slides: Family Matters: Best Halloween Events for Kids in Rhode Island

Pumpkin Palooza

Sat and Sun through October 31

Warren

Play in the Hay, Magic Pumpkin Coach, Snap the Dragon, Western Town, make your own scarecrow, pumpkin painting, Charlie Brown’s pumpkin patch, ride the witch broom, and more!
WHERE: Frerich’s Farm, 43 Kinnicutt Ave, Warren
AGES: ALL
COST: Many activities are FREE, others range from $1- $8.
PHONE: 401-245-8245
WEBSITE: http://www.frerichsfarm.com/

Jack-O-Lanterns

Through November 4

Roger Williams Park Zoo

Experience the glow of thousands of pumpkins, set in a magical display of artistry during this night-time Spectacular and feast your eyes on hundreds of artfully carved jack-o-lanterns depicting people, places and scenes from popular culture to old-time favorites and everything in between – all with painstaking detail and amazing intricacy! Don’t miss this unique, family friendly evening event.

6-11pm (last entry at 10pm)

WHERE: Roger Williams Park Zoo, 1000 Elmwood Ave, Providence
AGES: All ages
COST: Monday-Thursday nights, $12 adults, $10 seniors (62+), $9 children (3 – 12); children under 3 are free. Friday-Sunday nights, $15 adults, $13 seniors (62+), $12 children ages 3 – 12, children under 3 are free. RWP Zoo members receive a $2 discount when they show a membership card and another form of ID; no other discounts will apply.
PHONE: 401-785-3510
WEBSITE: http://www.rwpzoo.org/

BOO At The Zoo

October 19-21, and 26-28

Buttonwood Zoo, New Bedford

There’s enough thrills and chills for everyone at Boo at the Zoo! Rides are included in the Boo admission. Climb aboard for a spoooooky train ride or take a bewitching carousel ride! It’s slightly scary fun for all ages!

6-9pm

WHERE: Buttonwood Zoo, 25 Hawthorn St, New Bedford, MA
AGES: All ages
COST: members $8 adult, $5 child. Non-members $13 adult, $10 child
PHONE: (508) 991-6178
WEBSITE: bpzoo.org

Little Pumpkins

October 25

Providence Athenaeum

Don your Halloween finery, enjoy light refreshments and be entertained by music maker Lindsay Meehan. Younger siblings are welcome! All children must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver.

4-5pm

WHERE: The Providence Athenaeum, 251 Benefit St, Providence
AGES: 2-6
COST: suggested donation of $5 per child. R.S.V.P. a must! Call Lindsay at 421-6970 or email lshaw@provath.org
WEBSITE: www.providenceathenaeum.org

Halloween Iron Pour

October 26

The Steel Yard, Providence

Each year, the Steel Yard teams up with the Iron Guild to demonstrate the industrial arts in an exciting, accessible way. The Iron Pour is a luminous spectacle in celebration of the fall season in Providence. Incredible displays of molten metal in the past have included: liquid iron being poured into a huge, hand-carved wooden skull and casting the insides of pumpkins while a giant steel one was brought to life. Food vendors will be on site. Photo: Tobias Goulet

5:30-8:30pm. Rain Date: October 27th

WHERE: The Steel Yard, 27 Sims Ave, Providence
AGES: All ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
COST: $10
WEBSITE: www.thesteelyard.org

Kidoinfo Spooky Storytime

October 27

Burnside Park/Kennedy Plaza, Providence

Come in costume and get a special treat!
Spooky Storytime: Hear guest authors & illustrators read their books and other spooky favorites. Following Storytime, at Haunted Art in the Park kids can work on creating an interactive haunted house in Burnside Park with artist Alison Paul! Also learn about our life-size human anatomy skeleton, Mr. Bones (and his guts!) as science educator Nora Barre explains the function of bones and explores human anatomy! Do a fun skeleton craft to hang in the trees and spookify the park! More fun: Explore our Spooky playground, get FREE Halloween facepainting by artist RattScalion, dance to our special Halloweenie sound-track and enjoy delicious fall treats from food trucks!

10:30am-12:30pm

WHERE: Burnside Park, Downtown Providence
AGES:  All ages!
COST: FREE!
Sponsored by Kidoinfo & Greater Kennedy Plaza

Goblins + Gremlins Parade

October 27

West Side, Providence

Come out in costume to march in a real Halloween parade. The neighborhood will light up with pageantry in celebration of creativity, spirit and community with face and pumpkin painting, a dog costume contest, a bake sale, hot dogs, popcorn, apples and hot cider, and the giant trebuchet pumpkin launcher.

1-4pm

WHERE: Dexter Training Ground. West Side of Providence
AGES: All family members are welcome, including pets
COST: FREE ($5 to enter pet costume contest) ($5 to launch a pumpkin)
Sponsored by WBNA

Spooky Zoo

October 27-28

Roger Williams Park Zoo, Providence

Daytime outdoor autumn activities for the whole family: trick-or-treat, enjoy live music and seasonal entertainment including pumpkin carving demonstrations, games, creepy-crawly animal encounters, costumed characters, pumpkin treats for the animals and more!

10am-3pm

WHERE: Roger Williams Park Zoo, 1000 Elmwood Ave, Providence
AGES: 12 and under.
COST: Free with admission. Half-price admission for kids (12 and under) in costume.
PHONE: 401-785-3510
WEBSITE: www.rwpzoo.org/

Halloween Hike

October 27

Seekonk, MA

Bundle up and rustle through the leaves on guided lantern-lit trails through the cool night forest. Families encounter friendly costumed woodland creatures that explore the myths and legends associated with local wildlife and Halloween. Before or after the tour, take part in fun crafts and activities. Registration is required to reserve a time slot.

5:30-9pm (Groups depart every 10 minutes)

WHERE: Audubon Society of RI at the Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Ave, Seekonk, MA
AGES: All ages
COST: $12 per non-member; family 4-pack available for $36 (Members, $8/person)
PHONE: (401) 949-5454 ext. 3041
WEBSITE: www.asri.org

Boo Bash

October 28

Providence Children's Museum

A tiny bit spooky, a whole lot of fun! Come in costume and have a blast at the biggest Halloween bash around!  Play bewitching games galore, have hands-on fun with imaginative arts and “witch crafts,” explore an eerie environment, mix it up in the mad scientist’s laboratory and much more.

11am-2pm

WHERE: Providence Children’s Museum, 100 South St, Providence
AGES: 3 – 11
COST: Free with admission (admission is $8.50 per person, free for babies under the age of 12 months and for members.)
PHONE: (401) 273-5437
WEBSITE: www.childrenmuseum.org/

"Fiends" Party + Parade

HALLOWEEN October 31

Providence

All are welcome at the "Fiends" of Brown Street Park Children’s Halloween Party and Parade. Kids can join in on the ghoulish games, creepy crafts, and demented decorating projects, while filling up on pizza and healthy snacks. At 5:00pm, jump in as one of our favorite marching bands honks, blasts and bangs their way along a neighborhood parade route. Sponsored by “Fiends” of Brown Street Park, Mt. Hope YMCA, Crossfit Providence, and Whole Foods University Heights.

4–5:30pm

WHERE: Brown Street Park, corner of Brown & Creighton Sts, Providence
AGES: All welcome at this free and fun event (best for ages 10 and under).
COST: FREE
PHONE: (401) 454-8712
WEBSITE: www.friendsofbrownstreetpark.org/