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Not-So-Scary Halloween Events for Philly Preschoolers

Join the Morris Arboretum a costume and candy parade and a walk along the Trick or Treat trail. Photo courtesy of the arboretum
Join the Morris Arboretum a costume and candy parade and a walk along the Trick or Treat trail. Photo courtesy of the arboretum
10/6/23 - By Kristen Sullivan

Check out these not-so-scary Halloween events for preschoolers and toddlers who prefer more treats than tricks.

Halloween is the centerpiece of this spooky season, but lots of kids would rather eat their candy without a side of fear. Certain activities can feel a bit unsettling for little ones, with scary themes and decorations that leave preschoolers (and even some school-aged kids) rattled. So if your family is looking to celebrate a Halloween with more treats than tricks, we've got age-appropriate attractions that maintain the spirit of the holiday and keep small children feeling happy and safe.

Be sure to browse our Guide to Halloween Fun for more ideas to make the most of the season, or check out our Top Halloween Events for Philly kids.

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Meet spooky characters and animals at Brandywine Zoo's Boo at the Zoo. Photo courtesy of the zoo
Meet spooky characters and animals at Brandywine Zoo's Boo at the Zoo. Photo courtesy of the zoo

Halloween Events at Zoos near Philadelphia for Preschoolers

Elmwood Park Zoo's Boo at the Zoo

Norristown - Saturdays and Sundays, October 7-October 29, 2023
Collect candy while admiring the animals throughout the Elmwood Park Zoo. A costume parade, treats, animal meet-and-greets, and much more are in store for trick-or-treaters. As an added perk, various drink specials are on tap for the grown ups. READ MORE

Philadelphia Zoo's Boo at the Zoo

Philadelphia - Saturdays and Sundays, October 14 through October 29, 2023
Trick-or-treat your way through the animal exhibits, where you'll see creepy creatures munching on pumpkins. Don't forget to dress up in your favorite costume and bring a bag for treats along the way. Best of all, Boo at the Zoo is included in your general admission ticket. Don't miss out on this frightfully fun experience! READ MORE

Brandywine Zoo's Boo at the Zoo

Wilmington - Friday October 20 - Sunday, October 22, 2023
In the spirit of the Halloween season, children are invited to dress up in costume to see the animals at the Brandywine Zoo. Guests can expect not-so-spooky activities, Halloween decorations, and more. READ MORE
Halloween season hayrides, stories and treats for all have begun at Linvilla Orchards. Photo courtesy of the orchard
Halloween season hayrides, stories and treats for all have begun at Linvilla Orchards. Photo courtesy of the orchard

Halloween Events and Festivals near Philadelphia for Preschoolers

Hayrides to the Witch's House

Media - Daily through October 30, 2023
Have you ever visited a witch's house? Families can take a hayride to see Linvilla Orchard's friendly witch. This witch tells stories, jokes, and even gives the kids a treat. READ MORE

Franklin Fright

Center City - Saturdays and Sundays, September 30- October 29, 2023
Put on a costume to trick-or-treat indoors at The Franklin Institute. Knock on decorated doors throughout the museum, enjoy spooky science experiments, and more every weekend in October. READ MORE

The Great Pumpkin Carve of Chadds Ford

Chadds Ford - Thursday, October 19- Saturday, October 21, 2023
This three day festival features over 60 artisans as they turn ordinary pumpkins into extraordinary works of art. In addition to seeing the carved pumpkins, kids can walk a haunted trail, win raffle prizes, and hear live music. READ MORE

Halloween Ghost Ship

Wilmington, DE - October 21, 2023
Got a pirate costume? Put it to good use aboard the Kalmar Nyckel at the Wilmington Riverfront, where the boat's captain and mates will regale young visitors with stories of life at sea. A spookily decorated indoor ship will be on display, and kids can partake in Halloween crafts. READ MORE

Trick Or Treat at the Please Touch Museum

Fairmount - Sunday, October 29, 2023
Wear your costume to Please Touch during the Trick-or-Treat event, featuring slime-making, Halloween puppet story times, and more. READ MORE

