25 Free Things to Do for Families in October

Bring the kiddos to the free Trunk or Treat at the Mill Valley Community Center parking log on Friday, October 25.

This October, you don't have to break the bank to have a great time with the kiddos! Here are 25 great ideas for activities and outings in Marin and the Bay Area in October, all of which are free. Keep in mind some of these activities require advance registration, so check before you go.

1. Visit the de Young museum in San Francisco for free on the first Tuesday of the month, October 1, 9:30 am–5:15 pm
2. Take a fall family hike with the kids in Marin.
3. Enjoy free access to all Marin County parks on Measure A Day! Saturday, October 5, all day
4. Get up close at Novato Fire District Open House. All Fire Stations in Novato. Sunday, October 6, 10 am–1 pm.
5. Come and learn about the Japanese art of taiko, Mill Valley Library, Marin Reading Room, October 6, 11 am.
6. Watch the Blue Angels perform over San Francisco Bay during Fleet Week, October 11–13, noon–4 pm
7. See the movie Coraline outdoors in Old Mill Park. Friday, October 11, 7 pm
8. Meet local firefighters, station tours, fire hose squirt at the Central Marin Fire Department Open House, Corte Madera, October 12.
9. Celebrate the harvest at the San Domenico Garden Faire. Saturday, October 12, 11 am–2 pm
10. Spend a Weekend Along the Farm Trails in Sonoma County. Saturday & Sunday, October 12 and 13
11. See Disney/Pixar's Monster's Inc. at the Pocket Park in Novato. Saturday, October 12, 6:45 pm
12. Explore Blackstone Canyon Preserve on a Nature for Kids hike. Sunday, October 13, 10 am–1 pm
13. Enjoy a Black-Light Puppet Spectacular, Winnie the Witch Blacklight Puppet Show, Corte Madera Library, Thursday, October 17, 7–8 pm
14. See a Not-So-Scary Halloween Magic Show at Novato City Hall. Saturday, October 19, 6–7 pm
15. Community 50th Anniversary Founders' Day at the Exploratorium. Sunday, October 20, 10 am–5 pm.
16. Take part in a pumpkin painting party at the San Anselmo Library. Monday, October 21, 4–5:30 pm
17. Don your costume for Trunk or Treat at the Mill Valley Community Center. Friday, October 25, 4 pm
18. Test your sword skills at the Samurai Pumpkin Patch, Aikido Kids of Tamalpais. Saturday, October 26, 10 am–noon.
19. Novato's Scream on the Green Fall Faire promises spooky fun for all. Friday & Saturday, October 25 & 26
20. Gather around the campfire in costume for Halloween songs and a marshmallow roast at the Sonoma Barracks. Saturday, October 26, 6–7 pm.
21. Take a graveyard stroll with Marin Parks rangers and enjoy hot chocolate and s'mores. Saturday, October 26, 7–9:30 pm
22. Rock out with Charity and the Jam Band's Halloween Family Concert at the Park Chalet, San Francisco. Sunday, October 27, 3–5 pm
23. Babies, Toddlers and Pre-K Ghost Stories at Falkirk, San Rafael, Monday, October 28, 10:30–11:45 am.
24. Dress in your most boo-tiful Halloween costume for the Goblins' Spooktacular, Downtown San Anselmo. Wednesday, October 30, 5 pm
25. Join in with your costume for the Halloween Parade and Trick or Treat Lane, Downtown Sausalito. Thursday, October 31, 6 pm