# Free things to do with kids in Tampa this week

> Yes, plenty is free with little kids in Tampa this week: we found 24 free outings, including Riverwalk Trick-or-Treat, Trunk-or-Treat at First Pres Tampa and Sneaky Sea Creatures (John F. Germany), plus 20 library programs. Four free days and events are coming up, including one museum or zoo free day, each with its date. And five places never charge admission, like John F. Germany Public Library and Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park.

- Last checked: 2026-10-19
- 24 free outings this week; 4 free days and events coming up; 5 always-free places
- Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/tampa/free/
- Indoor play (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/tampa/indoor-play/index.md
- This week (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/tampa/index.md
- City index for agents: https://littlesweekly.com/tampa/llms.txt

## Free days and free events coming up

- **Riverwalk Trick-or-Treat** at Cotanchobee Park, Downtown. When: Sat Oct 24. Time: 4–8:30pm. Price: Free. Official page: https://www.tampa.gov/events/riverwalk-trick-or-treat/195066 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Trunk-or-Treat at First Pres Tampa** at First Presbyterian Church of Tampa, 3302 W. Horatio Ave., Tampa, FL 33609. When: Sun Oct 25. Time: 5–6:30pm. Price: Free. Official page: https://www.firstprestampa.org/2026-trunk-or-treat (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Bank of America Museums on Us weekend** at Florida Museum of Photographic Arts; Tampa Museum of Art, Tampa. When: Sat Nov 7, Sun Nov 8, Sat Dec 5 and Sun Dec 6. Price: Free general admission for Bank of America, Merrill and Private Bank cardholders (one per card, with photo ID). Only the cardholder gets in free, so bring the card and an ID. Official page: https://about.bankofamerica.com/en/making-an-impact/museums-on-us-partners (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Santa Fest & Tree Lighting** at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, Downtown. When: Sat Dec 5. Time: From 1pm. Price: Free. Official page: https://friendsoftamparec.org/santa-fest--tree-lighting.html (checked 2026-10-19)

