# Free things to do with kids in Cincinnati this 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: 2026-10-19
- 18 free outings this week; 2 free days and events coming up; 5 always-free places
- Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/cincinnati/free/
- Indoor play (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/cincinnati/indoor-play/index.md
- This week (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/cincinnati/index.md
- City index for agents: https://littlesweekly.com/cincinnati/llms.txt

## Free days and free events coming up

- **Bank of America Museums on Us weekend** at National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, Cincinnati. When: Sat Nov 7, Sun Nov 8, Sat Dec 5 and Sun Dec 6. Price: Free general admission for Bank of America, Merrill and Private Bank cardholders (one per card, with photo ID). Only the cardholder gets in free, so bring the card and an ID. Official page: https://about.bankofamerica.com/en/making-an-impact/museums-on-us-partners (checked 2026-10-18)
- **Fifth Third Community Days at the Freedom Center** at National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, 50 E. Freedom Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202. When: At least one day every month; dates are posted on the museum's site. Price: Free admission. Best for older kids, but the riverfront building is stroller-friendly. Official page: https://freedomcenter.org/visit/ (checked 2026-10-18)

## Free this week

- **Fright Fest: It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown & Hotel Transylvania** at Imagination Alley (Over-the-Rhine), 1318 Republic St, Cincinnati, OH 45202. When: Sun Oct 25. Time: 7:30pm. Price: Free. Ages: 2–99. 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. Official page: https://washingtonpark.org/events/2026-fright-fest/ (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Urban Pumpkin Patch** at Downtown Main Library (Reading Garden and Kids Area), 800 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH 45202. When: Sat Oct 24. Time: 11am–3pm. Price: Free (one pumpkin per child). Ages: 0–12. The Main Library becomes a pumpkin patch where every kid picks a free pumpkin to take home, with a Sun E Farms petting zoo. Official page: https://cincinnatilibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/6a70f03ee30fe48459669900 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Family Pajama Storytime** at Downtown Main Library (1 South Kids Programming Space), 800 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH 45202. When: Mon Oct 19. Time: 6pm–6:30pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–6. Bedtime books, songs and stories. Jammies optional. Official page: https://cincinnatilibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/6888cca4639e1e9694a399b3 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Pajama Storytime** at Deer Park Branch Library, 4020 E Galbraith Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45236. When: Wed Oct 21. Time: 7pm–7:30pm. Price: Free, drop in. Ages: 0–6. A pajama party at the library, with songs and stories before bed. Official page: https://cincinnatilibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/693350ca2c65973d0011452a (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Trick-or-Treat on Hyde Park Square** at Hyde Park Square, 2700 Erie Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45208. When: Sat Oct 24. Time: 10:30am–2pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–10. 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. Official page: https://cincinnatilibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/6ac667f4ebad22004543b2f2 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Movers & Shakers** at Mt. Healthy Branch Library, 7700 Hamilton Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45231. When: Mon Oct 19. Time: 10:30am–11:30am. Price: Free, drop in. Ages: 1–4. A storytime full of singing, dancing and movement for ages 1 to 4. Official page: https://cincinnatilibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/69e636d8129f127438399d2c (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Family Craft Night: Papel Picado** at Harrison Branch Library, 10398 New Haven Rd, Harrison, OH 45030. When: Wed Oct 21. Time: 6:30pm–7:30pm. Price: Free (registration requested). Ages: 4–99. Learn the history of the Mexican cut-paper art form, then make your own banner. All supplies provided. Official page: https://cincinnatilibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/69976fab7d180d0d48342b82 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Peanut Butter & Jam: Hit It! (Reading)** at Reading Branch Library, 8740 Reading Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45215. When: Wed Oct 21. Time: 10:30am–11:30am. Price: Free (Free Library Series). Ages: 2–6. An interactive percussion concert for ages 2 to 6. Kids get up close to the drums and jam along. Official page: https://www.peanutbutterandjam.org/event/hit-it-12/ (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Hebron Halloween Party** at Boone County Public Library – Hebron Branch, 1863 North Bend Rd, Hebron, KY 41048. When: Tue Oct 20. Time: 6pm–7:30pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–12. Come in costume and trick-or-treat along the branch's StoryWalk trail. Official page: https://boone.libnet.info/event/16997480 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Mini-Pumpkin Painting** at Kenton County Public Library – Erlanger Branch, 401 Kenton Lands Rd, Erlanger, KY 41018. When: Mon Oct 19. Time: 4pm–5pm. Price: Free; register each child. Ages: 3–12. Paint a little pumpkin to take home. Space is limited. Official page: https://kentonlibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/6a80aef8aafa6100295cd735 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **PlayArt Storytime: Crafty Skeletons** at Kenton County Public Library – Erlanger Branch, 401 Kenton Lands Rd, Erlanger, KY 41018. When: Fri Oct 23. Time: 11:30am–1pm. Price: Free. Ages: 2–5. Books, dancing, sensory play and process art for budding artists ages 2 to 5, with a skeleton theme. Official page: https://kentonlibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/6a516579fb418a28009a184d (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Kids Scary Movie Night!** at Kenton County Public Library – Covington Branch, 502 Scott Blvd, Covington, KY 41011. When: Fri Oct 23. Time: 4pm–5:30pm. Price: Free. Ages: 5–12. An after-school not-too-scary movie in the children's activity room, for ages 5 to 12. Official page: https://kentonlibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/6a7f82c9be14820029876f37 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Wilder Trunk or Treat (with the Book Bus)** at Wilder City Center Park, 520 Licking Pike, Wilder, KY 41071. When: Sat Oct 24. Time: 1pm–3pm. Price: Free (plus a free book from the Book Bus). Ages: 0–10. 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. Official page: https://ccpl.libnet.info/event/16943786 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Art at the Armory: Pumpkin Painting** at The Armory (Fort Thomas), 950 S Fort Thomas Ave, Fort Thomas, KY 41075. When: Wed Oct 21. Time: 4:30pm–6pm. Price: Free, drop in. Ages: 0–99. Campbell County Library's drop-in pumpkin painting at the Fort Thomas Armory. Enter on the park side. Official page: https://ccpl.libnet.info/event/16867249 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Halloween on the Green (Fairfield)** at Village Green Park, 301 Wessel Dr, Fairfield, OH 45014. When: Thu Oct 22. Time: 6pm–8pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–10. A free evening of trick-or-treating on Fairfield's Village Green, for kids 10 and under. Official page: https://www.fairfield-city.org/Calendar.aspx?EID=3086 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Halloween Trail Haunt** at Sycamore Park (Clermont County Park District), 4082 OH-132, Batavia, OH 45103. When: Sat Oct 24. Time: 6pm–8pm. Price: Free; no registration. Ages: 4–12. 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. Official page: https://www.clermontparks.org/events/event/halloween-trail-haunt/2026-10-24/ (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Trunk or Treat at Sharon Woods** at Sharon Woods, 11450 Lebanon Rd, Sharonville, OH 45241. When: Tue Oct 20. Time: 5pm–6:30pm. Price: Free; timed tickets required (through Sharonville Parks & Recreation). Ages: 0–10. Great Parks and Sharonville Parks host costumed candy collecting from decorated trunks. Official page: https://www.greatparks.org/calendar/special-events/trunk-or-treat (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Sheep to Sweater** at Winton Woods Farm & Equestrian Center, 10073 Daly Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45231. When: Sun Oct 25. Time: 12pm–3pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–99. Follow wool from the sheep to finished yarn at the Great Parks farm, which also has live animals and a playground. Official page: https://ohgreatparksweb.myvscloud.com/webtrac/web/search.html?Action=Start&SubAction=&grade=&module=AR&display=table&beginmonth=10&beginday=23&beginyear=2026&endmonth=10&endday=25&endyear=2026 (checked 2026-10-19)

