# Free things to do with kids in Birmingham this week

> 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.

- Last checked: 2026-10-19
- 18 free outings this week; 3 free days and events coming up; 3 always-free places
- Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/birmingham/free/
- Indoor play (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/birmingham/indoor-play/index.md
- This week (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/birmingham/index.md
- City index for agents: https://littlesweekly.com/birmingham/llms.txt

## Free days and free events coming up

- **Storytime at the Gardens** at Birmingham Botanical Gardens, 2612 Lane Park Rd., Birmingham, AL 35223. When: Fri Oct 23 and Fri Nov 13. Time: 10:30–11 a.m. Price: Free (the gardens are always free). A story outdoors for preschoolers and little ones. Official page: https://bbgardens.org/events/category/education-library/storytime-at-the-gardens/ (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Christmas at Arlington** at Arlington Historic House, 331 Cotton Ave. SW, Birmingham, AL 35211. When: Sun Dec 6. Time: 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Price: Free. Victorian holiday decorations, docents, Christmas music and light refreshments. Official page: https://www.birminghamal.gov/events/2026-12-06christmas-arlington-2026 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Museums for All at McWane Science Center** at McWane Science Center, Downtown, 200 19th St. N. When: Any open day. Price: $4 per person for up to 4 family members with an EBT card. Show the card when you arrive. Official page: https://mcwane.org/explore/plan-your-visit/ (checked 2026-10-19)

## Free this week

- **Toy Takeover (Five Points West)** at Five Points West Regional Branch Library, 4812 Avenue W, Birmingham, AL 35208. When: Mon Oct 19. Time: 9am–6pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–5. Drop-in quiet play with a rotating set of toys for little ones and their grown-ups, any time the library is open Monday. Official page: https://www.cobpl.org/calendar/?trumbaEmbed=view%3Devent%26eventid%3D207650807 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Baby Playdate (Hoover Library)** at Hoover Public Library, 200 Municipal Dr., Hoover, AL 35216. When: Mon Oct 19. Time: 9:30–10:15am. Price: Free. Ages: 0–1. A short storytime and open-ended play for babies up to 18 months. Registration required. Official page: https://hoover.libnet.info/event/16559231 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Meet Libby the Library Dog (Hoover Library)** at Hoover Public Library, 200 Municipal Dr., Hoover, AL 35216. When: Mon Oct 19. Time: 10:30–11am. Price: Free. Ages: 0–99. Say hello to Libby, the library’s facility dog. Also Tuesday at 4. Official page: https://hoover.libnet.info/event/16602957 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Story Lab (Hoover Library)** at Hoover Public Library, 200 Municipal Dr., Hoover, AL 35216. When: Mon Oct 19. Time: 4–5pm. Price: Free. Ages: 3–8. One story leads into hands-on STEAM activities, for ages 3 to 8. Official page: https://hoover.libnet.info/event/16557522 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Together with Tots (Hoover Library)** at Hoover Public Library, 200 Municipal Dr., Hoover, AL 35216. When: Tue Oct 20. Time: 9:30–10am. Price: Free. Ages: 1–3. Stories and songs for 18 to 36 months, at 9:30 and 10:30. Registration required. Official page: https://hoover.libnet.info/event/16559345 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Toddler A-Go-Go (Vestavia Hills Library)** at Community Room, 1221 Montgomery Highway, Vestavia Hills, AL 35216. When: Tue Oct 20. Time: 9:30–10am. Price: Free. Ages: 1–3. Stories, songs and shaky eggs for toddlers 18 to 36 months, at 9:30 and 10:30. Official page: https://vestavialibrary.org/event/toddler-a-go-go-5-2/2026-10-20/ (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Music and Movement (Homewood Library)** at Homewood Public Library, 1721 Oxmoor Rd., Homewood, AL 35209. When: Tue Oct 20. Time: 10–10:30am. Price: Free. Ages: 0–5. Mr. Michael’s Tuesday storytime with musical instruments and movement, for ages 0 to 5. Official page: https://homewood.libnet.info/event/17027129 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **FANG-Tastic Family Fun Night (Avondale)** at Avondale Regional Branch Library, 509 40th St. S., Birmingham, AL 35222. When: Tue Oct 20. Time: 6–7pm. Price: Free. Ages: 2–10. Come in a kid-friendly, non-scary costume for an evening of games and treats. Official page: https://www.cobpl.org/calendar/?trumbaEmbed=view%3Devent%26eventid%3D210164543 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Story Sprouts (Hoover Library)** at Hoover Public Library, 200 Municipal Dr., Hoover, AL 35216. When: Wed Oct 21. Time: 9:30–10am. Price: Free. Ages: 0–4. A movement storytime with dancing and play for kids 4 and under, at 9:30 and 10:30. Official page: https://hoover.libnet.info/event/16596955 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Silly Goose Storytime (Vestavia Hills Library)** at Downstairs Program Room, 1221 Montgomery Highway, Vestavia Hills, AL 35216. When: Wed Oct 21. Time: 10:30–11am. Price: Free. Ages: 3–5. Ms. Lauren’s Wednesday storytime with stories and music for ages 3 to 5. Siblings welcome. Official page: https://vestavialibrary.org/event/silly-goose-storytime-3/2026-10-21/ (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Children’s Storytime (Trussville Library)** at Trussville, 201 Parkway Dr., Trussville, AL 35173. When: Thu Oct 22. Time: 9:30–10am. Price: Free. Ages: 0–5. Stories, songs and bubble time with Mr. Michael, at 9:30 and 10:30. Official page: https://www.trussvillelibrary.com/event/16998884 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Stay and Play (Homewood Library)** at Homewood Public Library, 1721 Oxmoor Rd., Homewood, AL 35209. When: Thu Oct 22. Time: 10–10:30am. Price: Free. Ages: 0–5. Stories and songs with Miss Erika, then music and playtime. Ages 0 to 5. Official page: https://homewood.libnet.info/event/17027143 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Time for Tales (Avondale)** at Avondale Regional Branch Library, 509 40th St. S., Birmingham, AL 35222. When: Thu Oct 22. Time: 10:30–11:30am. Price: Free. Ages: 3–7. An action-packed storytime for preschool and early elementary kids. Groups need to register. Official page: https://www.cobpl.org/calendar/?trumbaEmbed=view%3Devent%26eventid%3D206258333 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Storytime at the Gardens** at Birmingham Botanical Gardens, 2612 Lane Park Rd., Birmingham, AL 35223. When: Fri Oct 23. Time: 10:30–11am. Price: Free. Ages: 1–5. Bring preschoolers and little ones for a story outside in the gardens. Free. Official page: https://bbgardens.org/series/storytime-at-the-gardens-2026/ (checked 2026-10-19)
- **The Summit Spooktacular** at The Summit (Arhaus parking lot), 211 Summit Blvd., Birmingham, AL 35243. When: Fri Oct 23. Time: 5–8pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–12. Trick-or-treat your way through the shopping center in costume, with entertainment, hands-on activities and food trucks. Treats while supplies last. Official page: https://www.thesummitbirmingham.com/event/43691-the-summit-spooktacular (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Monster Mash Halloween Party (Hoover Library)** at Hoover Public Library, 200 Municipal Dr., Hoover, AL 35216. When: Fri Oct 23. Time: 6:30–8:30pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–99. The library’s annual Halloween party for monsters big and small, scary and sweet. Costumes encouraged; a sensory-friendly preview runs at 6. Official page: https://hoover.libnet.info/event/16616809 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Pumpkin Day at Pepper Place Market** at Pepper Place Farmers Market, 2829 2nd Ave. S., Birmingham, AL 35233. When: Sat Oct 24. Time: 7am–12pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–99. 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. Official page: https://pepperplacemarket.com/info/ (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Flicks Among the Flowers: Monsters, Inc.** at Birmingham Botanical Gardens (Formal Lawn), 2612 Lane Park Rd., Birmingham, AL 35223. When: Sat Oct 24. Time: 5:30–8:30pm (movie at sunset). Price: Free (donations encouraged). Ages: 2–99. 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. Official page: https://bbgardens.org/event/flicks-among-the-flowers-monsters-inc/ (checked 2026-10-19)

