55+ Free Family-Friendly Things to do in Edmonton this Month (October)
October is stacked full of spooky, halloween themed fun for families in Edmonton. There are plenty of free haunted houses, Halloween activities and even trunk-or-treating events to keep the whole family entertained all month long - without breaking the bank.
Ongoing Free Things to do in Edmonton this Month
Free Tuesdays at Leduc Art Foundry. These free Tuesdays are drop-in, between 4-7pm, for kids to connect with art and artists in the community.
Take a Scavenger Hunt through IKEA and end the celebration with a FREE frozen-yogurt ice cream cone. Find the scavenger hunt near Smaland, on the wall near the elevator, and return your completed scavenger hunt to the as-is section for a free cone at IKEA Edmonton.
Try Geocaching. Have you tried this treasure hunt through the community? Sometimes there are small toys in the cache that you can exchange for your own, but the glory is in finding, and signing the log for these incredible hunts through the city!
Drop in for solar or night-sky viewing at the Observatory at University of Alberta. It’s a fun way to learn about the sun, or night sky with the kids, and happens every week on Thursday nights.
For the older kids, try a graphic novel and spooky storytelling workshop. There are three sessions this month: October 19, 25 and 26. Learn more about the workshop, here.
City of Edmonton has returned with the weekly City of Edmonton Play Rangers on Saturdays, for fun, drop-in outdoor activities for kids at Whitemud Park. Activities include: shelter building, slackening, orienteering and more. There’s also the monthly, Family Adventure Club, at North East River Valley Park.
Here are the best free things to do in edmonton with kids in October
Free School’s Out Recreational Swim at Kinsmen Leisure Centre
October 2, 2024
Drop in for this little-kid friendly swimming event, with the inflatables in the pool at Emerald Hills Leisure Centre. Children that attend lap swim must be able to swim 25 metres and be accompanied in the water by someone 14Y+.Free LEGO Jack O Lantern Make & Take at Staples Stores
October 2, 2024
Register for a FREE Lego Jack O Lantern Make & Take at five locations of Staples stores in OctoberDrop in for Night Sky Viewing at University of Alberta Observatory
October 3, 2024
Drop in for solar or night-sky viewing at the Observatory at University of Alberta. It’s a fun way to learn about the sun, or night sky with the kids, and happens every week on Thursday nights.Register for a Free Kids Graphic Novel and Storytelling Workshop
October 3, 2024Check out the new ‘Edmonton’ Installation at Churchill Square
All MonthGet out of Town for the Smoky Lake Pumpkin Drop and Fair
October 4, 2024Catch Inside Out 2 on the Big Screen for Community Movie Night
October 4, 2024Celebrate the opening of Beavertails at West Edmonton Mall with FREE Beavertails
October 5, 2024City of Edmonton Play Rangers: Shelter Building and Slacklining
October 5, 2024
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Pumpkins and Pancakes Celebration at Salisbury Village
October 5, 2024
Enjoy pumpkin picking, treats and pancakes while you explore the show homes in the village!FREE LEGO Minecraft Panda Make & Take at Toys R Us
Minecraft fans will love this BAMBOO-zling build exclusive to Toys R Us! This is a fun way to celebrate Bricktober at Toys R Us, and you can take home a small addition to your LEGO collection!Explore Leduc Fire Station and BBQ at Leduc Fire Services Open House
October 6, 2024Free Family Films at the Library: IF
October 6, 2024FREE Drop-in weekly Sports with City of Edmonton at For Girls by Girls
October 8, 2024Find a new passion in this FREE Kids Playwrighting Workshop for Kids
October 8, 2024 (and ongoing weekly)Drop in for Night Sky Viewing at University of Alberta Observatory
October 10, 2024
Drop in for solar or night-sky viewing at the Observatory at University of Alberta. It’s a fun way to learn about the sun, or night sky with the kids, and happens every week on Thursday nights.Visit the Nightmare Before Christmas at Maize’s Christmas House
Starting October 11, 2024
Character visits are scheduled through the season - you can find the details on the Facebook page, above!Register for the Free Home Depot Kids Workshop
October 12, 2024
Register for the free monthly Home Depot kids workshops in Edmonton for kids 6+. New: there are two sessions available. This month, kids can make a firebrick!Celebrate Fire Prevention Week in St. Albert with a Free BBQ, Bounce Castle and Fire Station Tours
October 12, 2024Join a Free Fire Prevention Week BBQ and Obstacle Course in Fort Saskatchewan
October 12, 2024City of Edmonton Play Rangers: Shelter Building and Slacklining
October 12, 2024Stop by Toys R Us for your FREE LEGO Friends Friendship Bracelet
October 12 & 13, 2024Free Family Movie Day at the Library: Monster House
October 13, 2024Drop in for Night Sky Viewing at University of Alberta Observatory
October 17, 2024
Drop in for solar or night-sky viewing at the Observatory at University of Alberta. It’s a fun way to learn about the sun, or night sky with the kids, and happens every week on Thursday nights.Make Halloween Lanterns at the ReUse Workshop
October 17, 2024Take a Haunted Trek at Strathcona Wilderness Centre
October 18, 2024
