THIS WEEK:
Wild Wednesdays: On the last Wednesday of the month, Garfield Park has a live animal show-and-tell with professional animal handler Scott Heinrichs. This week, in honor of Halloween, kids can get a close-up look at bats, participate in a scavenger hunt as well as other animal-themed activities. FREE.
Where: Garfield Park Conservatory • 300 N Central Park Ave
When: Wednesday 3p-6p (drop in anytime)
Trails of Terror: Peterson Park has created a half mile of trails through a haunted seaside town. Kids brave enough will experience a haunted boardwalk, abandoned fishing boats, and a spooky general store all crawling with ghosts and scary creatures. Recommended for kids 8+.
Where: Peterson Park • 5801 N Pulaski, Chicago
When: Wednesday 6:30-9:30p
Pump It Up Halloween Spooktacular: Pump it Up is having a costume party on Friday including spooky decorations, pumpkin decorating and bowling, and of course the inflatables. Buy tickets in advance by clicking on the above link. $15 per child or $25 for two kids. Adults are $5
Where: 821 W Eastman, Chicago
When: Friday 10a-1p or 5p-8p
Creatures of the Night: Looking for a fun and educational Halloween activity that doesn't involve a candy stroll? This might be the event for you. Hit the Garfield Park Conservatory where kids can get a rare close up look at nocturnal creatures such as fruit bats, spiders, owls, armadillos, and hedgehogs. There will be treats for the kids at every critter station as well as spider plant painting, nectar cups, wormy apples and more. FREE!
Where: Garfield Park Conservatory • 300 N Central Park Ave
When: Saturday 12n-3p
Green City Market: Parents and kids can enjoy a healthy dose of Halloween on Saturday morning in Lincoln Park. There will be a kid's tour of the market, treats tasting, a costume contest, and kids cooking demo. The market moves inside after this week.
Where: South end of Lincoln Park between Clark and Stockton
When: Saturday 9a-12n
Trick or Treat in Northcenter: Head to the Northcenter Town Square for a costume contest, refreshments, prizes and trick or treating along Lincoln Ave.
Where: 4100 N Lincoln - in the square just north of CVS
When: Saturday 11a
Lincoln Square Halloween Happenings: Trick or treating at businesses along Lincoln Ave as well as other free activities.
Where: Lincoln Square • Lincoln Ave
When: Saturday 10a-4p
Wicker Park & Bucktown Boo-Palooza: Wicker Park/Bucktown is going all out for Halloween this year. Kids can enjoy everything from a haunted house, hayrides, store-to-store tick or treating, arts and crafts, etc. Hit the link above for times and locations of all the events.
Where: Bucktown and Wicker Park (hit above link for details)
When: Saturday 12n-4p
Andersonville Kids Trick or Treat and Costume Contest: Andersonville takes their kids' costume contest very seriously with a $200 prize to the first place winner. Kids trick or treat from 3p-5p on Clark Street and the store owners vote on best costumes. Make sure to register your kids at Cheetah Gym before you start trick or treating.
Where: Start at Cheetah Gym • 5248 N Clark Street
When: Saturday 3p-5p
Halloween in Rogers Park: Kids can enjoy a fortune teller, cookie decorating, games, trick or treating, and pumpkin decorating.
Where: Rogers Park • Jarvis and Greenview
When: Saturday 4p-8p
Also make sure to hit the Chicago Park District website for all the park Halloween parties this week. There are simply too many to mention. Click here for details.