## Always free

- **Railroad Park**, Downtown. A free downtown park along the railroad tracks, with lawns, ponds and free community programs. Official page: https://www.railroadpark.org/ (checked 2026-10-18)
- **Birmingham Botanical Gardens**, Lane Park, Mountain Brook. Free gardens next to the zoo, with plenty of paths for a stroller. Official page: https://bbgardens.org/ (checked 2026-10-18)
- **Red Mountain Park**, West Birmingham. More than 1,500 acres on the Red Mountain ridge, with over 18 miles of trails, treehouses and a sensory trail. No parking or admission fee. Official page: https://www.jeffcogreenways.org/park/red-mountain-park (checked 2026-10-18)

## Free library storytimes

- **Birmingham Public Library**: Weekly; days and times vary by branch. Free storytimes for babies, toddlers and preschoolers at the Central Library and branches. Homewood, Hoover and Vestavia Hills have their own libraries. Calendar: https://www.cobpl.org/
- **Homewood Public Library**: Weekly at the Homewood Public Library; Tuesday–Thursday. Free baby, toddler and preschool storytimes. This fall's regular sessions include Music and Movement (Tuesdays 10am) and Storypalooza (Wednesdays 10am). Calendar: https://homewood.libnet.info/events
- **Hoover Public Library**: Weekly at 2 locations; Wednesday–Friday, mostly mornings, plus an evening session. 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. Calendar: https://hoover.libnet.info/events
- **Trussville Public Library**: Weekly at the Trussville Branch; Thursdays. Free baby, toddler and preschool storytimes. This fall's regular sessions include Children's Storytime (Thursdays 9:30am). Calendar: https://www.trussvillelibrary.com/events

## About this list
- Published by Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/). Free weekly lists for kids ages 0–6, city by city.
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## FAQ

### What’s free to do with kids in Birmingham this weekend?
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](https://littlesweekly.com/birmingham/free/#this-week); the list is rebuilt every Thursday.

### Are there free museum or zoo days in Birmingham?
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](https://littlesweekly.com/birmingham/free/#free-days).

### Where can we go for free any day in Birmingham?
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.

### Are library storytimes free in Birmingham?
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.

### How do you check these free listings?
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](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/).