2015 CENTRAL OHIO KIDS
SPOOKY HALLOWEEN & TRICK-OR-TREAT GUIDE
Find more FALL family fun in KidsLinked's Fall Fun Guide!
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All Hallow's Eve
Oct. 17 & 24 - 5:30-9:30PM
Ohio Village & History Center
800-686-6124
Enjoy an evening of family fun at All Hallows' Eve, with a retelling of the Headless Horseman by the bonfire, pumkin carving and creepy characters roaming Ohio VIllage. Come revel in old-fashioned entertainment including fortune telling, crafts, games and more! There will also be an apparence by you-know-who! Admission is $12/adult & $9/youth (6-12).
Boo at the Zoo
Weekends: Oct. 16-18 & Oct. 23-25
Fridays: 5-9PM, Saturdays: 10AM-9PM, Sundays: 10AM-8PM
Columbus Zoo & Aquarium ( 614-470-0655)
FREE WITH ADMISSION
Bring the whole family out to this "merry-not-scary" Halloween event of heroic proportions. Special regions are dressed up for this spooky-kooky holiday. you an see your favorite Avengers take to the stage in an ALL NEW action packed show. Visit ALL the FrogwortZ Academy. Hang out with the pirates of the eerie Shores and experience a whole lot more "spook"-tacular rides and attractions for the young and the young at heart. Visit the Boo at the Zoo Website for more information and tickets.
Harvest Fair
Oct. 3: 2-6PM
Columbus Commons, Downtown Columbus
Don’t miss this great celebration of the fall season at Columbus Commons! The Harvest Fair will feature a full day of free and ticketed family-friendly rides, games, and entertainment that will bring thousands of people to the heart of Downtown. Families are invited to enjoy carousel rides, inflatable games, fall-themed arts and crafts, a pumpkin patch, and much more. Many activities are free and some activities require a $5 wristband for unlimited fun.
Creepside Festival
Oct. 21: 4:30-8PM
Creekside Park & Plaza,
Gahanna
Come to the festival in your fun, animated, silly costumes or painted faces and enjoy the festivities! Creepside is a family friendly event appropriate for all ages. The entire Creekside Park & Plaza will be transformed into a festival filled with:
• Trick or Treat trail along Mill Street with local businesses & organizations!
• Live Music
• Variety of family entertainment through the Creekside District
• Interactive children’s games hosted by Gahanna Parks & Recreation
• Food Vendors
• Haunted Maze by the Gahanna Lincoln Performance Studio Theatre group
• Not so Scary Trail Creekside Park along the Big Walnut with Pathway Church volunteer group
• Paddle Boat rides ($5 per boat ride)
Circleville Pumpkin Show
Oct. 21-24
Downtown Circleville (740-474-7000)
One of Ohio's olderst festival, the Circleville Pumpkin Show is everything about the pumpkin. Great family event with parades, pumpkin recipes, amusement rides, music, gams, contests and so much more
Halloween Pet Parade & Fall Festival
Oct. 18: 12-4PM
Easton Town Center, Columbus ( 614-416-7000)
The Halloween Pet Parade and Fall Festival is a fun, fall event that encourages participants to dress up their pets in festive Halloween costumes. The event, which is in its fifteenth year at Easton Town Center, will be held in Fenlon Square. Bring the entire family and get creative with your costumes! Our pet parade will kick off at 1:30 PM in front of Moochie & Co. Awards given include Most Creative, Scariest, Cutest, and Funniest Costumes.
Respook, Rewear, Rescare...Halloween Costume Exchange
Oct. 3: 10AM-1PM
Worthington Community Center (614-436-2743)
Has your child outgrown his or her Halloween costume but it still looks like new? The Worthington Community Center is accepting clean, gently used Halloween costumes for its first “Respook, Rewear, Rescare: Halloween Costume Exchange." Participants are invited to drop off costumes at the Worthington Community Center during normal business hours. Costumes may also be donated to the event. (Please see attachment with Costume Exchange Guidelines) In addition to picking out a new costume at the event, children can also participate in fun activities and eat a healthy treat.