## Free this week

- **Riverwalk Trick-or-Treat** at Cotanchobee Park, Tampa Riverwalk, Cotanchobee Park, Tampa, FL. When: Sat Oct 24. Time: 4–8:30pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–12. The 10th annual Riverwalk Trick-or-Treat: trick-or-treating, a costume contest, a Thriller flash mob and Ghostbusters on the lawn at 7:15pm. Costumes encouraged. Official page: https://www.tampa.gov/events/riverwalk-trick-or-treat/195066 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Trunk-or-Treat at First Pres Tampa** at First Presbyterian Church of Tampa, 3302 W. Horatio Ave., Tampa, FL 33609. When: Sun Oct 25. Time: 5–6:30pm. Price: Free; optional dinner pre-order by Oct 21. Ages: 0–12. About 40 decorated trunks with candy and prizes for the best trunks. Dinner plates can be pre-ordered. Official page: https://www.firstprestampa.org/2026-trunk-or-treat (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Sneaky Sea Creatures (John F. Germany)** at John F. Germany Public Library, 900 N. Ashley Dr., Tampa, FL. When: Sat Oct 24. Time: 11am–noon. Price: Free. Ages: 4–10. Learn how sea creatures use camouflage and make an ocean camouflage scene. Official page: https://hcplc.libnet.info/event/17058568 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Fire Rescue Engine Visit (Ruskin)** at Ruskin Branch Library, 26 Dickman Dr. S.E., Ruskin, FL. When: Mon Oct 19. Time: 2–2:45pm. Price: Free. Ages: 2–8. Hillsborough County Fire Rescue brings an engine; see the truck and its tools. Official page: https://hcplc.libnet.info/event/16293333 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Musical Storytime (Bruton Memorial)** at Bruton Memorial Library, 302 W. McLendon St., Plant City, FL. When: Tue Oct 20. Time: 10:30–11am. Price: Free. Ages: 2–5. Ms. Erin leads 30 minutes of stories, music and movement for ages 2–5. Official page: https://hcplc.libnet.info/event/17335437 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Bilingual Story Time (Ruskin)** at Ruskin Branch Library, 26 Dickman Dr. S.E., Ruskin, FL. When: Tue Oct 20. Time: 11–11:30am. Price: Free. Ages: 0–5. Books, rhymes and songs in English and Spanish. Official page: https://hcplc.libnet.info/event/16773261 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Baby Time (John F. Germany)** at John F. Germany Public Library, 900 N. Ashley Dr., Tampa, FL. When: Fri Oct 23. Time: 10:15–10:35am. Price: Free. Ages: 0–1. A lapsit of books, bouncy rhymes and songs for babies. Official page: https://hcplc.libnet.info/event/16708941 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Family Story Time (John F. Germany)** at John F. Germany Public Library, 900 N. Ashley Dr., Tampa, FL. When: Fri Oct 23. Time: 11–11:30am. Price: Free. Ages: 0–5. Books, rhymes, songs and activities for the whole family. Official page: https://hcplc.libnet.info/event/16708962 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Family Story Time (Seminole Heights)** at Seminole Heights Branch Library, 4711 Central Ave., Tampa, FL. When: Fri Oct 23. Time: 10:15–10:45am. Price: Free. Ages: 0–5. Books, rhymes, songs and activities for the whole family. Official page: https://hcplc.libnet.info/event/16819698 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Toddler Time (Seminole Heights)** at Seminole Heights Branch Library, 4711 Central Ave., Tampa, FL. When: Tue Oct 20. Time: 10:15–10:45am. Price: Free. Ages: 1–3. Stories, songs and movement for toddlers. Official page: https://hcplc.libnet.info/event/16819666 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Baby Time (Seminole Heights)** at Seminole Heights Branch Library, 4711 Central Ave., Tampa, FL. When: Thu Oct 22. Time: 10:15–10:35am. Price: Free. Ages: 0–1. A lapsit for babies and caregivers. Official page: https://hcplc.libnet.info/event/16819689 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Baby Time (Lutz)** at Lutz Branch Library, 101 Lutz-Lake Fern Rd. W., Lutz, FL. When: Fri Oct 23. Time: 10:15–10:35am. Price: Free. Ages: 0–1. A lapsit for babies and caregivers. Official page: https://hcplc.libnet.info/event/16753681 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Family Story Time (Lutz)** at Lutz Branch Library, 101 Lutz-Lake Fern Rd. W., Lutz, FL. When: Wed Oct 21. Time: 2–2:30pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–5. Books, rhymes, songs and activities for the whole family. Official page: https://hcplc.libnet.info/event/16753664 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Family Story Time (Austin Davis)** at Austin Davis Public Library, 17808 Wayne Rd., Odessa, FL. When: Sat Oct 24. Time: 10:15–10:45am. Price: Free. Ages: 0–5. Saturday-morning stories, songs and activities. Official page: https://hcplc.libnet.info/event/16752931 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Toddler Time (Austin Davis)** at Austin Davis Public Library, 17808 Wayne Rd., Odessa, FL. When: Mon Oct 19. Time: 10:15–10:45am. Price: Free. Ages: 1–3. Stories, songs and movement for toddlers. Official page: https://hcplc.libnet.info/event/16642695 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Baby Time (Brandon)** at Brandon Regional Library, 619 Vonderburg Dr., Brandon, FL. When: Mon Oct 19. Time: 10:15–10:35am. Price: Free. Ages: 0–1. A lapsit for babies and caregivers. Official page: https://hcplc.libnet.info/event/16753261 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Story Time (Brandon)** at Brandon Regional Library, 619 Vonderburg Dr., Brandon, FL. When: Wed Oct 21. Time: 10:15–10:45am. Price: Free. Ages: 2–5. Stories, songs and rhymes for preschoolers. Official page: https://hcplc.libnet.info/event/16752976 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Toddler Time (Fendig)** at Charles J. Fendig Public Library, 3909 W. Neptune St., Tampa, FL. When: Mon Oct 19. Time: 10:15–10:45am. Price: Free. Ages: 1–3. Stories, songs and movement for toddlers. Official page: https://hcplc.libnet.info/event/16773381 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Story Time (Fendig)** at Charles J. Fendig Public Library, 3909 W. Neptune St., Tampa, FL. When: Thu Oct 22. Time: 10:15–10:45am. Price: Free. Ages: 2–5. Stories, songs and rhymes for preschoolers. Official page: https://hcplc.libnet.info/event/16753476 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Family Story Time (Thonotosassa)** at Thonotosassa Branch Library, 10715 Main St., Thonotosassa, FL. When: Tue Oct 20. Time: 2–2:30pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–5. Books, rhymes, songs and activities for the whole family. Official page: https://hcplc.libnet.info/event/16639664 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Family Story Time (78th Street)** at 78th Street Community Library, 7625 Palm River Rd., Tampa, FL. When: Wed Oct 21. Time: 2–2:30pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–5. Books, rhymes, songs and activities for the whole family. Official page: https://hcplc.libnet.info/event/16644436 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Family Story Time (Port Tampa)** at Port Tampa City Library, 4902 W. Commerce St., Tampa, FL. When: Wed Oct 21. Time: 3:30–4pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–5. An after-school family storytime. Official page: https://hcplc.libnet.info/event/16644689 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Baby Time (Port Tampa)** at Port Tampa City Library, 4902 W. Commerce St., Tampa, FL. When: Thu Oct 22. Time: 3:30–3:50pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–1. A lapsit for babies and caregivers. Official page: https://hcplc.libnet.info/event/16644735 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **BabyTime (Bruton Memorial)** at Bruton Memorial Library, 302 W. McLendon St., Plant City, FL. When: Thu Oct 22. Time: 10:30–11am. Price: Free. Ages: 0–1. A lapsit for babies and caregivers. Official page: https://hcplc.libnet.info/event/17335311 (checked 2026-10-19)

