FreeDayton · The Gem City

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

Yes, plenty is free with little kids in Dayton this week: we found 29 free outings, including Bronco-Ween Trunk or Treat, Music at the Market: Comstock Lode and Halloween for Little Ones, plus 23 library programs. Five free days and events are coming up, including one museum or zoo free day, each with its date. And four places never charge admission, like Dayton Metro Library, Main Library and Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark.

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

29free outings this weekincl. 23 library programs5free days and events coming upincl. 1 museum or zoo free day4places that are always freeDayton Metro Library, Main Library, Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark2free storytime calendarsDayton Metro Library, Greene County Public Library

This week

Free things to do with kids in Dayton this week

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

Mon Oct 1910–10:30am

Baby Storytime (Wilmington-Stroop)

Wilmington-Stroop Branch · 3980 Wilmington Pike, Kettering, OH 45429

Songs, rhymes, lap bounces and short stories for babies and their caregivers.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–1
Mon Oct 1910:30–11am

Toddler Storytime (Kettering-Moraine)

Kettering-Moraine Branch · 3496 Far Hills Ave.,, Kettering, OH 45429

Nursery rhymes, songs, fingerplays and stories that build early literacy, for toddlers and their caregivers.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 1–3
Mon Oct 1910:30–11am

Toddler & Preschool Dance Party (West Carrollton)

West Carrollton Branch · 300 E. Central Ave., West Carrollton, OH 45449

A morning dance party for little ones who love to move.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 1–5
Mon Oct 1910:30–11:15am

Baby Bounce (Main Library)

Main Library · 215 E. Third St., Dayton, OH 45402

Gentle songs, rhymes and simple activities for infants and their caregivers at the Main Library.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–1
Mon Oct 1911–11:30am

Baby Boogie (Northmont)

Northmont Branch · 700 W. National Rd., Englewood, OH 45322

Music, rhymes, stories and a dance break for babies up to age 4 with a caregiver.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–4
Mon Oct 1911am–12pm

Preschool Storytime: Indigenous Peoples (Vandalia)

Vandalia Branch · 330 S. Dixie Dr., Dayton, OH 45377

Stories by and honoring Indigenous Peoples, with songs and learning activities for ages 3 to 5.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 3–5
Mon Oct 1911am–12:15pm

Toddler & PreK Play and Learn (Kettering-Moraine)

Kettering-Moraine Branch · 3496 Far Hills Ave.,, Kettering, OH 45429

Open play stations where toddlers and preschoolers explore while grown-ups connect with each other.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 1–5
Mon Oct 194–5:30pm

Family Fun Time (Burkhardt)

Burkhardt Branch · 4704 Burkhardt Ave., Dayton, OH 45403

After-school games, crafts, LEGO and STEM experiments for the whole family.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 3–12
Mon Oct 196–6:30pm

PJ Pals Family Storytime (Northmont)

Northmont Branch · 700 W. National Rd., Englewood, OH 45322

Wear pajamas to an evening family storytime with books and songs.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–5
Tue Oct 2010–11am

Mother Goose on the Loose (Brookville)

Brookville Branch · 120 Blue Pride Drive, Brookville, OH 45309

Music, rhymes, stories and movement in this early-literacy program for babies from birth to 24 months with a caregiver.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–2
Tue Oct 2010–11am

Preschool Storytime (Main Library)

Main Library · 215 E. Third St., Dayton, OH 45402

Stories, songs and learning activities for preschoolers at the Main Library.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 3–5
Tue Oct 2010:30–11:30am

Preschool Storytime (New Lebanon)

New Lebanon Branch · 715 W Main St.,, New Lebanon, OH 45345

Stories, songs and school-readiness activities for ages 3 to 5.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 3–5
Tue Oct 205–5:45pm

Family Storytime (Trotwood)

Trotwood Branch · 855 E Main St., Trotwood, OH 45426

An after-work family storytime with books, songs and activities.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–5
Wed Oct 2110–10:30am

Book Boogie (Huber Heights)

Huber Heights Branch · 6243 Brandt Pike, Huber Heights, OH 45424

Listen to a story, then stick around for a dance party.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 1–5
Wed Oct 2110:30–11:15am

