This post originally appeared on MommyNearest.com.
Spooky costumes and haunted houses aren’t for everyone, especially if you have young children. These events will allow you and your kids to enjoy dressing up and participating in autumn and Halloween activities without the fear.
Brick-or-Treat at the Legoland Discovery Center
Daily through October 31
Brick-or-Treat is an annual month-long event for Lego lovers of all ages. Miniland Chicago and the factory tour will have spooky makeovers so you can find hidden skeletons in Miniland and take a haunted factory tour. You can help build a Lego pumpkin patch, try out some creepy creative challenges, and collect Lego bricks given out at different areas throughout Legoland to build a special Halloween-themed model you can keep. Wear a costume to receive a discount on admission.
Cost: Included in general admission – $18 per person, or $16 if purchased online. Wear a Halloween costume for $5 off of general admission (good for up to 4 people in your group).
Trick-or-Trees at the Morton Arboretum
Weekends in October
The Children’s Garden at the Morton Arboretum is celebrating Halloween every weekend with special fall crafts and tricky games. Kids will love this special treat – they can plant a tree seed to bring home. Pumpkins are available for purchase to paint.
Don’t leave without a walk around Meadow Lake, where you can see Scarecrow Trail – nature-themed scarecrows created by local Boy and Girl Scouts – and vote for your favorite.
Cost: Included in general admission, which is $12 for adults, $9 for children 2-17, and children 1 and under are free.
Boo at the Zoo at Brookfield Zoo
Saturdays and Sundays, October 18-19 and 25-26
Boo! at the Zoo is two weekends full of non-scary family fun. For just the cost of general admission to the zoo (or free for members!), you can watch animals enjoy their own pumpkins, trek through the Crazy Maize corn maze, and see a professional pumpkin carver carve a 1,000 pound pumpkin! Wear costumes so the whole family can march in the costume parade, which is followed by the costume showcase, where kids can win prizes for best animal theme, scariest, most original, and best group. For additional fees, you can ride the Creepy Cowboy Carousel, take a Haunted Hayride, or build a scarecrow at the Hamill Family Play Zoo.
Cost: General admission is $16.95 for adults, $11.95 for children 3 to 11, and children under 3 are free. Extra charges apply for the Hamill Family Play Zoo, Haunted Hayride, and carousel.
Sycamore Pumpkin Festival
Wednesday, October 22 through Sunday, October 26
Head out to the small town of Sycamore for their annual Pumpkin Festival, which will open on Wednesday with the cutting of a giant cake. The festivities continue for days with carnival rides and games, craft shows, and several activities and events at the library. The highlight of the festival is the display on the courthouse lawn of the over 1,000 entries into the Lions Club Decorated Pumpkin contest. A parade at 1:00 pm on Sunday will mark the end of the Pumpkin Festival.
Cost: Free
Cool Science Halloween Party at Kids Science Labs
Saturday, October 25
Join Kids Science Labs from 4:00 pm-6:30 pm for their annual Halloween party for safe fun for kids 2 to 12. Smoky floors, green slime, and Michael Jackson’s Thriller will set the mood, and KSL will provide pizza and snacks for guests. Costumes are encouraged and each room will have different science experiments and hands-on activities. Each child in costume will leave with receive a goody bag. Kids Science Labs is also hosting a members only party, which will take place on Friday, October 24.
Cost: $20 per person; children 2 and under are free. Registration is required and this event sells out!
Boo Baby Boo at Baby Loves Disco
Saturday, October 25
Baby Loves Disco is an all-ages dance party, complete with DJ, lights, and lots of craziness. Boo Baby Boo will be their Halloween event, with costume contests and other tricks and treats. Kids will also love the crafts, tattoos, face painting, and balloon animals.
As always, there will be all the juice boxes your kids can drink and snacks. Parent can purchase drinks from the bar.
Cost: $15 per person, or $55 for a 4-pack. Non-walking babies get in free.
Spooky Zoo Spectacular at Lincoln Park Zoo
Saturday, October 25
Lincoln Park Zoo is always a fun place for free fun, but they’ll be stepping it up on October 25 for the Spooky Zoo Spectacular. Learn fun facts about animals, enjoy live entertainment, and create crafts. Wear a costume for trick-or-treating through the zoo.
Cost: Free
Boo-Palooza in Wicker Park
Saturday, October 25
Nearly 60 organizations come together to host the Boo-Palooza event in Wicker Park for Chicagoans of all ages. Kids will enjoy the activity tables and areas, live entertainment from performers including Magic Boat Puppet Theater and Cirques Experience, and family costume contest. Arrive early for the costume parade for children, adults, and families at 11:00 am, with prizes for three winners in each category. Dress up and bring your pet, too – their parade begins at noon.
Cost: Free
