Not-So-Scary 2025 Halloween Activities in NJ for Preschoolers

Submitted by Laurie Rein on

Jenkinson's Boo at the Boardwalk features trick-or-treating and more. Photo courtesy of Jenkinson's Boardwalk

New Jersey offers plenty of not-too-scary Halloween celebrations perfect for the preschool set. From parades, like the Ocean City Halloween Parade, to over-the-top events at amusement parks, like Trick-Or-Treat Weekends at Storybook Land, to zoo celebrations, like Cape May's Boo at the Zoo, these safe activities let toddlers experience the magic of Halloween.

And, there's some spooktacular 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.

Indigenous Peoples Day Weekend in Westchester and the Hudson Valley: Best Things To Do

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on

Decorate a pumpkin at the Pine Island Pumpkinfest, a holiday weekend tradition. Photo courtesy of the Pine Island Chamber of Commerce

Looking for the best things to do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley over the long Indigenous Peoples Day weekend? We've got tons of family-friendly events to add to your list.

Families can enjoy carnival rides throughout the holiday weekend at the annual Eastchester Columbus Day Carnival, which also features a parade, fireworks, and live music. Alternatively, enjoy fall farm festivities all weekend long, including hayrides, live music, kids' activities, and cider and donuts, at Muscoot Farms' Pumpkin Picking Weekend.

For some early Halloween fun, check out the Sleepy Hollow Paddleboarding Witches Festival, which also includes vendors, food trucks, and a live telling of the Legend of Sleepy Hollow with a visit from the headless horseman. In honor of Indigenous Peoples Day, learn about some of the original inhabitants of the Westchester area at a Lenape Indigenous Peoples Day presentation at the historic St. Paul's Church.  

Best Neighborhoods or Streets in Philly to See Halloween Decorations

Alyce Wilson's picture Submitted by Alyce Wilson on

Photo courtesy of Spirits of '76

Get into the Halloween spirit with the best family-friendly Halloween streets in Philadelphia. Whether it's historic neighborhoods festooned with spooky decorations or fun-filled extravagance, these are some of our favorites places in the area to see Halloween decorations and lights.

Looking for more Halloween fun? Check out our Halloween Fun and Activities Guide for more spooky things to do!

Haunted Houses and Walks in NYC for All-Ages

Submitted by Diana Kim on

The Bronx Zoo hosts a pair of Halloween events, including the after-dark Harvest Glow. Photo by Terria Clay/courtesy of the Bronx Zoo

When it comes to Halloween thrills with kids, a tricked-out haunted house or spooky Halloween walk might be the right kind of boo for you. Haunted houses have long been popular suburban Halloween staples, but haunted houses in NYC are more limited. The most spooky picks, like Blood Manor, are definitely for teens and older. There are, however, a handful of haunted houses in New York City offering gentler Halloween chills for families.

Read on for the scoop on kid-friendly haunted houses in NYC, plus a few more scary options for tweens and teens. Be sure to heed the scare factor. While grade-school kids can attend most of these, not all are suitable for preschoolers. We've got the scoop on NYC's top Halloween events and plenty more spooky fun in our New York City Kids' Halloween Fun Guide.

Launch Trampoline Park Lands in Brooklyn with Wall to Wall Play

Submitted by Rosalind Muggeridge on

Launch's new Bay Ridge location is a welcome addition where city kids to expel some serious energy!

Launch trampoline park has landed in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, transforming the old Modell’s space on 86th Street into a high-energy indoor playground that’s already drawing crowds of local families. With wall-to-wall trampolines, giant slides, a climbing wall, and arcade games, Launch brings a much-needed indoor entertainment destination to South Brooklyn—especially welcome as colder months approach and parents look for active, weatherproof places to let kids burn off energy.

For more indoor play spaces, check out our list of the 24 best kids' indoor playgrounds and play spaces in NYC, and bookmark our NYC Kids Guide to Sports Centers, Gyms, and Fun Zones in NYC for even more romping spots. 

Kids Go Free to SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular–Get Tickets Now

Jessica Laird's picture Submitted by Jessica Laird on

SeaWorld’s Spooktacular is the annual Halloween event for SoCal families looking for spooky season fun.

Where can you find a festive pumpkin patch and a pack of Humboldt penguins? A candy-filled trick-or-treating trail and stunning sea turtles? SeaWorld’s Annual Spooktacular is a one-of-a-kind Halloween event you don’t want to miss.

SeaWorld’s Spooktacular is the annual Halloween event for SoCal families looking for action-packed, family-focused fun this spooky season. Open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through November 2nd, plus Halloween Friday, the Spooktacular is totally interactive, photo-worthy, and included with general admission to SeaWorld–which is FREE for kids with a paid adult ticket throughout October.

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