Trick-or-Treat at the Art Museum

Fairmount - Friday, October 27, 2023
Wear your costume to the Philadelphia Museum of Art for trick-or-treating through the galleries. Solve riddles, meet costumed characters, make art as a family in the Balcony Studio, and more. READ MORE

Trick or Treat Nights at Elmwood Park Zoo

Norristown
Thursday, October 26 through Sunday, October 29, 2023
Grab the flashlights for 4 evenings of trick or treating at the Elmwood Park Zoo. Animal meet and greets and a carousel ride are included with admission. You'll need your own loot bag, and costumes are strongly encouraged. READ MORE

East Passyunk Ave. Fall Fest

Philadelphia - Saturday, October 28, 2023
Bring your family and friends for a full day of fun with live music, square dancing, arts and craft vendors, a pumpkin patch, hay bales, and a kids’ costume parade! Businesses along Passyunk Avenue are opening their doors to the community to make the day a family-oriented must-do. READ MORE

Halloween in Manayunk

Manayunk - Saturday, October 28, 2023
Wear your costume to Main Street, where businesses will be doling out the goods for Manayunk's annual Halloween celebration. Strut your stuff in a kid and pet costume parade, enjoy family activities, and trick-or-treat at select businesses. READ MORE

Trick-or-Treat Trail at Morris Arboretum

Philadelphia
Saturday, October 28, 2023
Wear your costume to the Morris Arboretum and explore the Spooky Scarecrow loop while trick-or-treating. Volunteer guides will be dressed for the holiday as well and giving out candy through the gardens. READ MORE

Trick-or-Treat Street in Franklin Square

Philadelphia - Saturday, October 28, 2023
Recommended for children 10 and younger, kids visiting Franklin Square can follow the map to collect goodies on Trick-or-Treat Street. READ MORE

PumpkinFest in Headhouse

Queen Village - Saturday, October 28, 2023
Celebrate the fall season at the South Street Headhouse District’s PumpkinFest. Guests can expect crafts, candy, pumpkin-decorating, trick or treating at local businesses, live music, a pumpkin carving contest, and circus performances. READ MORE

Halloween at Hagley

Wilmington, DE - Saturday, October 28, 2023
Spend the day at Hagley Museum and Library and celebrate Halloween. Kids can dress up in costumes and visit treat stations throughout the property. In addition to treats, children can expect Halloween-themed activities such as making a jack-o-lantern pouch and playing spider slingshot. READ MORE

Tram and Treat at Winterthur

Winterthur, DE - Saturday, October 28, 2023
Ride a tram car throughout Winterthur's scenic grounds, stopping along the way to collect treats and enjoy crafts. Reservations are strongly suggested as capacity is limited. Treats are available while supplies last. Bring your own treat bag. READ MORE

Spooky Art Adventures

Center City - October 30, 2023
Wear your costume to the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts for a creative Halloween Extravaganza. Explore mysterious works of art, make Halloween art as a family, enjoy spooky decor, and more. READ MORE

Scarecrows in the Village

Lahaska - Daily through October 29, 2023
Peddler's Village hosts its annual Scarecrow Season, where the life-size creations are up for your vote across several categories. Over 100 scarecrows line the brick pathways of Peddler's Village. Some are inspired by famous characters, some are humorous, some are scary – but all of them are carefully handmade by Philly-area residents and organizations. READ MORE
Throughout the month of October, visitors can take The Great Pumpkin Train to pick a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch while enjoying the beautiful scenery. Photo courtesy of the Delaware River Railroad
Throughout the month of October, visitors can take The Great Pumpkin Train to pick a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch while enjoying the beautiful scenery. Photo courtesy of the Delaware River Railroad

Halloween Train Rides near Philadelphia for Preschoolers

Trick-or-Treat Train

New Hope - Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, through October 29, 2023
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

Halloween Special at West Chester Railroad

West Chester - Saturday, October 28 and Sunday, October 29, 2023
Don't forget your costume for West Chester Railroad's Halloween train ride. Passengers journey in a heated train with breathtaking view of the Chester Creek Valley. Kids collect a few treats at the historic station during a 20-minute stop.  READ MORE

