Are you ready for a weekend packed with Halloween fun? These costume-friendly, not-too-scary, family-friendly events and activities are happening across the St. Louis area from Friday, Oct. 21 to Sunday, Oct. 23. Grab your kids and get ready for some fall fun! Please note: Some events require registration.
The annual Purina Farms Haunted Hayloft is a St. Louis favorite and offers down-on-the-farm fun complete with animals, a costume contest, puppet shows, storytelling, trick-or-treating, pumpkin painting, canine performances, adoptable dogs, magic shows and more. Kids up to age 12 are invited to participate in the costume contest at the Incredible Dog Arena for a chance to win a $25 Purina Farms gift card! Call 314-982-3232 to make reservations. Bring a can of dog or cat food to donate to a local pet food pantry and get $1 off parking. And get your dog in on the Halloween fun at Purina Farms' Trunk or Treat for Kids and Dogs on Oct. 22. Admission is free; parking is $5 per car. Reservations are required.
More information: purinafarms.com
Dress up and trick or treat at everyone’s favorite house, The Magic House. Kids can collect autographs from 15 of their favorite storybook characters, from Alice in Wonderland to Harry Potter, Cinderella, Peter Pan and more as they trick or treat through four levels of Halloween fun. Kids will receive a trick-or-treat bag and an autograph book and can explore all the fun of The Magic House in their costumes. October 21-23 and 28-30 at the Magic House. Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Free with regular admission.
More information: magichouse.org
The Butterfly House becomes The BOOterfly House this October to celebrate all things creepy and crawly. Kids can spy on spectacular spiders, enjoy daily story times with Miss Muffet and see Live Carnivorous Plant feedings. Meet new frightful friends in the Scorpion's Lair, watch out for Botanicals Gone Mad in the Conservatory and spy on spectacular spiders with Little Miss Muffet! The BOOterfly House activities are happening during October (Tuesdays through Sundays) at The Butterfly House in Faust Park. All activities are included with admission. Story time with Miss Muffet happens daily at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Live Carnivorous Plant Feedings are held at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The Butterfly House is closed on Mondays. BOOterfly House activities will be held 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays through Oct. 31. More information: butterflyhouse.org
Create your own delicious fun and you could win a birthday party worth $275! Decorate a sweet or scary cupcake or cookie at Sweetology or in your own kitchen and enter our #Sweetscare decorating contest! See complete details here
Get into the Halloween spirit with some spooky fun and celebrate with the animals at Grant's Farm. Enjoy Halloween-themed shows, a DJ in the Bauernhof courtyard and dark Deer Park rides. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The parking lot opens at 5:45 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring flashlights to search for animals during the dark Deer Park rides. Parking is $20 per car. Walk-ups are $5 per person. More information: grantsfarm.com
This classic kiddie Halloween spectacular is a St. Louis classic. Visit the Zoo after dark to enjoy festive lights and mildly spooky scenes. Explore a straw maze, listen to fire side stories, make a craft and ride the “Scare-ou-sel.” Wander the Herpetarium at night to see the zoo’s resident creepy crawlies and check out the Children’s Zoo for live animal shows. And for some daytime Halloween fun at the Zoo, check out Boo at the Zoo Spooky Saturday. 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. nightly. For ages 2 to 12 in costume. Tickets are available on-site or in advance online. Cost is $6 for Zoo members, $7 for non-members, and free fir children under 2. $1 discount for kids ages 2-12 in costume.
More information: stlzoo.org
There is lots of ghoulish fun for all ages on hayrides through Eckert's haunted orchards. Hayrides happen on Friday and Saturday nights after the sun goes down at Eckert Farms in Millstadt. You can also ride the wagons during daytime hours out to the pumpkin patch to search for your great pumpkin, even one up to 150 pounds, at the Pumpkin Jamboree. There will be live music, pony rides, a petting farm, children’s activities, make-your-own scarecrow, funnel cakes and festival foods. At Eckerts Farms in Belleville, Millstadt and Grafton, Ill. More information: eckerts.com
Have fun at the first annual, not-so-scary Terror in Tower Grove Park Halloween festival for all ages. Enjoy live music, food trucks, candy for the kids, art projects by ArtScope, a costume contest, a Halloween movie, s'mores and lots more. The event is free but donations are accepted to support the park. 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
More information is available on the Tower Grove Park Facebook page.
