FreeCincinnati · The Queen City

Free things to do with kids in Cincinnati, this week and every week.

Yes, plenty is free with little kids in Cincinnati this week: we found 18 free outings, including Fright Fest: It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown & Hotel Transylvania, Trick-or-Treat on Hyde Park Square and Movers & Shakers, plus six library programs. Two free days and events are coming up, including two museum or zoo free days, each with its date. And five places never charge admission, like Cincinnati Public Library Main and Smale Riverfront Park.

Last checked · Every listing links to its official page. How we choose

18free outings this weekincl. 6 library programs2free days and events coming upincl. 2 museum or zoo free days5places that are always freeCincinnati Public Library Main, Smale Riverfront Park5free storytime calendarsCincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library, Boone County Public Library

This week

Free things to do with kids in Cincy this week

Every free outing on this week’s Cincy list, rebuilt every Thursday. Library programs may need a quick sign-up.

Mon Oct 196pm–6:30pm

Family Pajama Storytime

Downtown Main Library (1 South Kids Programming Space) · 800 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Bedtime books, songs and stories. Jammies optional.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–6
Mon Oct 1910:30am–11:30am

Movers & Shakers

Mt. Healthy Branch Library · 7700 Hamilton Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45231

A storytime full of singing, dancing and movement for ages 1 to 4.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 1–4
Mon Oct 194pm–5pm

Mini-Pumpkin Painting

Kenton County Public Library – Erlanger Branch · 401 Kenton Lands Rd, Erlanger, KY 41018

Paint a little pumpkin to take home. Space is limited.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 3–12
Tue Oct 206pm–7:30pm

Hebron Halloween Party

Boone County Public Library – Hebron Branch · 1863 North Bend Rd, Hebron, KY 41048

Come in costume and trick-or-treat along the branch's StoryWalk trail.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–12
Tue Oct 205pm–6:30pm

Trunk or Treat at Sharon Woods

Sharon Woods · 11450 Lebanon Rd, Sharonville, OH 45241

Great Parks and Sharonville Parks host costumed candy collecting from decorated trunks.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–10
Wed Oct 217pm–7:30pm

Pajama Storytime

Deer Park Branch Library · 4020 E Galbraith Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45236

A pajama party at the library, with songs and stories before bed.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–6
Wed Oct 216:30pm–7:30pm

Family Craft Night: Papel Picado

Harrison Branch Library · 10398 New Haven Rd, Harrison, OH 45030

Learn the history of the Mexican cut-paper art form, then make your own banner. All supplies provided.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 4–99
Wed Oct 2110:30am–11:30am

Peanut Butter & Jam: Hit It! (Reading)

Reading Branch Library · 8740 Reading Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45215

An interactive percussion concert for ages 2 to 6. Kids get up close to the drums and jam along.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 2–6
Wed Oct 214:30pm–6pm

Art at the Armory: Pumpkin Painting

The Armory (Fort Thomas) · 950 S Fort Thomas Ave, Fort Thomas, KY 41075

Campbell County Library's drop-in pumpkin painting at the Fort Thomas Armory. Enter on the park side.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAll ages
Thu Oct 226pm–8pm

Halloween on the Green (Fairfield)

Village Green Park · 301 Wessel Dr, Fairfield, OH 45014

A free evening of trick-or-treating on Fairfield's Village Green, for kids 10 and under.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–10
Fri Oct 2311:30am–1pm

PlayArt Storytime: Crafty Skeletons

Kenton County Public Library – Erlanger Branch · 401 Kenton Lands Rd, Erlanger, KY 41018

Books, dancing, sensory play and process art for budding artists ages 2 to 5, with a skeleton theme.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 2–5
Fri Oct 234pm–5:30pm

Kids Scary Movie Night!

Kenton County Public Library – Covington Branch · 502 Scott Blvd, Covington, KY 41011

An after-school not-too-scary movie in the children's activity room, for ages 5 to 12.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 5–12
Sat Oct 2411am–3pm

Urban Pumpkin Patch

Downtown Main Library (Reading Garden and Kids Area) · 800 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH 45202

The Main Library becomes a pumpkin patch where every kid picks a free pumpkin to take home, with a Sun E Farms petting zoo.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–12
Sat Oct 2410:30am–2pm

Trick-or-Treat on Hyde Park Square

Hyde Park Square · 2700 Erie Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45208

Trick-or-treating at the shops around the Square. The Hyde Park Library kicks things off at 10:30 with a storytime on the Square.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–10
Sat Oct 241pm–3pm

Wilder Trunk or Treat (with the Book Bus)

Wilder City Center Park · 520 Licking Pike, Wilder, KY 41071

The city of Wilder's trunk-or-treat. Campbell County Library's Book Bus parks there too, and every kid can pick a free book.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–10
Sat Oct 246pm–8pm

Halloween Trail Haunt

Sycamore Park (Clermont County Park District) · 4082 OH-132, Batavia, OH 45103

Spooky stories, creepy crawlies, games and crafts, then a UV-flashlight scavenger hunt after dark and a campfire (bring s’mores). Best for ages 4 and up.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 4–12
Sun Oct 257:30pm

Fright Fest: It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown & Hotel Transylvania

Imagination Alley (Over-the-Rhine) · 1318 Republic St, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Fright Fest wraps up with a cozy kids' double feature, a free pumpkin-painting craft and popcorn. Seating is limited, so bring a blanket or lawn chair.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 2–99
Sun Oct 2512pm–3pm

Sheep to Sweater

Winton Woods Farm & Equestrian Center · 10073 Daly Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45231

Follow wool from the sheep to finished yarn at the Great Parks farm, which also has live animals and a playground.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAll ages
Showing all 18 free outings

Mark the calendar

Free days and free events coming up in Cincy

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.

