Entertainment

Howling good fun: 6 ways for families to enjoy the spooky season

Get into the Halloween spirit with these kid-friendly events.

A Wizard of Oz pumpkin carving was featured during the 2015 Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular at the Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence, Rhode Island. Michele McDonald / The Boston Globe

By Katie Lovett

2 minutes to read

There’s nothing quite like autumn in New England. It’s full of fun for all ages with much-anticipated apples, pumpkins, cider doughnuts, nature, and Halloween happenings.

From howling good fun at local zoos to pumpkin walks, families have many options for getting into the spirit of this spooky season.

An epic pumpkin stroll

The “Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular” has returned once again to Roger Williams Zoo. Through Halloween, visitors can walk through and enjoy thousands of spectacularly carved pumpkins while listening to an eclectic mix of tunes as this year’s theme celebrates the greatest music from the last 150 years.

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Trick or treat with zoo animals

Celebrate the season a little closer to home as Zoo New England offers Halloween celebrations for children of all ages.

The festivities include a trick-or-treating trail past the animals, a costume contest, and other fun and games. 

“Boo at the Zoo” is at Stone Zoo on Oct. 23 and 24. “Zoo Howl” at Franklin Park Zoo is Oct. 30 and Oct. 31.

HallowEEK at the children’s museum

The Children’s Museum will celebrate the spookiest week of the year with special Halloween-themed programs.

The fun runs from Oct. 27 through Halloween. The museum will be decorated for the holiday and visitors can enjoy  this year’s Haunted Exhibit “The Boo-tanical Garden.”

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Fall-o-Ween Children’s Festival at Frog Pond 

Put on your Halloween costume and head to the first annual Fall-o-Ween Children’s Festival at Frog Pond on Friday, Oct. 22, from 5 to  8 p.m. There will be a Haunted Fun House Maze, a glow-in-the-dark play space featuring LED illuminated swings, seesaws, and cornhole, and a chance to build a LEGO pumpkin.

Boston Circus Guild aerial artist and stilt walkers will perform between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.

The free event also includes crafts and refreshments.

Spend a night by the fire pit

Many of the beautiful Trustees of Reservation properties around the state offer the opportunity for visitors to reserve a fire pit where you and your party can enjoy a fire with a snack.

Watch an outdoor movie

Take in a showing of “Hocus Pocus” at Dewey Square on the Rose Kennedy Greenway on Oct. 28, starting at 6 p.m. The outdoor Halloween movie series runs every Thursday in October.

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