Halloween

Haunted Houses and Not-Too-Spooky Halloween Walks for NYC Kids

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 10/15/2019 - 4:00pm

Looking for a not-too-scary Halloween fright for the kids? A tricked-out haunted house or slightly spooky Halloween trail just might be the right kind of boo for you.

Haunted houses long have been a popular suburban Halloween staple—Long Island and Westchester have dozens. And while NYC has several spooky haunted houses of its own, including Blood Manor, most are definitely grown-ups only. There are, however, a handful of haunted houses in New York City that offer gentler Halloween chills for families.

You're sure to find spooky, family-friendly attractions at pretty much every Halloween festival and fall fair. But we're skipping those to tell you about the best of the city's more elaborate and kid-friendly haunted houses and other Halloween attractions for kids this year. Read on for the scoop—and heed the age warnings. While grade-school kids can attend most of these, not all are suitable for preschoolers.

Easy Halloween Treats for Kids and Classroom Parties

Submitted by Ally Noel on Mon, 10/14/2019 - 11:12am

Candy bars aren't the only Halloween treats to hand out this October 31. School kids across the country are getting ready to celebrate with Halloween parades and classroom parties, meaning you might be on the hook for homemade Halloween treats.

But there's no need to fear the sign-up email headed your way. I've planned more than a few Halloween parties and have put together a list of easy Halloween treats to help parents skip the last-minute scramble. These tried-and-true spooky snacks transform pretzel sticks into ghouls, mandarins into pumpkins, and make enough Monster Mash Brownies that will turn the entire class into sugar monsters.

Best Trick-or-Treating Spots around Boston

Submitted by Kelley Heyworth on Sun, 10/13/2019 - 7:30pm

Ask a family what their favorite trick-or-treating spot is, and it's likely to be their own neighborhood. It's always fun to see familiar houses lit up with spooky decorations or the sweet old lady from down the street answer the door with a witch's hat and cackle. But sometimes, kids—and adventurous parents—are looking for an exciting alternative to their usual route. In that case, you might consider bringing your loot bags and Unicef boxes to one of the following Boston-area neighborhoods, where residents really take Halloween festivities to the next level. (If you're looking for more spooky fun before the big day, check out these haunted attractions—if you dare!)

Best Places To Trick-or-Treat in New Jersey

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Sun, 10/13/2019 - 1:00pm

If you're looking to up your Halloween game this year, we've got the scoop on the best places to trick-or-treat throughout New Jersey. These Halloween-obsessed towns and neighborhoods deck out their homes every year with fabulous decorations that delight trick-or-treaters big and small. Others turn their streets into festive Halloween block parties.

Where can you join in the fun near your home? We’ve compiled a list of more than 30 NJ towns and neighborhoods that are worth a visit. Those who make the trip can expect lots of treats—not to mention some prime photo ops.

Find more fun in our New Jersey Halloween Guide, including pumpkin patches and the best FREE Halloween events for local kids.

Best Places To Trick-or-Treat in and Near Westchester

Submitted by Lisa Johnston on Sun, 10/13/2019 - 1:00pm

All kids deserve a safe and treat-filled Halloween, so we've rounded up some family-friendly areas and events where little goblins and ghouls can trick-or-treat to their hearts' content.

Whether you're looking for an alternative to your neighborhood or you want to add another stop to your trick-or-treating route, check out our picks, including Cross County's Halloween Spooktacular and the best neighborhood for trick-or-treating in the whole state (right here in Westchester)!

Find more Halloween happenings in our Halloween Fun Guide and Event Calendar. And don't forget to follow us on Facebook!

Halloween Events Where Kids Can Trick-or-Treat in Connecticut

Submitted by Elizabeth Howard on Sun, 10/13/2019 - 11:00am

Where is the best spot to trick-or-treat in Connecticut? That's a tricky one! But we can certainly point you in some fun directions full of treats! To pair with our county-by-county list of great trick-or-treating neighborhoods where lots of costumed kids flock on October 31st, we've assembled a list of community-sponsored trick-or-treating events where kids will be assured plenty of candy and camaraderie.

For more seasonal fun, check out our jam-packed Halloween Guide. Many stores in local towns and villages will likely will be handing out candy in the afternoon on October 31, but as a general rule, trick-or-treating starts at dusk.

Best Neighborhoods to Trick-or-Treat for Philadelphia Kids

Submitted by Cait Sumner on Sun, 10/13/2019 - 9:06am

Once again (and to no surprise to any of us who live here) Zillow's annual list of best cities for trick-or-treating has named Philly among the top five. If the kids are looking to score a ton of candy for Halloween this year, it looks like they're in luck. Usually the best way to find a great neighborhood for trick-or-treating is to head out and look for lights and decorations, but if you don't have the time (or the energy) to drive around in the dark, we've got you covered. We've talked to local parents and candy-givers alike, and gathered up the best of the best neighborhoods for getting some sweet treats.

Read below to see if your neighborhood made the cut. For those who were not born and raised here, the question of "when is Halloween celebrated?" is always answered with "on Halloween!" Which is to say, we trick or treat on October 31 even if it is a school night, but there are also great ways to celebrate throughout the month of October if you want to make sure you maximize your ROI on those costumes, including found plenty of free Halloween events—not to mention a few amusement park haunts.

Best Places to Trick-or-Treat on Halloween with NYC Kids

Submitted by Anna Fader on Sun, 10/13/2019 - 9:00am

One of my favorite childhood memories from growing up in NYC was Halloween in Greenwich Village. Back then, the Village Halloween Parade was just a couple hundred artists and others who marched through the neighborhood. Afterward, we would trick-or-treat up and down the brownstone blocks. Everyone was friendly, and we would come home with our shopping bags completely filled. It was magical.

Although the parade and Greenwich Village have changed a lot since then, your kids can still enjoy that kind of thrilling trick-or-treat experience in many New York City neighborhoods. Which neighborhood is the best for Halloween trick-or-treating depends on who you ask. New Yorkers love to bicker over the best coffee shops, the best (and worst) train lines, and yes, the best places to take their kids on Halloween. We also love to find that secret gem.

So we asked our astute readers and collected recommendations from our parent-driven NYC staff over many, many years to bring you a list of our favorite trick-or-treating spots so you'll know where to bring your kids this October 31.

Join one of the local Halloween parades and then go trick-or-treating throughout the community with local families. Or hit one of the neighborhoods or streets listed below: We have a slew of spots to try in all five boroughs. For more seasonal fun, check out our jam-packed Halloween Guide, showcasing FREE events, haunted houses, pumpkin patches, and more.