Kick off spooky season and sign up for a Haunted Trail Tour at the Strathcona Wilderness Centre. Dare to venture into the unknown on our spine-chilling Haunted Trail Tour. Perfect for thrill-seekers and ghost enthusiasts, this outdoor adventure will immerse you in the haunted history and mysterious tales of the area.City of Edmonton Play Rangers: Shelter Building and Slacklining
October 19, 2024Grab your costume and Check out the St. Albert Halloween Haunt
October 19, 2024
Join the fun for a spooktacular event! The Halloween Haunt is an annual family-friendly event geared towards children 12 years and younger. Come show off your costume as you play, collect treats and burn off that Halloween energy!Dress up for the Manning Monster Mash
October 19, 2024Family Fun at the Harvest Festival at Currents of Windermere
October 19, 2024FREE Drop-in Swim at Emerald Hills Leisure Centre
October 19, 2024FREE LEGO Creativity Workshop at The Lego Store
October 19 & 20, 2024Find a New Costume at the Halloween Costume Swap at the ReUse Centre
October 19, 2024Free Family Films at the Library: The Book of Life
October 20, 2024Drop in for Night Sky Viewing at University of Alberta Observatory
October 24, 2024
Drop in for solar or night-sky viewing at the Observatory at University of Alberta. It’s a fun way to learn about the sun, or night sky with the kids, and happens every week on Thursday nights.Take a Haunted Trek at Strathcona Wilderness Centre
October 25, 2024
Kick off spooky season and sign up for a Haunted Trail Tour at the Strathcona Wilderness Centre. Dare to venture into the unknown on our spine-chilling Haunted Trail Tour. Perfect for thrill-seekers and ghost enthusiasts, this outdoor adventure will immerse you in the haunted history and mysterious tales of the area.Halloween Spooktacular at Family Futures Celebration
October 25, 2024Get Scared at the Live-actor Haunted House (it’s Free!) at Clarkdale Meadows
October 25, 26 and 31Free LEGO Micro Holiday Train Make & Take at Toys R Us
October 26, 2024Headless Carrot Halloween Party - It’s Free!
October 26, 2024Take a Halloween Scavenger Hunt at Callingwood Marketplace
October 26, 2024Celebrate Fall at the Currents of Windermere Fall Festival
October 26, 2024
Enjoy fantastic live music and performances, take a tour through our straw maze or snuggle with some cute animals in our petting zoo! And if you’re feeling hungry, don’t worry! They’ll have free food samples from our amazing restaurants.City of Edmonton Play Rangers: Shelter Building and Slacklining
October 26, 2024Trunk or Treat at Belmont Sobeys
October 26, 2024Find Treats and Tricks at the Rosenthal Haunted Hunt
October 26, 2024
Gather your goblins and ghouls, throw on their capes and costumes and join us for a Spooktacular Haunted Hunt! Kids of all ages will navigate the field by the Rosenthal Playground with a map identifying spooky flags.City of Edmonton Family Adventure Club Outdoor Program
October 26, 2024
Family Adventure Club North showcases the City of Edmonton’s new Northeast River Valley Park (903 153 Ave NE) through various outdoor and nature based learning activities. Leaders are excited to share an adventure with you in Edmonton's new North East River Valley Park, during a monthly drop-in play session. This month’s theme is orienteering and navigation!Lace Up for the Haunted Halloween Skate in Ardrossan
October 27, 2024
The Haunted Halloween Skate is back for 2024 at Ardrossan Recreation Centre. Get your skates, your costume, and your spooky friends for this fun way to stay cool this month.Free Family Films at the Library: The Nightmare Before Christmas
October 27, 2024Trick or Treat the John Walter Museum
October 27, 2024
Spend the afternoon trick or treating at John Walter Museum. Bundle up in your costumes and get an early start on Trick or Treating in Edmonton at this fun, free Edmonton halloween event. Bring your treat bags and dress up in your costume to visit the three historic houses for treats and tricks at the John Walter Museum.Check out the Ridgewood Community League Spooky Soiree
October 27, 2024
There will be fun & games for the whole family, free hot chocolate, cookie decorating, pumpkin decorating, the winner of our Spooky Yard Decoration contest will be announced and other fun events!Compete in a Family Pumpkin Carve Off
October 27, 2024
To celebrate the Fall season join us for an afternoon of free pumpkin carving! We’ll have an amazing pumpkin carving event full of music, fun, and connection - plus a chance to show off your creative Halloween costume! This event is free, but registration is required.Pop-in for For Girls by Girls Drop-in Sports
October 29, 2024Try Orienteering at a Kids Run Wild Try-it Session
October 29, 2024Kick off Trick or Treating with Trunk or Treat
October 31, 2024
Celebrate Halloween with Trunk or Treat at Vantage Point Community Church. Stop on by and enjoy a hot dog, and/or
a cup of hot chocolate and warm yourself up by the fire as the kids go trunk or treating.Get Scared at the Live-actor Haunted House (it’s Free!) at Clarkdale Meadows
October 25, 26 and 31Free Admission to Art Gallery of Alberta
October 31, 2024
It’s the last Thursday of the month and that means it’s free admission to Art Gallery of Alberta. Find your way into a new spooky exhibit or warm up before or after trick or treating with free admission between 4-7pm.Celebrate Diwali with a Fireworks Celebration
November 1, 2024
