OCT 26 – NOV 1 Sarasota–Bradenton · The Suncoast

Things to do with kids in Sarasota–Bradenton this weekend, found and checked for you.

Halloween lands on Saturday this year. The Ringling holds a free Halloween Family Night from 4 to 7, and Village of the Arts in Bradenton does trick-or-treating after dark. Manatee County libraries fill Friday morning with baby storytime and play groups. This week has 8 outings, 7 of them free and 5 indoors.

What’s on today, Friday, Oct 30: Baby Storytime (Palmetto), 40 Carrots Partners in Play (Braden River) and 40 Carrots Partners in Play (Island Branch), plus 3 more.

Last checked · 8 kids events and outings at 8 places · 7 free · 5 indoor. Every listing links to the page we checked it on. How we choose

Top 5 picks

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Saturday, sorted

Our plan for Saturday

Here’s how we’d do Saturday, Oct 31. Tap a stop for the details.

  1. MORNINGBishop Museum of Science and Nature10am–5pm · Bishop Museum of Science and Nature · Adults $25; ages 5–17 $16; ages 0–4 free with a paying adult
  2. NAPHome by 1:30 for nap.
  3. AFTER NAPHalloween Family Night at The Ringling4–7pm · The Ringling · Free

Times come from each event’s page or the place’s own site. Times can change, so check before you head out. Print this plan

Every outing this week

Find your thing

Holiday season in Sarasota

Around town

Sarasota 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.

DOWNTOWN BRADENTON, 201 10TH ST W
Bishop Museum of Science and Nature
Science museum with a planetarium and manatees.
Kids $16Adults $250–4 with a paying adultIndoor
This week: Bishop Museum of Science and Nature
5401 BAY SHORE RD, SARASOTA
The Ringling
Art museum campus with gardens.
This week: Halloween Family Night at The Ringling
DOWNTOWN BRADENTON, 321 15TH ST W
Little Discovery Center
Library play space for ages 2 to 5.
FreeIndoor
This week: Wiggles, Giggles and Tales (Little Discovery Center)
BRANCHES IN BRADENTON, PALMETTO, HOLMES BEACH AND LAKEWOOD RANCH
Manatee County Public Library
Free storytimes and play groups.
FreeIndoor
See the full Sarasota–Bradenton guide →Visiting with little kids
On the horizon

Coming up

NOV 26Thanksgiving weekend2 outings for Thanksgiving weekend so far, including Florida Turkey Trot Kids' Dash and Bradenton Runners Club kids' 1/3-mile Turkey Trot.See the list → FROM NOV 14Christmas lights3 light displays on our list so far. Holiday Light Shows at UTC Sarasota opens first, on Nov 14.See the list → NOV – DECSanta visits3 places to see Santa so far, with dates, times and prices.See the list →
Good questions

What to do with kids this weekend in Sarasota–Bradenton: the FAQ

What can we do with kids this weekend in Sarasota–Bradenton?

This weekend (Oct 30–Nov 1) our top picks are Halloween Family Night at The Ringling (Sat, Oct 31); Trick-or-Treat in the Village (Sat, Oct 31); Baby Storytime (Palmetto) (Fri, Oct 30); 40 Carrots Partners in Play (Braden River) (Fri, Oct 30). That’s four of 8 outings on this weekend, all checked on the organizer’s page and picked for kids ages 0–6. See the full list.

What are kid-friendly things to do in Sarasota–Bradenton this weekend?

This week we found 8 outings that work for kids ages 0–6, all of them this weekend (Oct 30–Nov 1). Our top three: Halloween Family Night at The Ringling, Trick-or-Treat in the Village, Baby Storytime (Palmetto). See the full list.

Where are the Halloween events for kids in Sarasota–Bradenton this week?

2 Halloween outings are on this week’s list for ages 0–6, including Halloween Family Night at The Ringling and Trick-or-Treat in the Village. Each one’s page has the date, time, price and the organizer’s link. See them in the list.

Are there free things to do with little ones in Sarasota this week?

Yes, 7 of this week’s 8 picks are free, including library storytimes and Halloween Family Night at The Ringling. Tap “Free” in Find your thing. For free places you can visit any week, see free things to do in Sarasota–Bradenton in the city guide. Free museum days and free events coming up are on free things to do with kids in Sarasota.

What are good indoor activities for kids in Sarasota–Bradenton when it rains?

5 picks this week are indoors, mostly at the libraries. Tap “Rainy-day OK” in Find your thing.

Where is storytime for little kids in Sarasota–Bradenton this week?

One storytime is on this week’s list: Baby Storytime (Palmetto) (Fri 10–11am). It links to the library or venue page we checked it on, so check there for registration. See it in the list. For every weekly storytime by day and branch, see library storytimes in Sarasota.

What’s on for babies and toddlers under 3 in Sarasota–Bradenton this week?

One of this week’s picks is a baby or toddler program or made for ages 3 and under: Baby Storytime (Palmetto). It’s free and indoors. See it in the list.

How do you pick what goes on the Sarasota–Bradenton list?

We go through Sarasota’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 30, 2026. How we choose and check listings.

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