Outdoor things to do with kids in Toledo
Get the kids outside. Here are the outdoor family events happening around Toledo right now.
Day At The Races
General admission to a day at the races at historic Churchill Downs in Louisville.
Senior Sundays in September presented by Humana 2026
Senior Sundays at Louisville Zoo in September—great multigenerational outing.
Art at the Falls - Driftwood Wands
Decorate driftwood wands with natural materials at Falls of the Ohio State Park.
Go Baby Go! Race Day Experience
Go behind the scenes at Churchill Downs to experience race day with Thoroughbreds up close.
Sandborn Fall Festival
Annual fall festival with vendors, crafts, fireworks, and family fun in Sandborn.
#SundayFunday
Sunday afternoon cruise on the historic Belle of Louisville with river views and family-friendly vibes.
Puppets at the Park!
Puppet shows for kids at Waterfront Park's Festival Plaza.
Thoroughbred Workout Tour
Watch Thoroughbred horses train trackside at the Kentucky Derby Museum.
Pumpkins At Kentucky Kingdom
Experience over 6,000 glowing jack-o'-lanterns and fall thrills at Kentucky Kingdom.
Accessible Arboretum Tour
Accessible tour of Bernheim Arboretum—explore nature at your own pace.
Teenage Homeschool Hike
Guided hiking adventure for homeschooled teens at Bernheim Arboretum.
Boo at the Zoo
Trick-or-treat, ride attractions, and spooky fun at Louisville Zoo's 40+ year tradition.
Jack's Lantern Trail
Walk a wooded trail lit by carved pumpkins; proceeds support Louisville's parks.
Pumpkins At Kentucky Kingdom
Walk among 5,000+ hand-carved pumpkins and intricate Jack O'Lantern art at Kentucky Kingdom.
Jack's Lantern Trail
Halloween-themed outdoor trail at Iroquois Amphitheater with jack-o'-lantern displays and seasonal fun.
Boo at the Zoo (2026)
Halloween celebration at Louisville Zoo with trick-or-treating and spooky fun.
Bats Fall Festival
Fall festival with games, food & fun at Louisville Slugger Field.
St. James Court Art Show
Three-day outdoor art show with vendors, crafts & family activities.
Kindness Warrior Walk – Down Syndrome of Louisville
Inclusive family walk supporting Down Syndrome of Louisville.
Bowman Fest
Explore vintage & military aircraft up close at this family-friendly airfield expo.
Boo at the Zoo (2026): 501st Legion Night
Trick-or-treat through the Louisville Zoo with rides and spooky attractions all in one admission.
Spooky Sprint-Louisville
Family-friendly spooky-themed run where kids and parents dress up and race together at a local park.
Conservation Patch Day
Earn a conservation patch while learning about nature at Yew Dell Gardens.
National Jug Band Jubilee
National Jug Band Jubilee at Brown-Forman Amphitheater.
Let’s Move It: An Interpretive Health Hike
Family nature hike with a wellness focus at Bernheim Arboretum.
ECO Kids Discovery Day
Hands-on nature discovery day at Bernheim Arboretum Visitor Center.
Racing Louisville FC vs. Utah Royals
Watch Racing Louisville FC, the city's top-tier women's soccer team, take on Utah Royals.
Notable Louisville Women and the Suffrage Movement Golf Cart Tour
Educational golf cart tour exploring women's history & suffrage movement.
Wilson Creek Discovery Hike and Tour
Guided nature hike and tour at Bernheim Arboretum exploring Wilson Creek.
First Sunday Nature Hike
Monthly guided nature walk at Bernheim Arboretum on the first Sunday.
Fall Break Day Camp
Fall break nature day camp at Bernheim Arboretum with outdoor adventures.
Free concert in the park: Terry Lee Ridley and his Million Dollar Band
Free outdoor concert with Terry Lee Ridley & his Million Dollar Band at Sam Peden Park.
Jack's Lantern Trail Experience
Walk through a glowing jack-o'-lantern trail in Louisville.
Belknap Festival
Weekend street festival with live music performances on multiple stages throughout the day.
Garvin Gate Blues Festival
Louisville's largest free neighborhood street music festival features blues performances all weekend.
Belknap Fall Festival
Two-day community celebration with live music, art, food trucks, and 100+ vendors.
TreeWeek
Multi-day nature celebration with guided hikes, volunteering, and outdoor family fun.
Downtown Drive-in at Waterfront Park
Family drive-in movie experience at Waterfront Park's Brown-Forman Amphitheater.
Staying Nutty
Educational program about nutty plant survival at Bernheim Arboretum.
Louisville Cardinals Football vs. Florida State Seminoles Football
Louisville Cardinals football vs. Florida State Seminoles—big-time college action.
Garvin Gate Blues Festival
Blues festival in Louisville with live music and family atmosphere.
Belknap Fall Festival
Community fall festival in Louisville with family activities.
HalLOUween Parade & Fest 2026
Free Halloween parade and festival in Louisville's NuLu District—costumes, community fun, and East Jeff Street celebration.
