34 Kid-Friendly Things To Do This Halloween Weekend

Get ready for some spooktacular fun this Halloween weekend with lots of family activities all over the state. Catch the last few days of brilliant pumpkin displays at Brite Nites at Wagner Farm Arboretum in Warren, check out the floats and costumes on display at the Halloween Parade in Toms River, or ogle the intricately carved pumpkins and roast s’mores at the October Fall Festival at Skylands Stadium in Augusta.  And if you are looking for more to do this season, take a peek at our Fall Activities in New Jersey Guide.

Featured Photo Taken at Wagner Farm by Michael Marmora Photography

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(Note: Since COVID-19 rules and regulations are continually changing, it’s best to check ahead for in-person events)

Wagner Farm Arboretum Brite Nites Drive Thru
October 28-30
Catch the last weekend of this drive-thru pumpkin path at the Wagner Farm Arboretum. This Halloween-themed event showcases a display of hand-carved and lighted pumpkins and takes 20 minutes to drive through. Check out the new additions for 2021, including a recreation of the Barnegat Lighthouse.
Cost: $35 and up
197 Mountain Avenue, Warren, NJ 07059
(908) 350-7383

Somerville Spooktacular
October 29 at 3 PM
There’s entertainment, music, and candy for all at this Spooktacular Festival. There is free parking, and don’t miss the 7 PM meet on the courthouse lawn to see a screening of Hocus Pocus.
Cost: Free
Division Street, Main Street, Borough Hall, Courthouse Lawn, Somerville, NJ 08876
(908) 524-0104

BooClaws Spooktacular – The Night Before Christmas Movie Night
October 29 at 6 PM
It’s the second annual BooClaws Spooktacular presented by the Girl Scouts and RWJBarnabas Health. Don’t forget your Halloween costume and join the parade and trick-or-treating. Then grab some popcorn and watch The Nightmare Before Christmas on the big screen in the stadium. The rain date will be October 30.
Cost: $10 and kids 2 and under are free
2 Stadium Way Lakewood, NJ 08701
(732) 901-7000

Annual Pumpkin Patch Day
October 30 at 10 AM
Don’t miss this museum’s annual Pumpkin Patch Day with trick or treating, pumpkin picking, hayrides, games, pumpkin carving and painting, crafts, and more. Food is available for purchase, and there is an additional charge for pumpkins (cash only). Reservations are suggested.
Cost: $8 and up, free under 3 years old, and it’s free for the Liberty Hall Family Membership owner.
Liberty Hall Museum, 1003 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ 07083
(908) 527-0400

Boo at the Zoo at The Cape May Zoo
October 30 at 10 AM
All ages are invited to wear a costume to this fun family event. The kids’ corner will have a craft station, games, candy, entertainment, animals, an inflatable obstacle course, a pirate ship, and more. The Costume Contest will start at 11 AM, and registration begins at 10 AM. There will be an awards presentation after the Halloween costume contest. The Cape May Dancers will perform at noon with a live animal presentation. Master DJ & Sound will be playing some special Halloween tunes. Don’t miss the special Halloween Animal Enrichment throughout the Zoo too.
Cost: Free
Cape May County Park, in Cape May Court House, NJ 08210

Halloween Dog Walk
October 30 at 10 AM
It’s time to dress your dog up and get ready to walk. Take a short 3-4 mile hike while your pooch wears their Halloween costume. This event is for all ages.
Cost: Free
Belleplain State Forest, Main Office, 1 Henkinsifkin Road, Woodbine, NJ 08270
(609) 861-2404

Jersey Devil Day
October 30 at 10 AM
Bring your crew to this event to hear the true tale of the Jersey Devil. All participants can also make masks of what they think the Jersey Devil looks like. Make sure you dress for the weather.
Cost: Free
Brendan T. Byrne State Forest, Nature Center, Highway Route 72 East, New Lisbon, NJ 08064
(609) 726-1191

Pinelands Storytime
October 30 at 10 AM
Listen to folklore stories from the porch of the packing house in the historic village. Bring a chair or blanket to sit on, and heavy rain or thunder will cancel this event. This event is for ages 5 and up, and pre-registration is required.
Cost: Free
Double Trouble State Park, Double Trouble Village, 581 Pinewald Keswick Road, Bayville, NJ 08721
(732) 341-6662

