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Not-So-Scary Halloween Events in New Jersey for Preschoolers

Enjoy specialty food, hay rides, and plenty of fun and games at Diggerland's Diggerfest. Photo courtesy of Diggerland
Enjoy specialty food, hay rides, and plenty of fun and games at Diggerland's Diggerfest. Photo courtesy of Diggerland
10/8/24 - By Laurie Rein

New Jersey offers plenty of not-too-scary Halloween celebrations perfect for the preschool set. From trunk-or-treats to over-the-top events at amusement parks and zoo celebrations, these safe activities let toddlers experience the magic of Halloween. Good news for parents: Many of them are FREE!

Read on for dozens of fun and preschool-friendly Halloween events in New Jersey, plus a couple of extra-special events just over the border in Pennsylvania. You can find even more seasonal events in our Guide to New Jersey Fall Fun and Guide to Halloween Events in New Jersey.

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Halloween Events in New Jersey and Pennsylvania for Toddlers and Preschoolers

17th Annual Scarecrow Stroll

Cranford–FREE
Daily from Friday, October 11-Thursday, October 31, 2024
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

DiDonato's Trick-or-Treat Train

Hammonton
Saturdays and Sundays through Sunday, October 27, 2024
This outdoor Halloween train takes you on a ride through goblin-friendly Halloween Town. Tricks and treats include a hay maze, a new inflatable obstacle course, a pumpkin patch, a giant racing slide, photo-ops with a witch, and more.  READ MORE

Haunted Wild West Fest and Spooky Wild West

Stanhope
Saturdays and Sundays through Sunday, October 27, 2024
Wild West City gets haunted this October. The daytime festival features classic Wild West City shows with a Halloween twist, plus trick or treating and a costume contest. When the sun sets, explore the haunted ghost town at the nighttime festival.  READ MORE

Screamin' Green Hauntoween

Easton, Pennsylvania
Daily through Thursday, October 31, 2024
Visitors to Crayola Experience Easton can participate in the colorful and festive Screamin' Green Hauntoween. Kids can enjoy crafts, photo ops, pumpkin decorating, and a themed scavenger hunt.  READ MORE

Trick-or-Treat Train

New Hope, Pennsylvania
Select days through Thursday, October 31, 2024
All aboard the train at New Hope Railroad for a 45-minute trick-or-treat train ride. Kids can dress up in their Halloween costumes and ride the rails, with stops for for candy and assorted toys. READ MORE

Trick-or-Treat Weekends at Storybook Land

Egg Harbor Township
Saturdays and Sundays, from Saturday, October 19- Sunday, October 27, 2024
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

Dover Trunk or Treat

Dover–FREE
Saturday, October 19, 2024
The Town of Dover celebrates Halloween with its 14th annual trunk or treat. Collect goodies at Crescent Field Parking Lot. Don't miss the costume and trunk-decorating contests. READ MORE

Pumpkin Patch and Halloween Train Rides

Whippany
Saturdays and Sundays through Sunday, October 13, 2024
Join in the Halloween fun at the Whippany Railway Museum onboard The Pumpkin Patch Train. The 10-mile, 45-minute round trip from Whippany to Roseland and return is the perfect way to spend a fall afternoon with the family.  READ MORE

Happy Haunts at The Red Mill

Clinton
Saturdays through October 26, 2024
Stop by this low- or no-scare event designed for kids and squeamish adults. Each group is escorted through the mill by a friendly guide to keep the ghouls and zombies at bay. READ MORE

Diggerfest Fall Festival

West Berlin
Saturdays and Sundays through Sunday, November 30, 2024
Full-day admission to this annual seasonal celebration grants you access to all of the rides and attractions at Diggerland USA, plus additional fall festival and Halloween fun. READ MORE

The Count's Halloween Spooktacular at Sesame Place

Langhorne, Pennsylvania
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Sunday, November 3, 2024
Enjoy silly, not-too-spooky fun at The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular at Sesame Place. Everyone is encouraged to wear a costume and enjoy Halloween shows, a themed maze, three Count von Count-themed mechanical rides, and a Neighborhood Street Party Halloween Parade. READ MORE

Halloween Parade & Dance Party in Sea Isle City

Sea Isle City–FREE
Friday, October 18, 2024
This lively local parade features music, strolling entertainers, floats, local organizations, and many well-costumed revelers. Following the parade, stick around for the Halloween Family Dance Party.   READ MORE