## Always free

- **Cincinnati Public Library Main**, Downtown. The main library downtown, with a children's area. Official page: https://cincinnatilibrary.org (checked 2026-10-18)
- **Smale Riverfront Park**, Downtown. A free riverfront park downtown. Official page: https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/cincyparks/visit-a-park/find-a-parkfacility/smale-riverfront-park/ (checked 2026-10-18)
- **Cincinnati Art Museum**, Eden Park. A free art museum in Eden Park. Official page: https://www.cincinnatiartmuseum.org (checked 2026-10-18)
- **Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library, Main Library**, 800 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH 45202. Free, with books, a children’s area and no ticket to buy. Official page: https://chpl.org/locations/1 (checked 2026-10-18)
- **Trailside Nature Center, Burnet Woods**, 3251 Brookline Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45220. Free, and not far from the Zoo. Official page: https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/cincyparks/ (checked 2026-10-18)

## Free library storytimes

- **Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library**: Weekly at 30 locations; Monday–Friday, mostly mornings, plus some evening sessions. Baby, toddler and preschool storytimes at branches across the county. Northern Kentucky libraries run their own. Calendar: https://chpl.org/events/
- **Boone County Public Library**: Weekly at 5 locations; Monday–Friday, mostly mornings, plus some evening sessions. 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. Calendar: https://boone.libnet.info/events
- **Campbell County Public Library**: Weekly at 4 locations; Tuesday–Friday, mostly mornings. 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. Calendar: https://ccpl.libnet.info/events
- **Kenton County Public Library**: Weekly at 4 locations; Monday–Friday, mostly mornings. 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. Calendar: https://kentonlibrary.bibliocommons.com/v2/events
- **MidPointe Library System**: Weekly at 4 locations; Monday–Thursday, mostly mornings. 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. Calendar: https://programs.midpointelibrary.org/events

## About this list
- Published by Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/). Free weekly lists for kids ages 0–6, city by city.
- How we choose and check listings, and how to send a correction: https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/ (corrections: hello@littlesweekly.com).
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- How to cite: “According to Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/…), …” and link the page you quote.

## FAQ

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

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

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

### Is there free indoor play in Cincinnati?
Yes: Taft Museum of Art. See all of them on [indoor play places in Cincy](https://littlesweekly.com/cincinnati/indoor-play/#places).

### Are library storytimes free in Cincinnati?
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.

### 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/).