Where to Celebrate Halloween With Kids in Philly

While Halloween isn’t just for kids, something about playing dress-up and eating candy seems to really appeal to them. Halloween for kids in Philly somehow lasts all month long (which is good because those costumes aren’t cheap), so we’re getting a jump on things with a gigantic roundup for you. Whatever your kids are into, there’s sure to be something on this list to appeal to your family, from science to putt-putt. And yes, lots of pumpkins.

Bookmark this page, and be sure to check back often, as we’ll add more things as they get announced.

Season-Long Halloween Events

Boo at the Zoo

For three weekends in October, the Zoo gets decked out for the season with festive displays (perfect for photo ops), treat stations and fun activities (for the kids and the animals!). Bring your own bag and come in costume for a trick-or-treat safari. The zoo residents are getting in on the fun, too, so if you want to see them chowing down on some pumpkins, there’s a feeding schedule. Also, there’s an adorable new baby orangutan, Jambi! Boo at the Zoo is included with admission (and members get in free) but timed reservations are required.
Included with admission of $19-$29; weekends from October 12th-27th, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Philadelphia Zoo, 3400 West Girard Avenue.

Fintastic Fall Days at Adventure Aquarium

The aquarium is decked out with jack-o-lanterns, giant pumpkin displays in the shape of marine animals, and even underwater pumpkin carvers! They’ve also got fun Halloween-y activities like pumpkin-painting and the “What Goes Bump in the Midnight Zone” show where you’ll learn about the creatures of the deep.
$28-$48; through November 3rd, Adventure Aquarium, 1 Riverside Drive, Camden, New Jersey.

Scarecrow Walk and More at Morris ArBOOretum

Every year, Morris Arboretum holds a scarecrow design contest around a theme, and this year it’s Villains! Through the month of October, you can see them on display, pose with them and even vote for your favorites. The arboretum is also bringing back the Morris Pumpkin Cottage, a 100-square-foot exhibit covered in hundreds of pumpkins! On October 17th, come in costume for a scavenger hunt and dance party along the scarecrow walk at 5 p.m. (That requires an extra ticket, for $30 per car.)
Free with admission of $10-$20 (kids under three and PennCard holders get in free); scarecrow and cottage displays through October 31st, Morris Arboretum, 100 East Northwestern Avenue.

Spooky Mini Golf at Franklin Square

Franklin Square’s Philly-themed mini golf is transformed into spooky fun for the Halloween season with decorations, lights, fog and other fun surprises. While you’re there, you can also ride the carousel, hit the playground and watch the fountain show. The whole production with the lights and smoke runs from 6 to 9 p.m. nightly, but for little ones who are more daytime-oriented (or just scare easily), the Halloween decorations (and other attractions) are around all day long. Franklin Square also hosts a trick-or-treat trail on October 26th. (And the pups get one the next day!) More on that later.
$12-$15; through October 31st, Franklin Square, 200 North 6th Street.

Colonial Gardens’ Pumpkinland

Celebrate fall with hayrides (haunted and regular), a corn maze, a haunted hedge maze, and a Halloween funhouse. Plus, there’s always a fun Halloween display involving colorful cartoon characters, scarecrows, a hay hutch and over 10 tons of pumpkins.
$4-$11; through October 31st, Colonial Gardens, 745 Schuylkill Road, Phoenixville.

Franklin Fright

Spooky science, trick-or-treating, and other family-friendly frights take over the Franklin Institute weekends this October. Bring your own bags and come in costume to explore the exhibits, knock on festive doors for candy (from costumed museum educators), and watch live science with Gourd’n the Giant Pumpkin Robot. “The Lab” returns with “Halloween T.R.E.A.T.S. (Tricks, Robots, Experiments, Activities, Technology, Spooky fun),” including sensory activities, a maze, photo ops and more.
Included with admission of $21-$25; weekends through October 27th, Franklin Institute, 222 North 20th Street.