Preschool Storytime (Miami Township)

Miami Township Branch · 2718 Lyons Rd., Miamisburg, OH 45342

Stories, songs and school-readiness activities for ages 3 to 5.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 3–5
Wed Oct 213:30–4:30pm

Crafty Kids: Shrinky Dinks (Southeast)

Southeast Branch · 21 Watervliet Avenue, Dayton, OH 45420

A hands-on family craft afternoon making Shrinky Dinks.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 4–99
Thu Oct 2210:30–11:30am

Crafty Kids Storytime (Fairborn Community Library)

Fairborn Community Library · 1 East Main Street, Fairborn, OH 45324

Stories, letter-and-sound activities and a hands-on craft for ages 3 to 5. No registration.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 3–5
Thu Oct 2211:30am–12:30pm

Family Storytime: Nature Cat Adventures (Southeast)

Southeast Branch · 21 Watervliet Avenue, Dayton, OH 45420

A family storytime with books, songs, clips from PBS’s Nature Cat and hands-on activities.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–5
Thu Oct 221–2pm

Preschool STEAM Storytime (Wilmington-Stroop)

Wilmington-Stroop Branch · 3980 Wilmington Pike, Kettering, OH 45429

Stories and songs built around science, technology, engineering, art and math, for preschoolers.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 3–5
Thu Oct 226:30–7:30pm

Family Storytime (Main Library)

Main Library · 215 E. Third St., Dayton, OH 45402

An evening family storytime at the Main Library.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–5
Fri Oct 2310:30–11am

Preschool Pretzels: Stories and a Little Yoga (Carol Graff Beavercreek Library)

Carol Graff Beavercreek Library · 3618 Dayton-Xenia Road, Beavercreek, OH 45432

Stories plus yoga stretches for ages 3 to 5; caregivers can join in. No registration.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 3–5
Fri Oct 2310:30–11am

Littles Storytime (Xenia Community Library)

Xenia Community Library · 76 East Market Street, Xenia, OH 45385

Songs, rhymes and stories for babies and toddlers.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–3
Fri Oct 236:30–8pm

Bronco-Ween Trunk or Treat

Young’s Event Center parking lot · 6880 Springfield-Xenia Rd., Yellow Springs, OH 45387

The Ohio Broncos club decks out their Ford Broncos for a free trunk-or-treat. Bring your own treat bag.

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

Music at the Market: Comstock Lode

2nd Street Market · 600 E. Second St., Dayton, OH 45402

Classic rock covers in the market dining room while you shop the vendor stalls. Free, all ages.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAll ages
Sat Oct 2410:30–11am

Book Nook Story Time (Carol Graff Beavercreek Library)

Carol Graff Beavercreek Library · 3618 Dayton-Xenia Road, Beavercreek, OH 45432

Saturday stories, songs and a craft in the children’s area for ages 4 to 7. No registration, but space is limited.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 4–7
Sat Oct 2411am–1pm

Halloween for Little Ones

Kettering Recreation Complex · 2900 Glengarry Dr., Kettering, OH 45420

Kettering’s free Halloween morning for small kids: trunk or treat, inflatables and face painting, alongside the Wag-O-Ween dog costume contest. Outdoors, moving inside if the weather turns.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–8
Sat Oct 2411am–2pm

Vandalia Halloween Hangout

Vandalia Sports Complex · 1111 Stonequarry Rd., Vandalia, OH 45377

Free trick-or-treating, hayrides, inflatables, kids’ activities and costume judging, with food trucks and craft vendors.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAll ages
Sun Oct 2511am–3pm

Autumn Holiday Pumpkin Decorating

2nd Street Market (Pavilion) · 600 E. Second St., Dayton, OH 45402

Decorate mini pumpkins grown by market vendor Oaks and Sprouts Farm. Free craft supplies, all ages, no signup; smooth-jazz musician Eddie Osborne plays inside from 11:30.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAll ages
Sun Oct 253pm

Deeds Carillon Concert

Carillon Historical Park (Deeds Carillon) · 1000 Carillon Blvd., Dayton, OH 45409

