Seattle’s Best Free (& Cheap) Events for Kids & Families in October

Experience pop-up art
Bring the kids to this one-of-a-kind, interactive artistic experience that blends art and technology in fresh ways to safely bring people together and stir the mind. Tuesdays-Sundays through Oct. 17. Event details.

Enjoy car-free biking along the lake
Bring your bikes, scooters and running shoes because it's time to enjoy fresh air and exercise on Lake Washington Boulevard. The street closure has been extended and this is your last chance to get in on the fun. Daily through Oct. 5. Event details.

Visit The Burke Museum
The recently opened Burke Museum is glad to once again offer Free First Thursday to Seattle-area families. Oct. 1. Event details.

Read in a park
Take the kids to the Kenmore Library to read Bea’s Bees as part of PopUp StoryWalk’s outdoor installation. Daily through Oct. 9. Event details.

Then it’s on to Kelsey Creek Park (starting Oct. 10) to read Bunnies!!! and explore the farm trails. Daily through Oct. 30th Event details.

Bake up fun
Join Miss Bekka to bake up fall favorites with kids ages three and up. Cornbread is on the menu for Oct. 1. Event details.

Next up is everyone’s favorite fall flavor—pumpkin! Bake pumpkin muffins or bread on Oct. 15. Event details.

Watch the Red Yarn Show
It’s music. It’s puppets. It’s everything you need to tire your kids out right before bedtime. Thursdays. Event details.

Turn up the volume
Seattle Children’s Theatre is bringing beloved children’s literature to life through a crescendo of whimsical melodies and narrated plots that brighten your morning. Saturdays. Event details.

Read with Rover
Sign up for a spot then have your emerging reader sit down (virtually) to read to a furry friend. Saturdays. Event details.

If you build it…
Seattle’s beloved BrickCon is going virtual this year. Tune in to see thousands of models built by LEGO enthusiasts and find everything your LEGO lover needs at the Brick Bazaar. Oct. 3 & 4. Event details.

Attend Seattle Féstal
There are three ways to celebrate culture in the city this month. Tune in to CroatiaFest on Oct. 4. Event details.

TurkFest is a full weekend event that falls in the middle of the month. Oct. 10 & 11. Event details.

Finish up the cultural trifecta with Diwali Lights of India on Oct. 17. Event details.

Delve into history
Jade Love Kids Foundation is offering a free, eight-week long after school program that seeks to introduce kids to the concept of historical issues in African American history. Starts Oct. 5. Event details.

Find adventure
Grab your phone and head out in your hood because the Great Seattle Art Adventure is on. You can win prizes and engage with art around the Emerald City. Daily, Oct. 5-25. Event details.

Go spooky stargazing
Join the Pierce College Science Dome staff as they search the skies for spookier things in space, if you dare. Thursdays. Event details.

Eat your veggies
If you’ve ever wondered what edible plants grow in your garden, it’s time to find out. Plan to make a lovely salad (with dressing), sing songs and have fun at this virtual class. Oct. 6. Event details.

Craft afternoon fun
Miss Bekka turns her artistic skills to prepping for Halloween this year. Decorate mini pumpkins alongside your crew on Oct. 6. Event details.

Then make paper plate masks to complete your costume on Oct. 20. Event details.

Mix science and art
Kids ages four to six are invited to learn about patterns and geometry, as they create a unique design of colorful mathematical art. Oct. 9. Event details.

Play in a State Park
It’s the last free park day of the year, and families are invited to explore the forest, fields and shores of our state’s fabulous parks. Oct. 10. Event details.

Light it up
Get your lighted costumes, art and lanterns ready because this year's Luminata is going online. With a focus on sustainability, families can create with light. Oct. 10. Event details.

Paint pumpkins
Julie from Clown Buggie Entertainment joins KU Kids at Home to host a craft-a-long painting pumpkins and answering questions along the way. Oct. 10. Event details.

Bring on the boats
During this virtual tour families will discover the incredible story of a group of American boys who went up against Hitler's best rowers in the 1936 Olympics. Oct. 15. Event details.

Be a show off
Is your brain full of forest facts? Do you love trivia? Play this pub-style trivia game with forest flare, hosted by a Tillamook Forest Center Interpretive Naturalist. Oct. 20. Event details.

Attend a fall concert
Join local fave Eric Ode and KidsQuest Children's Museum for a fall virtual concert that will have the whole fam signing, wiggling and dancing the night away. Oct. 23. Event details.

Celebrate kids!
Attend The Seattle Children’s Festival from your living room. Kids can sing, dance, play and discover from home at this favorite annual fest. Oct. 24 & 25. Event details.

Make weekends experimental
Jump into science concepts with the Maple Valley librarians. We’ll play around with stretchy goop, pool noodle nuttiness, chemistry, physics and much more. Saturdays. Event details.

Listen to an author talk
Sit down with this brother/sister writing team as they share the story of Shiny, a whale child that becomes a boy to help humans understand the harm facing the world’s oceans. Oct. 27. Event details.

Hear spooky stories
Costumes, kid-friendly books and traditional rhymes make this pet or stuffie dress up event perfect for all ages. Oct. 29. Event details.

Enjoy some chills and thrills at this spooky story program that will have kids ages 7 and up on the edge of their seats. Costumes encouraged. Oct. 29. Event details.