# Free things to do with kids in Dayton this 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: 2026-10-19
- 29 free outings this week; 5 free days and events coming up; 4 always-free places
- Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/dayton/free/
- Indoor play (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/dayton/indoor-play/index.md
- This week (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/dayton/index.md
- City index for agents: https://littlesweekly.com/dayton/llms.txt

## Free days and free events coming up

- **Troops & Treats** at National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, 1100 Spaatz St., Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433. When: Sat Oct 31. Time: 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Price: Free (some extra activities cost money). 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: https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Upcoming/Events/Calendar/ (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Plane Talks for Veterans Day** at National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, 1100 Spaatz St., Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433. When: Sat Nov 7. Time: 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Price: Free (museum admission and parking are always free). Pilots, crew members and engineers stationed around the galleries share their stories. Good for curious school-age kids. Official page: https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Upcoming/Events/Calendar/ (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Open Aircraft Day** at National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, 1100 Spaatz St., Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433. When: Sat Nov 14. Time: 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Price: Free (museum admission and parking are always free). Walk through the C-123K “Patches” and climb aboard the CH-3E and EC-121D, planes usually seen only from outside. Official page: https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Upcoming/Events/Calendar/ (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Christkindl Market at Front Street** at Front Street, 1001 E. Second St., Dayton, OH 45402. When: Sat Nov 28. Time: 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Price: Free to attend; free parking. Small Business Saturday at the arts campus: photos with Santa, Christmas crafts, s'mores and a food truck rally. Rain or shine. Official page: https://frontstreet.art/events/christkindl-market/ (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Museums for All at the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery** at Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, North Dayton. When: Any open day. Price: $5 tickets for up to 4 people with a SNAP EBT or WIC card and photo ID. Official page: https://boonshoft.org/plan-your-visit-2/ (checked 2026-10-19)

