October can be an expensive month — Halloween candy, costumes, decorations, more Halloween candy after you ate the Halloween candy you bought earlier in the month (just us?). But there’s no reason to break the bank when going out and about with the kiddos. Here are some ideas for free kid-friendly fun this month.
Gallery gaze. Every first Thursday, get free admission to the Portland Art Museum. Pro tip: Kids ages 17 and under are always free! This month, check out more than 250 photographs from Paul McCartney’s personal archive and opening on October 19, is Psychedelic Rock Posters and Fashion of the 1960s.
Hear a story. There’s a free story time nearly every day of the week across our book loving city. Find one near you!
Friday night flick. This fall, Yesteryear Farms, in Wilsonville, is hosting Fall Friday Night Movies — in the pumpkin patch! Pro tip: The movie area is uncovered, so dress for the weather, and bring your own seats. Movies start at dusk, and as the season progresses, they will begin earlier. Watch Halloweentown on October 3; The Nightmare Before Christmas on October 10; Hocus Pocus on October 17; Young Frankenstein on October 24 and Halloween (this one may not be appropriate for littles) on October 31.
Hike it, honey. Don’t miss the last Honeybee Hikes of the season on October 1! Held at Leach Botanical Garden, these easy-going strolls move at the gentle pace of a toddler! Perfect for little ones ages 2-5 and their grown-ups to explore the garden grounds from 10-11:30 am. Looking for more guided hikes with your kiddo? Visit Tryon Creek for its Saturday guided nature hikes.
Prost! Continue the Oktoberfest fun during the Happy Valley Oktoberfest. There’s free pumpkins, wagon rides and activities for all ages, like the Wiener Dog Race, the crowd-favorite Chicken Dance Contest and more!
Fiesta. El Tigre Fest is Tigard’s annual Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, honoring Latino culture, Filipino History Month, music, food, and community. This free, family-friendly festival brings together the heart of Tigard for a full day of connection, celebration, and cultural pride. For Vancouver families, don’t miss the Luminaries Dia de Muertos on October 18.
Spooky-free marketplace. On Saturday, October 11, Wonderwood Springs is holding its The Not So Scary Fair at Wonderwood Springs. You’ll find the goods of more than 35 local vendors, Bard Story Time, music, live goats, face painting, a costume contest, opera and much more.
Sukkot celebration. Join the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education for a free afternoon of Sukkot crafts and story time! (Sukkot is a Jewish holiday celebrating the autumn harvest and commemorating the forty years the Israelites wandered in the desert after their exodus from Egypt.) Families with kids ages 2+ are welcome to drop in and make a Sukkot craft anytime on Sunday, October 5 from 12–3 pm. And on Thursday, October 9 head to Mittleman Jewish Community Center for a free pizza dinner for Sukkot.
Make some noise. Visit Lake Oswego Library on Monday, October 6 for a 30-minute Mandarin Music & Movement class specially designed for young learners. There will be singing, movement, music and storytelling. All levels of Mandarin fluency, from absolute beginners to native Mandarin speakers, are welcome. The class will also take place on October 7 at the West Linn library.
Playtime. Join families at Sunrise Books for Toddler Storytime & Play for a magical morning of stories, songs, and early learning fun—just right for toddlers ages 1–3 — every Thursday from 10-11 am.
Mall rats. Did you know the Lloyd Center has science camps, art classes, music lessons, game stores, magic shows, light saber martial arts, ice skating, roller skating, pickleball, game stores and more? Come discover kid- and family-friendly fun at the Second Saturday Lloyd Center Mall Crawl on Saturday, October 11. There will be open houses, giveaways, free activities, special offers, art, games, music, food and more!
Fall fest. Head out to Mary S. Young Park in West Linn for Fall Fest at the Forest on Saturday, October 18. There will be: carnival-style games and prizes; free mini pumpkins to decorate, live music, trick-or-treating, scavenger hunt, dog customs contest, crafts and more. Don’t forget to dress up in costume!
Walk this way. Get ready for a fun (and silly) family-friendly event on Saturday, October 18, from 4-6 pm on the grounds of the Conestoga Recreation & Aquatic Center. Get your costumes ready for daylight trick-or-treating, a silly walk parade, and a DJ dance party! Plus, meet some of your favorite characters along the way!
Visit a graveyard. The Davis Graveyard is one of the best free Halloween displays in the city.
See Pirates. Speaking of free Halloween displays, don’t miss the Pirates of Pinehurst in the Woodhaven neighborhood in Sherwood. On weekends they often offer free performances, too.
Go to a pumpkin patch. These patches offer free entry, such as Bella Organic Farm, The Pumpkin Patch, Fazio Farms and more.
Get Halloween freebies. Make the rounds, with freebies typically found at Salt & Straw, Krispy Kreme, IHOP, and Mike’s Drive-In on Halloween. Be sure to double-check this year’s offerings, as deals are subject to change. And if you have a birthday this month, check out our list of birthday freebies, too!
Skip the parking fee. October 13 and 16 are Metro Free Parking Days. Enjoy free parking at Oxbow and Blue Lake regional parks, Broughton Beach, M. James Gleason Memorial Boat Ramp, and Chinook Landing Marine Park.
Pumpkin race. Attend the West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta on October 19 and see locals race giant pumpkins (yes!) on Tualatin Commons Lake. On dry land, check out the costume contest, face painting, pumpkin bowling and pumpkin golf.
Visit a minigallery. Portland goes way beyond little free libraries. Follow this handy map to find a fun and funky gallery near you.
Treetastic. Explore the wonders of World Forestry Center’s Discovery Museum at no cost today, from 10 am – 4 pm! Check out our reel here!
Boo! Head to Beaverton for Booverton 2025 on October 26 from 1-3 pm. There’s trick or treating, pumpkin decorating, spooky story time, activities, games and more! And on Monday, October 27, there’s a costume dance party at the Beaverton City Library.
Give back. Try one of these kid-friendly volunteering opportunities.
Snack attack. Make one of these easy, lower sugar Halloween treats.
Take a hike. Go on one of our recommended kid-friendly fall trails.
Go on a troll hunt. There are plenty of magical creatures to be found in the Portland and Vancouver areas. Find our recs here.
Ride a train. It’s hard to believe, but there’s no entrance fee and no charge to ride the trains at Molalla Train Park. Pro tip: The park is only open on Sundays and they are volunteer-run. (Donations are appreciated.)
Trick or Treat! The ultimate free October event. Get those bags or buckets and get some candy! Many of these Daytime Trick-or-Treating events are free to attend, too.