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.
Attend the West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta. 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. October 16.
Cheer for the Blazers! Register now for a FREE TICKET to the 2022 Blazers Fan Fest and enjoy an intrasquad scrimmage, food, fun and prizes for the whole family. October 14.
See artists at work. Thanks to Portland Open Studios, you and your children can take a self-guided tour of artists at work in their studios for two weekends in October. October 8-9 and 15-16.
Get festive. The Ridgefield Birdfest and Bluegrass Festival is back in person this year! Enjoy vendors, music and presentations. October 1.
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. On weekends they often offer free performances, too.
Go to a pumpkin patch. Some patches on our roundup offer free entry, such as Yesteryear Pumpkin Patch, The Pumpkin Patch on Sauvie Island or weekdays at Topaz Farm.
Plant trees for Portland Arbor Day. Tree canopy coverage citywide helps make Portland a healthier, greener place to live. Join the Arbor Day celebration at Glenwood Park. Plant and care for trees and enjoy family friendly activities. October 29.
Get free trees for your yard. This city of Portland is giving away 2000 trees this fall! Register for yours today. Trees must be planted inside the Portland city limits, limit 2 free trees per household.
Skip the parking fee. October 10 and 20 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.
Stream a Halloween movie. Stream a Halloween movie or borrow one from the library to get ready for the big day. We’ve got a list of some of our favorite not-so-spooky movies, perfect for kids, here.
Check out some awesome carved pumpkins. Beginning October 15, head out to West Linn on weekends for a kid-friendly Halloween display featuring 200 intricately carved pumpkins with music, fog, lasers, and UV glow lights.
Get free repairs. Repair PDX is fixing your small appliances, bikes and textiles at True North Studios this month. There will also be food and live music. October 15.
Learn about World Stage Theatre. World Stage Theatre is doing amazing work, and they want to tell you all about it! Join their open house for food, music, yoga, performances and more. October 15.
Give back. Try one of these kid-friendly volunteering opportunities.
Get Snacking. Make one of these easy, lower sugar Halloween treats.
Take a hike. Go on one of our recommended fall color hikes or kid-friendly fall trails.
Get crafty. Make yarn-wrapped Halloween decorations or try paper-mache with supplies you probably already have in your home. Plus, here are eight more ideas for fall crafts.
Buy nothing, in person. If you haven’t visited The Really Really Free Market this year, it’s the last month to do so! Give what you can, take what you need, no money, no trade. October 1.
Wear your costume to the market. On October 30 your littles can trick-or-treat at the Tigard Farmers Market.
Get a little spooked. Head to your local library to pick up one of these mostly-sweet, maybe-a-little-spooky books, hand-picked for us by Annie Bloom’s Books.
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.
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