Looking for kids activities in Merced this week? October 19 to 25, 2026 brings seven verified picks for kids and teens across Merced County: free storytimes at the Merced, Atwater, Livingston, and Mariposa libraries, free teen programs at Merced Main, a hands-on visit to the children's museum in Merced, and the pumpkin patch and corn maze at R.A.M. Farms in Turlock. Every pick is real, verified against an official program page, and open to everyone.
The third full week of October keeps the fall calendar busy: free storytimes on four library schedules, two free programs for teens, a children's museum open with extended Wednesday hours, and pumpkin patches in full swing before Halloween. All seven picks below list their organizer, age range, date, time, and cost as published. Dates and times were confirmed this week; it is always worth a quick check of the linked official page before you head out, since library and farm hours can change.
Free Library Storytimes for Preschoolers
Four libraries across the service area run free weekly storytimes the week of October 19 to 25, 2026, each with its own day and time. All are open to families and free to attend, with no registration mentioned on the official calendars.
Tiny Tales @ Merced Main Library, Friday October 23
The Merced County Library calendar lists Tiny Tales at the Merced Main Library (2100 O Street, Gracey Room) on Fridays from 10:30 to 11:30 AM, with story time from 10:30 to 11:00 and a craft from 11:00 to 11:30. The program is for children ages 3 to 6 with a caregiver, and it is free. Friday, October 23 is a regular date on that weekly schedule.
Tiny Tales @ Atwater Library, Wednesday October 21
The Atwater branch of the Merced County Library holds Tiny Tales on Wednesdays at 10:30 AM, a storytime with picture books, fingerplays, and music for ages 3 to 6. Wednesday, October 21 is the regular date this week, and the program is free. Branch details and hours are on the official Merced County Library locations page.
Tiny Tales @ Livingston Library, Thursday October 22
In Livingston, Tiny Tales runs Thursdays from 11:00 AM to noon, with story time from 11:00 to 11:30 and a craft from 11:30 to noon, for ages 3 to 6 with a caregiver. Thursday, October 22 is on the regular weekly schedule, and it is free. The Merced County Library Programs page describes the program and its age range.
Mariposa County Library Storytime, Wednesday October 21
The Mariposa County Library children's program holds a regular storytime in the Kids Room on Wednesdays from 10:00 to 11:00 AM, geared to children entering kindergarten and younger, with all ages welcome. Wednesday, October 21 is the date this week, and attendance is free. The library recommends confirming with staff, since seasonal hours can vary.
Free Teen Programs in Merced
Older kids have free options in Merced this week, all at the Merced Main Library on the county's official Library page.
Teens: Makerspace, Wednesday October 21
Merced Main Library runs a free teen Makerspace for ages 12 to 18 on Wednesdays from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, with 3D printing and sticker making among the activities. Wednesday, October 21 is the date this week. The library also lists free Nintendo Switch gaming for teens on Thursdays from 4:00 to 5:00 PM, so Thursday, October 22 has a second option for the same age group.
Homework Haven, Saturday October 24
For students in grades K-12, the Merced Main Library hosts Homework Haven on Saturdays from 10:00 AM to noon, with free tutors on hand. Saturday, October 24 is the regular weekly date, and the program is free. It is a quiet, drop-in study option for families planning a library morning.
Museum and Fall Family Outings
Kids Discovery Station, Merced
Kids Discovery Station, the hands-on children's museum at 350 W Yosemite Avenue in Merced, is open Tuesday through Sunday and closed Mondays. This week, Wednesday, October 21 runs 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Thursday and Friday 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Saturday and Sunday 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Admission is $7 per adult and per child over 1 year old. The play-based exhibits are designed for kids up to about age 12, making it a steady indoor option on a breezy October day.
R.A.M. Farms pumpkin patch and corn maze, Turlock
R.A.M. Farms at 716 N Daubenberger Road in Turlock opens its pumpkin patch daily through October 31, and the farm states there is never an entrance fee to the patch itself. That week the hours are 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM Sunday through Thursday and 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM Friday and Saturday, October 23 and 24. The corn maze requires a separate ticket, and the farm has not published the 2026 maze price on its site, so check with the farm for the current rate. Most kids' activities, including the hay maze, tractor tires, and sandbox, are free with the purchase of a pumpkin.
