Halloween in St. Louis doesn't have to be too scary. There are plenty of fun and safe events for kids and the whole family. Here's a list of some of the best family-friendly events for Halloween in St. Louis. Also, check out the best places in St. Louis to pick your own pumpkins.
Looking for more of a scare? Older kids and adults alike should check out my article on the best haunted houses in St. Louis.Magic House's Not-So-Haunted House
Photo courtesy The Magic House
St. Louis has many Halloween activities for the kids but one of the best is the Not-So-Haunted House at the Magic House. Every kid gets their own autograph book, and as they trick or treat through the house, they can collect signatures from many of their favorite storybook characters. This year's characters include favorites from Peter Pan, Harry Potter and The Wizard of Oz. There is also a Haunted Trail for the older kids. Admission is $8.50, but all children dressed in costume can get into the Magic House for free on Friday, October 23 from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
October 23 - 25 & October 30 - November 1, 2009
Kirkwood
October 23 - 25 & October 30 - November 1, 2009
Kirkwood
Boo at the Zoo
Photo by Ray Meibaum, courtesy the St. Louis Zoo
Another great Halloween event for children is Boo at the Zoo Nights. The Zoo is open late, starting October 16, for kid-friendly Halloween fun. Then, there's the Zoo's "Spooky Saturday" party on October 24, where children of all ages can trick-or-treat along the Zoo's Pumpkin Trail and join in a costume parade. Admission to Boo at the Zoo Nights is $4 for members and $5 for non-members. Children younger than two get in free. There is also free parking available on the South Lot. For more information about planning a trip to the Zoo, read my article See the Nation's Best Zoo.
October 16 - 30, 2009
Forest Park
October 16 - 30, 2009
Forest Park
Pumpkin Jamboree at Eckert's
Photo by Sharon Dominick, courtesy Getty Images
When you're trying to find the perfect pumpkin, look no further than Eckert's Orchards. Their pumpkin patch has any size pumpkin you'd want, including ones that weigh up to 150 pounds. During weekends in October, Eckert's is hosting its Jumpin' Pumpkin Jamboree with wagon rides, live music, pony rides, a petting farm, funnel cakes and more. The Millstadt location also offers Haunted Hayrides through the orchard each Friday and Saturday in October.
Weekends in October, 2009
Belleville, Millstadt & Grafton
Weekends in October, 2009
Belleville, Millstadt & Grafton
Great Godfrey Maze
Photo by Kevin Moloney, courtesy Getty Images
Wandering around a cornfield after dark can be a little scary, but it's pure fun at the Great Godfrey Maze. The giant maze is cut into seven acres of cornfield. This year, the maze trails are in the shape of a knight on a horse with a castle in the background. The maze is open during the day, but bring a flashlight and try the Haunted Maze at night. The Haunted Maze is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays starting October 9. Tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for children. Kids under five get in free.
October 9 - 30, 2009
Glazebrook Park, Godfrey
October 9 - 30, 2009
Glazebrook Park, Godfrey
Halloween 10K & Fun Run
You won't feel so guilty about eating all of that Halloween candy if you participate in the first annual GO! St. Louis Halloween 10K & Fun Run. Runners and walkers of all ages are encouraged to wear costumes and enjoy the spooky course through downtown St. Louis. The 10K starts at 8 a.m. and the one-mile fun run begins at 9:30 a.m. To register, check out the GO! St. Louis website.October 18, 2009
Downtown St. Louis
Ghosts from the Past
Where better to hear ghost stories than at the 200 year old Daniel Boone Home in St. Charles County? Storytellers wander the grounds of the old home telling true stories of ghosts, goblins and things that go bump in the night. This is designed to be a kid friendly event, but may be a little scary for very young children.October 24, 2009
Daniel Boone Home, Defiance
Ghost Stories at the Katy Depot
Children who like ghost stories will also want to join in the fun at the Katy Depot in Frontier Park. Storytellers will be sharing spooky tales about witches, ghouls and ghosts. The cost of admission is one canned good per person. The food will be donated to a local food bank.October 23 - 24, 2009
St. Charles
Trick or Treat on Main
For a safe afternoon of trick-or-treating, bring your children to historic Main Street in St. Charles. Local businesses will be handing out candy to kids ages 12 and younger from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., on October 30. After trick-or-treating, kids are invited to the Halloween Children's Theater in Frontier Park.October 30, 2009
St. Charles
Halloween Spooktacular
Spend the night before Halloween with friendly ghosts and goblins at the Halloween Spooktacular in St. Charles. The free party for kids ages 3-12 and their families is sponsored by the St. Charles Parks Department. The event is from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Memorial Hall at Blanchette Park.October 30, 2009
St. Charles
Trick or Treat Street
The residents of the 5300 block of Nottingham Avenue in South St. Louis really know how to throw a Halloween Party. Each year they deck out their homes and pass out candy to thousands of kids and parents who descend on the neighborhood on Halloween night. The party on Trick or Treat Street runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.October 31, 2009
South St. Louis