Potion Making at the Cauldron

Philly’s not-quite-Harry-Potter-themed bar seems like it’s just for grownups, but kids can get in on the magical fun with a potion making session. The nearly-two-hour experience includes “brewing” your own magical concoctions to drink (grownups get adult versions, if you get my drift), a drink poured by magic wand, and even a witch’s hat to wear! Kids’ tickets are only available for certain daytime timeslots. This experience has to be booked online in advance, and the ticket price goes up the closer it gets to Halloween, so plan accordingly.
$40-$80; through October 31st, 1305 Locust Street.

Halloween Crafting

Come to the Craftship at Bok every Tuesday in October for a different spooky project, like monster eyes and tassel ghosties. Pre-register online.
$30; Tuesdays from 4-6 p.m., The Craftship, Bok Building, 1901 South 9th Street.

Pumpkinland and Hayrides to the Witch’s House at Linvilla Orchards

Head to Linvilla for harvest hayrides, pony rides, train rides, mazes of both the corn and hay varieties, farm animals and pick-your-own apples. (Sorry, no pumpkin-picking here, though there are mounds of pumpkins already picked.) Photo ops abound, and things get spooky with hayrides to the witch’s house. She tells stories and jokes, gives the kids treats, and then the hayride ends with a campfire where you can roast marshmallows and enjoy apple cider.
Free to enter, $13-$15 for hayrides, $5 for mazes; through November 3rd, Linvilla Orchards, 137 West Knowlton Road, Media.

Halloween Parties, Performances and More

Trick-or-Treat Scavenger Hunt at Sister Cities Park

Parkway Pals wraps up for the season with a free Halloween party including a scavenger hunt, free pumpkin painting, spooky story time with the Free Library of Philadelphia and a magic show.
Free; October 12th, 11 a.m.-noon, Sister Cities Park, 210 North 18th Street.

Kids’ Halloween Spooktacular at Sunset Social

Head to the roof of the Cira Centre for a free Halloween bash including lawn games, pumpkin-decorating ($5), face-painting, costume contests (for kids and dogs!), and hot cocktails available for the grownups. RSVP online.
Free ($5 to reserve a pumpkin); October 13th, noon, Sunset Social, 129 South 30th Street.

Pumpkin Patch Tea at the Rittenhouse Hotel

For those of you whose kids love the holiday-season Teddy Bear Tea at the Rittenhouse, this ones for you. The Mary Cassatt Tea Room is hosting a Halloween-themed tea this year with special seasonal menu items (kids’ sandwiches will be pumpkin-shaped, too!), decor and kids’ activities. After a delicious tea service, head to the hotel courtyard decorated as a pumpkin patch, then decorate your pumpkin. The event also includes a costume contest with prizes. Reservations are available online.
$85; October 13th, 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m., Rittenhouse Hotel, 210 West Rittenhouse Square.

The Great Pumpkin Carve

An annual Chadds Ford tradition, the three-day event highlights over 70 giant pumpkins carved into spook-tacular creations. Carvers work through the early evening on Thursday and then illuminate their masterpieces by candlelight. You can view the carvers at work Thursday and the finished products Friday and Saturday. In addition to the pumpkins, there is a kid-friendly Haunted Trail, food and beer for sale and live music. Admission is available at the gate on each day of the event.
$5-$15 (free for kids ages six and under); October 17th-19th, 4-9 p.m., Chadds Ford Historical Society, 1736 Creek Road, Chadds Ford.

Hound-O-Ween Fall Festival

Philly’s biggest Halloween dog costume contest is in Northern Liberties, and it’s back and shutting down the 700 block of North 2nd Street to accommodate all the cuteness! Dozens of furry contestants will compete for prizes in various categories, plus try to win best of show for a grand prize of $500, cash. That’s a lot of biscuits. In addition to the costume contest, expect food and drink, music, and general Halloween festiveness. All proceeds from the $30 registration fee (or $20 for an extra pup) benefit Street Tails Animal Rescue.
Free to attend, $30 to enter the contest; October 19th, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., 700 block of 2nd Street. 