Red Mill Museum Village Happy Haunts
October 30 at 10 AM
Are you looking for some more child-friendly Halloween activities? Explore a small portion of the Haunted Red Mill with a friendly ghoul, go for a fun hayride, and return for cider and donuts.
Cost: $10
Red Mill Museum Village, 56 Main Street, Clinton, NJ 08809
(908) 735-4101

Allaire Scare Pumpkin Dare: Carved Pumpkin
October 30 from 2 PM-3:30 PM
Show off your creativity by entering your pre-carved pumpkin in the contest to potentially win a trophy and gift bag. Pumpkins will be judged on Most Original, Scariest, Cutest, Funniest, Most Creative, and Fan Favorite- all of which will be voted on by the public on the day of the event. Registering your pumpkin does not guarantee you a ticket for the event; you must also separately purchase tickets to the event.
Cost: $4-$8
The Historic Village at Allaire, 4263 Atlantic Avenue, Wall Township, NJ 07727
(732) 919-3500

Halloween at Saks Featuring Harmonica Sunbeam
October 30 at 2 PM
It’s Drag Queen Story Hour featuring Harmonica Sunbeam at Saks in the American Dream Mall. The event will be on children’s level 2 at Saks and Laderach Chocolatier Suisse will be offering chocolate tastings storewide.
Cost: Free
American Dream Mall Saks, 1 American Dream Way, East Rutherford, NJ 07073
(833) 263-7326

Addamsfest Dudley’s Drive-In
October 30 at 6:30 PM and 9 PM
Celebrate Westfield’s own Charlie Addams with Addamsfest and head over to Dudley’s Drive-in to watch Adams Family 2 and other Halloween classics. 
Cost: $35 per car
Westfield South Avenue Train Station Lot, Westfield, NJ 07090
info@addamsfest.com

Dinosaurs After Dark Field Station: Dinosaurs
Fridays and Saturdays until October 30 at 7 PM
Join a fun, mysterious expedition into a prehistoric world where there is a T-Rex on the loose. Dinosaur wranglers will lead a Tyrannosaurus through the Field Station, and don’t miss the surprises along the way. There are also two new live shows, including “Dinosaurs Din-o-mite!”
Cost: $16.95 and up
3 Overpeck Park Driveway, Leonia, NJ 07605
(855) 999-9010

Medford Halloween Parade
October 30 at 7 PM
With marching bands, fabulous floats, cheerleaders, princesses, and firemen, the Medford-Vincentown Rotary Halloween parade is a do-not-miss event for Halloween weekend. There will be a costume contest, and kids can walk in the parade—preregistration is required starting at 5:30 at the front of Saint Mary’s of The Lake School.
Cost: Free
Main Street, Medford, NJ 08055
(609) 953-7600

Toms River Halloween Parade
October 30 at 7 PM
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the Toms River Halloween Parade hosted by the Toms River Fire Company #1 is now the second-largest Halloween parade. The parade route for this 82nd annual parade begins at the Toms River Shopping Centre on the corner of Highland Parkway and Route 166 (Main Street). All spectators need to be south of the Highland Parkway. All registration is done on the day of the parade only.
Cost: Free
Highland Parkway, Toms River, NJ 08753 

Northlandz Halloween Train Ride
October 30 and 31
Prepare yourself to celebrate a classic Halloween with thrills. Walk through the cobwebs, see the spooky scenes at the World’s Largest Miniature Wonderland, and take a train ride through the Haunted Tunnel on the Outdoor Railroad.
Cost: $22.50 and up
495 US-202, Flemington, NJ 08822
(908) 782-4022

Boo-Tastic & Boo at the Boardwalk
October 30 and 31 from 12 PM-4 PM
Round up the crew and get your costumes ready—Boo at the Boardwalk will include crafts, face painting, and lots of tricks or treating along the shore. For a full day of entertainment, purchase a Boo-Tastic pass that includes mini-golf, sweet shop treats, aquarium admission, and more. And don’t miss the underwater Pumpkin Carving that will take place daily during Boo at 2:30 PM (Aquarium admission required).
Cost: $29 per person for Bootastic and Underwater Pumpkin Carving requires aquarium admission, Boo at the Boardwalk is free
300 Ocean Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
(732) 295-4334

