Once September rolls around, I start looking for Halloween activities for kids in NYC and around Long Island that are fun for the whole family. We love getting into the Halloween spirit, but that doesn’t necessarily mean we need the scariest haunted house we can find. Give us pumpkins, costumes, trick-or-treating, cute decorations, fall treats, and a fun family outing, and we’re happy!
Living in New York gives us so many options, too. We can spend the day at a Halloween event in NYC, head out to Long Island for pumpkins and fall fun, or even turn a weekend into a Halloween road trip.
And because you don’t have to leave the house to make Halloween special, I’m also sharing some easy ideas you can do at home — plus a few FREE Halloween printables for kids that I created to make the season even more fun.
So whether you’re looking for a big Halloween adventure or just something simple to do together as a family, here are some of my favorite ideas.
Family-Friendly Halloween Activities for Kids in NYC
One thing I love about Halloween in New York is that you don’t have to go far to find something happening.
There are Halloween celebrations at attractions, gardens, parks, museums, and neighborhoods throughout the city. Some are ticketed experiences, while others are simple community events that make an easy afternoon out with the kids.
If you’re visiting with younger children, I always recommend looking specifically for family-friendly or not-so-scary Halloween activities. Just because something says it’s a Halloween event doesn’t necessarily mean every part of it will work for every child.
Here are a few NYC ideas worth watching this season.
Spend a Fall Day at the New York Botanical Garden
The New York Botanical Garden is one of those places where you can enjoy the season without needing a traditional haunted attraction.
For 2026, the Garden is introducing a Día de los Muertos celebration from October 3 through November 2. The experience includes marigolds, a community ofrenda, colorful calaveras, a large floral Catrina, and weekend music and crafts.
While Día de los Muertos is its own cultural tradition rather than a Halloween event, I think it can be a beautiful way for families to experience something meaningful during the fall season while also talking with kids about remembrance, family, and tradition.
Mom tip: Check the official calendar before visiting because special activities and performances may only happen on certain dates.
Look for Halloween Fun at NYC Zoos, Gardens and Parks
Some of our favorite family days in NYC happen at places we would visit anyway — just with a seasonal twist.
As October gets closer, keep an eye on the calendars for the Bronx Zoo, botanical gardens, NYC parks, children’s museums, and other family attractions. You’ll often find costume events, crafts, seasonal programming, trick-or-treat opportunities, and other activities geared toward families.
This is also a good option if you have younger kids who aren’t ready for a traditional haunted attraction.
And don’t forget to check what’s happening in your own neighborhood. Some of the best Halloween memories can come from a local costume parade, community trick-or-treat event, or afternoon at the park.
Halloween Activities for Kids on Long Island
If you’re willing to drive a little outside NYC, Long Island gives us even more options.
Fall is already one of my favorite times to explore Long Island with the family because of the farms, pumpkin patches, apple picking, and fall festivals. Once Halloween gets closer, there are even more reasons to head out for the day.
If you’re looking for all of our non-Halloween fall ideas too, make sure to check out my Fall Activities on Long Island With Kids guide.
For Halloween specifically, these are a few experiences I’d put on the list.
RISE of the Jack O’Lanterns
If your family loves pumpkins and Halloween displays more than jump scares, RISE of the Jack O’Lanterns is one to look into.
The Long Island event returns for its 13th season in 2026 with thousands of illuminated objects, including thousands of hand-carved jack-o’-lanterns and family-friendly Halloween displays.
I love experiences like this because they still feel special and very Halloween without necessarily being centered around scary haunted houses.
This could also be a fun option if you have older kids who have outgrown some of the little-kid Halloween events but aren’t interested in something super scary.
Before you go: Check current ticket times, parking information, and weather policies directly with the attraction.
Celebrate Halloween at Adventureland’s Pumpkin Park
If you’re looking for something fun to do with the kids on Halloween day, Adventureland’s annual Pumpkin Park is a Long Island tradition worth knowing about.
