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Not-S0-Scary Halloween Events in Chicago for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Toddlers will love Pumpkin Party. Photo courtesy of Gallagher Way
Toddlers will love Pumpkin Party. Photo courtesy of Gallagher Way
10/13/23 - By Maureen Wilkey

Halloween events in Chicago can be scary! Luckily, there are plenty of Halloween events for toddlers and preschoolers so that the littlest pumpkins can get their treats without all the tricks. We've rounded up more than 30 parties, concerts, storytimes, pumpkin patches, and trick-or-treating Halloween events in Chicago for toddlers and preschoolers to enjoy.

Toddlers and preschoolers can enjoy Halloween events in Chicago during the daylight hours at one of the many trunk-or-treats throughout the Chicago area. Looking for recommendations on where to get a pumpkin, how to dress up, where to trick-or-treat and more? Check out our Chicago Halloween Fun Guide.

Here is our list of top Halloween events in Chicago for toddlers and preschoolers in 2023!

Spooky Zoo is not actually that spooky, don't worry! Photo courtesy of the Lincoln Park Zoo
Spooky Zoo is not actually that spooky, don't worry! Photo courtesy of the Lincoln Park Zoo

Top Halloween Events in Chicago for Toddlers and Preschoolers 2023

Halloween Happening

Friday, October 13, 2023—Wheaton
At Wheaton's annual Halloween party, kids and their grown-ups enjoy crafts, games, and more. A Touch-A-Truck event, trick or treat trail, bounce house, concession stand, and airbrush tattoos add to the fun for a small fee. READ MORE

Fall Family Fun Fest at Oakbrook Center

Saturday, October 14, 2023—Oak Brook
Celebrate fall and Halloween at Oakbrook Center with family fun activities including a face painter, balloon artist, and a one-of-a-kind pumpkin house photo background. The Hocus Pocus sisters will be on hand for a meet and greet. READ MORE

Pumpkins in the Woods

Friday, October 20, 2023—Winnetka
Hubbard Woods is transformed into a magical pumpkin patch where kids can decorate pumpkins, play carnival games, bounce through inflatables, listen to music from a DJ, and participate in a costume contest. The whole family can enjoy this Halloween event. READ MORE

Buffalo Grove Trick or Treat Trail

Friday, October 20, 2023—Buffalo Grove
Trick-or-treat from costumed characters along an inside trail at the Buffalo Grove Community Arts Center. The event is a no-scare zone and includes games and entertainment. Kids will receive a bag full of treats and trinkets and must be accompanied by an unpaid adult. READ MORE

Wondereen Weekend

Friday, October 20- Sunday, October 22, 2023—Oak Park
Wonder Works Children's Museum in Oak Park transforms into a slightly spooky wonderland of fun and games for Halloween. Kids can enjoy a costume parade, art projects, spooky story time, and a Halloween scavenger hunt. Come in costume, or borrow a costume from Wonder Works! READ MORE

Wicker Park Boo-palooza

Saturday, October 21, 2023—Wicker Park
Families can help raise money for the Wicker Park "Gardens We Design" at this family-friendly Halloween event featuring kids' musicians, a costume parade, and a pumpkin patch and decorating area. Play games including pin-the-tail on various popular cartoons, find the "needle" in the haystack, or work your way through a straw maze. READ MORE

Spooky Zoo

Saturday, October 21, 2023—Lincoln Park
Kids can trick-or-treat at Lincoln Park Zoo from 10am until the candy runs out. Family-friendly entertainment will keep the party going. READ MORE

Haunted Hoffman Family Fest

Saturday, October 21, 2023—Hoffman Estates
Families can enjoy food trucks, Halloween-themed games, hay rides, live music, and stage events from Gameshow Gurus at this northwest suburban event. Come in costume and register for the pumpkin carving contest. READ MORE

Naperville Junior Women's Club Trick or Treat at Safety Town

Saturday, October 21, 2023—Naperville
Kids can bring their own bag to Naperville's Safety Town for some trick-or-treating fun. Local business will pass out toys, coupons, stickers, and candy. Proceeds benefit Loaves and Fishes food pantry. READ MORE

Halloween Parade at Edgebrook Library

Saturday, October 21, 2023—Edgebrook
Edgebrook Library's Halloween parade is back! Kids can come dressed in their costumes to dance to Halloween music, hear a Halloween story, and parade around the library and parking lot. Trick-or-treating stations and Halloween inflatables will be in the parking lot for kids to enjoy. READ MORE

Annual Pumpkin Party at Gallagher Way

Saturday, October 21, 2023—Wrigleyville
The  Annual Pumpkin Party at Gallagher Way returns October 21! This year, Old Town School of Folk Music will lead a few folksy dances and sing-a-longs, the kiddos can create a clay Halloween character or their very own trick-or-treat bag with Kid Create Studio, and visit a range of candy stations, including sweets, sours, tootsies, lollipops and more to satisfy every type of sweet tooth. There will be balloon and bubble artists, a unicyclist and lawn games galore. READ MORE

Boo Bash Trick or Treat Trail

Saturday, October 21, 2023—Glen Ellyn
Families can trick-or-treat with their favorite characters along a trail in Maryknoll Park for an early Halloween treat. At the end of the trail, each child can pick a pumpkin from a pumpkin patch. READ MORE