Pollinator Pairs (Adult/Child Workshop)
Adult-child nature workshop exploring pollinators at Yew Dell Botanical Gardens.
Pumpkins at PlayPort
Pick pumpkins and enjoy fall fun at Waterfront Park.
Free Play Saturday
Free outdoor play at Playcosystem in Bernheim Arboretum on Saturdays.
3rd Annual Angel Walk
A gentle one-mile remembrance walk at Waterfront Park honoring babies and supporting grieving families.
Free Play Saturdays
Let kids direct their own play on 17 acres of natural playground at Bernheim Forest.
Dustin Lynch
Country artist Dustin Lynch performs at The Amp at Log Still in New Haven.
Goatman Festival
Quirky festival celebrating folklore and community.
Louisville Book Festival
Celebrate books, authors, and reading at Louisville.
International Day Of The Girl Festival
International Day of the Girl Festival celebrating empowerment & community at Big Four Lawn, Louisville.
Louisville's Great Chili Cook Off
Community chili cook-off competition and tasting.
Nature(+)6: Beginning Observational Drawing
Learn to sketch plants & landscapes at Bernheim Arboretum's nature drawing class.
Skelebrations
After-hours Halloween celebration at Louisville Zoo with spooky fun and animal encounters.
Midweek Nature Stroll
Sensory-friendlyRelaxed nature stroll through Bernheim's Sensory Garden for all ages.
PickleY'all: The Louisville Pickleball Festival
Free, all-ages pickleball festival celebrating the sport with activities and community fun downtown.
Goatman Festival 2026
Four-day festival celebrating Kentucky folklore, cryptids, and local legends at Pope Lick Park in Louisville.
Grateville Dead Music Festival
Grateville Dead Music Festival at Brown-Forman Amphitheater
The FestiFall
Fall festival with food trucks, live music, games & prizes at Howard Steamboat Museum.
LouCity vs. Indy FC
Professional soccer match featuring Louisville City FC pushing for championship glory.
Color Me CASA! 5k & Family Fun Run
Color Me CASA! 5K & 1-mile fun run benefiting foster kids—family-friendly race day.
Autumn on the River
Annual fall festival with parade, car show, live music, crafts & helicopter rides.
Wrapping Up Bluebird Season
Learn about bluebirds and nature conservation at a botanical garden.
Aflora 2026: The Art Festival
Latinx art festival celebrating creativity, culture, music, and community at Paristown Hall.
Free concert in the park: The 207s (Community Music Alliance Big Band)
Free park concert from The 207s, the Community Music Alliance Big Band.
Mulligan’s 5k Fun Run and Walk
Family-friendly 5K fun run and walk at Waterfront Park—all ages welcome.
Historic Fire Tower Tour
Climb a historic fire tower and explore the landscape from above at Bernheim Arboretum.
Forest Homeschool Hike: Seasonal Nature Walk
Homeschoolers explore seasonal forest ecology on a guided nature walk at Bernheim Arboretum.
October Birthday Bash
Birthday celebration for zoo animals with special activities and festivities.
LouCIty vs. Detroit City FC
Professional soccer showdown featuring Louisville City FC competing for a championship.
Rick Bell Historic Walking Tours
Historic walking tour exploring Louisville's waterfront heritage.
Lake Nevin Bird Walk
Join a guided bird walk around Lake Nevin at Bernheim Arboretum and spot local species.
Via Colori Street Painting Festival
Street painting festival with live chalk art at Big Four Lawn & Swing Garden.
First Annual Trunk or Treat
Trunk-or-treat Halloween event where families walk decorated cars collecting candy and treats.
Jeffersonville Fall Craft Market
Browse 75+ handmade vendors, enjoy food trucks, and explore crafts at this free fall market.
Family Adventure Day - Reserved Seating
Catch horse racing at Churchill Downs with reserved seating for Family Adventure Day.
Family Adventure Day - General Admission
Enjoy a family day at Churchill Downs with general admission access to horse racing.
Trick or Treat at the Track
Daytime Halloween trick-or-treat at Churchill Downs racetrack with family activities.
Halloween Kids Cruise
Two-hour Halloween river cruise with crafts, trick-or-treating, and festive fun.
Hot Cocoa and a Fall Hike at the Bean House
Warm up with hot cocoa and a cozy fall hike at Bernheim Arboretum.
Churchill Downs Family Adventure Day: Trick or Treat at the Track
Family-friendly Halloween trick-or-treat celebration at a historic racetrack.
Family Adventure Day - Dining
Experience racing and dining at Churchill Downs' Family Adventure Day package.
Rick Bell Historic Walking Tours
Free 1.5-mile historical walking tour of Louisville's Waterfront Park led by author Rick Bell.
Full “Harvest Supermoon” Night Hike
Hike under the full Harvest Supermoon and experience the forest at night at Bernheim.
Downtown Silent Disco
Silent disco dance party at Big Four Lawn on Louisville's waterfront.