Carillonneur Alan Bowman plays the 57 bells of Ohio’s largest carillon. Spread a blanket on the lawn; the concert is free.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAll ages
Showing all 29 free outings

Mark the calendar

Free days and free events coming up in Dayton

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
Oct31

Troops & Treats

National Museum of the U.S. Air Force · 1100 Spaatz St., Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433

10 a.m.–3 p.m. A farm-themed Halloween among the aircraft: trick-or-treating, hands-on activities, a petting zoo, balloon twisters and a bounce house. Bring a bag for treats; no costume weapons.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
EveryoneFree (some extra activities cost money)
Nov7

Plane Talks for Veterans Day

National Museum of the U.S. Air Force · 1100 Spaatz St., Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433

10 a.m.–3 p.m. Pilots, crew members and engineers stationed around the galleries share their stories. Good for curious school-age kids.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
EveryoneFree (museum admission and parking are always free)
Nov14

Open Aircraft Day

National Museum of the U.S. Air Force · 1100 Spaatz St., Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433

10 a.m.–3 p.m. Walk through the C-123K “Patches” and climb aboard the CH-3E and EC-121D, planes usually seen only from outside.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
EveryoneFree (museum admission and parking are always free)
Nov28

Christkindl Market at Front Street

Front Street · 1001 E. Second St., Dayton, OH 45402

11 a.m.–4 p.m. Small Business Saturday at the arts campus: photos with Santa, Christmas crafts, s'mores and a food truck rally. Rain or shine.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
EveryoneFree to attend; free parking
Any open day

Museums for All at the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery

Boonshoft Museum of Discovery · North Dayton

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Cardholders only$5 tickets for up to 4 people with a SNAP EBT or WIC card and photo ID

Any day

Places that are always free in Dayton

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

Dayton Metro Library, Main Library

Downtown, 215 E. Third St.Dayton Metro Library’s main branch on Third Street. Its free story times and kids’ programs are on the library calendar.Official site ↗Report a problem

Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark

North Dayton, 1301 E. Siebenthaler Ave.Formal gardens, a Children’s Discovery Garden and a swamp forest boardwalk along the Stillwater River. Free parking.Official site ↗Report a problem

Cox Arboretum MetroPark

Miami TownshipClimb the 81 steps of the Tree Tower, 65 feet above the conifers, then walk the gardens and trails.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

Dayton Metro Library

Free story times for babies, toddlers and preschoolers at the Main Library and branches around Montgomery County.

Weekly at 12 locations; Monday–Thursday, mostly mornings, plus some evening sessions

BabiesToddlersPreschoolFree
Find a storytime near you ↗

Greene County Public Library

Free baby, toddler and preschool storytimes. This fall's regular sessions include Baby Story Time (Mondays 11am, Carol Graff Beavercreek Library) and Baby Storytime (Wednesdays 9:30am, Winters-Bellbrook Community Library), with more at Jamestown Community Library, Xenia Community Library and Yellow Springs Community Library.

Weekly at 5 locations; Monday–Friday, mostly mornings

BabiesToddlersPreschoolFree
Find a storytime near you ↗

Keep planning

More for little kids in Dayton

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

Good questions

Free things to do with kids in Dayton: the FAQ

This week we found 29 free outings for ages 0–6, including Bronco-Ween Trunk or Treat, Music at the Market: Comstock Lode, Halloween for Little Ones and Vandalia Halloween Hangout. See free this week; the list is rebuilt every Thursday.

Troops & Treats: Sat Oct 31. Plane Talks for Veterans Day: Sat Nov 7. Open Aircraft Day: Sat Nov 14. Christkindl Market at Front Street: Sat Nov 28. Dates come from each venue’s own page; see free days and free events.

Dayton Metro Library, Main Library, Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark, Cox Arboretum MetroPark and National Museum of the U.S. Air Force don’t charge admission. Some charge for parking or special exhibits; the cards say so where the place does.

Yes: Fairhaven Church Play Area, Stillwater Playland and National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. See all of them on indoor play places in Dayton.

Yes. Dayton Metro Library and Greene County 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

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