Cricket BOO

Lulu’s Casita hosts their annual all-out kids’ Halloween block party in Ardmore. The playspace has quite a morning planned: Expect crafts, games, treats, a photo booth, a party bus, pumpkin decorating, “make your own potion” station, character visits, face painting, story time, a costume parade, live music and more fun. Email info@luluscasita.com to purchase a ticket.
$30 ($5 for adults); October 19th, 9:30 a.m.-noon, first block of Cricket Avenue, Ardmore.

Halloween Costume-Making Party at Coco Academy

The Best of Philly-winning STEM makerspace is hosting a DIY costume workshop. Bring your own cardboard and they’ll provide the rest! Reservations required online.
$45; October 20th, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., Coco Academy, 1001 Christian Street.

Autumn on the Avenue in Mount Airy

Bring kids in costume for a pre-Halloween trick-or-treat at Mount Airy businesses from the 6600 through 6900 blocks of Germantown Avenue. Fun activities include crafts with ARTrageous.
Free; October 24th, 3:30-6 p.m., Germantown Avenue in Mount Airy.

Dinos After Dark: Halloween Edition

The Academy of Natural Sciences hosts their popular pay-what-you-wish event that sees a Dino Drafts beer garden set up in Dinosaur Hall, plus access to the museum and hands-on science activities. But this month, guests are invited to come in costume and trick-or-treat at stations throughout the museum, too!
Pay-what-you-wish; October 25th, 5-8:30 p.m., Academy of Natural Sciences, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

Trick-or-Treating at the Art Museum

On the Friday night before Halloween, the Philadelphia Museum of Art is offering a family-friendly spooky jaunt. In addition to performances and hands-on art, the main event is a self-guided quest around the galleries where kids will follow clues and solve riddles from costumed museum staff members to get candy. Be sure to dress up and bring your own treat bags.
$15 for adults (kids and members are free); October 25th, 5-8 p.m., Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

Barely Scarely Halloween Spooktacular at Smith Memorial Playground

Come in costume for an evening of fun at the 6.5-acre playground. The party includes arts and crafts, a costume parade, trick-or-treating, pony rides, giveaways and more. RSVP online.
Free; October 25th, 4-6:30 p.m., Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse, 3500 Reservoir Drive.

Beehive at Bok KIDRAVE

Beehive’s monthly dance party gets a Halloween twist this month, so come in costume and get ready for a techno, EDM and house DJ set by Music with Ry. Plus, open play, glow sticks, and treats.
$15 (free for kids); October 25th, 6-8 p.m., Beehive at Bok, 1901 South 9th Street.

Haunted Circus

The Philadelphia School of Circus Arts transforms their historic building and campus into a haunted circus experience for adults and kids alike. For the family-friendly performance, you can try your hand at circus arts at a pre-show workshop. And for the main performance, a circus variety show by the talented adults and youth of the circus school. Costumes are encouraged; pre-registration is recommended. For older kids, there’s a PG-13 show the next afternoon, but without a workshop.
$10-$20; October 25th, 7 p.m. (workshop at 6 p.m.), Philadelphia School of Circus Arts, 6452 Greene Street.

Trunk or Treat Movie Night at the Navy Yard

Get your costume on and head to the Navy Yard’s Crescent Park for treats, then stay after for an outdoor screening of Beetlejuice.
Free; October 25th, 5 p.m., Navy Yard.

Rittenhouse Row BOOtiful Brunch and Trick-or-Treat

From 10 am. to noon, enjoy a kid-friendly Halloween brunch, dance party, and runway-style costume contest at the Sofitel. (Tickets available online.) Then, pick up a map at Walnut Garden and go trick-or-treating throughout the businesses of Rittenhouse Row. (Participating businesses will also have a poster in the window.) Note: You can trick-or-treat around town even if you don’t come to brunch; it’s free and open to all.
Brunch is $52 per family, trick-or-treating is free; October 26th, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., various locations around Rittenhouse.

Trick-or-Treat Street at Franklin Square

Kids ages 10 and under are invited to come in costume at collect treats at stops throughout Franklin Square. Go with YoYo will also be there with games, music, and giant bubbles. This event is free, but pre-registration is required.
Free; October 26th, noon-2 p.m., Franklin Square, 200 North 6th Street.

