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18 Best Things To Do in New Jersey October 2023 with Kids

Six Flags Fright Fest offers plenty of kid-friendly fun during the daylight hours. Photo courtesy of Six Flags
Six Flags Fright Fest offers plenty of kid-friendly fun during the daylight hours. Photo courtesy of Six Flags
9/29/23 - By Laurie Rein

Halloween is the name of the game in October, which means New Jersey is alive with pumpkin patches, haunted houses, fall festivals, and of course trick-or-treating—there are plenty of opportunities to wear Halloween costumes!

Harvest and Halloween happenings provide an abundance of treats for a busy October. This month is jam-packed with fun fall activities and awesome things to do in New Jersey. Find Halloween theme park excitement at Six Flags Great Adventure's Fright Fest and Storybook Land's Trick-or-Treat. Local seasonal celebrations include Westfield's Addamsfest and Cranford's Scarecrow Stroll. Families can also gather goodies at trick-or-treat events like Boo at the Zoo.

Don't miss even more October fun with our New Jersey Fall Fun Guide, New Jersey Halloween Guide, and our constantly updated Family Activity Calendar.

Get our picks for every weekend in your inbox—sign up for our newsletters.

As always, if an event piques your interest, click through to our listing for all the details, including addresses and times. And keep in mind: Really cool things to do with kids often book up quickly, so register or buy your tickets ASAP.

 

 

 

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Jenkinson's Amusement Park will be open during Boo at the Boardwalk this year. Photo courtesy of Jenkinson's
Jenkinson's Amusement Park will be open during Boo at the Boardwalk this year. Photo courtesy of Jenkinson's

Best Things To Do in New Jersey in October

Six Flags Great Adventure Fright Fest & Kid's Boo Fest

Jackson
Select dates through Tuesday, October 31, 2023
Six Flags Great Adventure’s Fright Fest returns with its iconic, family-friendly “thrills by day” and “fright by night." Experience eight haunted houses, six scare zones, the trick-or-treat trail, live shows, haunted mazes, and more.  READ MORE

Addamsfest 2023

Westfield
Daily through Sunday, October 29, 2023
In honor of Westfield's own Charles Addams, this creepy and kooky celebration provides a safe environment for Addams-themed fun, including movies, exhibits, and more. READ MORE

Pumpkin Patch & Halloween Train

Whippany
Sundays, October 1-15, 2023
Join in the Halloween fun at the Whippany Railway Museum onboard The Pumpkin Patch Train. The 10-mile, 45-minute round trip between Whippany and Roseland is the perfect way to spend a fall afternoon with the family.  READ MORE

Hayrides and Campfires

Mountainside
Fridays and Sundays, from Friday, October 6-Friday, October 20, 2023
Revel in the fall season at Union County's hayride and campfire events. Enjoy a hayride along with music, hot chocolate, and marshmallows to toast over a campfire. Tickets must be purchased online. READ MORE

LBI Fly International Kite Festival

Long Beach Island–FREE
Friday, October 6-Sunday, October 8, 2023
Don't miss a sky full of spectacular kites on Indigenous Peoples Day/Columbus Day weekend. This 9th annual festival features brilliant, colorful, artist-designed kites, fun flying giant inflatable kites, and the amazing show of sport kiting on the beautiful island. READ MORE

South Jersey Pumpkin Show and Carve

Woodstown
Friday, October 6-Sunday, October 8, 2023
Get ready to immerse yourself in a world of pumpkins, creativity, live music, and Halloween fun. Spooktacular activities include pony rides, carriage rides, a kids' haunted house, a FunZone and more.  READ MORE

Hightstown Harvest Fair & Tricentennial

Hightstown–FREE
Saturday, October 7, 2023
The Hightstown Harvest Fair promises a day filled with local artists and crafters, small businesses, live entertainment, great food, and children’s rides and activities. READ MORE

Dunellen HarvestFest

Dunellen–FREE
Sunday, October 8, 2023
The 11th annual Dunellen HarvestFest features artists and crafters from around the Garden State, local nonprofits, activities for kids, food, music, dancing, and more. READ MORE

16th Annual Scarecrow Stroll

Cranford–FREE
Daily from Friday, October 13-Tuesday, October 31, 2023
Cranford hosts its Annual Scarecrow Stroll and promises the event is the biggest and best yet. Gawk at more than 100 wild and crazy scarecrows on display throughout downtown Cranford. Register online to create your own scarecrow and enter to win prizes.  READ MORE

Seton Hall Weekend

South Orange–FREE
Friday, October 13-Sunday, October 15, 2023
Head to Seton Hall University for a fun weekend celebration of community spirit and of the close ties enjoyed by alumni, students, faculty, staff, and neighbors. Enjoy outdoor performances, crafts, rides, carnival games, theater performances, tours, and sporting events. READ MORE

Thompson Park Day

Lincroft–FREE
Sunday, October 15, 2023
Drop by Thompson Park for a fall day full of family fun. Pumpkin painting, wagon rides, a scarecrow contest, and more make for a festive fall day. READ MORE

Halloween Parade & Dance Party

Sea Isle City–FREE
Friday, October 20, 2023
This lively local parade features music, strolling entertainers, floats, local organizations, and many well-costumed entertainers and revelers. Following the parade, stick around for the Halloween Family Dance Party.   READ MORE

Chatsworth Cranberry Festival

Chatsworth–FREE
Saturday, October 21-Sunday, October 22, 2023
Considered one of the best festivals in the Mid-Atlantic region, the Chatsworth Cranberry Festival is a colorful and fun-filled celebration of the fall cranberry harvest. Enjoy delicious cranberry delights, hundreds of vendors, and non-stop musical entertainment. READ MORE

Trick-or-Treat Weekends at Storybook Land

Egg Harbor Township
Saturdays and Sundays from Saturday, October 21-Sunday, October 29, 2023
Families visiting Storybook Land can climb aboard the Happy Hayride to pick a pumpkin and decorate it just in time for Halloween. Then, find your way through Elmer’s Haymazin’ Maze and pick up treat bags. READ MORE

Boo at the Boardwalk

Point Pleasant–FREE
Saturdays and Sundays from Saturday, October 21-Sunday, October 29, 2023
Celebrate Halloween at Jenkinson's Boardwalk with two weekends of family fun, including trick-or-treating, crafts, face painting, and entertainment. READ MORE

Boo at the Zoo

Cape May–FREE
Saturday, October 28, 2023
Visitors of all ages are invited to come in costume to this annual Halloween event sponsored by the Cape May County Board of Commissioners. Enjoy kid-friendly fun, candy, entertainment, plenty of animals, an inflatable obstacle course, and more.  READ MORE

Halloween Light Show at Demarest Farms

Hillsdale
Select dates through Tuesday, October 31, 2023
Take a drive through the largest Halloween light show in New Jersey at Demarest Farms. A guided tour passes through 32 acres of brilliant Halloween light displays. READ MORE

Great Pumpkin Festival

Vernon
Select dates through Sunday, November 5, 2023
The largest fall festival in northern New Jersey features 40+ themed activities including farm animals, a spider web crawl, a stunt dog show, an anniversary-themed corn maze, an obstacle course, farm animals, duck racing and more. READ MORE

Places featured in this article: