Take the Whole Family to These 5 Kid-Friendly Halloween Events

Calling all trick-or-treaters! Though the Buckeye State offers plenty of bone-chilling experiences for the older crowd, there are just as many opportunities for the littlest ghouls and goblins itching to celebrate the season. From a self-proclaimed “slight-fright” experience in our state’s southwest corner to a massive, multi-weekend party promising all things pumpkin, families will love these five experiences tailor-made for kids.


Haunted Village | Oct. 23–24
Kids ready for a semi-spooky season can visit Sharonville’s Heritage Village Museum for this jam-packed Halloween extravaganza. The village is open for a trick-or-treating route lined with “slight-fright” monsters, ghosts, witches and a fortune teller. This year, several stations will make their first appearances, including “Cincinnati Jones and the Trail of Destiny” (an adventure trek through the woods) and an old-school Halloween party in the schoolhouse. Don’t leave without grabbing a one-of-a-kind balloon animal.

Halloween Express | Oct. 23–24, 30–31
Board this not-so-scary train ride to see Northwest Ohio Railroad Preservation’s whimsical Halloween decorations after dark. With no frights to be found, little ones can spot jack-o-lanterns, ghosts, serpents and dragons out the very windows they may have looked out during the day at this Findlay destination. Admission for children 12 and under is just $2, and adults get in for $3.

Pumpkins & Piranhas | Oct. 23–25, 30
Meet creatures from Lake “Eeeerie” and the deep “boo” sea at this Greater Cleveland Aquarium bash. Ticket-holders will enjoy full access to the venue for a look at underwater skeletons and jack-o-lanterns. See costumed scuba divers or get decorated with temporary tattoos and face painting. Visitors are also invited to have an encounter with a fortune teller and work on a four-page activity booklet. Come in costume, so long as adult outfits are family friendly and have a good field of vision.


Boo at the Zoo | Oct. 24–25
Known as “merry not scary,” this perennial favorite is full of treats only, starting at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium’s Adventure Cove, where costumed kiddos can watch a giant pumpkin carving, step inside the “Imaginarium” fun house and celebrate at a Halloween hoedown with the Oak Ridge Bears. New this year are the “Rave at the Grave” dance party and a trick-or-treat trail boasting 13 stations. Bring the little ones to tackle a hay maze and meet and greet with their favorite character ambassadors.


Mapleside Farms Pumpkin Village | Oct. 24–25, Oct. 31–Nov. 1
This larger-than-life celebration covers 100 acres at Brunswick’s Mapleside Farms, including record-breaking attractions like the 311-foot super slide and our state’s largest “jumping pillow,” which offers 70 feet of bouncy fun. Families can take on one of two corn mazes, the first clocking in at seven acres and the second a smaller version best suited for younger children. Visit “billy goat bluff,” take a ride on the cow and pig trains and play on haystack mountain. The weekend of the 24 and 25 is themed around the “Wild, Wild West” and Halloween weekend brings “Spooky Fest.”

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