Things to do with kids in Jacksonville this weekend, found and checked for you.
Spooktacular lights up the Jacksonville Zoo Thursday through Sunday nights with a glowing trail and trick-or-treat stations. Saturday brings a free trunk-or-treat at Hodges Church and Murray Hill-O-Ween’s kids’ zone, and Sunday the Arboretum’s $3 Family Fall Fest adds a pumpkin patch. Pete the Cat visits South Mandarin Library Wednesday. Jacksonville has 28 outings this week, 25 of them free and 22 indoors.
Last checked · 28 outings at 18 places · 25 free · 22 indoor. Every listing links to the page we checked it on. How we choose
Top 5 picks
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A Saturday that actually works.
Here’s how we’d do Saturday, Oct 24. Two things from this week’s list, plus one of our regulars from Around town. Tap a stop for the details.
MORNINGTrunk or Treat at Victory Lutheran Church10am–1pm · Victory Lutheran Church · Free- LUNCHAround townMaple Street Biscuit Company (San Marco)Open 7am–3pm · San Marco, 2004 San Marco Blvd. · $$ (opens their site)
- NAPHome by 1:30 for nap. Car seat, stroller, whatever works.
AFTER NAPFall Festival & Trunk-or-Treat at Hodges Church4–6pm · Hodges Boulevard Presbyterian Church · Free
Times come from each event’s page or the place’s own site. Plans change, so check before you head out. Print this plan
A Sunday that actually works.
Here’s how we’d do Sunday, Oct 25. Two things from this week’s list, plus one of our regulars from Around town. Tap a stop for the details.
MORNINGTiffany Opening Weekend Family Activities at the Cummer10am–4pm · Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens · Museum admission: $20 adults, $18 ages 6–17, 5 and under free- LUNCHAround townMaple Street Biscuit Company (San Marco)Open 7am–3pm · San Marco, 2004 San Marco Blvd. · $$ (opens their site)
- NAPHome by 1:30 for nap. Car seat, stroller, whatever works.
AFTER NAPFamily Fall Fest at the Jacksonville Arboretum4–7pm · Jacksonville Arboretum & Botanical Gardens · $3 general admission; members free
Times come from each event’s page or the place’s own site. Plans change, so check before you head out. Print this plan
Find your thing
Jax favorites
A few of the places we keep going back to. The full list, with prices, hours and kid-friendly restaurants, lives in the guide.
Coming up
Outings for little ones in Jacksonville: the FAQ
What can I do with a little one in Jacksonville this weekend?
This week we found 28 outings that work for kids ages 0–6. Our top three: Spooktacular at the Jacksonville Zoo, Family Fall Fest at the Jacksonville Arboretum, Fall Festival & Trunk-or-Treat at Hodges Church. See the full list.
Are there free things to do with little ones in Jax this week?
Yes, 25 of this week’s 28 picks are free, including library storytimes and Murray Hill-O-Ween. Tap “Free” in Find your thing. For free places you can visit any week, see free things to do in Jacksonville in the city guide.
What are good indoor activities for kids in Jacksonville when it rains?
22 picks this week are indoors, mostly library programs and shows. Tap “Rainy-day OK” in Find your thing.
Where can I find storytimes and toddler activities in Jacksonville?
This week we list 22 library storytimes and baby or toddler programs. Each one links to the library or venue page with the time and place. See them in the list.
What’s on for babies and toddlers under 3 in Jacksonville this week?
5 of this week’s picks are baby or toddler programs or made for ages 3 and under, including Baby Storytime (Southeast Regional), Baby Storytime (Argyle) and Baby Storytime (Highlands Regional). 5 of them are free and 5 are indoors. See them in the list.
How do you pick what goes on the Jacksonville list?
We go through Jax’s library calendars, parks, museums, zoos and local family pages every week, and keep what works for ages 0–6. Each listing links to the page we checked it on, and where the organizer or venue has its own page, we confirm the date, time, place and price there. This list was last checked Oct 19, 2026. How we choose and check listings.
How do I get this list every week?
Sign up for the Friday email at the bottom of the page. It’s one short email, and you can unsubscribe any time.
Running something for little kids in Jax?
If it’s good for the under-6 crowd, we’d like to hear about it. Free events go on the list for free, always. If you want a guaranteed spot at the top or in the Friday email, there’s a sponsored option too, and it’s clearly labeled. We’re just getting started, so the first 10 local partners in each city get 50% off your first booking.
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We do the digging, you get one short email every Friday morning: the five things worth leaving the house for in Jax, plus what to skip.