Fall Harvest Jamboree @ Smith Farms
Oct. 3: Noon - 5 PM
Smirth Farms, Columbus (614-645-5330)
Columbus Recreation and Parks Department is going to celebrate our fall season with our “Get Cluckin'” at Smith Farms for our annual Fall Harvest Jamboree. Come on down to enjoy an afternoon of hayrides, stick horse races, and farm games. Other activities include the pumpkin patch for youth, barnyard straw maze, and fall crafts. Also enjoy some chow at the concession stand or baked goods from our local centers. Event is Free. Parking is $5.
Old Time Harvest Day
Oct. 4: Noon-5 PM
Fryer Park, Grove City (614-277-3050)
For most of Ohio’s history, the fall harvest featured neighbors working together to reap the fruits of the growing season and to prepare for the winter ahead. The Southwest Franklin County Historical Society and the City of Grove City provide an opportunity for families to connect with their community’s past.
Enjoy a living history experience with a variety of hands-on activities including old-time games, traditional crafts such as leather tooling and rope weaving, and daily chores like churning butter and pumping well water. Step back in time and visit a typical community in central Ohio during the mid to late 1800s. View restored and reconstructed historical buildings including a one-room schoolhouse, a log cabin, general store and barns, a windmill, as well as an herb garden and antique equipment. Also featured are wagon rides, costumed re-enactors and demonstrations of traditional music, cooking and trades like blacksmithing, chair caning and tin forming.
Bexley Harvest Festival
Oct. 9: 6-8PM
Jeffrey Mansion, Bexley
Everyone is invited to Jeffrey Mansion on Friday, October 17th to enjoy a fun filled evening at harvest time. Activities will include a cookout and children’s crafts. There will be continuous hayrides all evening, Enchanted Walk, Corn Maze, bonfire and more!
Apple Butter Day
Oct. 10: 1-6 PM
Heritage Park, Groveport
Held each year on the second Saturday in October offers music, homemade crafts and skilled craft demonstrators, all located in and around the grounds of Groveport's 1820's Log House on Wirt Road. Entertainment for this years Groveport Apple Butter Day will be Paul Brown, Sawmill Ridge Bluegrass Band, The Hart Brothers and closing out the event with Open Highway. Plan a fun filled day with your family at Groveport Apple Butter Day. There will be craft demonstrators, homemade crafts and food, Cornbread and Bean Dinner at Crooked Alley KidSpace, FREE petting zoo, and pony rides and of course the old fashioned tractors. A few changes being made this year are: All childrens' activities will be located around the Palm Pond just south of the stage. All children's activities are FREE.
Bremen Pumpkin Walk & Run
Oct. 10: 5:30-8:30PM
Over 100 hand-carved illuminated pumpkins on display. Family Fun, 5k Run, Pumpkin Drop and Pumpkin Walk.
Howell Park,
Bremen (740-569-7502)
Bremen Pumpkin 5K Run/Walk & Kids Fun Run
$15- 5K Run/Walk $1 - Kids Fun Run
Powell Autumn Community Bonfire
Oct. 10: 7-9PM
Village Green Park, Powell (614-885-9820)
A fall family favorite returns to Village Green Park in 2013. At the Community Bonfire, residents can enjoy FREE hot dogs, donut holes, cider and marshmallows, and stay warm around a raging bonfire.
Upper Arlington Fall Fest
Oct. 11: 1-5 PM
Fancyburg Park, Upper Arlington (614-583-5300)
Fall Fest is packed with fun activities the whole family can enjoy. Try your hand at pumpkin carving, creating kites, arts& crafts, making apple cider or making caramel apples. Jump aboard for a hay ride and bounce your way through our inflatable games. Don’t forget to bring your appetite too, to enjoy hot dogs, brats, burgers and more! Admission is free for this yearly family event, which includes live music and entertainment. See you there!
Halloween Spooktacular
Oct. 15: 3:30-8:30PM
Dublin Community Recreation Center, Dublin
The City of Dublin will host its annual Halloween Spooktacular on Thursday, October 15, from 3:30 – 8:30 p.m. at the Dublin Community Recreation Center (DCRC), 5600 Post Road. Join us for an evening of merry, not scary family fun for guests of all ages. Come in costume and enjoy a few tricks and a lot of fun treats inside and outside the DCRC. New in 2015, Mickey and Minnie will be outside the DCRC greeting guests and taking pictures. In addition, Lego® lovers can learn, build and play with thousands of bricks at Lego® Landing inside the DCRC. The event also includes returning favorites with exhibits featuring The Turtle Lady, The Bug Man, COSI, and a professional pumpkin carver.
