October is upon us, and if you have kids, the excitement for Halloween has probably already begun. Has your child decided what costume to wear? Have you figured out how to make it or where to get it? More importantly, have you found safe and fun ways for your family to celebrate? If you're new to Houston, or your kids have just hit the age to get excited about Halloween, you may be wondering where to look. We're here to help you find family-friendly events in Houston in every season. There are plenty of great Halloween events for kids in Houston this year. Here are a few of the best free events for families:
Houston's largest family-friendly Halloween event is happening at the Houston Zoo on Friday mornings and weekend days October 14 through 30, and on the morning of Halloween. Kids can participate in a costume parade, learn the dance moves to “Thriller,” pick a pumpkin in the pumpkin patch, get painted up in the “Tatoo Parlor,” and more. Zoo Boo is free to zoo members, and comes with the price of zoo admission ($8 for kids, $12 for adults) for everyone else.
From October 18 through 31, the museum's Happy Halloween Mansion will be full of kid-friendly activities, including crafts, games, live leeches to view, and a hallway of doors for safe trick-or-treating (available from 3 to 6 p.m.). On Halloween, enjoy the Halloween Spooktacular party from 4 to 8 p.m.
Come to Discovery Green from 6 to 10 p.m. on October 29 for Houston's 4th annual citywide costume contest and Halloween party. Houston residents and visitors are welcome for costumes, prizes, music, and a screening of The Nightmare Before Christmas at this free, all-ages event.
The Houston Arboretum will host a family-friendly Halloween bash from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, October 22. Enjoy train rides, carnival games, pony rides, face painting, a petting zoo, and more. Admission is free for arboretum members, and $15 for anyone else aged 3 and up.
Halloween Movies at Miller: The Wolfman
For families with older kids who'll enjoy a good, old-fashioned monster movie, the 1941 Lon Chaney version of The Wolfman is showing at the Miller Outdoor Theatre—for free! This beautiful amphitheater is in Hermann Park, near the Houston Zoo and the Museum of Nature and Science.
If your kids are old enough to enjoy a good scare without nightmares, check out About.com's list of haunted attractions in Houston for 2011. Fees vary by attraction.
Posted by Melanie Belasco Levy on 10/06/11
