Best Halloween events for kids in New York City

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October 5–11 | October 12–18 | October 19-25 | October 26-29
Friday October 30 | Saturday October 31

October 19-25

Gravesend Inn
Thu Oct 22 1-5pm; Fri Oct 23 6-9pm; Sat Oct 24 1-5pm, 6-9pm; hours vary. Voorhees Theatre, 186 Jay St near Tillary St, Downtown Brooklyn (718-260-5588, gravesendinn.com). Subway: A, C to High St; 2, 3 to Clark St. $6, students $4.
Featuring the theatrical and construction skills of City Tech’s Theatreworks group plus high-tech wizardry, this haunted hotel in Downtown Brooklyn brings skeletons, talking paintings and gruesome body parts to life for visitors over three weekends. Ages 6 and up.••••

Boo at the Zoo
Sat Oct 24-Sun Oct 25. 10am-5:30pm. Admission rates vary. Visit bronxzoo.org for additional info.
Throughout October, you can bone up on everything from pumpkin carving to tracking down rare animal species at the Bronx Zoo. Weekend events also include magic shows, haunted hayrides, a puppet theater and even free admission for kids in wildlife costumes when accompanied by a paying adult. All ages. ••

Halloween in Richmond Town
Sat Oct 24-Sun Oct 25 11am–4pm. Historic Richmond Town, 441 Clarke Ave near Tysen Ct, Staten Island (718-351-1611, historicrichmondtown.org). Travel: From the Staten Island Ferry, take the S74 bus to St. Patricks Pl. Pumpkin picking: $5 per person, $16 for a family of four. "Scary Stories" $10, kids under 17 $8.
After dark, visitors to this restored 17th-century village can hear “Scary Stories”—true or almost true—exhumed from the darkest corners of the Staten Island Historical Society’s archives. The site also hosts pumpkin picking each weekend throughout October and a Halloween bash on the final Friday. Reservations required for "Scary Stories" at 7pm, aimed at ages 8 and up. All ages for other activities.••

Tompkins Square Dog Parade
Sat Oct 24 (rain date Sun Oct 25) noon–4pm. Tompkins Square Dog Run, Ave A at 9th St (firstrunfriends.org). Subway: L to First Ave. $5 (includes raffle ticket).
Billed as the “largest Halloween dog parade in the country,” this gathering of costumed canines attracts thousands of spectators each year. Dog owners enter their pets in a four-round costume competition to vie for iPods and other prizes. All ages.•

FREE Central Park Pumpkin Festival
Sat Oct 24 noon–5pm. Central Park, midpark at 72nd St (212-360-1311, nyc.gov/parks). Subway: C to 72nd St, 6 to 68th St–Hunter College.
Celebrating the harvest season, this fall fest features a scarecrow design competition, a haunted house, spooky storytelling, hayrides, live entertainment and a pumpkin giveaway. All ages. ••

Halloween at the A-scarium
Sat Oct 24-Oct 25 noon-4pm. $13, $9 kids 3-12, under 3 free.
Those sharks, whales, jellyfish and stingrays aren’t really that scary until you see them in a certain light—like at the New York Aquarium’s Halloween sea monster showcase. On dry land, find games, prizes, arts and crafts. Kids in wildlife costumes get in free with a paying adult. All ages. •••

Queens County Farm Museum
Haunted House
Sat Oct 24-Sun Oct 25 4–7pm. Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Pkwy near Hillside Ave, Floral Park, Queens (718-347-3276, queensfarm.org). Travel: E, F to Kew Gardens–Union Tpke; then take the Q46 bus to Little Neck Pkwy. $4, hayride $2.
On a site that dates back to 1697, plenty of restless spirits descend upon the haunted house for two weekends. Visitors can also enjoy hayrides, treats, mulled cider and farm-grown pumpkins. All ages.••

FREE Big Green Halloween
Sun Oct 25 11am–5pm. P.S. 166, 132 W 89th St between Columbus and Amsterdam Aves (917-301-8830, ps166.org). Subway: C, 1 to 86th St.
P.S. 166 hosts a festival and fund-raiser with an eco-friendly theme. Along with a costume contest and a haunted house, live entertainment such as contortionist Jared Rydelek and Magician Marco, games and raffles, you’ll find exhibits by green organizations such as Transportation Alternatives, a farmers’ market, and fresh local food offerings with biodegradable tableware and a compost bin for scraps. All ages. •

FREE Central Park Costume Parade and Pumpkin Sail
Sun Oct 25 3–6pm. Charles A. Dana Discovery Center, Central Park, enter park from Fifth Ave at 110th St (212-860-1370, centralparknyc.org). Subway: C to 110th St–Cathedral Pkwy; 2, 3 to 110th St–Central Park North; 6 to 110th St.
In addition to freaky tales, crafts and a costume parade at the witching hour of 5pm, this annual park fete features a flotilla of pumpkins skimming the Harlem Meer at twilight—bring your own jack-o’-lantern if you want to participate in the sail. All ages.••

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