Halloween Weekend Events for NJ Kids Oct. 31-Nov 1: Halloween, Day of the Dead and More!

Happy Halloween!  There is plenty to do this weekend besides trick or treating!   There are last minute costume making sessions, live bat presentations, and old fashioned Halloween celebrations.  Once Halloween is over, there is still reason to celebrate with the Day of the Dead, a "retired jack-o-lantern" sail, laser shows, and a fabulous craft festival.
 
HALLOWEEN: SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31

Cardboard Creature Costumes at Montclair Art Museum (Montclair)
No costume?  No problem!  From 1pm to 4pm the Montclair Art Museum provides you with all the supplies you need to make a fabulous last minute cardboard costume.    Bring extra cardboard!  This event is $25 per non-member family. Space is limited—Advance registration encouraged online under Art School or call (973) 746-5555, ext. 239.
 
Go Batty at Libery Science Center (Jersey City)
Learn all about bats on Halloween at Liberty Science Center.  Presentations with live bats are at 12:45 and 1:45.  Afterwards kids can get their faces painted by Army experts.  And there are plenty of other exhibits to explore. FREE with paid admission.

Historic Halloween at Historic Speedwell (Morristown)
Fosterfields Living Historical Farm (Morris Township)
Cooper Grist Mill (Chester Township)
These three historic venues in Morris County Parks all celebrate Halloween the old fashioned way!  Historic Speedwell will present old ghost stories, games, and prizes for all winners in an old-fashioned costume contest (10am to 4pm/$4 adults, $2 children.)  Fosterfields Living Historical Farm's afternoon celebration includes old-fashioned Halloween games, a scavenger hunt, special dance songs, holiday cookie decorating, and more (1pm to 3:30pm/ FREE with admission).  Finally, at Cooper Gristmill there will be a fun filled afternoon of spooky stories, make your own corn husk dolls, crayon-color pumpkins, and old-time games (1pm to 3:30pm/FREE).

And don't forget these additional fun Halloween Day happenings!
 

POST-HALLOWEEN: SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1

Day of the Dead at the Arts Council of Princeton (Princeton)
Celebrate El Dia de los Muertos with art, storytelling, food and music at the Solley Theater.  This FREE event takes place from 3pm to 5pm.

The Great Pumpkin Sail at Echo Lake Park (Mountainside)
Need a good use for your jack-o-lantern after Halloween?  How about using it to decorate Echo Lake?  There are three jack-o-lantern launching sessions starting at 5:15pm and ending at 9:30. 
You must buy tickets in person in advance at Trailside Nature Center.  Then just show up with your pumpkin - the park provides candles, hot chocolate and marshmallows, and campfire entertainment. In-County: $6 per family of four, $1 each additional person.  Out-of-County: $12 per family of four, $2 each additional person.

Laser Shows at Rariton Valley Planetarium (Branchburg)
For some post-Halloween entertainment you can enjoy themed laser shows.  At 2pm and 4pm, kids can enjoy The Skies over Hogwarts which highlights the astronomy themes in the Harry Potter series.  At 3pm the planetarium rocks with a Halloween Laser Concert featuring songs like Thriller by Michael Jackson. Call 908-231-8805 for reservation. $6 for one show, $11 for two shows on the same day.

Sugarloaf Crafts Festival (Somerset)
It may be hard to drag the kids to one of the finest designer craft festivals on Halloween Day, but once off their sugar high, the kids are sure to enjoy the craft demonstrations and the special puppet shows just for kids. 10am-5pm. Adults $8, Children under 12 FREE.

NOTE: Many outdoor events offer rain dates.  Please visit websites or contact locations prior to heading out.