October is a very busy month for many reasons but, Halloween is one of my favorites. I love that it encompasses so much more than just trick-or-treating. There are so many Halloween activities in and around the Chicago, Illinois area to keep you and your family busy.
Family Friendly Halloween Activities in Chicago
This list is full of fun things your whole family will enjoy. We love sharing family friendly activities with you, and around our own favorite city is even better. These are all within an easy drive of Chicago or in the city proper. They are perfect for adding to any Midwest Travel you have planned if you aren’t already in the area.
Pumpkin Patches
Before all of the Halloween Events start taking place, I make it a point to head out to the pumpkin patch to get our pumpkins. This right here is probably my favorite Halloween activity to do with my kids. I love all the memories we make.
You may need to travel a bit out of the Chicago area to get to a pumpkin patch but, it is well worth the trip. When you get home with your pumpkins, make sure to grab a fun pumpkin carving kit to make unique looks to display!
Halloween at the Zoo
Spooky Zoo Spectacular is a free family friendly event held at Lincoln Park Zoo. Your kids are welcome to dress up and enjoy safe trick-or-treating, listen to music, make a craft project or two and even check out the haunted house. For some costume ideas, check out our easy to make Halloween costume ideas.
Halloween at Navy Pier
Navy Pier probably has one of the largest Halloween events in the area. Come boasting your costume and be ready for several free activities, trick-or-treating, costume contest and of course Fireworks.
Clark Street Spooktacular
The Clark Street Spooktacular is also a free family friendly Halloween event. Here you will find street magicians, jugglers, balloon artists and more. Plus, you can enter to win the costume contest.
Night of 1,000 Jack-O-Lanterns
Night of 1,000 Jack-O-Lanterns takes place in the Chicago Botanical Gardens. Be sure to buy your tickets early. You can do that by clicking here.
Northalsted Parade
The Northalsted Parade is the perfect family Halloween activity. In past years they have had balloon artists, games, trick-or-treating, street magicians, jugglers, and costume contests along with the parade. So many things to see and do. Be sure to check the website for this years details.
Corn Mazes
There are a number of local corn mazes available in the Chicago area. This is one of my kid’s favorite things to do during the Halloween season. I love that this is something pretty low key to do but, we always have a lot of fun.
The Halloween Gathering Festival and Parade
Grant Park and Millennium Park host this daytime festival. The Halloween Gathering Festival and Parade offers mask making, ghost stories, interactive activities and face painting. This awesome daytime festival is followed by an evening parade so be sure to hang around for a while.
Haunted Houses
There are many kid friendly haunted houses around the Chicago area as well. While some are scarier than others, there is bound to be one the whole family can settle on.
Adults Only Halloween Events
Navy Pier
While Navy Pier hosts a family friendly Halloween Event, some of the activities become 21+ later in the evening along with a few other things to do.
Other events
There are many other adults only Halloween Events in the Chicago area. You can find a list of them here. When planning for Halloween events, check out the details of the local calendar to find even more localized things like neighborhood trunk or treats, hayrides, and trick or treat events at recreation centers and churches.
This list of great family friendly Halloween activities is going to totally change your plans for this fall. Enjoy this fun time to dress up with your family and grabbing candy with the kids in and around Chicago!
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