The best family-friendly Halloween events in Miami 2017

Frost Science invites you and your family to the museum on October 28 to dress up for its Science Monster Mash. The kids can enjoy some creepy science experiments and a first look at the new exhibition, “Monster Fish: In Search of the Last River Giants.”

Part orchestra performance, part murder mystery—the Composer is Dead offers some family-friendly Halloween entertainment. The show is a tongue-in-cheek performance that blends theater with live music from the orchestra in a decidedly un-stuffy environment. 

Combine a day at the zoo with an evening of trick or treating at Zoo Miami’s annual Zoo Boo. For two days, families with kids 12 or younger get access to Zoo Miami’s Halloween events, which range from costume contests and special performances to games.

Your little one afraid of the dark? Must the closet remain closed at all times? Well the Miami Children’s Museum has the party for you. Its Not So Scary Halloween Bash lets kids trick or treat around the Museum’s galleries, participate in interactive crafts and decorate their own pumpkins. There’s even a new toddler area for the really little ones.   

This annual gathering of spooky four-legged friends is for a good cause. Even if the trick or treating, doggy costume contest, raffles and food aren’t enough to get you out the door, the fact that proceeds go to animal rescue organization Paws 4 You should. 

Is your little one more into sweets than scares? Take your costumed kiddo to Gulfstream Park, where the sprawling grounds morph into a trick-or-treater’s paradise with magic shows, face painting and plenty of sugary treats. 

Visit the creepy graves of Miami’s most notable figures, including the city’s first mayor, the Burdine family and Julia Tuttle—all of which have been laid to rest in the historic Miami Cemetery. Dr. George leads two walks (5:30pm and 8pm), though it’s recommended kiddos join early.

Does it get any more adorable than a parade of spooky little kids in their Halloween costumes? Maybe puppies riding ponies? But since that’ll require more time and effort than you have, head down to Lummus Park for the Little Lighthouse Foundation’s annual Children’s Halloween Parade. And, yes, you can trick or treat along the parade route.

Before you stuff yourself with every candy known to mankind, burn some calories at this costumed half marathon. The race starts in the Parrot Jungle parking garage and hits some of Miami Beach’s most beautiful sights along the way—Ocean Drive, Lincoln Road, South Pointe Park and more. Afterward, there’ll be a post-race party at Nikki Beach.