Louisville Cardinals Football vs. Stanford Cardinal Football
Louisville Cardinals Football vs. Stanford at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium.
Color Me CASA 5k & Family Fun Run
Silly Halloween 5K fun run & activities for kids at New Albany Riverfront.
Racing Louisville FC vs. KC Current
Catch Racing Louisville FC vs. KC Current, a professional women's soccer match at Louisville City FC.
Día de los Muertos (2026)
Día de los Muertos celebration at Louisville Zoo—family-friendly cultural event.
Rice Orchard Ridge Discovery Hike
Discover the forest ecology and ridgetop views on a guided hike at Bernheim Arboretum.
North American Livestock Exposition & Championship Rodeo
See livestock champions and rodeo action at the country's biggest all-breed show.
Throo the Boo 2026
Halloween-themed zoo adventure with spooky fun for the whole family.
ColorFest
Seasonal color celebration at Bernheim Arboretum—natural beauty and outdoor family fun.
Nancy Grace Roman: A Matter of Perspective
Explore space and astronomy through laser-guided stargazing at Bernheim Arboretum.
Midweek Nature Stroll
Take an easy, midweek nature walk in the Bernheim forest.
North American Championship Rodeo
Root for cowboys and cowgirls at the North American Championship Rodeo.
Girl Scouts: OJ with Orangutans 2026
Girl Scouts explore orangutans up close at Louisville Zoo in this special 2026 program.
Ashlock Hollow Forest Road Night Hike
Hike through the forest under the stars with laser-guided astronomy at Bernheim Arboretum.
Nulu Jingle Fest
NuLu neighborhood holiday festival with live entertainment and festive cheer.
Forest Homeschool Hike
Family-friendly forest hike tailored for homeschooling families at Bernheim.
Louisville Cardinals Football vs. Pittsburgh Panthers College Football
Cheer on the Louisville Cardinals football team against Pittsburgh.
Nature (+) Holiday Card Gelli Plate Printmaking
Make holiday cards using gelli plate printmaking at Bernheim Arboretum.
Full “Frost Supermoon” Night Hike
Evening full-moon hike under the Frost Supermoon at Bernheim Arboretum.
Thanksgiving Day - Dining
Celebrate Thanksgiving with dining and racing at historic Churchill Downs—a festive family tradition.
Thanksgiving - Suites
Celebrate Thanksgiving with suite seating and racing at historic Churchill Downs.
Louisville Hungry Turkey 5K
Thanksgiving morning 5K run with donuts and T-shirts at Waterfront Park.
Thanksgiving Day - General Admission
Watch Thanksgiving Day racing at Churchill Downs with general admission—accessible family fun.
Thanksgiving Day - Reserved Seating
Spend Thanksgiving at Churchill Downs with reserved seating for the races—a Kentucky family tradition.
The Clark - General Admission
Watch The Clark horse race with general admission at Churchill Downs.
The Clark - Reserved Seating
Watch The Clark horse race from reserved seating at historic Churchill Downs.
The Clark - Dining
Experience The Clark horse race with dining at Churchill Downs.
The Clark - Suites
Watch The Clark horse race at Churchill Downs from premium suite seating.
Beary Happy Holidays (2026)
Holiday fun at Louisville Zoo with festive décor and animal encounters.
Candy Cane Course
Family-friendly holiday 5K and kids dash in a scenic park setting.
Nature (+) Crochet Snowflake Ornament
Crochet snowflake ornaments in the garden at Bernheim Arboretum.
Colors of Nature
Nature art experience exploring the colors and textures of the seasons.
Vera Rubin: A Legacy of Time and Space
Evening stargazing program honoring astronomer Vera Rubin at Bernheim.
Winter Tree Mysteries
Winter nature walk teaching tree identification through bare branches and bark.
Historic Fire Tower Tour
Climb a historic fire tower at Bernheim Arboretum for panoramic views.
Cruise-e-oke
Sing your heart out on a river cruise down the Ohio aboard the historic Belle of Louisville.
United Cresent Hill Ministries 30th Santa Sprint & Stroll -a timed 5K
Run or stroll a festive 5K through Cherokee Park in holiday spirit, benefiting United Cresent Hill Ministries.
153rd Kentucky Derby & Kentucky Oaks - 2-Day Packages
Legendary horse-racing event at Churchill Downs — iconic Kentucky tradition for families.
Rollin' on the River Festival
Community festival at Big Four Station Park celebrating craft beverages and local flavors.
Fanfare for Freedom
Free patriotic summer concert featuring American anthems, service songs, and Copland classics.
Fanfare for Freedom
Free season-finale patriotic concert with American anthems, service songs, and Copland at a local church.
2027 KENTUCKY STATE FAIR
Kentucky's premier annual fair with livestock, exhibits, rides, and entertainment.
More events outside the Louisville area
1 event farther afield.
Good to know
- What outdoor activities are there for families in Toledo?
- Parks and trails, outdoor festivals, farmers markets, splash pads, and concerts in the park — this list shows what's on outdoors now.