The top 10 spooky things to do with the kids in NYC this month

Most NYC kids start thinking about their Halloween costumes long before October 31st—after all, it's probably the most important outfit decision they'll make all year! Whether your youngsters have something cute, silly or scary in mind, these are the Halloween costume stores NYC kids should hit up to turn their visions into reality. There are plenty of Halloween costumes for kids and accessories to choose from, plus makeup to do some awesome Halloween face paint. 

When the fall foliage starts to appear in NYC parks and chatter of this year's Halloween costumes begins in your household, you know autumn has arrived! That means it's time for some essential fall festivities, and one of our favorites is scouring pumpkin patches for the perfect would-be jack-o'-lantern. These scenic local farms have some of the best pumpkin picking NYC has to offer, plus they keep your clan entertained with corn mazes, hayrides and more fun activities.

Just because we live in a concerete jungle, doesn't mean our little ones have to miss out on essential autumn activities! When the fall foliage starts turning red and orange, track down these corn mazes NYC kids will love—if they can navigate the subway, they should be able to find their way out of these stalks! While you're at it, let little ones go pumpkin picking in the farm's patches, apple picking in the best local orchards and make sure to stop by for seasonal harvest festivals for the whole family.

Many of the best Halloween events for kids in NYC offer spooky story times to get families in the spirit, but spine-tingling tales are best told right before bedtime! Stock up on these Halloween books for kids at home and read them together before lights-out—our top 10 picks include tot-friendly reads that aren't too scary, as well as a few that might even give a few grown-ups nightmares!

Stock up on ghoulish getups at your favorite Halloween costume stores and get ready to party! There are tons of fun-filled Halloween festivals for kids in NYC to help you celebrate the most haunted holiday. Your family will love getting dressed up for these Halloween events for kids, where they can pick pumpkins, see live performances and get a head start on trick-or-treating.

When your little goblins are putting on their ghoulish getups before heading out to trick-or-treat, they'll need some tunes to get them in the spirit! Throw on this amazing playlist of the 15 best Halloween songs for kids and start doing the zombie walk to party tracks like "Monster Mash," classics from your favorite rock bands or music from the soundtracks of great Halloween movies for kids.

We love scouring Halloween costume stores in NYC, looking for the coolest new ensembles for the kids to wear trick-or-treating—but sometimes those store-bought outfits leave something to be desired. Take any costume from boring to bewitching with these awesome Halloween face-paint designs, created by artist Derrick Little. The delightfully spooky DIY looks take ten minutes or less!

If eerie haunted houses and winding corn mazes aren't enough to get your little ones in the spirit for the spookiest holiday of the year, our all-time favorite Halloween movies for kids are sure to do the trick. From animated favorites like The Nightmare Before Christmas to live-action classics like Ghostbusters, these kids' movies provide just the right amount of chills and thrills—just be sure to use your own judgement, as a few choices could give some tots nightmares! 

Halloween parades for kids are the best! The little ones get to dress up in the best halloween costumes (which makes every Halloween event much, much more entertaining), try spooky activites and you get a great excuse to explore your city.

There are tons of Halloween events for kids in NYC that are more sweet than scary, but older kids who enjoy the holiday for all the freaky costumes and stories might want to be spooked a bit! Let little daredevils brave haunted houses that strike the perfect balance between creepy and kid-friendly, then set out beneath the fall foliage to wander ghostly paths through NYC parks on guided walks. You'll be surprised at how many spirits are lurking right in NYC!