Castle Air Museum, Atwater (weekday option)
If your family wants a museum day in Atwater, the Castle Air Museum is open seven days a week from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM (last entry to the aircraft area at 3:15 PM). General admission is $25, seniors 65 and older and active or retired military are $20, children 6 to 17 are $15, and children under 6 enter free with a paying adult. The museum posts any special programs on its official events page, where no public kids events are listed for this exact week, so treat it as a self-guided visit.
Why Local Activities Matter for Merced County Families
A week that includes free storytimes at four libraries, two free teen programs, a children's museum, and a pumpkin patch with a corn maze is a strong sign of a community that supports kids and families. Families shopping for a home in Merced, Atwater, Livingston, Turlock, or Mariposa often picture their own weekday and weekend routines, and free public programs are a big part of that picture.
Want more of the local calendar? Our free weekend guide for October 23 to 25 rounds out the weekend plans, and our farmers market report for the week of October 15 covers the county's markets. Whether you are reading stories at the library, building at the makerspace, or walking the maze at R.A.M. Farms, you are living the local story that makes a community home. If you are considering selling your home in Merced County, schedule a free consultation with Monica Franks, The Seller's Agent, and learn more about Monica's approach on her about page.
- Week of October 12-18: Kids & Teen Activities: October 12 to 18 covered free Tiny Tales storytimes at four libraries, the teen Makerspace, Homework Haven, the R.A.M. Farms pumpkin patch, and the Fall Blitz car show at Castle Air Museum in Atwater.
Every week, this series publishes a fresh roundup of kids and teen activities in Merced County, and past editions stay live under Past Weeks. Find the whole archive under the Family Activities category on the blog.
What Activities Are Available for Kids in Merced This Week?
What activities are available for kids in Merced this week?
The week of October 19 to 25, 2026 brings seven verified picks for kids and teens in Merced County: free Tiny Tales storytimes at the Merced, Atwater, and Livingston libraries, a free preschool storytime at the Mariposa County Library, free teen Makerspace and Nintendo Switch programs at Merced Main Library, a hands-on visit to Kids Discovery Station in Merced, and the pumpkin patch and corn maze at R.A.M. Farms in Turlock. Every entry links to its official source so you can confirm details before you go.
Are the library storytimes in Merced County free?
Yes. Merced County Library storytimes, including Tiny Tales, are free and open to the public. Tiny Tales runs at Merced Main on Fridays from 10:30 to 11:30 AM, at the Atwater Library on Wednesdays at 10:30 AM, and at the Livingston Library on Thursdays from 11:00 AM to noon, for ages 3 to 6 with a caregiver. The Mariposa County Library storytime on Wednesdays from 10:00 to 11:00 AM is also free.
What is there to do for teens in Merced this week?
Teens ages 12 to 18 can head to Merced Main Library for the free Makerspace on Wednesday, October 21 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, with 3D printing and sticker making, and free Nintendo Switch gaming on Thursday, October 22 from 4:00 to 5:00 PM. The library also runs free Homework Haven tutoring for grades K-12 on Saturdays from 10:00 AM to noon, so Saturday, October 24 has an option for students of any age. Confirm each session on the library's official calendar.
What does it cost to visit the children's museum and pumpkin patch this week?
Kids Discovery Station in Merced charges $7 per adult and per child over 1 year old, and it is closed on Mondays. R.A.M. Farms in Turlock states there is never an entrance fee to the pumpkin patch itself, most kids' activities are free with a pumpkin purchase, and the corn maze requires a separate ticket; the farm has not published the 2026 maze price on its site, so check with the farm for the current rate. Both are open all week, with the farm running until 10:00 PM on Friday and Saturday.
What is the best day for younger kids this week?
Wednesday, October 21 is a strong day for younger children: Tiny Tales at the Atwater Library at 10:30 AM, the Mariposa County Library storytime from 10:00 to 11:00 AM, and Kids Discovery Station open until 7:00 PM in Merced, all within a short drive depending on where you start. Friday, October 23 adds Tiny Tales at Merced Main from 10:30 to 11:30 AM for families who prefer the county seat.
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Enjoy the week with your family, Merced. And when you are ready to talk about your home, Monica is here: a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your goals and what your property could achieve in today's market. Call (209) 345-3836 or use the form below.
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