FreePhoenix · Valley of the Sun

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

Yes, plenty is free with little kids in Phoenix this week: we found 34 free outings, including Itty Bitty Boo Bash, Trunk or Treat at Longview Recreation Center and Chandler Halloween Spooktacular, plus nine library programs. 18 free days and events are coming up, each with its date. And three places never charge admission, like Burton Barr Central Library and Phoenix Art Museum.

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

34free outings this weekincl. 9 library programs18free days and events coming upwith dates from each venue3places that are always freeBurton Barr Central Library, Phoenix Art Museum2free storytime calendarsPhoenix Public Library, Chandler Public Library

This week

Free things to do with kids in Phoenix this week

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

Thu Oct 296–8pm

Trunk or Treat at Longview Recreation Center

Longview Neighborhood Recreation Center · 4040 N. 14th St., Phoenix, AZ 85014

A free evening trunk-or-treat at the neighborhood rec center.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–12
Thu Oct 295:30–6:30pm

Harvest Festival at South Mountain Community Library

South Mountain Community Library · 7050 S. 24th St., Phoenix, AZ 85042

Stories, games and crafts for Halloween, Día de los Muertos and Diwali. Costumes are optional, and all ages are welcome. Free.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–12
Thu Oct 2910–10:30am

Costume March! Family Storytime (Prickly Pear)

Prickly Pear Library · 3635 W. Baseline Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85339

A seasonal story and songs, then a costume parade through the library. Free tickets are handed out half an hour before, first come, first served.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–5
Thu Oct 2910:15–10:45am

BabyTime (Century)

Century Library · 1750 E. Highland Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85016

Songs, rhymes and short books for babies and their grown-ups. Free.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–2
Thu Oct 299:15–9:45am

BabyTime (Desert Broom)

Desert Broom Library · 29710 N. Cave Creek Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85331

Songs, rhymes and short books for babies and their grown-ups. Free.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–2
Thu Oct 2910–11am and 11:15am–12:15pm

Spooky Storytime at Georgia T. Lord Library (Goodyear)

Georgia T. Lord Library · 1900 N. Civic Square, Goodyear, AZ 85395

Ghost and monster stories and rhymes, then trick-or-treating through the library. Ages 3 to 5, with room for 25 kids per session; tickets go out at the front desk 15 minutes before. Free.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 3–5
Thu Oct 2910–11am

Toddler Halloween Story Time (Fountain Hills Library)

Fountain Hills Library · 12901 N La Montana Dr, Fountain Hills, AZ 85268

Halloween stories and crafts for 18 to 36 months, then trick-or-treating through the library. Come in costume. Free.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 1–3
Thu Oct 2910–11am

Toddlertime Halloween Boo! at Mesa Main Library

Mesa Public Library, Main Library · 64 E. First St., Mesa, AZ 85201

A Halloween toddler time. Come in costume and bring a treat bag. Kids Need to Read joins in.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–5
Thu Oct 2910–11am

Halloween Boo StoryWalk at Dobson Ranch

Mesa Public Library, Dobson Ranch Library · 2425 S. Dobson Road, Mesa, AZ 85202

Toddler time moves outside for a Halloween StoryWalk through Dobson Ranch Park next to the library.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–5
Thu Oct 295–7pm

Heroes of Halloween

Heroes Regional Park Library · 6075 N. 83rd Ave., Glendale, AZ 85303

An all-ages evening of Halloween crafts and activities where kids meet local heroes. Costumes are encouraged.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–12
Thu Oct 2910–10:45am

Preschool Playdate at Southeast Regional Library (Gilbert)

Southeast Regional Library · 775 N. Greenfield Rd., Gilbert, AZ 85234

Free play with toys and music for preschoolers. Registration is required.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 3–5
Thu Oct 2910–10:30am

Baby Cuddles Storytime (Arabian Library)

Arabian Library · 10215 E. McDowell Mountain Ranch Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85255

A short storytime for babies up to 24 months and their caregivers, with songs, rhymes and books. A second session follows at 10:45am.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–2
Fri Oct 305:30–8:30pm

Chandler Halloween Spooktacular

Chandler Community Center · 178 E. Commonwealth Ave., Chandler, AZ 85225

Downtown Chandler’s Halloween night, with games, activities and table-or-treating. The city has moved it into the Community Center this year (enter through the southeast door, near the Senior Center and The Alexander parking garage). The costume parade is canceled, and there’s no food or drink for sale.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–12
Fri Oct 309:15–9:45am or 9:45–10:15am

Family Storytime with Mesa Arts Center

Mesa Public Library, Gateway Library · 5036 S. Eastmark Parkway, Mesa, AZ 85212

A drama-based storytime led by Mesa Arts Center teaching artists, with acting and movement for ages 3 to 5. Space is ticketed, so arrive a little early.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 3–5
Sat Oct 3110am–noon