Pumpkin Park takes place on Saturday, October 31, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Adventureland in Farmingdale. For more than 35 years, families have been coming to the park for a kid-friendly Halloween celebration, including trick-or-treating along Sweet Street. Costumes are encouraged, so the kids get another chance to dress up and start collecting some treats before heading out for their regular Halloween night plans.
I especially like the idea of a daytime Halloween event with kids. You can enjoy some Halloween fun together earlier in the day and still have the evening for your family’s own traditions.
Access to Pumpkin Park is included with an Adventureland admission ticket.
Mom tip: Since Pumpkin Park takes place on Halloween day and attracts thousands of visitors, I’d check Adventureland’s current hours and event information before heading out.
Not-So-Scary Halloween Activities for Younger Kids
Halloween can be tricky when you have younger children.
One kid sees a skeleton and thinks it’s hilarious. Another sees the exact same skeleton and wants to go home immediately. 😂
That’s why I always recommend looking beyond the words “family friendly” and reading exactly what an event includes before buying tickets.
For younger kids, some of my favorite options are:
- Daytime trick-or-treat trails
- Pumpkin decorating
- Costume parades
- Hayrides without scary characters
- Halloween crafts
- Character meet-and-greets
- Fall amusement park events
- Pumpkin trails and light displays
- Halloween storytimes
- Family movie nights
You know your child best. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with skipping the scary stuff and sticking with pumpkins and candy!
Halloween Day Trips From NYC Worth the Drive
One of the perks of living in the NYC area is how many family destinations we can reach by car.
And we’ve taken quite a few of those road trips ourselves.
If you don’t mind driving a little farther, Halloween is a great excuse to turn an ordinary weekend into a mini family getaway.
Dutch Wonderland Happy Hauntings
This is one I’ve actually experienced with my family, and it’s exactly the kind of Halloween event I recommend for families who want festive fun without making everything scary.
Dutch Wonderland’s Happy Hauntings returns September 19 through October 31, 2026.
When we visited Happy Hauntings, we loved seeing the park completely transformed for Halloween. There were decorations, rides, trick-or-treating, entertainment, and plenty of opportunities for the kids to get into the Halloween spirit.
For 2026, Dutch Wonderland is once again leaning into the not-so-spooky side of Halloween, with family activities including Mayhem’s Amazing Hay Maze and Not-So-Spooky Storytime.
This is one I would especially consider for families with younger kids.
READ NEXT: Our complete Dutch Wonderland Happy Hauntings experience has more details from our family visit.
And if you’re thinking about staying overnight, the new Dutch Wonderland Inn next to the park makes this much easier to turn into a weekend trip.
Hersheypark Halloween
Hershey is another destination we’ve visited as a family, and it’s an easy one to turn into an overnight trip from the NYC area.
Hersheypark Halloween returns September 12, 2026, with rides, seasonal activities, and Hershey’s Trick-or-Treat Trail for children 12 and younger.
ZooAmerica’s Creatures of the Night also returns on select October weekends, giving families the chance to learn about nocturnal animals after dark.
One important thing to know before taking younger children: Hersheypark Halloween also includes Dark Nights, which is the park’s scarier Halloween experience with haunted houses and scare zones.
So definitely look at the park map and schedule before your visit and plan your day around what your family is comfortable with.
For us, Hershey is one of those destinations where I wouldn’t try to squeeze everything into one day anyway. There’s so much to do that turning it into a weekend makes the trip much more enjoyable.
READ NEXT: My complete Hersheypark With Kids guide for everything we learned from our family visit.
LEGOLAND New York Brick-or-Treat
Another Halloween day-trip option from NYC is LEGOLAND New York’s Brick-or-Treat, running October 2 through November 1, 2026.
This one is geared toward families and includes Halloween activities, live entertainment, Halloween-themed shows, and candy alongside the regular theme park experience.
For LEGO-loving kids, this could be a fun way to combine something they already love with Halloween.
