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kids on halloween
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How to have a fun Halloween with kids in NYC

Enjoy frightening family fun at these events for Halloween with kids in NYC

Shaye Weaver
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Shaye Weaver
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For many people, some of the best things about fall in NYC are pumpkin spice everything, nearby leaf-peeping, apple-picking and other autumnal activities. But for a ghastly segment of the population, fall is all about Halloween. If your little ones turn into ghostly ghouls (the nice kind of course) at the first hint of fall, NYC has plenty of spooky activities to embrace the spirit of the season. Halloween with kids in NYC can be a family-friendly affair, with just enough scares to keep them on their toes. From costume contests and pumpkin carving sessions to trick or treating and spooky story times, there are plenty of kid-friendly Halloween activities around the city. Even the most haunted of haunted houses tone things down for the sake of the young ones. So gather up the frightful little folks and check out these Halloween events for kids (or just settle in with a scary movie for kids at home).

Halloween for kids in NYC

  • Things to do

Pumpkin picking in and near New York City is at its peak, finally, and so it is time to pack up your family and head out on the road to get your gourds. Not only are these farms great places to find your perfect carving pumpkin, they offer plenty of other fall activities such as corn mazes, tractor rides and more!

This family-friendly event in Central Park features music, magic, and lots of entertainment leading up to the main event: a fabulous pumpkin flotilla on the Harlem Meer. Kids can drop off a carved pumpkin before heading to the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center picnic area to enjoy spooky stories, a magic show and trick-or-treat bag decorating. Then, the flotilla commences with festive tunes to serenade the jack-o’-lanterns as they float by.

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The New York Public Library is offering loads of Halloween-themed activities for kids of all ages, from matinee horror movies and Halloween book clubs to crafting sessions featuring mask-making, spooky lanterns, tube monsters and paper plate spiders.

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Luna Park at Coney Island transforms into a haunted wonderland for Halloween. Kids of all ages will enjoy thrilling rides and eerie entertainment, plus Halloween activities including pumpkin decorating, balloon twisting, face painting, tractor racing and trick-or treating. The Harvest will also feature fall-flavored food items like pumpkin spice funnel cakes, pumpkin spice gelato and Halloween-themed cotton candy.

  • Things to do
  • City Life

Revel in the Halloween fun amongst the animals at the Bronx Zoo with magic shows, pumpkin carving demonstrations, mind reading and trips through a spooky extinct animal graveyard. Each day, animal-themed costumed stilt walkers and Halloween animal puppets will put on a "MASKerade" while the Wildlife Theater will pull out all the stops with performances in Astor Court. Advanced tickets are required before attending and reentry is not permitted.

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The East Midtown Partnership is once again hosting "Trick-or-Treat with East Midtown" where businesses in the district will welcome trick-or-treaters and their families on Monday, October 31, between 3-7pm. Trick-or-treaters can visit any participating business on the map to collect their first treat and a trick-or-treat bag. It's free!

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