Who gets in free:EveryoneResidents onlyCardholders only
Nov7
Nov8
Dec5
Dec6

Bank of America Museums on Us weekend

National Underground Railroad Freedom Center · Cincinnati

Only the cardholder gets in free, so bring the card and an ID.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Cardholders onlyFree general admission for Bank of America, Merrill and Private Bank cardholders (one per card, with photo ID)
At least one day every month; dates are posted on the museum's site

Fifth Third Community Days at the Freedom Center

National Underground Railroad Freedom Center · 50 E. Freedom Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Best for older kids, but the riverfront building is stroller-friendly.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
EveryoneFree admission

Any day

Places that are always free in Cincy

Parks, gardens, nature centers and museums that don’t charge admission.

Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library, Main Library

800 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH 45202 · DowntownFree, with books, a children’s area and no ticket to buy.Official site ↗Report a problem
Free to get in, but parking, special exhibits and seasonal extras can cost money. Check each place’s site before you go.

Every week

Free library storytimes

Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library

Baby, toddler and preschool storytimes at branches across the county. Northern Kentucky libraries run their own.

Weekly at 30 locations; Monday–Friday, mostly mornings, plus some evening sessions

BabiesToddlersPreschoolFree
Find a storytime near you ↗

Boone County Public Library

Free baby, toddler and preschool storytimes. This fall's regular sessions include Baby Time (Tuesdays 9:30am, Scheben Branch) and Sleepy Tales (Mondays 6:30pm, Florence Branch), with more at Hebron Branch, Main Library and Walton Branch.

Weekly at 5 locations; Monday–Friday, mostly mornings, plus some evening sessions

BabiesToddlersPreschoolFree
Find a storytime near you ↗

Campbell County Public Library

Free baby, toddler and preschool storytimes. This fall's regular sessions include Baby Bounce and Rhyme (Ages Newborn-2) (Wednesdays 10am, Newport Branch) and Baby Wigglers (Ages Newborn-2, especially for walkers) (Thursdays 10am, Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch), with more at Alexandria Branch and Cold Spring Branch.

Weekly at 4 locations; Tuesday–Friday, mostly mornings

BabiesToddlersPreschoolFree
Find a storytime near you ↗

Kenton County Public Library

Free baby, toddler and preschool storytimes. This fall's regular sessions include Baby Storytime (Tuesdays 9:30am, Erlanger Branch) and Family Storytime (Mondays 11:30am, Erlanger Branch), with more at Covington Branch, Independence Branch and Latonia Branch.

Weekly at 4 locations; Monday–Friday, mostly mornings

BabiesToddlersPreschoolFree
Find a storytime near you ↗

MidPointe Library System

Free baby, toddler and preschool storytimes. This fall's regular sessions include Baby and Toddler Storytime (Mondays 10:15am, MidPointe Library Liberty) and Baby Storytime (Tuesdays 10:15am, MidPointe Library West Chester), with more at MidPointe Library Middletown and MidPointe Library Trenton.

Weekly at 4 locations; Monday–Thursday, mostly mornings

BabiesToddlersPreschoolFree
Find a storytime near you ↗

Keep planning

More for little kids in Cincy

Indoor play in CincyIndoor playgrounds, toddler times and museums, with pricesThanksgiving weekend in CincyParades, turkey trots and what’s open on ThursdayNoon Year’s Eve in CincyKid-friendly countdowns, home by napThis week in CincyDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every Thursday

Good questions

Free things to do with kids in Cincinnati: the FAQ

This week we found 18 free outings for ages 0–6, including Fright Fest: It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown & Hotel Transylvania, Trick-or-Treat on Hyde Park Square, Movers & Shakers and Family Craft Night: Papel Picado. See free this week; the list is rebuilt every Thursday.

Bank of America Museums on Us weekend: Sat Nov 7, Sun Nov 8, Sat Dec 5 and Sun Dec 6. Fifth Third Community Days at the Freedom Center: At least one day every month; dates are posted on the museum's site. Dates come from each venue’s own page; see free days and free events.

Cincinnati Public Library Main, Smale Riverfront Park, Cincinnati Art Museum, Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library, Main Library and Trailside Nature Center, Burnet Woods don’t charge admission. Some charge for parking or special exhibits; the cards say so where the place does.

Yes: Taft Museum of Art. See all of them on indoor play places in Cincy.

Yes. Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library, Boone County Public Library, Campbell County Public Library, Kenton County Public Library and MidPointe Library System 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.

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