Ghoulish Good Times In Chicagoby Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger 13 Oct 2007 11:32 PM I've told you where you can get your scare on in the Windy City, but if you have younger ghosts and goblins you'll want to haunt more kid-friendly events. If you live anywhere near Chicago I would highly recommend attending some of the following family friendly Halloween-related events. Last weekend, we went to Pumpkinpalooza where my 3-year-old daughter had a blast painting pumpkins, creating Native-American crafts, decorating wooden bats, feeding llamas, and gorging herself on Halloween candy... all in 88 degree weather. (Now that's freaky!) We can't wait to get to attend these events: TERRORIFIC THURSDAY For city kids who can't make it out to suburban pumpkin patches the city offers alternative green spaces where you and your child can pick your own personal favorite from a field filled with pumpkins of all sizes. Besides the large orange fruits, the pumpkin patches feature pony rides, pumpkin decorating, petting zoos and hay rides. Food and refreshments are also available at most sites. BOO AT THE BROOKFIELD ZOO Beginning next weekend your little monkeys can hang out at the Brookfield Zoo during the annual Boo! at the Zoo Halloween celebration. The events take place on Saturdays and Sundays, October 21-22 and 28-29, beginning at 11:00 a.m. each day. The not-so-scary Halloween party features activities for the entire family, including one of the area's largest costume parades, a Costume Showcase, pumpkin and woodcarving demonstrations, special treat bags for kids, Radio Disney's Party Patrol and much more. CHICAGOWEEN This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Haunted Village at Daley Plaza. I love this event because admission is free and so are the pumpkins. The city chips in and gives one pumpkin to each child and also sets up craft stations where your little pumpkin can paint and decorate his or her pumpkin with free art supplies. The pumpkin decorating takes place each weekend from now until Halloween. Meanwhile, the Haunted Village continues through Halloween every Monday through Wednesday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Thursday through Sunday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. There are extended hours on Halloween from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. NAVY FEAR If you have never visited Chicago's Navy Pier then this is the perfect opportunity to go. From now until Halloween Navy Pier is catering to families with children ages 8 and under. "Navy Fear" includes train rides, face painting, storytellers, performance artists and more. STATE STREET HALLOWEEN HAPPENING PARADE This free event for families gets underway at noon next Saturday. Head over to State Street in downtown Chicago and watch hundreds of costumed characters march south on State Street to Madison Street and then to Daley Plaza for Chicagoween. Following the parade Mayor Spookenburger from Midnight Circus will distribute free candy to the kids. There will also be free hayrides, a costume contest and a special performance by members of the Broadway smash WICKED. Related Articles: Where You Can Chuck A Pumpkin Without Getting Arrested More Spooktacular Halloween Travel Destinations Get Ready For The "Carnival of Carnage" More Places To Take Your Little Ghosts And Goblins For Some Safe Halloween Fun Where To Take Your Little Ghosts And Goblins For Some Safe Halloween Fun Where To Get Your Scare On In Chicago More Fun Fall Activities For Families With Children Fun Fall Activities For Families With Children More Fall Family Fun In New England Fall Family Fun In New England Fall Festivals From Coast to Coast Fun Fall Family Travel Destinations-Part 5: Farms and Festivals Fun Fall Family Travel Destinations-Part 1: Corn Mazes Fun Fall Family Travel Destinations--Part 2: Haunted Houses Fun Fall Family Travel Destinations-Part 3: Hiking Trails Fun Fall Family Travel Destinations-Part 4: Train Rides
Learn more about Michele Cheplic  Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism. Relevanttravel tags User Comments No comments on this article yet. Be the first to comment! Community Tags chicago, halloween, Illinois, seasonal events, Travel Discuss this article
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