## Always free

- **John F. Germany Public Library**, Downtown, 900 N. Ashley Dr. The main library, with baby times and Saturday science programs. Official page: https://hcplc.org/locations/john-f-germany (checked 2026-10-18)
- **Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park**, Downtown. The downtown riverfront park with a playground and the Riverwalk. Official page: https://www.tampa.gov/parks-and-recreation/featured-parks/curtis-hixon (checked 2026-10-18)
- **Water Works Park**, Tampa Heights, 1710 N. Highland Ave. A free riverfront park with a playground, a splash pad with a giant bucket drop, and shaded picnic tables. Official page: https://www.tampa.gov/parks-and-recreation/featured-parks/waterworks (checked 2026-10-18)
- **Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park**, Downtown. A riverfront park with a fenced play cove for ages 2–12 and a splash pad. Official page: https://www.tampa.gov/parks-and-recreation/featured-parks/riverfrontpark (checked 2026-10-18)
- **Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library**, Countywide. Free storytimes at branches. Official page: https://hcplc.org/ (checked 2026-10-18)

## Free library storytimes

- **Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library**: Weekday mornings at most branches. Free Baby Time, Toddler Time and Family Story Time at libraries across Hillsborough County. Calendar: https://hcplc.org/
- **St. Petersburg Library System**: Weekly at 6 locations; Monday–Friday, mostly mornings, plus some evening sessions. Free baby, toddler and preschool storytimes. This fall's regular sessions include American Sign Language Classes for Babies (Infants up to 36 Months) (Tuesdays 5:30pm, President Barack Obama Main Library - 3745 9th Ave. N) and Little Learners - Early Literacy Program (Ages 1 - 3 with Caregiver) (Mondays 9:30am, West Community Library - 6700 8th Ave. N), with more at James Weldon Johnson Community Library - 1059 18th Ave. S, Mirror Lake Library - 280 5th St. N, North Community Library - 861 70th Ave. N and South Community Library - 2300 Roy Hanna Dr. S. Calendar: https://splibraries.libcal.com/calendar/events?cid=2830&t=d&d=0000-00-00&cal=2830&ct=26217&inc=0

## 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 Tampa this weekend?
This week we found 24 free outings for ages 0–6, including Riverwalk Trick-or-Treat, Trunk-or-Treat at First Pres Tampa, Sneaky Sea Creatures (John F. Germany) and Musical Storytime (Bruton Memorial). See [free this week](https://littlesweekly.com/tampa/free/#this-week); the list is rebuilt every Thursday.

### Are there free museum or zoo days in Tampa?
Riverwalk Trick-or-Treat: Sat Oct 24. Trunk-or-Treat at First Pres Tampa: Sun Oct 25. Bank of America Museums on Us weekend: Sat Nov 7, Sun Nov 8, Sat Dec 5 and Sun Dec 6. Santa Fest & Tree Lighting: Sat Dec 5. Dates come from each venue’s own page; see [free days and free events](https://littlesweekly.com/tampa/free/#free-days).

### Where can we go for free any day in Tampa?
John F. Germany Public Library, Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, Water Works Park, Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park and Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library 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 Tampa?
Yes: John F. Germany Public Library. See all of them on [indoor play places in Tampa](https://littlesweekly.com/tampa/indoor-play/#places).

### Are library storytimes free in Tampa?
Yes. Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library and St. Petersburg Library System 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/).