D & R Greenway Land Trust’s Masquerade Parade
October 31 from 12 PM-5 PM
Birds, Bats, and Bugs! Grab your costume and decorate your car and flock to this Masquerade Parade.
Cost: Sponsorship levels are available for VIP passes
St. Michael’s Farm Preserve off of Princeton Avenue, NJ 08540
(609) 578-7470

Halloween Light Show Demarest Farms
Now-October 31
Come to see the most significant Halloween light show in NJ. Take your vehicle through 32 acres of Halloween light displays. There will also be farm-fresh goodies, warm fire pits, s’mores, and hot cocoa. Make sure to make a reservation before you go.
Cost: $35 per car
244 Wierimus Road, Hillsdale, NJ 07642
(201) 666-0472

Storybook Land Trick or Treat Weekends
Now-October 31
Get your costumes ready and get ready to trick or treat in Storybook Land. Tickets are limited and online only.
Cost: $29.95
6415 Black Horse Pike (Routes 40 / 322), Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234
(609) 646-0103

Haunted Wild West City Fest
Day Fest – Saturdays and Sundays in October, Night Fest – Fridays and Saturdays in October
There will be nonstop western entertainment during the day with a Halloween twist for kids of all ages. Tales of the Wild West will come to life through historical characters, live-action, and demonstrations by period artisans. Kids can come in costume, and the whole family will have a ball aboard the Wild West City Stage Coach or train. Want a genuinely haunted, creepy experience? Head to the terrifying Night Fest (for kids ages 12 and up).
Cost: Prices $15 and up
50 Lackawanna Drive, Stanhope, NJ 07874
(973) 347-8900

The 14th Annual Scarecrow Stroll
Now-October 31
Check out the handmade scarecrows made and donated by Cranford families, business owners, and organizations lining the downtown streets. The Scarecrow Stroll is one of downtown’s biggest events, so don’t miss it. If you live in town, you can register for free, and prizes will be awarded to the top scarecrows in each category.
Cost: Free
Eastman Plaza, Cranford, NJ 07016
(908) 709-7208

Sunflower Festival at Holland Ridge Farms
Now-October 31
See the blooms that inspired Vincent Van Gogh’s famous sunflower painting at these fields where millions of sunflowers are in season. Pick over eight varieties of sunflowers, including yellow, red, and white. Online tickets only.
Cost: $12.80 for ages 3 and up
86 Rues Road, Cream Ridge, NJ 08514
(609) 448-7483

Diggerfest 
Now-November 7 from 11 AM-6 PM
Do you love diggers and the fall? Then, head out to Diggerland this weekend for the start of Diggerfest. The whole family can spend the day operating all the fantastic machines while enjoying live music, special fall foods, hayrides, and fun and games. Of course, you’ll get to celebrate all things fall, too, with pumpkin decorating, fall parades, and even a petting zoo on special days.
Cost: $44.95 per ticket
Diggerland – 100 Pinedge Drive, West Berlin, NJ 08091
(856) 768-1110

Great Pumpkin Festival
Now-November 7
Self-proclaimed as the “Largest Fall Festival in Northern New Jersey,” it has over 40 different activities each day, including a hay crawl, vortex tunnel, pedal cart track, and more. Heaven Hill Farm also offers on-site wine tastings, a farmer’s market, and more.
Cost: prices start at $14.99 during the week and $19.99 on weekdays
451 State Route 94, Vernon, NJ 07462
(973) 764-5144

Outdoor Fall Festival at Skylands Stadium
Now-November 7
Over 6,000 pumpkins fill this spectacular Halloween Walk-Through (expect it to take 45 minutes to see it all).  While you are there, roast a s’more on the fire pit and sip hot apple cider. Or ride the Ferris wheel and carousel and decorate at the pumpkin pick-and-paint. And when you need an adult beverage, there’s a beer garden too.
Cost: Walk-Thru $19-$24, VIP access $34
Skylands Stadium – 94 Championship Place, Augusta, NJ 07822
(973) 383-7644

