FreeVirginia Beach–Norfolk · Hampton Roads

Free things to do with kids in Virginia Beach–Norfolk, this week and every week.

Yes, plenty is free with little kids in Virginia Beach–Norfolk this week: we found 20 free outings, including Trick or Treat Carnival at Slover, Slightly Spooky Halloween Party (Lafayette) and Spooky Stories at Pretlow, plus nine library programs. Seven free days and events are coming up, each with its date. And four places never charge admission, like Norfolk Public Library and Chrysler Museum of Art.

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

20free outings this weekincl. 9 library programs7free days and events coming upwith dates from each venue4places that are always freeNorfolk Public Library, Chrysler Museum of Art3free storytime calendarsNorfolk Public Library, Chesapeake Public Library

This week

Free things to do with kids in Hampton Roads this week

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

Thu Oct 293:30–5:30pm

Slightly Spooky Halloween Party (Lafayette)

Lafayette Branch Library · 1610 Cromwell Drive, Norfolk, VA 23509

Snacks, candy, games, crafts and music. Wear a costume for a shot at a prize. Free.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–12
Thu Oct 2911–11:45am

Artistic Storytime at Jordan-Newby

Jordan-Newby Anchor Branch Library at Broad Creek · 1425 Norchester Ave., Norfolk, VA 23504

A short story read in the youth art studio, then a craft to match. Free.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 3–6
Thu Oct 2910:15–11:15am

Halloween Storytime & Parade (Cuffee)

Dr. Clarence V. Cuffee Library · 2726 Border Road, Chesapeake, VA 23324

Come in costume for stories and crafts, ending with a trick-or-treat parade. Free.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–5
Thu Oct 2911am–12pm

Once Upon a Boo at Greenbrier

Greenbrier Library · 1214 Volvo Parkway, Chesapeake, VA 23320

Little ones in costume trick-or-treat around the library and make crafts in the youth room. Free.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 2–8
Thu Oct 2911am

Drop-in Rhyme Time at Oceanfront Library

Oceanfront Area Library · 700 Virginia Beach Boulevard, Virginia Beach, VA 23451

Rhymes, songs, baby sign and books for ages 3 to 24 months with a grown-up. No registration. Free.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–2
Thu Oct 2910am

Baby Open Play at Oceanfront Library

Oceanfront Area Library · 700 Virginia Beach Boulevard, Virginia Beach, VA 23451

An unstructured play hour for babies 3 to 24 months and their grown-ups. Free.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–2
Fri Oct 302–3pm

Spooky Stories at Pretlow

Mary D. Pretlow Anchor Branch Library · 111 W. Ocean View Avenue, Norfolk, VA 23503

Halloween stories and crafts in Ocean View. Costumes are encouraged but optional. Free.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 2–10
Showing all 20 free outings

Mark the calendar

Free days and free events coming up in Hampton Roads

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.

Who gets in free:EveryoneResidents onlyCardholders only
Dec12
to
Dec19

Fa La La Land at Chesapeake City Hall

Chesapeake City Hall · 306 Cedar Road, Chesapeake, VA 23322

5–9pm. An outdoor walk-around event with baby goats in holiday sweaters, carolers, face painting, holiday food trucks, ballerinas on stage and pictures with Santa. Park free around the City Hall complex.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
EveryoneFree parking

Any day

Places that are always free in Hampton Roads

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

Norfolk Public Library

CitywideFree Babygarten, Toddler Time and KinderSTEM programs at most branches, plus Artistic Storytime in Jordan-Newby’s art studio.Official site ↗Report a problem

Chrysler Museum of Art

Norfolk, One Memorial PlaceNorfolk’s art museum, with the Perry Glass Studio next door. Admission and parking are always free, and the museum lends strollers.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

Norfolk Public Library

Free Babygarten, Toddler Time and KinderSTEM at branches across Norfolk.

Most weekday mornings

BabiesToddlersFree
Find a storytime near you ↗

Chesapeake Public Library

Baby, toddler and family storytimes at the Chesapeake branches.

Weekday mornings

BabiesToddlersFree
Find a storytime near you ↗

Virginia Beach Public Library

Drop-in rhyme times, Just 2s storytime and Baby Open Play.

Weekday and Saturday mornings

BabiesFree
Find a storytime near you ↗

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

Keep planning

More for little kids in Hampton Roads

November: things to do in Hampton RoadsEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in Hampton RoadsEvery dated listing for the month, by weekIndoor play in Hampton RoadsIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with pricesLibrary storytimes in Hampton RoadsBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branchThanksgiving weekend in Hampton RoadsParades, turkey trots and what’s open on ThursdayNoon Year’s Eve in Hampton RoadsKid-friendly countdowns, home by napChristmas parades in Hampton RoadsParades and tree lightings with dates and start timesThe Nutcracker in Hampton RoadsBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flaggedChristmas markets in Hampton RoadsChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hoursChristmas break in Hampton RoadsWhat’s open on Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1This week in Hampton RoadsDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every Thursday

Good questions

Free things to do with kids in Virginia Beach–Norfolk: the FAQ

This week we found 20 free outings for ages 0–6, including Trick or Treat Carnival at Slover, Slightly Spooky Halloween Party (Lafayette), Spooky Stories at Pretlow and Monster Mash at Barron F. Black. See free this week; the list is rebuilt every Thursday.

Trick or Treat Carnival at Slover: Sat Oct 31. Grand Illumination Parade: Sat Nov 21. Town Center Grand Illumination: Sat Nov 28. Visit with Santa at the MacArthur Memorial: Sat Dec 5. Dates come from each venue’s own page; see free days and free events.

Fa La La Land at Chesapeake City Hall and Noon Year’s Eve at North Suffolk Library are free this season. Dates and times are on each card under free days and free events.

Norfolk Public Library, Chrysler Museum of Art, Virginia Aquarium for ages 0–4 and Virginia Zoo for kids under 2 don’t charge admission. Some charge for parking or special exhibits; the cards say so where the place does.

Yes: Chrysler Museum of Art and Norfolk Public Library. See all of them on indoor play places in Hampton Roads.

Yes. Norfolk Public Library, Chesapeake Public Library and Virginia Beach 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 Hampton Roads that weekend, free ones flagged.

Virginia Beach–Norfolk skyline