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Not-So-Scary Halloween Activities and Toddler Events in Connecticut

Raise your hand if you want some not-so-spooky Halloween fun in Connecticut this year! Photo courtesy of the Hill-Stead Museum
Raise your hand if you want some not-so-spooky Halloween fun in Connecticut this year! Photo courtesy of the Hill-Stead Museum
10/6/23 - By Jennifer Coe

If your kids are young, you prefer not-so-scary Halloween activities and events during spooky season. Connecticut loves its toddlers and preschoolers, so many places offer events that are high in fun, but low in fright. That way, the little princesses, pirates and superheroes can still dress up, collect some candy, and have Halloween fun. We've pulled together all the Connecticut activities that will entertain small kids without the scares!

Be sure to check out our Connecticut Halloween Guide for 2023. It's filled with our insider tips to a fun and safe Halloween. Our guide to the Best Places to Trick-or-Treat in Connecticut will help maximize fun—and your candy haul! And see our post on Easy Pumpkin Carving Ideas for some family craft time this Halloween.

 

 

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Pumpkintown USA has Halloween fun for all ages. Photo courtesy of Pumpkintown USA
Pumpkintown USA has Halloween fun for all ages. Photo courtesy of Pumpkintown USA

Not-So-Scary Halloween Activities and Events in CT - Hartford Area

Halloween Happenings 2023

Manchester—Saturday, October 21, 2023
Free
So many fun things for kids to do in Downtown Manchester.  Enjoy a magic show, decorate a trick-o-treat bag and then TRICK-O-TREAT in Downtown! READ MORE

Hobgoblin Fair

Canton — Saturday, October 28, 2023
What "critters" will appear on our trails this Halloween? Join Roaring Brook Nature Preserve for the annual Hobgoblin Fair held the Saturday before Halloween. The Fair features the 'Track & Treat' walk, children's crafts, Hunt in the Leaves, and a Country Kitchen of yummy homemade items. READ MORE

Halloween on the Hill

Farmington—Sunday, October 29, 2023
A spirited adventure awaits you at Hill-Stead’s Halloween on the Hill. Enjoy an incredible day at Hill-Stead as you stroll through the gorgeous grounds all gussied up for All Hallows’ Eve. Kids and adults alike will delight as they follow an outdoor path to numerous candy chute stations for touch-less treat delivery. READ MORE

Pumpkin Patch Trolley

East Windsor — Weekends until October 29, 2023
Traveling tothe Pumpkin Patch is a family fun filled adventure where you ride on a trolley car out to the pumpkin patch field and each child can pick out a FREE pumpkin. Additionally, when you return back to the Museum you can decorate the pumpkin, play in the corn box, enjoy the outside play area and the entire museum. A great annual tradition for families. READ MORE

Pumpkintown USA

East Hampton—Through Monday, October 31, 2023
Note: Open from 10-5p only on Friday, October 20, 2023. One of New England's premier non-scary Halloween villages, Pumpkintown USA annually draws about 25,000 visitors. The Village at Pumpkintown USA is home to more than 70 Pumpkinhead people and their pets. The unique village includes a fast food restaurant called MacPumpkins, a saloon, a jail, a church, barbershop, country store, farm, and a fire station. Dogs are welcome at Pumpkintown. READ MORE
Come back next month for the pumpkin-pie eating contest...Ridgefield Giant Pumpkin Weigh Off photo courtesy of the event
Come back next month for the pumpkin-pie eating contest...Ridgefield Giant Pumpkin Weigh Off photo courtesy of the event

Not-So-Scary Halloween Events in Connecticut - Fairfield County

Ridgefield's Annual Giant Pumpkin Weigh Off

Ridgefield — Sunday, October 1, 2023
Ridgefield's Ballard Park will be transformed into a fall festival where giant pumpkin and squash growers from around the region will compete for cash prizes.  READ MORE

JCPenney Kid Zone Event

Danbury — Saturday, October 14, 2023
During the October Kids Zone event, kids can choose to make either a Scarecrow or Haunted House 3D Scene. They will also receive a collector’s pin, and a special lanyard to hold their Kids Zone pins. READ MORE

Halloween on the Green

Fairfield—Sunday, October 29, 2023
Free
Don’t miss the 7th annual Halloween on the Green on the Museum Commons. Come wearing your best costume for a day filled with trick-or-treating, giveaways, displays at the historic buildings, food vendors, a bounce house, and much more. READ MORE

