Yes, plenty is free with little kids in Albany this week: we found 16 free outings, including Halloween Photo Booth (Delaware Branch), Library Trick or Treat (Bethlehem Public Library) and Drop-In Halloween Fun (Scotia Branch), plus nine library programs. Five free days and events are coming up, each with its date. And four places never charge admission, like Albany Public Library and Crossgates.
This week
Every free outing on this week’s Albany list, rebuilt every Thursday. Library programs may need a quick sign-up.
North Albany Branch, Albany Public Library · 616 N. Pearl St., Albany, NY 12204
Stories and songs in English and Spanish, with playtime after. Everyone is welcome.
Washington Ave. Branch, Albany Public Library · 161 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12210
Stories, fingerplays, songs and rhymes for ages 1 to 4 with a grown-up, then free play.
Delaware Branch, Albany Public Library · 331 Delaware Ave., Albany, NY 12209
Come in costume for a photo at the Halloween booth. The library prints it and kids decorate a frame to take home.
Bethlehem Public Library · 451 Delaware Ave., Delmar, NY 12054
Trick-or-treat in the library’s Children’s Place, safe and dry. Costumes are optional and treat bags are provided.
Guilderland Public Library · 2228 Western Ave., Guilderland, NY 12084
A high-energy half-hour of songs, dancing and movement for young kids.
Pine Hills Branch, Albany Public Library · 517 Western Ave., Albany, NY 12203
Saturday stories, songs and movement for ages 0 to 5, with play time after.
Washington Ave. Branch, Albany Public Library · 161 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12210
Saturday storytime with songs and movement for ages 0 to 5. Bring the whole family.
Howe Branch, Albany Public Library · 105 Schuyler St., Albany, NY 12202
A half-hour of Saturday stories, songs and movement for ages 0 to 5.
Washington Ave. Branch, Albany Public Library · 161 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12210
A comic book pop-up for ages 5 to 10 that celebrates reading like a hero. Best for kindergartners and big siblings.
Bethlehem Public Library · 451 Delaware Ave., Delmar, NY 12054
Stories and songs for ages 0 to 6 with a caregiver.
Schenectady County Public Library, Main Library · 99 Clinton St., Schenectady, NY 12305
Autumn and Halloween stories for families with kids from birth to 5. Costumes are encouraged.
Scotia Branch Library · 14 Mohawk Ave., Scotia, NY 12302
Drop in any time to find six hidden pumpkins for a prize and decorate a Day of the Dead sugar skull to take home.
New York State Museum, 4th Floor Terrace · 222 Madison Ave., Albany, NY 12230
Creepy art projects, games, spooky science specimens and a dance floor, ending with a children’s costume parade at 1pm. There’s no candy here.
Crossgates · 1 Crossgates Mall Rd., Albany, NY 12203
Halloween at the mall, a warm and dry spot for little trick-or-treaters. Check the mall’s page for the schedule.
Palace Theatre · 19 Clinton Ave., Albany, NY 12207
The theater fills up with free candy, a DJ, balloon twisters and a few spooks. Stop in while you’re out trick-or-treating.
Macedonia Baptist Church · 26 Wilson Ave., Albany, NY 12205
Games, music, dancing and lots of candy. It’s peanut-free and held entirely outside, so dress warmly.
Nothing free on this day yet. Try an always-free place.
Mark the calendar
Museum and zoo free days, free festivals and other one-off free events, soonest first. Some free days are only for residents or cardholders, so each one says who gets in free.
New York State Museum · Downtown Albany
Downtown Schenectady · Downtown Schenectady
Steps off at 5pm. The 57th year of the parade.
Academy Park · Academy Park
5–7pm. Moves into City Hall if the weather is bad.
Any day
Parks, gardens, nature centers and museums that don’t charge admission.
Every week
Free baby, toddler and preschool storytimes.
Weekday and Saturday mornings at several branches
Every weekly storytime by day and branch: library storytimes in Albany.
Keep planning
November: things to do in AlbanyEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in AlbanyEvery dated listing for the month, by weekLibrary storytimes in AlbanyBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branch
Ice skating in AlbanyHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and prices
Thanksgiving weekend in AlbanyParades, turkey trots and what’s open on Thursday
Christmas parades in AlbanyParades and tree lightings with dates and start times
Christmas trains in AlbanyPolar Express, Santa and lights trains with datesThe Nutcracker in AlbanyBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flaggedThis week in AlbanyDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every Thursday
Good questions
This week we found 16 free outings for ages 0–6, including Halloween Photo Booth (Delaware Branch), Library Trick or Treat (Bethlehem Public Library), Drop-In Halloween Fun (Scotia Branch) and Halloween Spooktacular at the New York State Museum. See free this week; the list is rebuilt every Thursday.
Halloween Spooktacular: Sat Oct 31. Trick or Treat at the Palace: Sat Oct 31. Dates come from each venue’s own page; see free days and free events.
Albany Public Library, Crossgates, Washington Park Playground and New York State Museum don’t charge admission. Some charge for parking or special exhibits; the cards say so where the place does.
Yes: New York State Museum.
Yes. Albany Public Library runs free storytimes for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Times change by branch, so check the calendar linked below.
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 30, 2026, and we recheck them every Thursday for dated events and once a month for free places. How we choose and check.
One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in Albany that weekend, free ones flagged.