If you’re coming from NYC or Long Island, Goshen is also close enough to make this a day trip, although families who want a slower weekend could stay overnight.
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FREE Halloween Scavenger Hunt for Kids
Okay, now for something you don’t need tickets for. 🎃
I wanted to create something families could use whether you’re heading to a big Halloween event, walking around your neighborhood, or simply looking at Halloween decorations after dinner.
So I put together a FREE Halloween Scavenger Hunt for Kids!
Kids can look for things like pumpkins, ghosts, witch hats, black cats, spiderwebs, candy corn, skeletons, Halloween lights, and more.
You can bring it along while:
- Trick-or-treating
- Walking around your neighborhood
- Visiting a pumpkin patch
- Attending a Halloween event
- Taking a fall road trip
- Looking at Halloween decorations
Download Our Free Halloween Scavenger Hunt
Print it before you head out, grab a pencil or crayon, and see how many Halloween items your kids can find.
And yes — parents are allowed to play too. 😂
What We Bring Along for a Halloween Family Day
After enough family outings, I’ve learned that having a few basics in the car can save the day.
You don’t need to pack half the house, but for a fall or Halloween outing I usually like to have:
- Reusable water bottles
- A few snacks
- Portable phone charger
- Comfortable walking shoes
- An extra sweatshirt or jacket
- Hand wipes
- Small backpack
- Reusable trick-or-treat bag
- Glow sticks or another small light for evening events
Layers are especially important in October. A beautiful warm afternoon can turn into a surprisingly chilly evening very quickly.
Our Family Halloween Bucket List
Another thing I’ve learned is that we don’t have to go somewhere every weekend to make fall feel special.
Some of my favorite seasonal memories are actually the simple things we do together.
Our Halloween bucket list includes things like:
- Visit a pumpkin patch
- Pick our favorite pumpkins
- Decorate or carve pumpkins
- Have a Halloween movie night
- Bake Halloween cookies
- Make a spooky snack
- Decorate the house
- Go on a Halloween scavenger hunt
- Wear Halloween pajamas
- Read a Halloween story
- Visit a family-friendly Halloween event
- Take a fall family photo
- Make a Halloween craft
- Go trick-or-treating
- Have hot chocolate or apple cider
- Have a family game night
And because lists are always more fun when you can actually check things off…
Grab Our FREE Family Halloween Bucket List
Print it, put it on the fridge, and see how many you can check off before Halloween.
You can also check out our bigger Fall Family Bucket List if you’re looking for ideas that aren’t just for Halloween.
Easy Halloween Activities to Do at Home
Not every Halloween activity needs tickets, reservations, or a drive. While there are plenty of Halloween activities for kids in NYC, sometimes celebrating right at home is exactly what we need.
Sometimes the weather doesn’t cooperate. Sometimes everyone is tired. And sometimes staying home in Halloween pajamas sounds much better than sitting in traffic. 😂
Those nights can still feel special.
Try a Halloween movie night with popcorn and themed snacks. Decorate pumpkins instead of carving them. Bake cookies. Make paper ghosts for the windows. Turn off the lights and read Halloween stories with flashlights.
You can also set up a mini scavenger hunt around the house.
Hide little Halloween items or pieces of candy and give the kids clues to find them.
And if everyone is in the mood for a little friendly competition…
FREE Halloween Bingo for Kids
Our third free printable is Halloween Bingo!
This is an easy activity for a family Halloween night, classroom party, playdate, or rainy October afternoon.
Download Our Free Halloween Bingo Printable
You can use little candies, coins, cereal pieces, or game markers to cover the squares.
Just don’t blame me if someone starts eating all of the candy markers before the game is over. 😂
Tips for Planning Halloween Activities With Kids
After doing plenty of family outings over the years, I’ve learned that a little planning can make a huge difference — especially during busy seasonal events.
Buy Tickets Early When You Can
October weekends can get busy, especially at popular pumpkin attractions, theme parks, and nighttime events.