Trick-or-Treat at Stew Leonard's In Norwalk

Norwalk—Tuesday, October 31, 2023
Free
All kids under age 12 who wear their Halloween costume to Stew Leonard’s will receive a free small ice cream cone at our Ice Cream Parlor. Stew Leonard’s famous characters, including mascot Wow the Cow, will be available for taking photos with the children. READ MORE
Maybe a little spooky could be a little fun! Pumpkin Passage photo courtesy of Nature's Art Village
Maybe a little spooky could be a little fun! Pumpkin Passage photo courtesy of Nature's Art Village

Not-So-Scary Halloween Events in Connecticut - East

Scarecrows in the Village

Mystic — Sunday, October 1- Sunday, October 29, 2023
Olde Mistick Village is hosting Scarecrows in the Village. Come explore what each merchant has in store for their scarecrow display and support local businesses! Voting will take place throughout the village using QR codes from October 1-22. Don't miss out on helping announce "Best in Crow", "Most Representative", and "Vintage 1973", to continue the 50th anniversary year celebration and lead into yet another festive fall season!  READ MORE

Pumpkin Passage

Montville — Sunday, October 1 - Sunday, October 29, 2023
*  Note: This event is closed on the nights of Fri Oct. 20 and Sat. Oct 21 due to weather. This year it's even bigger and better. The Dinosaur Place in Montville, CT, once again opens their gates for all things magical & mystical — get ready for the annual Halloween event named the Pumpkin Passage Toddler-friendly trail of lights and fun family activities are awaiting you this October at the dinosaur-themed adventure park every Friday, Saturday & Sunday. READ MORE

Tanger Outlets Safe Trick-or-Treating

Mashantucket — Tuesday, October 31, 2023
Calling all ghosts, goblins, ghouls, princesses and super heroes! Tanger Outlets is hosting a trick-or-treat event on Halloween. READ MORE

Trick or Treat at the Mystic Seaport Museum

Mystic — Tuesday, October 31, 2023
Come dressed in the spookiest and silliest costumes and enjoy trick or treating at Mystic Seaport Museum. The Museum opens its doors for FREE to the community beginning at 3 pm until 6 pm. This event is FREE to the community, no tickets required.  READ MORE
Get on board the Pumpkin Patch train this Halloween! Photo courtesy of the Railroad Museum of New England
Get on board the Pumpkin Patch train this Halloween! Photo courtesy of the Railroad Museum of New England

Not-So-Scary Halloween Activities and Events in CT - Litchfield County

Not So Spooky Halloween Event

Torrington — Saturday, October 14, 2023
Welcome all ages to Trick or Treat throughout the Library from 4:00 pm-6:00 pm. Enjoy activities such as: Haunted Freeze Dance Battles will be at 4:30, 5:00, and 5:30  Haunted Magic Show from 6:00 - 6:45 pm. The event ends at 7:00 pm Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase. READ MORE

Pumpkin Patch Trains

Thomaston — Saturday, October 21 to Sunday, October 22, 2023
Experience the views and colors of autumn throughout the Litchfield Hills on the Pumpkin Patch Trains.  During the Pumpkin Patch trains, visitors will also make a stop at the Naugatuck Railroad's very own pumpkin patch. Here, kids are able to select their pumpkin to bring home. READ MORE

Community Trunk or Treat

Litchfield — Monday, October 30, 2023
Brandywine Living at Litchfield presents Trunk or Treat. Join them for a fun night of costumes, games and treats. READ MORE
Ivoryton Village Pumpkin Festival is perfect for toddlers and preschoolers. Photo courtesy of the Festival
Ivoryton Village Pumpkin Festival is perfect for toddlers and preschoolers. Photo courtesy of the Festival

Not-So-Scary Halloween Events in Connecticut - New Haven Area

Not-So-Scary Halloween Drive Thru at Ray of Light Farm

East Haddam — Friday, October 20 - Saturday, October 28, 2023
Enjoy a drive through the farm. The whole family will be amazed by the magical pony trail all lit up and decorated for the Halloween season. Keep your eyes open, because there are lots of things to see as you drive. Candy will be passed out. READ MORE

Ivoryton Village Pumpkin Festival

Ivoryton—Sunday, October 29, 2023
Free
The 21st Annual Ivoryton Village Pumpkin Festival offers all the best parts of fall. The Historic Downtown attracts more than 1500 visitors to the town green to celebrate the season.  Pumpkin carvers are invited to a pumpkin carving party from 10am to noon at Bushyton Nature Center. All attendees are invited to come in costume.  READ MORE

Annual Scarecrows on the Green

Branford—Through Tuesday, November 7, 2023
Free
The Branford Garden Club welcomes you to walk around the green to view scarecrows. The scarecrows have created and decorated by local businesses, organizations, clubs, schools, families, and individuals. READ MORE

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