## Free this week

- **Baby Storytime (Wilmington-Stroop)** at Wilmington-Stroop Branch, 3980 Wilmington Pike, Kettering, OH 45429. When: Mon Oct 19. Time: 10–10:30am. Price: Free. Ages: 0–1. Songs, rhymes, lap bounces and short stories for babies and their caregivers. Official page: https://dayton.bibliocommons.com/events/6a123c44490f176f7dd63422 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Toddler Storytime (Kettering-Moraine)** at Kettering-Moraine Branch, 3496 Far Hills Ave.,, Kettering, OH 45429. When: Mon Oct 19. Time: 10:30–11am. Price: Free. Ages: 1–3. Nursery rhymes, songs, fingerplays and stories that build early literacy, for toddlers and their caregivers. Official page: https://dayton.bibliocommons.com/events/6a1db5f58360de907d89077e (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Toddler & Preschool Dance Party (West Carrollton)** at West Carrollton Branch, 300 E. Central Ave., West Carrollton, OH 45449. When: Mon Oct 19. Time: 10:30–11am. Price: Free. Ages: 1–5. A morning dance party for little ones who love to move. Official page: https://dayton.bibliocommons.com/events/6a15cef643b41b3d00693191 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Baby Bounce (Main Library)** at Main Library, 215 E. Third St., Dayton, OH 45402. When: Mon Oct 19. Time: 10:30–11:15am. Price: Free. Ages: 0–1. Gentle songs, rhymes and simple activities for infants and their caregivers at the Main Library. Official page: https://dayton.bibliocommons.com/events/6a675e510e562e28009cb731 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Baby Boogie (Northmont)** at Northmont Branch, 700 W. National Rd., Englewood, OH 45322. When: Mon Oct 19. Time: 11–11:30am. Price: Free. Ages: 0–4. Music, rhymes, stories and a dance break for babies up to age 4 with a caregiver. Official page: https://dayton.bibliocommons.com/events/6a1642272ea730c17ab1f686 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Preschool Storytime: Indigenous Peoples (Vandalia)** at Vandalia Branch, 330 S. Dixie Dr., Dayton, OH 45377. When: Mon Oct 19. Time: 11am–12pm. Price: Free. Ages: 3–5. Stories by and honoring Indigenous Peoples, with songs and learning activities for ages 3 to 5. Official page: https://dayton.bibliocommons.com/events/6a1317ec278f7c2f008f5886 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Toddler & PreK Play and Learn (Kettering-Moraine)** at Kettering-Moraine Branch, 3496 Far Hills Ave.,, Kettering, OH 45429. When: Mon Oct 19. Time: 11am–12:15pm. Price: Free. Ages: 1–5. Open play stations where toddlers and preschoolers explore while grown-ups connect with each other. Official page: https://dayton.bibliocommons.com/events/6a272cdff56bd86e00b56b2e (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Family Fun Time (Burkhardt)** at Burkhardt Branch, 4704 Burkhardt Ave., Dayton, OH 45403. When: Mon Oct 19. Time: 4–5:30pm. Price: Free. Ages: 3–12. After-school games, crafts, LEGO and STEM experiments for the whole family. Official page: https://dayton.bibliocommons.com/events/6a176876c6a1dc3d00d68a1e (checked 2026-10-19)
- **PJ Pals Family Storytime (Northmont)** at Northmont Branch, 700 W. National Rd., Englewood, OH 45322. When: Mon Oct 19. Time: 6–6:30pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–5. Wear pajamas to an evening family storytime with books and songs. Official page: https://dayton.bibliocommons.com/events/6a163fcc8ea300e26318c3d0 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Mother Goose on the Loose (Brookville)** at Brookville Branch, 120 Blue Pride Drive, Brookville, OH 45309. When: Tue Oct 20. Time: 10–11am. Price: Free. Ages: 0–2. Music, rhymes, stories and movement in this early-literacy program for babies from birth to 24 months with a caregiver. Official page: https://dayton.bibliocommons.com/events/6a1d81334dc267647dab5042 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Preschool Storytime (Main Library)** at Main Library, 215 E. Third St., Dayton, OH 45402. When: Tue Oct 20. Time: 10–11am. Price: Free. Ages: 3–5. Stories, songs and learning activities for preschoolers at the Main Library. Official page: https://dayton.bibliocommons.com/events/6a54e76afb418a28009a9216 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Preschool Storytime (New Lebanon)** at New Lebanon Branch, 715 W Main St.,, New Lebanon, OH 45345. When: Tue Oct 20. Time: 10:30–11:30am. Price: Free. Ages: 3–5. Stories, songs and school-readiness activities for ages 3 to 5. Official page: https://dayton.bibliocommons.com/events/6a146bb4c6a1dc3d00d5ff82 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Family Storytime (Trotwood)** at Trotwood Branch, 855 E Main St., Trotwood, OH 45426. When: Tue Oct 20. Time: 5–5:45pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–5. An after-work family storytime with books, songs and activities. Official page: https://dayton.bibliocommons.com/events/6a163ea043b41b3d00695f05 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Book Boogie (Huber Heights)** at Huber Heights Branch, 6243 Brandt Pike, Huber Heights, OH 45424. When: Wed Oct 21. Time: 10–10:30am. Price: Free. Ages: 1–5. Listen to a story, then stick around for a dance party. Official page: https://dayton.bibliocommons.com/events/6a15c29346d5f64f7dcce67f (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Preschool Storytime (Miami Township)** at Miami Township Branch, 2718 Lyons Rd., Miamisburg, OH 45342. When: Wed Oct 21. Time: 10:30–11:15am. Price: Free. Ages: 3–5. Stories, songs and school-readiness activities for ages 3 to 5. Official page: https://dayton.bibliocommons.com/events/6a14cb6dcaf93436005e4811 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Crafty Kids: Shrinky Dinks (Southeast)** at Southeast Branch, 21 Watervliet Avenue, Dayton, OH 45420. When: Wed Oct 21. Time: 3:30–4:30pm. Price: Free. Ages: 4–99. A hands-on family craft afternoon making Shrinky Dinks. Official page: https://dayton.bibliocommons.com/events/6a136251caf93436005e1b07 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Crafty Kids Storytime (Fairborn Community Library)** at Fairborn Community Library, 1 East Main Street, Fairborn, OH 45324. When: Thu Oct 22. Time: 10:30–11:30am. Price: Free. Ages: 3–5. Stories, letter-and-sound activities and a hands-on craft for ages 3 to 5. No registration. Official page: https://greenelibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/6a87414b65b929006b16792f (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Family Storytime: Nature Cat Adventures (Southeast)** at Southeast Branch, 21 Watervliet Avenue, Dayton, OH 45420. When: Thu Oct 22. Time: 11:30am–12:30pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–5. A family storytime with books, songs, clips from PBS’s Nature Cat and hands-on activities. Official page: https://dayton.bibliocommons.com/events/6a1998122ea730c17ab2a5d6 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Preschool STEAM Storytime (Wilmington-Stroop)** at Wilmington-Stroop Branch, 3980 Wilmington Pike, Kettering, OH 45429. When: Thu Oct 22. Time: 1–2pm. Price: Free. Ages: 3–5. Stories and songs built around science, technology, engineering, art and math, for preschoolers. Official page: https://dayton.bibliocommons.com/events/6a123f368360de907d882c6e (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Family Storytime (Main Library)** at Main Library, 215 E. Third St., Dayton, OH 45402. When: Thu Oct 22. Time: 6:30–7:30pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–5. An evening family storytime at the Main Library. Official page: https://dayton.bibliocommons.com/events/6a54e74eaa34e23600eec027 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Preschool Pretzels: Stories and a Little Yoga (Carol Graff Beavercreek Library)** at Carol Graff Beavercreek Library, 3618 Dayton-Xenia Road, Beavercreek, OH 45432. When: Fri Oct 23. Time: 10:30–11am. Price: Free. Ages: 3–5. Stories plus yoga stretches for ages 3 to 5; caregivers can join in. No registration. Official page: https://greenelibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/6a7a5107b3bdcec4a667681f (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Littles Storytime (Xenia Community Library)** at Xenia Community Library, 76 East Market Street, Xenia, OH 45385. When: Fri Oct 23. Time: 10:30–11am. Price: Free. Ages: 0–3. Songs, rhymes and stories for babies and toddlers. Official page: https://greenelibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/6a96e82c4cb69d003e24e1e7 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Bronco-Ween Trunk or Treat** at Young’s Event Center parking lot, 6880 Springfield-Xenia Rd., Yellow Springs, OH 45387. When: Fri Oct 23. Time: 6:30–8pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–12. The Ohio Broncos club decks out their Ford Broncos for a free trunk-or-treat. Bring your own treat bag. Official page: https://youngsdairy.com/bronco-ween-trunk-or-treat/ (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Music at the Market: Comstock Lode** at 2nd Street Market, 600 E. Second St., Dayton, OH 45402. When: Sat Oct 24. Time: 10am–2pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–99. Classic rock covers in the market dining room while you shop the vendor stalls. Free, all ages. Official page: https://www.metroparks.org/programs-events-finder/?program_number=X147&api=programs&type=program (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Book Nook Story Time (Carol Graff Beavercreek Library)** at Carol Graff Beavercreek Library, 3618 Dayton-Xenia Road, Beavercreek, OH 45432. When: Sat Oct 24. Time: 10:30–11am. Price: Free. Ages: 4–7. Saturday stories, songs and a craft in the children’s area for ages 4 to 7. No registration, but space is limited. Official page: https://greenelibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/6a7a527886ec588db26fc88c (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Halloween for Little Ones** at Kettering Recreation Complex, 2900 Glengarry Dr., Kettering, OH 45420. When: Sat Oct 24. Time: 11am–1pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–8. 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. Official page: https://www.playkettering.org/event/halloween-for-little-one/ (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Vandalia Halloween Hangout** at Vandalia Sports Complex, 1111 Stonequarry Rd., Vandalia, OH 45377. When: Sat Oct 24. Time: 11am–2pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–99. Free trick-or-treating, hayrides, inflatables, kids’ activities and costume judging, with food trucks and craft vendors. Official page: https://www.vandaliaohio.org/Calendar.aspx?EID=2042 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Autumn Holiday Pumpkin Decorating** at 2nd Street Market (Pavilion), 600 E. Second St., Dayton, OH 45402. When: Sun Oct 25. Time: 11am–3pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–99. 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. Official page: https://www.metroparks.org/programs-events-finder/?program_number=X34&api=programs&type=program (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Deeds Carillon Concert** at Carillon Historical Park (Deeds Carillon), 1000 Carillon Blvd., Dayton, OH 45409. When: Sun Oct 25. Time: 3pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–99. Carillonneur Alan Bowman plays the 57 bells of Ohio’s largest carillon. Spread a blanket on the lawn; the concert is free. Official page: https://daytonhistory.org/events/historical-experiences-programs/deeds-carillon-concerts/ (checked 2026-10-19)