Halloween Celebration in Union

Union–FREE
Saturday, October 19, 2024
The township of Union is going all out for Halloween this year with a trunk or treat plus an evening food truck festival. The trunk or treat features 30 vehicles and takes place from 1pm-4pm at Jefferson School parking lot. A prize is awarded for the best decorated. READ MORE

Unexpected Farm Trunk or Treat

Newfield
Saturday, October 19, 2024
Gather at the farm for candy, vendors, tractor rides, pumpkin painting, and crafts.  READ MORE

North Brunswick Halloween Happenings

North Brunswick–FREE
Saturday, October 19, 2024
Have a frightfully fun time with pumpkin decorating, trick or treating, games, hayrides and more. Wear your costumes, and enjoy this not-so-scary Halloween event. READ MORE

Halloween Character Meet & Greet at Casino Pier

Seaside Heights–FREE
Saturday, October 19-Sunday, October 20, 2024
Visit some spooktacular characters at Casino Pier's Halloween Character Meet & Greet. Face painting rounds out the fun. READ MORE

Boo at the Boardwalk

Point Pleasant–FREE
Saturdays and Sundays from Saturday, October 19-Sunday, October 27, 2024
Celebrate Halloween at Jenkinson's Boardwalk with two weekends of family fun, including trick-or-treating, crafts, a magic show, the Witch Sister Trio of Treats, and more. READ MORE

Cape May Halloween Parade

Cape May–FREE
Sunday, October 20, 2024
Show off your costume in this annual parade that concludes at the Cape May MAC. Prizes are awarded by age group, plus categories like Best Witch, Silliest and Best TV or Movie Character.  READ MORE

Howell Trunk or Treat

Howell–FREE
Thursday, October 24, 2024
Head over to Soldier Memorial Park for an evening of decorated cars, creative costumes and lots of candy. READ MORE

Ocean City Halloween Parade

Ocean City–FREE
Thursday, October 24, 2024
Feast your eyes on creative costumes and floats, antique vehicles, and cheerleading and dance teams. READ MORE

Belmar Costume Contest and Trunk or Treat

Belmar–FREE
Friday, October 25, 2024
Double the Halloween fun with a parade and trunk or treat in the Dempsey Park lot. Prizes are awarded for the funniest, scariest, and most original costumes. READ MORE

Pumpkin Patch Day at Liberty Hall

Union
Saturday, October 26, 2024
The Liberty Hall Museum hosts its annual Pumpkin Patch Day, which features pumpkin picking, carving, and decorating, plus tractor rides, crafts, and trick-or-treating.   READ MORE

Boo at the Zoo in Cape May

Cape May–FREE
Saturday, October 26, 2024
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, a pirate ship, and more.  READ MORE

Voorhees Halloween & Fall Festival

Voorhees–FREE
Saturday, October 26, 2024
This free family event features a pumpkin patch, hayrides, pumpkin decorating, bounce houses, craft and food vendors, candy tables, a DJ, and more.  READ MORE

North Wildwood Trunk-or-Treat Halloween Block Party

North Wildwood–FREE
Saturday, October 26, 2024
Get your car decked out for Halloween at this annual festive family event. Costumed children can visit each car, where families will provide treats from the trunks. Balloon twisting and magic add to the fun.  READ MORE

Trunk or Treat 2024 in Red Bank

Red Bank–FREE
Sunday, October 27, 2024
Decorate your trunk for the trick or treaters and join United Methodist Church of Red Bank for safe trick-or-treating while tickling your funny bone. Explore scary, funny, and imaginatively decorated trunks, then try your hand at games. READ MORE

Howl-O-Ween at Turtle Back Zoo

West Orange
Thursday, October 31, 2024
Trick-or-treat at Turtle Back Zoo, featuring candy stations throughout the grounds. Grab a bag and your costumes and enjoy treats and entertainment.  READ MORE

The Great Pumpkin Sail

Mountainside
Friday, November 1, 2024
Bring your carved jack-o'-lantern to Echo Lake Park post-Halloween and enjoy the spectacular view of floating pumpkins. Sign up for one of three sessions. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Jefferson School Parking Lot
Perry Street and Carpenter Lane
6th Street & Asbury Avenue
United Methodist Church of Red Bank