Though Halloween may not be until the end of the month, many Long Islanders have already begun getting into the spirit of the holiday. From haunted houses to spook walks, the list of events and activities that will give even the bravest individuals a true fright is long and varied. While these attractions are great for teenagers and adults, there are certainly plenty of events that are geared for children as well.
Whether you are looking to bring your child to a Halloween parade, safe trick or treating event, or a mild spook walk, there are an abundance of options to share in the spirit of the holiday. With some events already occurring and others lasting until the first week of November, now is the perfect time to prepare costumes and get ready to be spooked!
So grab your mask and trick or treat pail and head to one of the following prime destinations for child-friendly Halloween fun!
Pumpkin Carving Contest at Hick's Nurseries
100 Jericho Turnpike, Westbury, NY 11590
Saturday, October 11th from 3-4 PM
Bring your carved and decorated pumpkins to Hicks for their 4th annual pumpkin contest!
Fall Festival at Deepwells
Deepwells Farm County Park, St. James, NY 11780
Saturday, October 11th and Sunday, October 12th from 10 AM – 5 PM
Hay jumps, pony rides, craft vendors, and a large pumpkin patch are just some of the draws of this year's Fall Festival at Deepwells Farm County Park.
Free Scarecrow Trail at Caleb Smith State Park Preserve
Jericho Turnpike- Route 25 West, Smithtown, NY, 11797
Saturday, October 11th through Friday, October 17th from 9 AM – 4 PM
Decorate scarecrow frames and have them displayed on the park trails during Caleb Smih State Park Preserve's Third Annual Scarecrow Trail. Call 631-265-1054 for registration.
Scary Scarecrow at Longwood Estates Park
Longwood and Smith Roads, Ridge, NY 11961
Friday, October 17th from 10-11 AM
Barnyard activities and crafts for children 2-4 years old.
The Not So Spooky Halloween Spook-Tacular
Vail-Leavitt Music Hall, 18 Peconic Avenue, Riverhead, NY 11901
Sunday, October 19th begins at 11AM
Come out and watch the magical wizard Mr. E and Madame Rugossa save all of the world’s Halloween candy from being destroyed by Witchy Mc Cobwebs!
Halloween in the Plaza
Kennedy Plaza (1 West Chester Street), Long Beach, NY 11561
Saturday, October 25th from 10 AM – 4 PM
Trick or treating, live music, and a hula hoop contest will all be held in front of City Hall in Long Beach!
Haunted Barn Yard
Longwood Estate, Ridge, NY 11961
Saturday, October 25th from 11 AM – 3 PM
A spooky walk through Longwood Estate's haunted barn yard.
Village of Islandia's 9th Annual Pumpkin Fest
Islandia Village Hall (1100 Old Nichols Road), Islandia, NY 11749
Saturday, October 25th from 12-3 PM
The whole family is invited to come down and pick some pumpkins!
Nature's Halloween Trail at Mashomack Preserve
79 South Ferry Road- Route 114, Shelter Island, NY 11964
Saturday, October 25th from 5-6:30 PM
A spooky trail populated by costumed actors and lighthearted scares for children.
Ghostly Gala at Long Island Children's Museum
11 Davis Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530
Saturday, October 25th from 6-9 PM
A live event for children involving trick or treating, face painting, and crafts.
4th Annual Ronkonkoma Chamber Halloween Pet Parade
601 Portion Road, Ronkonkoma, NY 11779
Sunday, October 26th
Bring your pets to the Pet Supplies Plus' parking lot for a family-friendly pet parade and animal showcase.
The Not-So-Spooky Halloween Spooktacular presented by Stage Light Entertainment
Y Boulton Center, 37 West Main Street, Bay Shore, NY 11706
Sunday, October 26th begins at 11AM
The kids will love this live Halloween variety show that mixes puppetry, live action, comedy and magical spookiness.
Pumpkin Festival at Bailey Arboretum
194 Bayville Road, Lattingtown, NY 11560
Sunday, October 26th at 12 PM
A seasonal pumpkin festival held on the grounds of Bailey's Arboretum!
