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Not-S0-Scary Halloween Events in Chicago for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Pumpkin Party photo courtesy of Gallagher Way
Pumpkin Party photo courtesy of Gallagher Way
10/16/22 - By Maureen Wilkey

Parents of little pumpkins all over Chicago can sometimes feel left out of all of the Halloween fun that big kids get to enjoy throughout October. Even the scared-of-the-dark crowd can enjoy some of the less scary aspects of the ghost and ghouls themed holiday. We have rounded up more than 30 parties, concerts, storytimes, pumpkin patches, and trick-or-treating Halloween events in Chicago for toddlers and preschoolers to enjoy.

Toddlers and preschoolers can enjoy Halloween events in Chicago during the daylight hours at one of the many trunk-or-treats throughout the Chicago area. Looking for recommendations on where to get a pumpkin, how to dress up, where to trick-or-treat and more? Check out our Chicago Halloween Fun Guide.

Here is our list of top Halloween events in Chicago for toddlers and preschoolers in 2022!

Spooky Zoo photo courtesy of the Lincoln Park Zoo
Spooky Zoo photo courtesy of the Lincoln Park Zoo

Top Halloween Events in Chicago for Toddlers and Preschoolers 2022

Halloween Happening

Friday, October 14—Wheaton
At Wheaton's annual Halloween party, kids and their grown-ups enjoy crafts, games, and more. A Touch-A-Truck event, trick or treat trail, bounce house, concession stand, and airbrush tattoos add to the fun for a small fee. READ MORE

Naperville Junior Women's Club Trick or Treat at Safety Town

Saturday, October 15—Naperville
Kids can bring their own bag to Naperville's Safety Town for some trick-or-treating fun. Local business will pass out toys, coupons, stickers, and candy. Proceeds benefit Loaves and Fishes food pantry. READ MORE

Musical Halloween Storytime

Saturday, October 15—Roscoe Village
The Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources and Child's Voice co-host a musical Halloween storytime featuring Mr. Miro and Mr. Tim from Merit School. Costumes are welcome at this event, which also accommodates kids who are deaf or hard of hearing. READ MORE

Hummingbird Pediatric Therapies Sensory Friendly Halloween Party

Saturday, October 15—Woodridge
Enjoy sensory friendly Halloween fun with Hummingbird Pediatric Therapies in Woodridge. The event includes a touch-a-truck, open gym time, trick-or-treating, games and prizes. READ MORE

Pumpkins in the Woods

Friday, October 21—Winnetka
Hubbard Woods is transformed into a magical pumpkin patch where kids can decorate pumpkins, play carnival games, bounce through inflatables, listen to music from a DJ, and participate in a costume contest. The whole family can enjoy this Halloween event. READ MORE

Slightly Spooky Saturdays: Family Halloween

Saturday, October 22—Downtown
Halloween takes over Navy Pier all day on Saturday, October 30. Families can enjoy circus acts, mad scientist demos, axe throwing, a costume contest, face-painting demos, and more at shops and restaurants around the Pier. READ MORE

Fall Family Fun Fest at Oakbrook Center

Saturday, October 22—Oak Brook
Celebrate fall and Halloween at Oakbrook Center with family fun activities including a face painter, balloon artist, and a one-of-a-kind pumpkin house photo background. A free screening of Halloweentown will take place on the lawn at 3 p.m. READ MORE

CANCELLED Boo-palooza

Saturday, October 22—Wicker Park
Families can help raise money for the Wicker Park "Gardens We Design" at this family-friendly Halloween event featuring kids' musicians, a costume parade and a pumpkin patch and decorating area. Play games including pin-the-tail on various popular cartoons, find the "needle" in the hay stack, or work your way through a straw maze. READ MORE

Spooky Zoo

Saturday, October 22—Lincoln Park
Kids can trick-or-treat at Lincoln Park Zoo from 10 a.m. until candy runs out. Family friendly entertainment will keep the party going. READ MORE

Haunted Hoffman Family Fest

Saturday, October 22—Hoffman Estates
Families can enjoy food trucks, Halloween-themed games, hay rides, music from Miss Jamie from the Farm, and magic from Gary Kantor at this northwest suburban event. Come in costume to be part of the costume contest, or register for the pumpkin carving contest. READ MORE

Halloween Parade at Edgebrook Library

Saturday, October 22—Edgebrook
Edgebrook Library's Halloween parade is back! Kids can come dressed in their costumes to dance to Halloween music, hear a Halloween story, and parade around the library and parking lot. Trick-or-treating stations and Halloween inflatables will be in the parking lot for kids to enjoy. READ MORE

Annual Pumpkin Party at Gallagher Way

Saturday, October 22—Wrigleyville
The  Annual Pumpkin Party at Gallagher Way returns October 28! This year, Old Town School of Folk Music will lead a few folksy dances and sing-a-longs, the kiddos can create a clay Halloween character or their very own trick-or-treat bag with Kid Create Studio, and visit a range of candy stations, including Fannie May chocolate, Garrett Popcorn, sweets, sours, tootsies, lollipops and more to satisfy every type of sweet tooth. Green City Market will provide a caramel apple station and take-home junior pumpkins, there will be balloon and bubble artists, and lawn games galore. Old Town... READ MORE