Halloween Treat Trail Party
Oct. 16: 6-8:30PM
Everal Barn, Heritage Park, Westerville
Come out to this fun-filled night with Halloween-themed carnival games along the treat trail, play Halloween Bingo, take a walk down Vendor Alley, or enjoy a horse-drawn carriage night ride. Remember to wear your costume!
A Creepy Crawly Halloween Party
Oct. 17: 6:30-8:30PM
Worthington Community Center (614-436-2743)
Bugs will be abundant during our anual Halloween Party. Fly by music, hayrides, carnival games & candy! Special guests including the Bug Man will make this party the bee's knees! FREE
Creatures of the Night Walk
Oct. 17: 7-9 PM
McKnight Outdoor Education Center (614-645-3380)
Guided night walks will leave every 15 minutes. Join us for a night full of adventure at McKnight Outdoor Education Center. Enjoy a guided night walk where you will meet native nocturnal “animals”. Each animal will be eager to tell its own tale of nightly adventures and survival! Finish off the evening with hot cocoa and non-scary stories by the campfire. This is a non-scary event geared toward families with young children.
Community Halloween Party
Oct. 19: 6-9PM
JFK Park, Reynoldsburg
Come dressed in your best costume and be prepared to have a great time playing games, listening to live entertainment, and enjoying fun foods. You won’t want to miss this!
Barack Community Center Halloween/Fall Harvest Party
Oct. 22: 5:30-7:30PM
Barrack Community Center (614-645-3610)
Candy by the Carload
Oct. 24: 5-7PM
Village Green, Powell (614-885-9820)
The parking lot at the Village Green Municipal Building will be filled with businesses that will be dishing out candy by the carload! This unique trick-or-treat opportunity is perfect for younger ones who need help from an adult, who feel safer in the daylight or who just want to show off their costume before Halloween!
Pumpkin Hike
Oct. 24: 6:30-8:30PM
Alley Park, Lancaster
Enjoy a pumpkin lit night hike at Alley Park. Cook hot dogs over a bonfire. Great family event. Pumpkin carvers needed at 8 am at the Alley Park barn.
Family Halloween Funday at the North Market
Oct. 25: 12-2PM
North Market, Columbus
Ghost and goblins converge on North Market for their annual free Family Halloween Funday. Guests of all ages can participate in trick or treating with the diverse and sometimes spooky merchants and market flea vendors. Additional activities including children’s crafts, music and a special appearance from Columbus Children’s Theatre are planned throughout the day.
Zombie Halloween Pool Party
Oct. 25: 5:30-7PM
Westerville Community Center, Westerville
Come join zombie lifeguards for a haunted swim in the pool with a costume contest, face painting, a pumpkin pool hunt, and creepy pool punch. Ages six and under must have a parent in the water with them. Parents are FREE!
Barnett Community Center Halloween/Fall Harvest Party
Oct. 28: 6:30-8:30PM
Barnett Community Center (614-645-3065)
Olde Pickerington Haunted Village
Oct. 28: 6-8PM
Olde Pickerington Villag (614-833-2211)
Halloween fun for all ages! Ghost Tours, Story-Telling, Hayrides, visit the Haunted Museum, Haunted House and Hauted Garden, Trick or Treat in the Olde Village businesses, music by Rock Factory Studios and more!
Beatty Community Center Halloween/Fall Harvest Party
Oct. 29: 5-630PM
Beatty Community Center (614-645-3218)
Boo on Broadway
Oct. 29: 6-8PM
Town Center, Grove City
Grove City’s Town Center is transformed into destination for spooky fun from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 29. This annual, family-friendly alternative to the traditional door-to-door Beggars’ Night allows children to dress in costume and safely collect candy and other goodies from area businesses and civic organizations. This event is held rain or shine.
Safe Trick-or-Treat
Oct.29: 5-6:30PM
Courthouse Square, Newark
Held on the last Thursday in October each year, this free event continues to bring nearly 1,000 children and their families to the Courthouse Square to collect candy and other items in a safe and fun environment.
Pickerington Tots Trick or Treat
Oct. 29: 1:30-2:30PM
Pickerington City Hall (614-833-2211)
Children ages 2-5 accompanied by an adult can wear a costume and trick or treat through the Halloween decorated City Hall.