If there’s something your family really wants to do, I wouldn’t wait until the morning of your visit to look for tickets.
Check the Scare Level
This is probably my biggest Halloween tip.
“Family friendly” doesn’t automatically mean “not scary.”
Look for words like not-so-scary, daytime Halloween, or little-kid friendly, and check whether haunted houses or scare actors are part of the experience.
Don’t Overschedule the Day
I know how tempting it is to try to fit pumpkin picking, a Halloween event, dinner, and another attraction into one day.
But especially with kids, sometimes less really is more.
Pick the thing your family is most excited about and give yourselves time to enjoy it.
Check Costume Rules Before You Leave
If the kids want to wear costumes to a theme park or attraction, check the rules first.
Some attractions have restrictions on masks, props, costume length, or what adults are allowed to wear.
Have a Rain Backup
Fall weather in New York can be unpredictable.
If an outdoor event is the main plan, I always like having a simple backup idea — even if that backup is just heading home for Halloween Bingo, pizza, and a movie.
Are There Free Halloween Activities for Kids in NYC?
Absolutely! If you’re looking for Halloween activities for kids in NYC that don’t require spending a lot, there are plenty of free and low-cost ways to celebrate.
You don’t have to buy expensive attraction tickets every weekend to make Halloween feel special.
NYC neighborhoods, parks, libraries, community centers, and local organizations often host Halloween activities throughout October.
Closer to Halloween, I recommend checking your local park, library, and community calendars for costume parades, crafts, storytimes, trick-or-treating, and neighborhood celebrations.
And, of course, our Halloween scavenger hunt and Halloween bucket list printables are free activities you can print and enjoy at home. 🎃
What Are Some Not-Scary Halloween Activities for Kids?
Pumpkin patches, pumpkin decorating, daytime trick-or-treat events, costume parades, Halloween crafts, fall festivals, hayrides, character events, and illuminated pumpkin trails are all great alternatives to haunted houses.
For younger children, I personally like starting with daytime activities. You still get all the pumpkins, costumes, candy, and Halloween excitement without some of the things that can feel much scarier after dark.
What Can We Do for Halloween if It Rains?
Don’t cancel Halloween just because the weather isn’t cooperating! There are still plenty of Halloween activities for kids in NYC and Long Island that can be enjoyed indoors.
Look for indoor museum events, children’s attractions, Halloween craft workshops, or other family-friendly entertainment happening nearby.
Or make it an at-home Halloween night.
Put on Halloween pajamas, make popcorn, choose a movie, print our Halloween Bingo game, decorate pumpkins, and make a fun Halloween snack together.
Honestly, sometimes those simple nights at home end up being the ones we remember most. 🎃
Are There Halloween Day Trips From NYC?
Yes! Families in the NYC area have plenty of Halloween destinations within driving distance.
Dutch Wonderland’s Happy Hauntings in Lancaster, Hersheypark Halloween in Hershey, and LEGOLAND New York’s Brick-or-Treat in Goshen are three family-friendly options to consider.
You can also check out my Best Day Trips From NYC With Kids guide for more ideas when you’re ready to plan your next family adventure.
Make Halloween Your Own
Halloween with kids doesn’t have to mean doing every pumpkin patch, buying tickets to every event, or filling every October weekend.
Pick a few things your family genuinely wants to do.
Maybe that’s taking a Halloween road trip. Maybe it’s dressing up and spending the day at a local event. Or maybe it’s carving pumpkins, ordering pizza, and doing our Halloween scavenger hunt around the neighborhood.
That’s the fun part — there really isn’t one “right” way to celebrate.
For us, it’s about spending time together, getting out and exploring when we can, and enjoying those little traditions that the kids look forward to every year.
I hope this guide helps you find a few Halloween activities for kids in NYC and Long Island to add to your family’s plans this fall.
And don’t forget to download the free Halloween printables before you go!
What’s one Halloween tradition your family never skips? Let me know in the comments. 🎃
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