## Always free

- **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 page: https://www.daytonmetrolibrary.org/ (checked 2026-10-18)
- **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 page: https://www.metroparks.org/places-to-go/wegerzyn-gardens/ (checked 2026-10-18)
- **Cox Arboretum MetroPark**, Miami Township. Climb the 81 steps of the Tree Tower, 65 feet above the conifers, then walk the gardens and trails. Official page: https://www.metroparks.org/places-to-go/cox-arboretum/ (checked 2026-10-18)
- **National Museum of the U.S. Air Force**, Wright-Patterson AFB. Huge hangars of aircraft and spacecraft. Admission and parking are free. Official page: https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/ (checked 2026-10-18)

## Free library storytimes

- **Dayton Metro Library**: Weekly at 12 locations; Monday–Thursday, mostly mornings, plus some evening sessions. Free story times for babies, toddlers and preschoolers at the Main Library and branches around Montgomery County. Calendar: https://www.daytonmetrolibrary.org/
- **Greene County Public Library**: Weekly at 5 locations; Monday–Friday, mostly mornings. 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. Calendar: https://greenelibrary.bibliocommons.com/v2/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).
- Sponsored spots are labeled on the HTML pages and are not part of this editorial list.
- 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 Dayton this weekend?
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](https://littlesweekly.com/dayton/free/#this-week); the list is rebuilt every Thursday.

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

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

### Is there free indoor play in Dayton?
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](https://littlesweekly.com/dayton/indoor-play/#places).

### Are library storytimes free 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.

### 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/).