Yes, plenty is free with little kids in Birmingham this week: we found 18 free outings, including The Summit Spooktacular, Monster Mash Halloween Party (Hoover Library) and Pumpkin Day at Pepper Place Market, plus 14 library programs. Three free days and events are coming up, including one museum or zoo free day, each with its date. And three places never charge admission, like Railroad Park and Birmingham Botanical Gardens.
This week
Every free outing on this week’s Birmingham list, rebuilt every Thursday. Library programs may need a quick sign-up.
Five Points West Regional Branch Library · 4812 Avenue W, Birmingham, AL 35208
Drop-in quiet play with a rotating set of toys for little ones and their grown-ups, any time the library is open Monday.
Hoover Public Library · 200 Municipal Dr., Hoover, AL 35216
A short storytime and open-ended play for babies up to 18 months. Registration required.
Hoover Public Library · 200 Municipal Dr., Hoover, AL 35216
Say hello to Libby, the library’s facility dog. Also Tuesday at 4.
Hoover Public Library · 200 Municipal Dr., Hoover, AL 35216
One story leads into hands-on STEAM activities, for ages 3 to 8.
Hoover Public Library · 200 Municipal Dr., Hoover, AL 35216
Stories and songs for 18 to 36 months, at 9:30 and 10:30. Registration required.
Community Room · 1221 Montgomery Highway, Vestavia Hills, AL 35216
Stories, songs and shaky eggs for toddlers 18 to 36 months, at 9:30 and 10:30.
Homewood Public Library · 1721 Oxmoor Rd., Homewood, AL 35209
Mr. Michael’s Tuesday storytime with musical instruments and movement, for ages 0 to 5.
Avondale Regional Branch Library · 509 40th St. S., Birmingham, AL 35222
Come in a kid-friendly, non-scary costume for an evening of games and treats.
Hoover Public Library · 200 Municipal Dr., Hoover, AL 35216
A movement storytime with dancing and play for kids 4 and under, at 9:30 and 10:30.
Downstairs Program Room · 1221 Montgomery Highway, Vestavia Hills, AL 35216
Ms. Lauren’s Wednesday storytime with stories and music for ages 3 to 5. Siblings welcome.
Trussville · 201 Parkway Dr., Trussville, AL 35173
Stories, songs and bubble time with Mr. Michael, at 9:30 and 10:30.
Homewood Public Library · 1721 Oxmoor Rd., Homewood, AL 35209
Stories and songs with Miss Erika, then music and playtime. Ages 0 to 5.
Avondale Regional Branch Library · 509 40th St. S., Birmingham, AL 35222
An action-packed storytime for preschool and early elementary kids. Groups need to register.
Birmingham Botanical Gardens · 2612 Lane Park Rd., Birmingham, AL 35223
Bring preschoolers and little ones for a story outside in the gardens. Free.
The Summit (Arhaus parking lot) · 211 Summit Blvd., Birmingham, AL 35243
Trick-or-treat your way through the shopping center in costume, with entertainment, hands-on activities and food trucks. Treats while supplies last.
Hoover Public Library · 200 Municipal Dr., Hoover, AL 35216
The library’s annual Halloween party for monsters big and small, scary and sweet. Costumes encouraged; a sensory-friendly preview runs at 6.
Pepper Place Farmers Market · 2829 2nd Ave. S., Birmingham, AL 35233
The Saturday farmers market’s annual Pumpkin Day, with local farms, food vendors and live music from about 8am. Free to browse; rain or shine.
Birmingham Botanical Gardens (Formal Lawn) · 2612 Lane Park Rd., Birmingham, AL 35223
Bring a blanket for Monsters, Inc. (rated G) on the Formal Lawn, with a children’s costume contest before the movie and pizza for sale. Gates at 5:30, movie at sunset.
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.
Birmingham Botanical Gardens · 2612 Lane Park Rd., Birmingham, AL 35223
10:30–11 a.m. A story outdoors for preschoolers and little ones.
Arlington Historic House · 331 Cotton Ave. SW, Birmingham, AL 35211
10 a.m.–2 p.m. Victorian holiday decorations, docents, Christmas music and light refreshments.
McWane Science Center · Downtown, 200 19th St. N.
Show the card when you arrive.
Any day
Parks, gardens, nature centers and museums that don’t charge admission.
Every week
Free storytimes for babies, toddlers and preschoolers at the Central Library and branches. Homewood, Hoover and Vestavia Hills have their own libraries.
Weekly; days and times vary by branch
Free baby, toddler and preschool storytimes. This fall's regular sessions include Music and Movement (Tuesdays 10am) and Storypalooza (Wednesdays 10am).
Weekly at the Homewood Public Library; Tuesday–Thursday
Free baby, toddler and preschool storytimes. This fall's regular sessions include Story Sprouts (Wednesdays 9:30am, Hoover Public Library) and PJ Storytime (Thursdays 6:30pm, Hoover Public Library), with more at The East 59 Café - Lee Branch.
Weekly at 2 locations; Wednesday–Friday, mostly mornings, plus an evening session
Free baby, toddler and preschool storytimes. This fall's regular sessions include Children's Storytime (Thursdays 9:30am).
Weekly at the Trussville Branch; Thursdays
Keep planning
Indoor play in BirminghamIndoor playgrounds, toddler times and museums, with prices
Thanksgiving weekend in BirminghamParades, turkey trots and what’s open on Thursday
Noon Year’s Eve in BirminghamKid-friendly countdowns, home by napThis week in BirminghamDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every Thursday
Good questions
This week we found 18 free outings for ages 0–6, including The Summit Spooktacular, Monster Mash Halloween Party (Hoover Library), Pumpkin Day at Pepper Place Market and Flicks Among the Flowers: Monsters, Inc. See free this week; the list is rebuilt every Thursday.
Storytime at the Gardens: Fri Oct 23 and Fri Nov 13. Christmas at Arlington: Sun Dec 6. Museums for All at McWane Science Center: Any open day ($4 per person for up to 4 family members with an EBT card). Dates come from each venue’s own page; see free days and free events.
Railroad Park, Birmingham Botanical Gardens and Red Mountain Park don’t charge admission. Some charge for parking or special exhibits; the cards say so where the place does.
Yes. Birmingham Public Library, Homewood Public Library, Hoover Public Library and Trussville Public Library run 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 19, 2026, and we recheck them every Thursday for dated events and once a month for free places. How we choose and check.
Littles Weekly
One short email every Friday morning with the best things to do with little ones in Birmingham that weekend, free ones flagged.
