Fall & Halloween in San Francisco with Kids: October 2026

October does not need to become a month of elaborate outings. Choose one date, check the age fit, and leave room to head home when your family has had enough. This selection mixes free library visits with larger science and Halloween celebrations. Dates and details were checked against the organizers on September 20, 2026; ticket availability can change.

Open the October calendar, then clear the selected day to browse the month. Use the age, neighborhood, and free-event filters to narrow it down. The links below open each event’s date and practical details.

October 17: science or a costume swap

For hands-on exploring: Bay Area Science Festival Discovery Day runs 11 AM–4 PM at UCSF Mission Bay. It is free and open to all ages, with experiments and exhibits across the campus event. Our suggestion: choose a few activities and take a break instead of trying to cover everything. Expect crowds and noise; outdoor areas include both paved paths and grass.

For getting a costume ready: Portola Library’s children’s costume swap runs 3–4 PM. You can take a costume without donating one. The branch accepts clean new or gently used children’s costumes October 1–17; available sizes and styles depend on donations. This is a separate neighborhood outing from Mission Bay, so pick whichever suits your day.

Make something before Halloween

These free library activities have different age requirements. Match the activity to the child before making the trip:

• October 16, 3:45–4:45 PM: Light-up Halloween cards at Chinatown Library, for ages 10–13. Reservations are required; call 415-355-2889.
• October 20, 4:30–5:30 PM: Creepy Clay Crafting at Bernal Heights Library, for ages 8 and up, including teens. Seating is limited and first come.
• October 21, 4–5 PM: Magic Potion Sensory Bottles at Ingleside Library, for ages 6 and up.

October 24: choose one bigger outing

Three very different options fall on the same Saturday. We would make one the main plan rather than trying to combine them.

A beach spectacle: Leap Sandcastle Classic is at Ocean Beach, near Balboa Street, 11 AM–3:30 PM. Go to see the sandcastle builds, and bring layers for an exposed beach visit. The current announcement does not specify visitor admission cost; check the organizer before going. Team registration is separate, so do not assume a visitor can join a registered build.

A daytime costume celebration: Thrill-O-Ween at Thrive City runs noon–5 PM. Admission is free, with an RSVP link and first-come entry. Food, drinks, and parking cost extra. The program includes an E.T. screening; check the organizer for its timing. Costume face coverings are prohibited, while medical masks are allowed. Check the venue’s bag and prohibited-item rules before packing.

A ticketed museum evening: SuperNatural at the California Academy of Sciences has general admission 6:30–9 PM. Nonmember tickets are $60 for adults and $45 for ages 3–17; children 2 and under are free. Each adult ticket purchaser must come with a child. Early entry at 5 PM requires a different, higher-priced ticket. Check current availability before promising the outing. Our Academy listing covers an ordinary museum visit; this special evening needs its own event ticket.

October 26: a small Halloween plan for toddlers

Merced Library’s Halloween storytime is 10:15–10:45 AM on the patio, for children 16 months through age 2 and their caregivers. It is free, and costumes are welcome. This is a short morning activity, useful if an evening party does not fit your family’s routine.

October 31: Halloween Hoopla for younger children

Halloween Hoopla returns to the Children’s Garden at Yerba Buena Gardens, noon–3 PM. The free event is intended for children under 10 with their adults, with Circus Bella performers, live music, and a costume parade finale. The organizer provides an RSVP link. Leave flexibility for a shorter visit if a full afternoon of performances is too much.

More October ideas beyond Halloween

• October 11, 2–3:30 PM: Family rangoli art at Ortega Library. Free; reservations required at 415-355-5700.
• October 13, 3:30–5 PM: Mission Science Workshop’s Tinkering Truck at Richmond Library, for ages 6 and up. Free; reserve at 415-355-5648.
• October 13, 6–7:30 PM: Family Board Game and LEGO Night at Noe Valley Library. A free drop-in for children and caregivers.
• October 15, 11–11:45 AM: Aguacate Music Kids at Merced Library. Free music and movement for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and their families.
• October 25, 2–3 PM: Día de Muertos origami skulls at Glen Park Library, for ages 5 and up; children under 8 need an adult. This free workshop introduces Día de Muertos before the paper activity. It is a distinct cultural observance, with its own traditions.

Before you set out

Check the individual organizer link for reservations, changes, and current ticket availability. For a free outdoor backup, browse parks and playgrounds or keep the free Presidio half-day plan handy. A missed reservation does not have to mean a lost family day.