Not So Spooky Walk
(Clark Botanic Garden) 193 I. U. Willets Path, Albertson, NY 11507
Sunday, October 26th from 12-4 PM
With a toned-down atmosphere consisting of fun music and games, this version of the Spooky Walk is perfect for younger children.
Haunted Wail-ing Museum and Festival
Whaling Museum and Education Center, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724
Sunday, October 26th from 12-4 PM
A family-friendly event centered on pumpkin picking, arts and crafts, and slime brewing.
Halloween Parade at Brady Park
Brady Park, Massapequa Park, NY 11726
Sunday, October 26th at 12 PM
Halloween parade and costume contest at Brady Park in Massapequa Park.
Halloween Hayride in Northport Village Park
Northport Village Park (Main Street), Northport, NY 11768
Sunday, October 26th from 1-4 PM
Live music, hay rides, pumpkins, and a costume contest in Northport Village.
Southampton Ragamuffin Parade
Agawam Park, Southampton, NY 11968
Sunday, October 26th at 1 PM
A Halloween parade beginning at Agawam Park, moving through Main Street, and circling back to the park.
Children's Halloween Parade
Pulaski Street to Glen Street, Glen Cove, NY 11542
Sunday, October 26th at 1 PM
A Halloween parade created just for children held in downtown Glen Cove.
Pumpkin Trail in Southampton
Business District, Southampton, NY 11968
Sunday, October 26th from 1-2 PM
Safe trick or treating from local shops in Southampton's business district.
Halloween Party to Protect Children
Crest Hollow Country Club (8325 Jericho Turnpike), Woodbury, NY 11797
Sunday, October 26th from 2-5 PM
An afternoon of carnival games and kid-friendly fun benefiting the extensive work of EAC Network's Protecting Children Programs.
Halloween Craft and Parade at Westbury Library
445 Jefferson Street, Westbury, NY 11590
Monday, October 27th at 3:30 PM
Trick or treating and a Halloween celebration for children in pre-K – 6th grade.
Edgar Allan Poe Festival
Downtown Riverhead, Riverhead, NY 11901
Friday, October 31st through Sunday, November 2nd
A celebration of the life and work of the legendary Edgar Allan Poe with haunted boat rides, film screenings, musical parties, street performers, and much more.
Trick or Treat at the Heckscher Museum of Art
2 Prime Avenue, Huntington, NY 11743
Friday, October 31st from 10 AM – 5 PM
Art activities and games await children who visit the Heckscher Museum of Art on Halloween! Costumes strongly encouraged!
Halloween Main Street Trick or Treat
Main Street, Westhampton Beach, NY 11978
Friday, October 31st from 3-5 PM
Safe trick or treating for children will be held on Halloween between Mill Road and Mitchell Road in Westhampton Beach.
Westhampton Beach Halloween Parade
Westhampton Beach Elementary School (379 Mill Road), Westhampton Beach, NY 11978
Friday, October 31st at 3:30 PM
A Halloween parade between Westhampton Beach Elementary School and The Village Green.
Halloween Spooky Hayrides at Benner's Farm
56 Gnarled Hollow Road, Setauket, NY 11733
Friday, October 31st from 5-8 PM
Spooky hayrides and treats on Halloween for children of all ages!
Ragamuffin Halloween Parade at American Legion Hall – Williston Park
730 Willis Avenue, Williston Park, NY 11596
Friday, October 31st at 6 PM
A Halloween parade taking place between Willis Avenue and village hall in Williston Park.
Dare to be Scared
Longwood Estate, Ridge, NY 11961
Friday, October 31st at 6 PM
Children in grades 5 and up should check out Longwood Estate's spooky walk centered around ghost stories and chilling mysteries.
Spooky Walk at Quogue Wildlife Refuge
3 Old Country Road, Quogue, NY 11942
Friday, October 31st from 6:30-9 PM
Guided spook walks to get into the Halloween spirit. Geared for children 7 and up.
Know of any other great Halloween events for children?
Let Us Know In The Comments Below!
Photo by kasiakay, via Free Images.