Dress up your kids and your dog in Halloween costumes and take them to Manchester's non-scary, family friendly Halloween Festival in Schroeder Park. You'll enjoy games, pumpkins, face painting, hayrides and lots more. Concessions will be available for purchase. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $4 for residents and $5 for non-residents. Children under 2 are free. RSVP is required.
More information: manchester.mo.gov
Celebrate everything spooky at this family Halloween party packed with fun activities. There will be a costume contest with prizes for the winners, a rock wall, gigantic slide, food and refreshments, hayrides with storytelling, a DJ, games and more. 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Watson Trail Park. Admission is $5 per person; maximum of $20 per family.
More information: sunset-hills.com
Children will hear stories about autumn and pumpkins at this free story time at the Missouri History Museum. 10:30 a.m. Free.
More information: mohistory.org
Trick or treat through the Meadows of Lake Saint Louis while sipping hot chocolate. There will be pumpkin painting, face painting, live bluegrass music, balloon art, hayrides, and lots more. At the Meadows of Lake Saint Louis, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free.
More information: themeadowsatlsl.com
Your little bugaboos will be able to play games, create spook-tacular crafts and take home lots of loot after they visit the many hand-painted Treat Houses. Families can dance to Monster Jams at the Ugly Bug Ball or spy on the amazing Owl Butterfly, which are only active during dusk and dawn. Admission into the Butterfly House, activities, light refreshments, crafts, treats and goody bags are included in the event ticket price. Saturday and Sunday from 5 to 7 p.m. Registration is required. Cost is $14 per person for non-members; $12 for members and free for infants 12 months and younger.
More information and to register: butterflyhouse.org
Spend the evening enjoying a safe, indoor Halloween celebration for the whole family, including dinner, games, trick-or-treating and a hayride (weather permitting). The Health and Environmental Services Operations Building is located at 135 Ecology Drive. Sponsored by the city of St. Peters. 4 to 6 p.m. Tickets are $5 per person in advance and $8 at the door.
For more information and to register online: stpetersmo.net
Light Up the Fall with fireworks, face painters, live music and lots more at this community event open to all at Brentwood Park. There will be inflatables, crafts and games for kids too, and BBQ benefit for the Brentwood Police and Fire Departments. Light Up the Fall is from 4 to 8 p.m. and the BBQ benefit is from 3-8 p.m., both in Brentwood Park. Free. Sponsored by the Brentwood Parks and Recreation Department.
More information: brentwoodmo.org
Hear stories of the past that will haunt you as you tour the historic Daniel Boone Home and Heritage Center. As night descends, you'll walk the lantern-lit paths and explore a pioneer village where spirits lurk in the shadows. Recommended for children ages 7 and up. Tours begin at 6 p.m. and reservations are recommended. Admission is $6 in advance and $10 at the door. Children under 5 are free.
More information: danielboonehome.com For reservations, call 636-798-2005.
This special afternoon tea at the historic Hanley House will be full of ghoulish treats and spirited fun. For ages 4 and up. Cost is $10 for Clayton residents and $12 for non-residents. 4 p.m.
More information and to register: claytonmo.gov
Kids ages 8 to 14 can celebrate Halloween at the Farm at this spooktacular event at Willoughby Farm. They'll roast hot dogs and marshmallows over the fire, go on a haunted trail hike, tell ghost stories, enjoy a hayride and carve up some Halloween jack-o-lanterns. Be sure to wear costumes! 5 to 8 p.m. at Willoughby Farm in Collinsville. Cost is $10 for non-residents, $8 for residents. For ages 10 to 14. Reservations are requested.
