Yes, plenty is free with little kids in Lakeland this week: we found four free outings, including Lake Morton Halloween Trick-or-Treating, Bonnet Springs Park and Polk’s Nature Discovery Center at Circle B Bar Reserve. Four free days and events are coming up, each with its date. And three places never charge admission, like Circle B Bar Reserve and Bonnet Springs Park.
This week
Every free outing on this week’s Lakeland list, rebuilt every Thursday. Library programs may need a quick sign-up.
400 Bonnet Springs Blvd, Lakeland, FL 33815
A big park on the edge of downtown with a train-themed playground and paved paths for strollers.
Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art · 800 East Palmetto Street, Lakeland, FL 33801
A free art museum on the Florida Southern College campus, good for a short indoor stop with a stroller.
Lake Morton neighborhood · Success Ave and nearby streets, Lakeland, FL
The Lake Morton neighborhood is a favorite for trick-or-treating, especially Success Avenue. College Heights United Methodist Church often adds a trunk-or-treat in its parking lot from 6 to 7:30.
Circle B Bar Reserve · 4399 Winter Lake Road, Lakeland, FL 33803
A free nature center inside Circle B Bar Reserve on Lake Hancock, a good short stop before a walk to look for birds and alligators.
Nothing free on this day yet. Try an always-free place.
Mark the calendar
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.
Lake Morton neighborhood · Lakeland
Munn Park · Munn Park, downtown Lakeland, FL
Pictures with Santa 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Santa visits during the Small Business Saturday craft bazaar, which runs 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with more than 45 local makers.
First United Methodist Church of Lakeland, Wesley Center (2nd floor of the C Building) · 72 Lake Morton Dr., Lakeland, FL 33801
9 to 11 a.m. Breakfast, crafts and a photo with Santa, a block from Lake Morton.
Bonnet Springs Park · 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland, FL 33815
6–8:30 p.m. Two weeks of holiday nights in the park, with pictures with Santa and a spot to write letters to him.
Any day
Parks, gardens, nature centers and museums that don’t charge admission.
Every week
Most libraries run free baby and toddler storytimes. We’ll add the calendar once we’ve checked it.
Keep planning
November: things to do in LakelandEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in LakelandEvery dated listing for the month, by week
Thanksgiving weekend in LakelandParades, turkey trots and what’s open on Thursday
Christmas parades in LakelandParades and tree lightings with dates and start times
Christmas trains in LakelandPolar Express, Santa and lights trains with datesThe Nutcracker in LakelandBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flagged
Christmas markets in LakelandChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hoursThis week in LakelandDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every ThursdayGood questions
This week we found four free outings for ages 0–6, including Lake Morton Halloween Trick-or-Treating, Bonnet Springs Park, Polk’s Nature Discovery Center at Circle B Bar Reserve and AGB Museum of Art. See free this week; the list is rebuilt every Thursday.
Lake Morton Halloween Trick-or-Treating: Sat Oct 31. Dates come from each venue’s own page; see free days and free events.
Santa at the Munn Park Holiday Craft Bazaar, Breakfast with Santa at First UMC Lakeland and Light Up BSP are free this season. Dates and times are on each card under free days and free events.
Circle B Bar Reserve, Bonnet Springs Park and AGB Museum of Art don’t charge admission. Some charge for parking or special exhibits; the cards say so where the place does.
Yes: AGB Museum of Art.
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 30, 2026, and we recheck them every Thursday for dated events and once a month for free places. How we choose and check.
One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in Lakeland that weekend, free ones flagged.
