Weekend Fun for CT Kids: Pumpkins, Hayrides, and Halloween Fun, October 24-25

10/21/15 - By Jacqueline Miller

The house is decorated, and I think we've finally nailed down the Halloween costumes for this year so we're ready have some serious Halloween adventures this weekend. The Howl-o-Ween Celebration at Beardsley Zoo looks like just the right level of scary for us, but if we're feeling particularly brave we might also wander up to the Haunted Hayrides at Fairview Tree Farm.

If the prospect of next Saturday night's trick or treating is making you apprehensive for the younger ones, there are a bunch of daytime options available this weekend, including a farm, a sports center, and a town green. There are also two fantastic opportunities for overnights this weekend: one at the CT Science Center in Hartford and another at the Mystic Aquarium. Both require advanced registration so act soon to guarantee a spot.

We will continue to update our events calendar with the latest and greatest spooktacular Halloween activities. Make sure that you subscribe to our weekly newsletters and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest so that you won't miss out on any fun!

Have a fabulous weekend!

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Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey present "Legends", Fairfield County
Anything can happen at the circus! The Ringling Brothers welcome performers from around the globe who perform awe-inspiring feats and summon mythical and mysterious beings including a unicorn, a Pegasus, and a woolly mammoth. Thursday-Sunday.

Enchanted Castle, Fairfield County
A magical experience that includes seven fantasy theme rooms and the opportunity to interact with storybook characters. Note that strollers are not permitted and credit cards are not accepted. Until October 31st.

Howl-O-Ween at the Beardsley Zoo, Fairfield County
This family event includes magic shows, face painting, fortune tellers, dancers, and haunted attractions such as the Haunted Hayride, Farmer Beardsley's Farmstead, and the Ghastly Greenhouse. Friday and Saturday.

Trail of Terror, New Haven County
This winding 4.5 acre Halloween-themed exhibit is definitely for older kids and adults. Children younger than 15 must be accompanied by an adult. Friday to Sunday.

Spooktacular Science at the Connecticut Science Center, Hartford County
There will be trick-or-treating, a photo booth, and Halloween arts and crafts, including an opportunity for kids to make their own creepy crawly slime. Costumes are encouraged (but note that adult masks are not permitted). Saturday and Sunday.

Sea Scare at Mystic Aquarium, New London County
Enjoy creepy, cool adventures inside and all around the Mystic Aquarium. There will be carnival games, kooky crafts, and even underwater pumpkin carving. Thursday-Saturday.

Spooky Nature Trail--Where the Wild Things Are, New London County
This annual event at the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center includes a self-guided tour past wild animals, Jack-o-lanterns, and other frightful and delightful creatures followed by Halloween treats and spooky crafts and games. Friday-Saturday.

Not-So-Scary Halloween Hayrides, Middlesex County
The not-for-profit Ray of Light Farm offers these seasonal hayrides for the whole family (but they are probably best enjoyed by kids 7 and under). During the day on Saturday, the farm is also hosting a Halloween Masquerade party. Friday-Saturday.

Saturday, October 24

Jones Family Farms' UNICEF Family Festival, Fairfield County
If you haven't gone pumpkin picking yet this fall (or even if you have), this annual festival is a great excuse to visit Jones Family Farms for  shows, pumpkin decorating, games, wagon rides, and face painting--in addition to visits to the pumpkin patch.

Paper Doll Making Workshop, Litchfield County
Local illustrator and author Elizabeth Wolf leads this workshop at the Litchfield Historical Society making paper dolls inspired by the house of Worth fashion drawings, now on display. Preregsitration required.

Fall at the Farm, New Haven County
This fun afternoon at Red Skye Farm, an animal assisted therapy barn, includes a performance by Yale Whiffenpoofs, “unicorn” rides, pictures with Elsa and Anna from Frozen, and tours of the farm.

Hobgoblin Fair, Hartford County
Join the Roaring Brook Nature Center for the annual Hobgoblin Fair that features the "Track-and-Treat" walk, children's crafts, cupcake decorating, face painting, and more.  

Southington Drive-In Halloween Festival, Hartford County
During the day, festival-goers will be treated to haunted hayrides, pony rides, touch-a-truck, trunk or treating, apple launching, and more. When the sun goes down, first the family friendly Hocus Pocus will be shown followed by The Shining for more mature audiences. There will be an intermission between the two films to permit younger families to leave.

Sunday, October 25

Trick or Treat on Heckscher Farm, Fairfield County
Put on your Halloween costume and head up to Heckscher Farm at the Stamford Museum and Nature Center to trick or treat with your favorite farm friends. Included with general admission.

Hoot and Howl, Fairfield County
This non-scary event at the Darien Nature Center includes a magic show, hayrides, refreshments, a fall hike, story telling, live animals, s'mores, and face painting. (The night hike on the trails behind the Nature Center may be scary for very young visitors.)

Audubon Kids Day, Litchfield County
This great family-fun event for kids in preK-2nd grade includes carnival-type games, kids' crafts, a petting zoo, professional face painting and glitter tattoos, a hay bale maze, hay wagon shuttles, food, and even a costume parade with a real marching band!

Kent Pumpkin Run, Litchfield County
The 39th running of the Kent Pumpkin Run includes a Kids Fun Run followed by the 5 mile run/walk. The spectator friendly course starts and finishes at Kent Green where there will be music, refreshments, face painting, and Halloween fun.

Giant Puppet Halloween Parade, New Haven County
This annual neighborhood event includes friends, neighbors and giant puppets from around New Haven, ending up at the Edgewood Park Farmers Market for one gigantic outdoor Halloween Party. Free.

Donut Derby at Devil's Hopyard State Park, Middlesex County
The Donut Derby is a bike race with a twist: riders are rewarded for eating donuts. For every donut you eat, 3 minutes will be taken off your total time. The person with the fastest total time wins!

A Crash Course in Parenting, Litchfield County
Are “The Three O’s” – Overparented, Overprotected and Overscheduled – too prevalent in families across the country? Two nationally renowned experts on parenting are bringing the voice of reason to an interactive, town-hall style discussion at The Gunnery in Washington.