Itty Bitty Boo Bash

South Mountain Community Center · 212 E. Alta Vista Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85042

A Halloween morning from Phoenix Parks made just for ages 0 to 5. It’s free, but register ahead on the city’s page.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–5
Sat Oct 3110am–2pm

Halloween Bash at Arizona Boardwalk

Arizona Boardwalk · 9500 E. Vía de Ventura, Scottsdale, AZ 85256

A free outdoor party in the Arizona Boardwalk courtyard, with trick-or-treating, carnival games and face painting. Kids 18 and under can enter the costume contest.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–12
Sat Oct 318–11am

Haunted Hangar at Falcon Field Airport

Falcon Field Airport, Historic WWII Hangar · 4626 E. Fighter Aces Dr., Mesa, AZ 85215

The Halloween edition of Cockpit Close-Up. Kids in costume trick-or-treat with city departments and airport businesses and see private planes up close with volunteer pilots.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–12
Showing all 34 free outings

Mark the calendar

Free days and free events coming up in Phoenix

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. For regular free days, Museums on Us and EBT discounts all year, see free museum days in Phoenix.

Who gets in free:EveryoneResidents onlyCardholders only
Nov27
to
Nov28

Glendale Glitters kickoff with Santa

Murphy Park, Historic Downtown Glendale · 5850 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale, AZ 85301

5–10pm; lighting ceremony Fri at 5:30pm. Two nights of light displays, vendors, carolers and visits with Santa. The lights are switched on at the E. Lowell Rogers Amphitheatre Friday at 5:30.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
EveryoneFree
Dec31

Noon Year's Eve Party at Juniper Library

Phoenix Public Library, Juniper Library (Meeting Room) · 1825 W Union Hills Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85027

11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Planned for kids from birth to 5, with dancing and crafts before a midday countdown. It's an easy way to celebrate with little ones who won't last until midnight.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
EveryoneFree
Dec31

Noon Year's Eve Party at Surprise Regional Library

Surprise Regional Library – Coyote Program Room · 16089 N. Bullard Ave., Surprise, AZ 85374

11:30am–12:30pm. Crafts and a dance party storytime that counts down to noon. It's aimed at ages 3 to 6, though younger and older siblings are welcome. An adult needs to stay with each child.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
EveryoneFree; no registration needed

Any day

Places that are always free in Phoenix

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

Burton Barr Central Library

Midtown, 1221 N. Central Ave.Phoenix Public Library’s main branch, with a big children’s area and free storytimes.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

Phoenix Public Library

Free BabyTime and Family Storytime at branches across the city.

Weekday and Saturday mornings

BabiesFree
Find a storytime near you ↗

Chandler Public Library

Baby and preschool storytimes in the East Valley, like the 9:15am sessions at Sunset Library.

Weekday mornings

BabiesPreschoolFree
Find a storytime near you ↗

Every weekly storytime by day and branch: library storytimes in Phoenix.

Keep planning

More for little kids in Phoenix

November: things to do in PhoenixEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in PhoenixEvery dated listing for the month, by weekFree museum days in PhoenixFree days, Museums on Us and EBT discounts, with who gets inIndoor play in PhoenixIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with pricesLibrary storytimes in PhoenixBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branchIce skating in PhoenixHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and pricesThanksgiving weekend in PhoenixParades, turkey trots and what’s open on ThursdayNoon Year’s Eve in PhoenixKid-friendly countdowns, home by napChristmas parades in PhoenixParades and tree lightings with dates and start timesChristmas trains in PhoenixPolar Express, Santa and lights trains with datesThe Nutcracker in PhoenixBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flaggedChristmas markets in PhoenixChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hoursChristmas break in PhoenixWhat’s open on Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1Birthday party places in PhoenixStarting prices, ages and what’s includedThis week in PhoenixDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every Thursday

Good questions

Free things to do with kids in Phoenix: the FAQ

This week we found 34 free outings for ages 0–6, including Itty Bitty Boo Bash, Trunk or Treat at Longview Recreation Center, Chandler Halloween Spooktacular and Halloween Bash at Arizona Boardwalk. See free this week; the list is rebuilt every Thursday.

Free Santa photos at the Tempe Marketplace tree lighting, Mesa Arizona Temple Christmas Lights, Glendale Glitters, Glendale Glitters kickoff with Santa and Merry Main Street Kick-off and Tree Lighting and 13 more are free this season. Dates and times are on each card under free days and free events.

Burton Barr Central Library, Phoenix Art Museum and Phoenix Public Library don’t charge admission. Some charge for parking or special exhibits; the cards say so where the place does.

Yes: Burton Barr Central Library. See all of them on indoor play places in Phoenix.

Yes. Phoenix Public Library and Chandler 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 29, 2026, and we recheck them every Thursday for dated events and once a month for free places. How we choose and check.

Free things to do, every Thursday.

One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in Phoenix that weekend, free ones flagged.

Phoenix skyline