Halloween Express at Wilmington & Western Railroad

Wilmington - Sunday, October 29, 2023
Passengers will see a few friendly witches as they visit the Wilmington & Western Railroad for a ride on the Halloween train.  READ MORE
Come in costume and celebrate silly, not-too-spooky fun at The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular at Sesame Place. Photo courtesy of Sesame Place
Come in costume and celebrate silly, not-too-spooky fun at The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular at Sesame Place. Photo courtesy of Sesame Place

Halloween Amusement Park Events near Philadelphia for Preschoolers

Trick-or-Treat Weekends at Storybook Land

Egg Harbor Township - Saturdays and Sundays, October 21-39, 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

Hersheypark Halloween

Hershey - Daily through October 29, 2023
Every evening throughout Hersheypark Halloween, Dark Nights™ descends for an immersive and haunting experience featuring three scare zones and four haunted houses, with attractions like Twisted Darkness and Midway of Misery. READ MORE

Happy Hauntings at Dutch Wonderland

Lancaster - Daily through October 30, 2023
Happy Hauntings is a kid-friendly Halloween extravaganza at Dutch Wonderland in Lancaster. Escape to Amish country for themed rides, a trick-or-treat trail, and a costume contest. Admission includes unlimited rides and live entertainment. READ MORE

Nickelodeon Booniverse

East Rutherford, NJ - Daily through October 31, 2023
It's Halloween party time at American Dream's Nickelodeon Universe theme park. Wear comfy shoes with your costume for the Monster Mash Bash, conga lines, spooky trivia and character meet and greets. The park promises tricks, treats and surprises. READ MORE

Screamin' Green Hauntoween

Easton - Daily through October 31, 2023
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

Brick-or-Treat presents Monster Party!

Plymouth Meeting - Daily through October 31, 2023
Join the monsters as they takeover LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Philadelphia with non-stop Halloween party fun! Join in the pumpkin LEGO® build in the Monsters’ Garden, find the LEGO® Monster bandmates in MINILAND® and win special prizes in magnificent Monster Party games! There will even be meet and greets with Bonesy, the Halloween skeleton! READ MORE

The Count's Halloween Spooktacular at Sesame Place

Langhorne - Saturdays and Sundays through November 5, 2023
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
Don your best costume for the West Chester Halloween Parade. Photo by Mommy Poppins
Don your best costume for the West Chester Halloween Parade. Photo by Mommy Poppins

Halloween Parades near Philadelphia for Preschoolers

Conshohocken Halloween Parade

Conshohocken - Saturday, October 21, 2023
Find the perfect spot along the parade route and watch the Conshohocken Halloween parade. Those who want to march in the parade must register on the day of the event prior to the start of the parade. The parade begins and ends in front of Mary Wood Park House. READ MORE

Newtown Township's Halloween Parade

Newtown -Saturday, October 28, 2023
Dress up in costume and head to the township complex for a costume parade. Participants parade from department to department as they collect treats along the way, so bring a bag for all of the goodies! READ MORE

West Chester Halloween Parade

West Chester - Wednesday, October 25, 2023
Come in costume to West Chester's annual Halloween parade. The parade will start at the intersection of Church St. and Market St. and do a loop around the downtown.  READ MORE

Oxford Halloween Parade

Oxford - Thursday, October 26, 2023
Witches and ghosts and goblins... oh my! That and more are in store for spectators at the Oxford Halloween parade. Dance performances are sure to delight and music is certain to entertain at this festive and fun celebration of fall. READ MORE

East Falls Halloween Parade and Block Party

East Falls - October 28, 2023
Rutabaga Toy Library hosts the East Falls Halloween Parade and Block Party. The costume parade begins promptly at 3pm. READ MORE

Ambler Halloween Parade Extravaganza

Ambler - October 28, 2023
Main Street is the place to be for costumed kiddos, who'll meet at the Ambler Theater for trick-or-treating, pumpkin decorating, and other kid-friendly activities. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Chadds Ford Historical Society
Wilmington Riverfront/Fort Christina Park/Kalmar Nyckel Shipyard
East Passyunk Avenue Business District
Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library
Downtown Oxford