Halloween Celebration at the Please Touch Museum

Come to PTM in costume for a crafts, surprises, and lots more not-so-scary fun for little ones.
$22; October 26th, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Please Touch Museum, 4231 Avenue of the Republic.

Fall Fest and Spooky Saturday on East Passyunk Avenue

East Passyunk’s annual Halloween celebration takes over the Avenue with live performances, pumpkin-carving, and trick-or-treating at local businesses. Adults, meanwhile, will enjoy vendors selling crafts, food specials, and even festive cocktails.
Free, pay-as-you-go; October 26th, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., East Passyunk Avenue.

Stenton’s Halloween Harvest Festival

Enjoy crafts, face-painting, pumpkin-painting, spooky storytime with Logan Library, treats and a spooky cellar tour at this historic house. Pre-register online for the free event.
Free; October 26th, 1-3 p.m., 4601 North 18th Street.

Manayunk Trick-or-Treating and Costume Parade

First, come to the annual Pretzel Park Farmers’ Market kid and pet costume parade, then go trick-or-treating at select small businesses on Main Street.
Free; October 26th, parade at 10:30 a.m., trick-or-treat from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Main Street, Manayunk.

Witches of Narberth

All you Main Line ghouls, this is the hunt for you. Children of all ages are invited to join in this free event, where kids search downtown Narberth for “the witchiest witches around.” Collect treats along the way, and then return to the start to collect a Halloween prize. The hunt starts at the corner of Forrest and Haverford avenues and goes until 4 p.m. (or until the prizes run out).
Free; October 26th, 1-4 p.m., downtown Narberth (starts at Forrest and Haverford avenues).

South Street Candy Crawl

South Street businesses host a trick-or-treat trail around town — hit up participating stores (with poster in the window) for candy. Plus, all October long, enter the Skeletons on South scavenger hunt for the chance to win prizes.
Free; October 26th, noon-4 p.m., South Street.

East Falls Halloween Parade

Rutabaga Toy Library hosts its fifth annual Halloween parade in East Falls. Gather at 3 p.m., then the parade starts promptly at 3:30 p.m. There will also be kids’ activities, a costume contest, and live entertainment.
Free; October 26th, 3-6 p.m., 3400 Block of Conrad Street.

Haunted Horses

Northwestern Stables’ annual Halloween bash features costumed horses (and riders), and kids trick-or-treating amongst them. At the end of the night, vote for your favorite horse! Guided rides, as well as refreshments, will also be available at the event.
$7.50; October 26th, 4:30-7 p.m., Northwestern Stables, 120 West Northwestern Avenue.

Solloween

That’s right, there is not one but two equestrian Halloween celebrations in Philly! Fairmount Park’s Solly Stables is also dressing the horses up for some trick-or-treating fun in the barn. If the horses are getting all dressed up, you’d better bring your dress-up game too (and a bag for some treats).
Free; October 27th, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Solly Stables, 1140 Solly Avenue.

Drag Queen Monster Bash

Kids ages four to eight are to Music Theatre Philly for a drag performance, a Descendants-themed musical theater dance class, arts and crafts, and trick-or-treating. Parents can drop-off or stay for the fun.
$50; October 27th, 12:30-2:30 p.m., Music Theatre Philly, 1301 Locust Street.

Halloween on the Hill

Head to Chestnut Hill for a scavenger hunt at local businesses starting at noon (be sure to register and pick up your passport), plus trick-or-treating from 1 to 3 p.m. Not enough Halloween for you? There’s also a pet parade at 12:30 p.m.
Free; October 27th, noon-3 p.m., Chestnut Hill.

Funky Brunch & Market at Ardmore Music Hall

This free, family-friendly event features local vendors and live music. Beer and brunch will be available for purchase as well.
Free (food and drink are pay-as-you-go); October 27th, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Ardmore Music Hall, 23 East Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore.

PopUpPlay’s Halloween Party at Cherry Street Pier

Come for a Halloween parade, a kids’ dance party, a scavenger hunt, lots of craft activities, and more at Cherry Street Pier.
Free; October 27th, 2-5 p.m., 121 North Columbus Boulevard.

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