Haunted Overnight
Oct. 30-31: 7pm-10am
McKnight Outdoor Education Center (614-645-3300)
Wear your favorite costume and join us for McKnight Outdoor Education Center's annual Haunted Overnight! We'll have a spooktacular time playing games, doing crafts, taking a night hike, sitting around the campfire making S'mores, and much more. Don't forget your sleeping bag! A spooky evening snack and breakfast will be provided. This is a non-scary event.
SPOOKY STORYTIME, TALES & CRAFTSThurber House Ghost Writing Workshop
Oct. 6: 5-7PM
Gahanna Branch Library
Ghouls, goblins and giggles, oh my! Join us this fall as we create our own ghost stories sure to surprise and cause shrieks of laughter. If you are in 4th through 6th grade, sign up at one of your local libraries for our Ghost Writing Workshops where you work as a group to write a ghost story. With guidance from our teachers Sarah Magill and Valerie Cumming, you’ll learn how Thurber created his hilarious and spooky ghost story and how you can incorporate suspense, ghosts and humor all into one tale! Please call 645-2275 to register.
Thurber House Ghost Writing Workshop
Oct. 8: 6-8PM
Grandview Public Library
Ghouls, goblins and giggles, oh my! Join us this fall as we create our own ghost stories sure to surprise and cause shrieks of laughter. If you are in 4th through 6th grade, sign up at one of your local libraries for our Ghost Writing Workshops where you work as a group to write a ghost story. With guidance from our teachers Sarah Magill and Valerie Cumming, you’ll learn how Thurber created his hilarious and spooky ghost story and how you can incorporate suspense, ghosts and humor all into one tale! Please call 481-3778 to register.
Thurber House Ghost Writing Workshop
Oct. 10: 11AM-1PM
Whetsone Branch Library
Ghouls, goblins and giggles, oh my! Join us this fall as we create our own ghost stories sure to surprise and cause shrieks of laughter. If you are in 4th through 6th grade, sign up at one of your local libraries for our Ghost Writing Workshops where you work as a group to write a ghost story. With guidance from our teachers Sarah Magill and Valerie Cumming, you’ll learn how Thurber created his hilarious and spooky ghost story and how you can incorporate suspense, ghosts and humor all into one tale! Please call 645-2275 to register.
Fall Color Tram Rides
Oct. 11: 1-4PM
Blendon Woods Metro Park
Cruise around the park to see the leaves changing to their fall colors, and learn about the park's nature and history.
Preschoolers: Pumpkins,Gourds & Squash
Oct. 14: 11AM & 1PM
Oct. 15: 9:30 & 11AM
Highbanks Metro Park
Explore the many shapes and sizes of these vegetables, then decorate one of your own. Age 3-5. Monsters & Myths
Fall Color Tram Rides
Oct. 17: 1-4PM
Blendon Woods Metro Park
Cruise around the park to see the leaves changing to their fall colors, and learn about the park's nature and history.
Thurber House Ghost Writing Workshop
Oct. 17: 2-4PM
Dublin Branch Library
Ghouls, goblins and giggles, oh my! Join us this fall as we create our own ghost stories sure to surprise and cause shrieks of laughter. If you are in 4th through 6th grade, sign up at one of your local libraries for our Ghost Writing Workshops where you work as a group to write a ghost story. With guidance from our teachers Sarah Magill and Valerie Cumming, you’ll learn how Thurber created his hilarious and spooky ghost story and how you can incorporate suspense, ghosts and humor all into one tale! Please call 645-2275 to register.
Fall Fun Day Tram Rides & More!
Oct. 18: 2-6PM
Blendon Woods Metro Park
Take a tram ride between the Nature Center and Picnic Area to hear seasonal fun facts and stories, see fall colors, stop to play in a giant leaf pile, and roast a marshmallow over a campfire. A fall craft will also be in the Nature Center.
Family Halloween Movie: Hocus Pocus
Oct. 22 - 6:45-9PM
Lane Road Branch Library, Upper Arlington
We'll be screening the movie "Hocus Pocus" to get into the Halloween spirit. Come early for some spooky trivia to win some pre-Halloween candy. The library will provide popcorn and you can bring your own beverages.