Fall Festival Weekends at VonThun Farms
Weekends now through October 31 from 10 AM – 5 PM
This family-friendly farm (with 2 locations) has a packed seasonal schedule with over 20 different farm activities and attractions like hayrides, a 5+ acre corn maze, barnyard basketball, lil’ rocking horses, pedal karts, and more. While admission includes most of the attractions, there are additional fees for corn cannons and pony rides.
Cost: $14.99 General admission and up
VonThun’s Country Farm Market – 438 Route 57 West, Washington, NJ 07882
(732) 986-6816
VonThun’s Country Farm Market – 519 Ridge Road, Monmouth Junction, NJ 08852
(732) 329-8656

Family Fun Fall Weekends at Terhune Orchards
Weekends from now-October 31 from 10 AM-5 PM
At Terhune Orchards in Princeton, you and the littles can celebrate fall in NJ with live music, picking pumpkins, and a corn maze or hay bale maze. Don’t miss the hippy hop corral, pumpkin painting, and duckie races too. You can also visit the barnyard, play area, and adventure barn. Take a stroll on the pollinator trail and indulge in apple cider, donuts, and wines made from grapes on the farm.
Cost: $11 online, $14 at the gate
330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton, NJ 08540
(609) 924-2310

Argos Farm Fall Festival
Opening Day: September 18, and the hours vary per month
With a ton of different fall-themed activities, your kiddos will have a blast getting into the spirit of the season with a corn maze, wagon rides, a double hay slide, corn hole, pick-your-own pumpkins, the new gauntlet obstacle course, plus so much more. After, indulge in yummy fall treats from their Farm Market. Make sure to purchase your tickets online before you go.
Cost: $12 on weekdays and $15 on weekends and holidays
1250 Lacey Rd., Forked River, NJ 08731
(609) 693-3513

Fright Fest at Six Flag Great Adventure
Now-October 31
Rides, shows, entertainment, haunted attractions, scare zones, and more at the annual Fright Fest event in Jackson, NJ. Don’t worry if your littles don’t want to be frightened—there are family-friendly events throughout the day, but Six Flags transforms into a scarier Fright Fest once night falls.
Cost: Admission starts at around $30.99
Six Flags Great Adventure – 1 Six Flags Blvd., Jackson, NJ 08527
(732) 928-2000

Happy Day Farm Fall Harvest Festival
Open Saturdays and Sundays (Plus Fridays in October) from 10 AM-5 PM, last entry at 4 PM
Now through October 31
Begin your fall adventure at Happy Day Farm’s Fall Harvest Festival, jam-packed with activities all day long like pumpkin bowling, tractor rides, a corn maze, hay mountain, pig races, fun slide, horse lasso, tug-o-war, and so much more. Oh, and did we mention that their pumpkin patch and photo ops at Pumpkinville is open seven days a week with no admission, pay for what you pick? Don’t miss the fun add-ons like the jumping pillow, corn cannon, and sunflowers for an extra fee. Be sure to purchase your tickets ahead of time.
Cost: $20
106 Iron Ore Road, Manalapan, NJ 07726
(732) 977-3607

Ort Farms Fall Fest
Now-October 31
Known as “the most spacious farm in Morris County,” Ort Farms offers its visitors so much in the way of fall family fun. Enjoy a monster truck ride with your family and friends, head to the pumpkin patch to pick out the perfect pumpkin, get lost in the corn maze, or take a cow train ride. After you’ve had your fill, be sure to check out the farm store to try out Ort Farms’ delicious fresh apples, apple cider, donuts, pumpkin rolls, local ice cream, homegrown produce, and more.
Cost: $8
25 Bartley Road, Long Valley, NJ 07853
(908) 876-3351

RWJBarnabas Health: Cooking Classes for Kids
Dates and times vary depending on the program
Kids of all ages will love cooking up healthy treats in these virtual hands-on cooking classes (adult supervision required during class): Try Healthy Kids in Hannah’s Kitchen for kids 8-12, where they’ll learn to use a recipe, cook with nutritious ingredients, and utilize kitchen basics or try Taste Testers in Hannah’s Kitchen, a Mommy and Me style class for 2-4-year-olds.
Cost: Free
RWJBarnabas, Virtual
(973) 926-7371

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