If you think Halloween town and library programs are only about storytime and paper pumpkins, think again! Many towns in Westchester offer standout events that are frightfully fun—not to mention the parades, parties, and more free activities for families who love Halloween. 

Below we’ve listed two dozen places with fun Halloween programs. Best of all—they’re all FREE! (And, OK, there are storytimes and crafts, but we do like those, too.) 

Read on for our top picks, and then continue on to our Event Calendar for many more fun October happenings.

When two fantastic worlds collide, something great happens. Last year, the charming Irvine-based Tanaka Farms and Sanrio, the global brand known for creating pop icons such as Hello Kitty and her friends Keroppi, Chococat, My Melody, and Pochacco, launched a collaboration to celebrate all things healthy and cute — and the result is nothing short of magical. 

Think your kid isn't old enough to appreciate the Museum of Fine Arts? Winnie-the-Pooh: Exploring a Classic, will change your mind. This interactive exhibit, featuring the "hunny"-loving bear Pooh, encourages your kiddos to not only look, but to actually touch and play, as they're immersed in the world of Christopher Robin and all of his friends in the Hundred Acre Woods. As Pooh would say, "it's no bother" to bring littles; and as I discovered on a recent visit with my own kids, it is in fact a sweet and super-entertaining outing for the whole family.

Just when you thought a visit to Hersheypark couldn't get any more tempting, the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, amusement park announced a sweet surprise for fans of its chocolate emporium. It's adding a Chocolatetown, an all-new section of the theme park that will connect Hersheypark and Hershey's Chocolate World, opening in the summer of 2020. Expect a major new roller coaster, and yes, plenty of chocolate, including new dessert spots.

The expansion will further the vision of Milton S. Hershey, a real-life Willy Wonka, who brought his sweet dream to life in 1907 when he built the 121-acre amusement park as a perk for his chocolate factory workers and their families.

Picking a preschool or elementary school is a big decision, so when we hear about a one-of-a-kind option like The School in Rose Valley, we're eager to get the scoop (and share the details, of course). Nestled away in the woods, this progressive preschool through 6th grade program pairs organic gardening, fort building, and chicken coop tending with a challenging core curriculum that includes literacy, math, science, social studies, Spanish, woodshop, art, and music. Plus, the beautiful, sprawling campus is just a short drive from Philly.

We spoke with the Head of School, Rod Stanton, to learn a little more about the oh-so-unique program. Read on to find out if The School in Rose Valley might be just the right fit for your family, and save the date for the upcoming Fall Family Open House & Children's Book Fair on Saturday, November 3.

There are so many great things to do and see with kids in NYC, from museums to zoos to destination playgrounds, it's hard to narrow down to a reasonably sized list. But knowing what NYC families like doing best in their own hometown is a solid place to start if you're planning a visit! 

As veteran New Yorkers, my family has their own list of absolute must-see and must-visit spots around the city. Some are off the beaten path, and some might be considered a bit touristy, but all of them are places we love—and love experiencing with visitors, in particular. Whether you're visiting NYC with kids for the first time or the fiftieth time, here is a list of some of the best places to go right now, as recommended by parents who live here.

Find more top sights in our NYC Visitors Guide for Families.

With so many Halloween happenings in Westchester and the Hudson Valley, it can be hard to narrow down the choices. While many events are clearly geared toward older kids, the Halloween Train Show at Lasdon Park in Katonah is perfect for preschoolers, younger elementary kids or anyone who falls on the lower end of the scare-o-meter. 

The 2018 show is open on Saturdays and Sundays throughout October, plus Monday, October 8, and we have the scoop on what you need to know! Looking for more spooktacular things to do? Consult our Halloween Guide and sign up for our newsletters.