police Department, 4141 Douglas Dr N, Crystal, MN, 55427
Interested in what goes on at the police department? Meet officers, take a self-guided tour, visit areas such as the K9 area, forensics lab, jail and training areas. Check out drones, the SWAT truck and other city vehicles.
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Lino Lakes Truck Day (FREE)
Date(s): 05/02/2026 10:00 am - 12:00 pmLocation: Rice Lake Elementary, 575 Birch Street, Lino Lakes, MN, 55014
Families can explore big trucks from around the community during Truck Day at Rice Lake Elementary! FREE. No registration required.
Vehicle Day (FREE)
Date(s): 05/02/2026 10:00 am - 12:00 pmLocation: Valley View Middle School, 6750 Valley View Road, Edina, MN, 55439
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 featuring Edina & Richfield city vehicles. Free event, all ages welcome. Note new location in 2026: Valley View Middle School
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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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Otsego Touch-a-Truck (FREE)
Date(s): 05/12/2026 6:00 pm - 7:30 pmLocation: Prairie Park, 13355 90th Street Northeast, Otsego, MN, 55330
Usher in summer with a touch-a-truck event in Otsego! Climb up inside big vehicles like firetrucks, police cars, dump trucks and more. Marvel at a helicopter landing and takeoff. Meet with the Wright County Sheriff and watch his K-9 demo. Even grab dinner from a food truck. Admission is free.
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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.
Arden Hills Touch-A-Truck (FREE)
Date(s): 05/16/2026 10:00 am - 1:00 pmLocation: Perry Park, 3700 New Brighton Road, Arden Hills, MN, 55112
Celebrate National Public Works Week in Arden Hills by getting a close-up look at some of your favorite vehicles, including a fire engine, squad car, boat, snowplow, and more that work hard in the community.
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Coon Rapids Public Works Open House (FREE)
Date(s): 05/16/2026 10:00 am - 12:00 pmLocation: Coon Rapids Public Works, 1831 111th Avenue Northwest, Coon Rapids, MN, 55433
Take a tour of the Public Works facility and check out giant snowplows, tractors and other fascinating big rigs. Kids can learn about the city’s Recycling Center and other community services.
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Somethin' 'Bout a Truck (FREE)
Date(s): 05/19/2026 4:00 pm - 7:00 pmLocation: Prior Lake Maintenance Center, 17073 Adelmann St SE, Prior Lake, MN, 55372
Prior Lake celebrates National Public Works Week with a family-friendly open house. Explore maintenance vehicles, even climb in the equipment and learn about a day in the life at Public Works.
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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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Wyoming Touch-a-Truck (FREE)
Date(s): 06/06/2026 10:00 am - 11:00 amLocation: Goodview Park, 26000 Goodview Avenue, Wyoming, MN, 55092
Trucks of all shapes and sizes will be parked at Goodview Park for a morning of family fun and vehicle exploration.
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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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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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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, and watch fireworks at 10pm.Â
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
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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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!