Music and a Spooky Good Time with Miss Elli

Sunday, October 23—Bridgeport
Miss Elli gives a Halloween-themed spooky performance with old classics, nursery rhymes, and new pop songs. Bubbles, a big drum and goodie bags will add to the fun. Kids and grown-ups are welcome to come in costume. READ MORE

Wondereen & Boo

Sunday, October 23—Oak Park
Wonder Works Children's Museum in Oak Park transforms into a slightly spooky wonderland of fun and games for Halloween. Kids can enjoy a pumpkin patch, costume parade, art projects, and a corn pit. Come in costume to enjoy the photo booth. READ MORE

Halloween Spooktacular

Tuesday, October 26—Mayfair
Kids can celebrate the spooky season with stories, music, games, prizes and ore at Mayfair Library. Costumes are encouraged but not required. READ MORE

Halloween Arts and Crafts at Eugene Field Park

Wednesday, October 26—North Park
Get crafty with some Halloween projects with your preschooler or kindergartner at Eugene Field Park READ MORE

Halloween for Ghouls & Goblins

Thursday, October 27—Darien
No tricks, just treats, for preschool kids at this Darien Park District event. Parents can bring their kids for activities, games, and crafts with their toddlers in costume. A pizza dinner will also be provided. READ MORE

Touch-a-Truck + Treat

Thursday, October 27—Palos Heights
Dress in your Halloween costume to enjoy climbing in and exploring vehicles in Palos Heights. Each truck's vendor will also hand out treats to participating kids. READ MORE

Addison Park District Candy Carnival

Friday, October 28—Addison
Kids can play games to win candy at this annual event. Kids receive an extra treat for coming in costume. Inflatables, crafts, and games round out the fun. Parents must accompany their children at this event. READ MORE

Little Beans Drive-in Movies

Friday, October 28—Evanston
Little Beans Evanston features a series of kid-friendly drive-in movies in its parking lot. Families can come in their car or rent a spot to set up blankets and chairs. READ MORE

SOLD OUT Buffalo Grove Trick or Treat Trail

Friday, October 28—Buffalo Grove
THIS EVENT HAS SOLD OUT. Trick-or-treat from costumed characters along an inside trail at the Buffalo Grove Community Arts Center. Kids will receive a bag full of treats and trinkets and must be accompanied by an unpaid adult. READ MORE

Halloween Costume Parade at McKinley Library

Friday, October 28—McKinley Park
McKinley Library's Halloween parade is back! Kids can come dressed in their costumes to dance to Halloween music, hear a Halloween story, and enjoy a little trick-or-treating. READ MORE

Mom, Pop & Tot Halloween Party at Park No. 571

Friday, October 28—Bridgeport
Babies and toddlers can enjoy their first Halloween at Park No..571 with their parents. The event includes crafts, tricks, treats, and more. READ MORE

South Chicago Heights Kids Halloween Party

Friday, October 28—South Chicago Heights
Kids can come to the South Chicago Heights Senior Center for ghoulish games, puppets, and spooky fun. Enjoy some frighteningly good food with family and friends. READ MORE

Halloween Hoopla

Friday, October 28—Western Springs
Children can enjoy games, flashlight trick-or-treating in Safety Village, a craft table and more at this event in Western Springs. A strolling magician and balloon artist will round out the fun. READ MORE

Pumpkin Palooza

Saturday, October 29—Naperville
Kids can celebrate the season by coming in costume to the DuPage Children's Museum for STEAM-themed, non-scary activities. Build your own Franken buddy from recycled toys, create wearable art, brew your own slime, and mix and mash pumpkin guts! READ MORE

The Great Sand Ridge (Tiny) Pumpkin Hunt

Saturday, October 29—South Holland
Discover all of the tiny pumpkins in Sand Ridge Nature Center in a scavenger hunt. Participants who find all the pumpkins can take home a pumpkin as a prize. READ MORE

Naperville Halloween Happening

Sunday, October 30—Naperville
Visit the Naperville Riverwalk's Grand Pavilion for Halloween games, activities and treats. This free event is intended for kids 10 and under. READ MORE

Halloween Costume Parade at Sulzer Regional Library

Monday, October 31—Lincoln Square
Sulzer Regional Library hosts a Halloween costume parade for kids under 5. Kids can come dressed in their costumes to dance to Halloween music, hear a Halloween story, and enjoy a little trick-or-treating. READ MORE

Cosley Zoo Pumpkin Fest

Throughout October—Wheaton
Kids can enjoy fall fun while visiting the animals at Cosley Zoo. Pumpkins, gourds, apples, cider, corn stalks, and hay bales are available for purchase. Children's rides are also available if weather permits. READ MORE

Scarecrow Trail

Throughout October—Lisle
Local Scout troops and school groups have constructed scarecrow displays around Meadow Lake at Morton Arboretum. Families can stroll around the lake to view the scarecrows and vote for their favorite online. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Wonder Works, a Children's Museum
Darien Park District Community Center
Palos Heights Pool Parking Lot
Centennial Recreational Center
Buffalo Grove Community Arts Center