14 Epic Events to Get You Through October (& Most are Free!)

Editor’s note: We’re making every effort to provide you with the most up-to-date information. However, sometimes closures occur at the last minute due to circumstances beyond our control, such as the spread of COVID-19. We highly recommend that you call ahead before you pack your kids pack your kids (and all those snacks, and diapers…) and haul them across town. Stay safe!

Get ready to fill up your month with loads of free and cheap things to do with your family this October! We’ve got family-friendly events around Dallas like apple picking, museum days and more. Scroll through for the best events around DFW for kids and families this month!

photo: jermaineyoung via Pixabay

Take the Kids to the Pumpkin Patch

October is here and that means that it is officially pumpkin season! We've got the full scoop on all the best Dallas pumpkin patches right here.

photo: Great Wolf Lodge

Howl-o-ween at Great Wolf Lodge

If just one night of Halloween isn't enough for you and your little goblins, grab your costumes and join us for Howl-o-ween. During the month of October, walk our Howl-o-ween trail filled with tricks and treats, join us for Spooktacular Story Time, Monster Mash Dance Party, and so much more! It's a safe & fa-BOO-lous time at the lodge. Event details.

photo: LEGOLAND Discovery Center

Brick or Treat

Bring your little monsters to LEGOLAND® Discovery Center and get into the Halloween spirit with Brick-Or-Treat. Don your favorite costume and get ready for some spooky fun with family-friendly activities and costume contests. Event details.

photo: Dallas Arboretum

Autumn at the Arboretum

Autumn at the Arboretum features breathtaking colors of fall including 150,000 autumn flowers accented by pumpkins, gourds and squash from Floydada, Texas. The festival features the return of Mommy and Me Mondays and Tiny Tot Tuesdays, a hay bale maze, a pumpkin patch with pumpkins for purchase, music and more. Event details.

Drive-Thru Boo at the Zoo

Get ready to Boo thru the Zoo! For the first time ever, we are inviting guests to drive their own vehicle through the Zoo’s main path (and even several behind-the-scenes areas of some of our animal exhibits) while enjoying music, costumed characters, entertainment, treats, and possible wildlife sightings along the way! Oct. 22-25. Event details.

photo: annca via pixbay

Take the Kids to a Movie Under the Stars

With seven screens to choose from, there's a movie for every interest. Bring the popcorn for a night under the stars. Event details.

photo: pixabay

Visit the Butterfly House & Gardens

The Texas Discovery Gardens are open. Visit the 7.5 acres of public gardens, two-story Butterfly House, and the Snakes of Texas House. Event details.

photo: yelp

Half Price Tuesdays at the Cowtown Cattlepen Maze

Spanning 5,400 square feet, this labyrinth of wooden pathways is always a challenge. Prep for your mission by viewing the maze from a large second-story observation deck. This is also a great place to watch or cheer on your friends and family. Tuesdays. Event details.

photo: yelp

BOGO Wednesdays at the Arboretum

Buy one admission, get one free on Wednesdays through the end of October. Pre-reserved tickets required. Wednesdays. Event details.

photo: Perot Museum

Amaze Your Brain at Home with the Perot Museum

Have no fear, the Museum is still here! Amaze Your Brain at Home and watch your favorite concepts from the Museum come to life. The museum staff will share fun ways to explore nature and science at home and in your backyard—all while using the most common household objects and supplies. Daily. Event details.

Bring the Dallas Zoo to You

From virtual visits and chats with staff, to showing what the animals are up to and posting activity ideas from education and conservation teams, the Dallas Zoo wants to use this time to continue to engage, educate, inspire and ultimately bring a smile to your face. Daily. Event details.

photo: yelp

Visit the Dallas Arboretum from Home

Stay updated with images from the Dallas Arboretum, and enjoy the Video, "Experience The Beauty of the Dallas Arboretum in Full Summer Bloom". Browse their website for striking weekly updates of these incredible gardens. Daily. Event details.

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SPARK! Creative at Home

SPARK! is creating cool do-at-home projects for you and your child to create during this time. New videos with step-by-step instructions are uploaded frequently to their YouTube channel and shared on Facebook page. Daily. Event details.

photo: unsplash

Cliburn Kids with Buddy Bray

Take a break from at-home school studies to have some music fun, as we explore rhythm, storytelling, dance, and listening games. Buddy Bray—Cliburn artistic advisor and co-author of the Cliburn in the Classroom signature in-school program—will lead kids on short (7- to 10-minute), entertaining, and educational journeys, twice a week. Tuesdays with past programs available any time. Event details.

photo: istock

Check Out Our MASSIVE Virtual Events Calendar

For more virtual fun every day of the week, head to our virtual events calendar. You'll find dance classes, scavenger hunts, animal encounters, drawing classes and MORE! Event details.

—Kate Loweth

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