With so many frightfully entertaining, yet family-friendly Halloween events in LA, there’s no reason why the kids can’t have as much fun as the adults. From haunted museums to deep sea monsters, these Halloween activities will spook even the bravest member of the family.
Camp Spooky at Knott’s Berry Farm
Buena Park
If the little ones are not ready for Knott’s Scary Farm, they can head over to Camp Spooky during the day for a family-friendly alternative. This area of the park features a costume parade, Witch’s Keep Calico Mine Ride, mini monster maze and a potion station to keep the under-12 crowd entertained.
October 18-26: Boo at the LA Zoo
Griffith Park
Animal-loving kids will have a hoot at Boo at the LA Zoo. They can go trick-or-treating, carve pumpkins, explore cauldrons filled with “worms” and watch gorillas and elephants enjoy their own Halloween treats.
October 24-26: Halloween Family Sleepover
Aquarium of the Pacific
Anyone who’s seen the glowing eyes and sharp teeth of sea creatures will admit that the ocean is not for the easily spooked. The Aquarium of the Pacific opens its doors after hours to families who want to experience the eerie wonders of the deep sea. There’s a sleepover that features animal interactions and a freaky flashlight tour in addition to the Scarium at the Pacific with underwater pumpkin carving, spooky storytelling and magic shows.
October 25: Eek! At the Greek!
Greek Theatre
Equally fun for kids and adults, Eek! At the Greek! features a 60-piece symphony recreating Halloween favorites like Edgar Allan Poe’s “A Tell-tale Heart” and Skeleton Dance from Disney’s “Silly Symphonies.” Families can arrive early to explore the “Trick-or-Treat Village” and enter the costume contest.
October 25: LA Arboretum Spooky Creatures
Arcadia
Spiders have always been the insects of nightmares and this Halloween, the LA Arboretum shines the spotlight on these chilling eight-legged arachnids. During this docent-led tours, kids under 10-years-old will explore the garden and learn about the creatures living in the trees.
Through November 2: Halloween Harvest Festival
Pierce College
A festive combination of autumn activities and ghostly thrills, the Halloween Harvest Festival at Pierce College offers pumpkin picking and farm animals during the day and the Factory of Nightmares haunted house and Creatures of the Corn haunted trail when the sun sets.
October 30: Rise of the Jack O’Lanterns
Descanso Gardens
By now, the kids have probably tried their hand at carving a pumpkin masterpiece. Understanding the feats required to create a work of art out of a vegetable will help them better appreciate the 5,000 intricately decorated gourds at Descanso Gardens’ Rise of the Jack O’Lanterns art festival. Featuring designs modeled after popular TV shows, city skylines and even dinosaurs, the pumpkins at this festival were carved by artists whose work has been displayed in the White House.
October 31: Bunny Museum Halloween Tours
Pasadena
Bunnies were once lovable and harmless until the movie Donnie Darko came along and changed their sunny reputation. On Halloween, the Bunny Museum in Pasadena becomes a kid-friendly haunted house, offering tours of their expansive 11,000 toy bunny collection. While there won’t be any actual ghouls, the house will be outfitted with strobes, dry ice and spooky music. Guests who dress up like a bunny will receive a special gift.
October 31: Theatricum Boo-tanicum
Topanga Canyon
Many a horror film has been set in the remote atmosphere of a forest much like the Theatricum Botanicum. Located in a secluded spot within the Topanga Canyon woods, the theatre and its players bring our fears to life with a haunted house, ghost stories and games.
October 31: Little Monsters Ball
Queen Mary
Before the ghosts and zombies come out to play at Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor, the little monsters will reign. At the Little Monsters Ball, kids can take their pick from all sorts of Halloween revelry, including face painting, trick-or-treating and a costume contest.
Looking for more events? Visit the LosAngeles.com Events Calendar.