More information: collinsvillerec.com
Kids ages 12 and under and families are invited to participate in the Trick or Treat Spooktacular at Taubman Prestige Outlets, complete with pumpkin carving and a special visit from Captain USA and Wonder Gal. Other activities include trick or treating at participating stores, balloon art, face painting, and free, reusable treat bags for the first 500 kids. Event check-in is located at the mall entrance near Brooks Brothers.
2 to 4 p.m. Free. At Taubman Prestige Outlets in Chesterfield Valley. More information: taubmanprestigeoutlets.com
The Boo Bash is Olivette's family Halloween party! You'll enjoy games, face painting, performers, dinner and a costume contest. Registration is required. Admission is $3 for kids 12 and under and $6 for adults. 5 to 8 p.m. in Warson Park. Click here to go to the registration page with the Olivette Parks & Rec Department.
Enjoy fun activities for the whole family on Sundays in October during Fall Into Science at the Saint Louis Science Center. Kids will love watching Science Goes Splat demonstrations with apples, pumpkins and squash, visitors will learn about dinosaurs (the original chickes), enjoy fantastic food samples (pumpkin ice cream and a caramel apple bar anyone?), a chili cook off, roasted corn, pumpkin pastries, beer and wine tasting for mom and dad, and fun fall activities for all ages. You'll learn what happens on the farm during harvest!
At Fall Into Science: The Great Pumpkin Fest, your kids will love Science Goes Squash: The Pumpkin Edition, there will be pumpkin ice cream samples (1-4 p.m.) pumpkin pastries all day, and a pumpkin seed demonstration at 2 p.m. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Saint Louis Science Center. Free.
More information: slsc.org
Your little bugaboos will be able to play games, create spook-tacular crafts and take home lots of loot after they visit the many hand-painted Treat Houses. Families can dance to Monster Jams at the Ugly Bug Ball or spy on the amazing Owl Butterfly, which are only active during dusk and dawn. Admission into the Butterfly House, activities, light refreshments, crafts, treats and goody bags are included in the event ticket price. Saturday and Sunday from 5 to 7 p.m. Registration is required. Cost is $14 per person for non-members; $12 for members and free for infants 12 months and younger.
More information and to register: butterflyhouse.org
Kids of all ages can help paint a frightfully fun keepsake canvas and then enjoy family-friendly dueling pianos! Kiddos can burn off some Halloween-inspired energy by dancing to their favorite songs. Noon to 5 p.m. at The Live Juke Joint in Maplewood. Reservations are preferred but not required. Learn more here
WILD Family Fun Days are bringing on the spooky family fun at the GPS Trick or Treat. Families will work together with a GPS unit to find trick or treat locations around the Babler Outdoor Education Center. There will be candy and prizes at each location. One GPS unit and instructions will be provided for each family so no previous experience is necessary. Wear your costumes and get ready for an adventure at this one-of-a-kind family event! 1 to 4 p.m. at Babler State Park in Wildwood. Registration is required.
More information and to register: prcommunityed.org
Come play at The Magic House for free during Emerson Free Family Night. Capacity is limited.
Come over to the dark side and meet the amazing birds that exist by moonlight. Owl Prowls are an opportunity for families to learn about owls from the naturalists at the World Bird Sanctuary.
Kids can work on existing gym skills, learn new skills or just play around during Open Gym at Miss Kelly's Gym in Creve Coeur.
This 7,000 square-foot makerspace is designed for kids to play, explore create and collaborate. Visitors have a chance to "paint" on the digital easel, use a pottery wheel to create a clay creation, design for a 3D printer, launch air rockets, build robots and circuits and more!
Storytelling in the Museum is an in-person storytelling event happening at 10:30 a.m. at the Missouri History Museum. This event, perfect for the preschool set, features engaging stories with themes like Grandparents Day, Hispanic Heritage Month, and mealtime. Storytelling in the Museum is free.