Halloween Spooktacular

Tuesday, October 24, 2023—Mayfair
Kids can celebrate the spooky season with stories, music, games, prizes and ore at Mayfair Library. Costumes are encouraged but not required. READ MORE

Halloween Crafts at Eugene Field Park

Tuesday, October 24, 2023—Jefferson Park
Get crafty with some Halloween projects with your child at Eugene Field Park. Three sessions are offered at 10 am, 11:30am, and 3:15 pm. READ MORE

Halloween for Ghouls & Goblins

Thursday, October 26, 2023—Darien
No tricks, just treats, for preschool kids at this Darien Park District event. Parents can bring their kids for activities, games, and crafts with their toddlers in costume. A pizza dinner will also be provided. READ MORE

Touch-a-Truck + Treat

Thursday, October 26, 2023—Palos Heights
Dress in your Halloween costume to enjoy climbing in and exploring vehicles in Palos Heights. Each truck's vendor will also hand out treats to participating kids. READ MORE

Halloween-Themed Music Class with Miss Elli

Friday, October 27, 2023—Lakeshore East
Miss Elli gives a Halloween-themed spooky performance with old classics, nursery rhymes, and new pop songs. Bubbles, a big drum and goodie bags will add to the fun. Kids and grown-ups are welcome to come in costume. READ MORE

Addison Park District Candy Carnival

Friday, October 27, 2023—Addison
Kids can play games to win candy at this annual event. Kids receive an extra treat for coming in costume. Inflatables, crafts, and games round out the fun. Parents must accompany their children at this event. READ MORE

South Chicago Heights Kids Halloween Party

Friday, October 27, 2023—South Chicago Heights
Kids can come to the South Chicago Heights Senior Center for ghoulish games, puppets, and spooky fun. Enjoy some frighteningly good food with family and friends. READ MORE

Halloween Hoopla

Friday, October 27, 2023—Western Springs
Children can enjoy games, flashlight trick-or-treating in Safety Village, a craft table and more at this event in Western Springs. A strolling magician and balloon artist will round out the fun. READ MORE

Slightly Spooky Saturdays: Family Halloween

Saturday, October 28, 2023—Downtown
Halloween takes over Navy Pier! Families can enjoy circus acts, mad scientist demos, axe throwing, a costume contest, face-painting demos, and more at shops and restaurants around the Pier. READ MORE

Pumpkin Palooza

Saturday, October 28, 2023—Naperville
Kids can celebrate the season by coming in costume to the DuPage Children's Museum for STEAM-themed, non-scary activities. Build your own Franken buddy from recycled toys, create wearable art, brew your own slime, and mix and mash pumpkin guts! READ MORE

Family Fall Fest at Park No. 571

Saturday, October 28, 2023—Bridgeport
Families can enjoy Halloween together at Park No. 571. The event includes a bounce house, crafts, Halloween activities, treats, and more. READ MORE

Little Beans Halloween Party

Sunday, October 29, 2023—Evanston
Little kids can enjoy one last bash at Little Beans with pumpkin painting, trick-or-treating, and snow cones. Food is not included, but some options will be available for purchase. READ MORE

Naperville Halloween Happening

Sunday, October 29, 2023—Naperville
Visit the Naperville Riverwalk's Grand Pavilion for Halloween games, activities and treats. This free event is intended for kids 10 and under. READ MORE

Logan Square Halloween Parade

Sunday, October 29, 2023—Logan Square
This community event is attended by hundreds each year, marching from the Illinois Centennial Memorial south on Kedzie to Fullerton, then turning around to end at Cafe Lula with free cider and cookies for kids. Mucca Pazza will once again lead the event! READ MORE

Cosley Zoo Pumpkin Fest

Throughout October 2023—Wheaton
Kids can enjoy fall fun while visiting the animals at Cosley Zoo. Pumpkins, gourds, apples, cider, corn stalks, and hay bales are available for purchase. Children's rides are also available if weather permits. READ MORE

Halloween Story Time and Costume Parade at McKinley Library

Monday, October 30, 2023—McKinley Park
McKinley Library's Halloween parade is back! Kids can come dressed in their costumes to dance to Halloween music, hear a Halloween story, and enjoy a little trick-or-treating. READ MORE

Señorita Mariposa Story Walk

Throughout October 2023—Lisle
Señorita Mariposa is a Spanish-English bilingual book by author, musician, and early childhood educator MISTER G. The story, told in playful rhyme and brought to life by illustrator Marcos Almada Rivero, follows the extraordinary migration of a monarch butterfly from Canada to Mexico. From September 15 through the end of October, each gorgeously illustrated page of Señorita Mariposa will be displayed on large-scale panels along the Arboretum’s Meadow Lake Trail. READ MORE

Halloween Costume Parade at Sulzer Regional Library

Tuesday, October 31, 2023—Lincoln Square
Sulzer Regional Library hosts a Halloween costume parade for kids under 5. Kids can come dressed in their costumes to dance to Halloween music, hear a Halloween story, and enjoy a little trick-or-treating. READ MORE

Brick or Treat Monster Party

Daily through October 31—Schaumburg
LEGOLand Discovery Center invites kids to get in the Halloween spirit with a 4D LEGO movie, Glow Fun Zone, haunted MINILAND scavenger hunt, and not-so-scary giveaways. Costumes are encouraged. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Buffalo Grove Community Arts Center
Wonder Works, a Children's Museum
Darien Park District Community Center
Palos Heights Pool Parking Lot
Centennial Recreational Center