Spooky Fun for Everyone: Kids’ Halloween Events
Boston Common Pumpkin Festival photo by Brian Talbot on Flickr
Not only is Boston one of the best cities in the nation for trick-or-treating—it’s also a source for some of the cutest spooky celebrations imaginable. Halloween doesn’t have to be just one night of merriment. Check out these family-friendly events, from trick-or-treating at Fenway Park to Natick’s Great Pumpkin Smash.
Zoo Howl at Franklin Park Zoo
We’re not sure that it’s possible for anything to be cuter than little kids dressed up for Halloween, but if there is, it’s the sight of baby hippos snacking on jack-o’-lanterns. And you can see both this weekend, in an event that’s pure Instagram gold: At Zoo Howl, kids can trick-or-treat among some of Franklin Park Zoo’s coolest creatures, as well as partake in craft events, hayrides, a haunted maze, and costume contests. There’ll even be duck boats, whose captains will be handing out candy.
$19.95 adults, $12.95 for children 12 and under (children two and under free), Saturday, October 25, and Sunday, October 26, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Franklin Park Zoo , 1 Franklin Park Rd., Boston, 617-541-LION, zoonewengland.org.
Pru Boo Trick or Treat for Charity
This weekend, little tykes take over the mall for Pru Boo, an annual charity event in which more than 50 restaurants and stores hand out candy to trick-or-treaters. To collect the loot, all it takes is a donation. Other family friendly activities include face painting, magic shows and cookie decorating, with activity stations hosted by NECCO, the New England Aquarium, the Museum of Science, the Mary Baker Eddy Library, and the Freedom Trail Foundation, among others.
$4 donation, Saturday, October 25, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., The Shops at Prudential Center, 800 Boylston St., Boston, 1-800-SHOP-PRU, prudentialcenter.com.
Trick-or-Treat at The Street
Over in Chestnut Hill, children can roam the mall for trick-or-treating and plenty of free entertainment—from face painting and photo booth fun. Kiddie act Josh and the Jamtones, who’ve shared stages with the likes of The Wiggles and Yo Gabba Gabba, will perform later in the day. This is an event for the whole family—even your pooch. Dress up your dog and parade them around on The Green for the day’s Pooch Parade & Canine Costume Contest. Adults can get in on the fun with a hot apple cider bar, free mini-cupcakes, and a trunk show by Ku De Ta.
Free, Saturday, October 24, 1-4 p.m., The Street, 33 Boylston St., Chestnut Hill, 617-566-6667, thestreetchestnuthill.com.
Spooktacular on the Common
A day filled with games, food, and Halloween fun, Natick’s Spooktacular on the Common has it all: Kids can decorate cookies and pumpkins, get temporary tattoos, check out fire trucks and the bookmobile, and sip on some apple cider. One of the day’s main events is the Great Pumpkin Smash, which will take place at 1:30 p.m. At 2 p.m., children can join the great Trick or Treat Parade, and traipse through downtown Natick in their best costumes on the quest for goodies.
Free, Saturday, October 24, 12-3:30 p.m., Natick Common, 3 E Central St., Natick, 508-650-8848, natickcenter.org.
Trick-or-Treat to the Beat
Kids can tap into their musical side this Halloween at the New School of Music, one of our favorite places for music lessons. The New School is holding a Halloween open house this year that will include musical games, in-house trick-or-treating, a spooky sing-along, and arts and crafts. There’s even an instrument petting zoo, where kids are free use the New School’s equipment to experiment with sounds.
Free, Saturday, October 24, 6:30-8 p.m., New School of Music, 25 Lowell St., Cambridge, 617-492-8105, newschoolofmusic.org.
Halloween Celebration on Castle Island
Every princess should have a castle, right? This Halloween season, little princesses (and dragons and other creatures, too) can spend a magical day at Fort Independence on Castle Island. Entertainment includes storytelling and magicians. Costumes are encouraged.
Free, Saturday, October 24, and Sunday, October 25, 12-4 p.m., Castle Island and Fort Independence, Day Boulevard, South Boston, 617-727-5290, bostoncentral.com.
Jack Skellington Lego photo by clement127 on Flickr
Brick-or-Treat at Legoland
This October, Legoland transforms into every child’s Halloween fantasy for their Brick-or-Treat event. Children can explore the center during the Monster Mash scavenger hunt through Miniland. The event will also feature a spooky pumpkin trail, and (of course) a building challenge.
$14.95-$29.95 (children under 3 free), Saturday, October 24, Sunday, October 25, and Saturday, October 31, Legoland Discovery Center, 598 Assembly Row, Somerville, 866–228-6439, legolanddiscoverycenter.com.
Fenway Park Trick-or-Treating
Here’s a win-win: The kids get candy, and you get to walk around the legendary Fenway Park. This Halloween, children and adults alike are invited to go trick-or-treating around the field’s Warning Track, receiving candy from the park’s staff. Wally will make an appearance, as will the Sox’s three World Series trophies. Additional fun includes balloon artists, face painting, caricatures, and stilt walker Big League Brian. But before the big event, there’s a pumpkin contest on Thursday, October 29—enter your carved masterpieces from 5-7:30 p.m. If yours is one of the top three winners, it’ll be on display during the Fenway Park Halloween festivities for all to see.
Free, Saturday, October 31, 1-5 p.m., Fenway Park, Gate C, redsox.mlb.com.
NOT SCARY ENOUGH?
Check out:
New England’s Top Haunted Houses and Halloween Destinations
A Guide to Salem’s Most Bewitching Attractions
FOR MORE KID-FRIENDLY HAUNTS
Check out:
The Best Neighborhoods for Trick-or-Treating in Boston
