There are any number of howling good Halloween activities in the Houston area that are family friendly. You just need to know where to go. Here are some family favorites sure to put a smile on your little monsters faces.
Houston Zoo-Boo
The Houston Zoo-Boo is one of the best family friendly Halloween events and attractions in Houston. Held Oct. 13-28, 2012 the Zoo Boo is open to the public on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The Zoo Boo events and activities are free with admission. Costumed kids can participate in a parade, dancing, games, face painting, trick or treating, entertainment and a haunted house complete with bats, as the bat house is taken over. For more information visit the Houston Zoo 6500 Hermann Park Drive, Houston, Texas 77030, (713) 533-6500 or online at www.houstonzoo.org.
ArBooretum
The Houston Arboretum & Nature Center presents ArBOOretum, a great way for the whole family to enjoy Halloween festivities in a natural environment, on Sat., Oct. 27 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. A private preview for Arboretum members will take place from 10 to 11 a.m.. The Arboretum is located at 4501 Woodway Drive in Memorial Park. This walk in the park is full of natural learning opportunities as well as tricks and treats along the way. General public admission, which includes all activities, is $15 for ages 3 and up. Refreshments will be sold separately. Admission is free to Arboretum members.
Pumpkin patches
Dewberry Farm celebrates 10 years of family fun and fall entertainment this year with new attractions, pumpkin patches, hay rides and more. If your idea of family fun is more pumpkins and pies, than ghosts and goblins, then you also may want to visit any one of the area’s other pumpkin patches or farms like Matt Family Orchard, The Old Christmas Tree Farm and 7 Acre Wood .
Boo on the Boardwalk
Enjoy the cooler temperatures at the Kemah Boardwalk with two haunted houses (Dungeon of Doom and Little Boo Haunted Fun House, pumpkin decorating, trick or treating and live entertainment. After all, it is Halloween, who knows what you may find under the boardwalk. Get more information about Boo on the Boardwalk at Kemah Boardwalk, 415 Kipp Ave.Kemah, TX 77565, (877) 285-3624 or online at www.kemahboardwalk.com. This event runs from Oct. 1-31.
Scream on the Green
Grab your blankets and chairs to sit back and relax during the showing of Tim Burtons’s “Coraline” at Discover Green’s Scream on the Green, Oct. 27, 6 -9 p.m. Enjoy costume contests and spooktacular park decorations at this free event. Discovery Green is located at 1500 McKinney St., Houston, TX 77010, (713) 400-7336 and more information can be found online at Discovery Green.com.
Happy Halloween Mansion
The Happy Halloween Mansion is held at the Children’s Museum of Houston from Oct. 13-31 with different activities taken place throughout the celebration. One thing all ages can be sure of and that is that they will enjoy the costumed fun and games, creepy crawlies, trick or treating hours and haunted houses appropriate for all ages. The Halloween Mansion is free with the cost of admission to the CMH.
Which Halloween is your family favorite?
In related news . . . What are the best haunted houses in Houston or the best haunted graveyard tours?