Llama, Llama Halloween Fun
Oct. 24: 11AM-Noon
Northwest Branch Library, Carroll
It’s time for Little Llama’s Halloween fun with activities, games, and stories! It’s a great time to wear your costume to the library, but not required.
Preschoolers: Pirate Nature Scavenger Hunt
Oct. 23: 10AM & 1PM
Homestead Metro Park
Search the park for nature’s treasures.
Pumpkin Parade
Oct. 24: 10-11AM
Come in costume for a slightly scary storytime, a spook-tacular craft and a parade around the Village Green (weather permitting)! For ages 2-5
Old Worthington Library
Worthington
614-807-2626
Pumpkin Harvest!
Oct. 24: 11AM-1PM
Slate Run Farm
Bring your children to Slate Run and have them pick out a free pumpkin that was grown here at the park! Children only and while our harvest supplies last!
Pumpkins & Corn
October 24-25: 1-3PM
Slate Run Farm
See a display of the many varieties of pumpkins, gourds and squash as well as corn, and find out the many ways these products were used on an 1880s farm.
Halloween Party
Oct. 25: 2-4PM
Inniswood Gardens Metro Park
Join us in the gardens to enjoy activities and crafts to celebrate this traditional annual holiday.
Halloween Costume Ball
Oct. 25: 11-11:30AM
Come dressed in your best costume for stories, surprises, tricks, and treats. A seasonal favorite for families with children ages 2-6.
Columbus Main Library
Columbus
614-645-2275
Pumpkin Party
Oct. 25: 2-4PM
Celebrate our annual Pumpkin Party with stories, songs, and activities! Children are invited to dress-up in costume for trick-or-treat throughout the library. Don?t forget to bring the camera!
Southeast Branch Library
Groveport
614-645-2275
Pajama Storytime: Spooky Fun
Oct. 27: 6:30-7:30PM
Put on your PJs and grab your favorite snuggle toy because it's time for Pajama Storytime at the Powell Branch Library! This time we'll feature some extra special silly spooky stories!
Delaware County Library
Powell
614-888-9160
Bling-Out a Pumpkin!
Oct. 27 - All Day
Miller Park Branch Library, Upper Arlington
Drop-in any time today to bling-out a pumpkin just in time for Halloween on Thursday! (Supplies provided while they last. Please, one per child.)
Things that Go Bump in the Night
Oct. 28: 4-5PM
Nocturnal animals love night time. What do they do while we sleep? Bats, coyotes and other nocturnal animals have active night lives you will find fascinating. Presented by Alum Creek Lake ranger staff. For ages 7-12.
Westerville Public Library
Westerville
614-882-7277
Bling-Out a Pumpkin!
Oct. 27 - All Day
Lane RoadBranch Library, Upper Arlington
Drop-in any time today to bling-out a pumpkin just in time for Halloween on Thursday! (Supplies provided while they last. Please, one per child.)
Trick or Treat Bag
Oct. 28: 7-8PM
Beggar’s Night is just a few days away, children can make a decorative goodie bag to take trick or treating. All supplies are included in this free program.
Kidspace
Groveport
614-836-3333
Glow-in-the-Dark Storytime
Oct. 28: 7-7:45PM
Upper Arlington Main Library
We’ll turn out the lights for some glowing tales along with some music, fun activities and a craft. Registration is required and begins October 15th. This special program is for ages 4+
Bling-Out a Pumpkin!
Oct. 30 - All Day
Lane Rd. Branch Library, Upper Arlington
Drop-in any time today to bling-out a pumpkin just in time for Halloween on Thursday! (Supplies provided while they last. Please, one per child.)
Halloweenie Campfire
Oct. 30: 7PM
Blacklick Woods Metro Park
Listen to myth and tales about bats, owls, and other creepy creatures at an evening campfire.
Pumpkin Parade
Oct. 31: 10:30-11:30AM
Upper Arlington Main Library
Come dressed in your costume for this special annual Halloween storytime. We’ll read a few stories and do some rhymes then parade around the library and enjoy a spooky treat.
It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
Oct. 31: 11:30AM-1PM
Upper Arlington Main Library
Come join us after the Pumpkin Parade and watch Charlie Brown and friends celebrate the Halloween like no one else can. Refreshments will be provided.
Fairfield County Library Halloween Party
Oct. 31: 10:30AM-Noon
Fairfield County Library