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Not-So-Scary Halloween Events in New Jersey for Toddlers and Preschoolers

The Liberty Science Center loves Halloween so much that they decided to celebrate all throughout October! Photo courtesy of LSC
The Liberty Science Center loves Halloween so much that they decided to celebrate all throughout October! Photo courtesy of LSC
10/16/22 - By Laurie Rein

Looking for the best Halloween events in New Jersey for toddlers and preschoolers? Read on for our top picks.

Little ones love nothing more than dressing up and collecting goodies on Halloween. New Jersey offers plenty of safe, not-too-scary Halloween celebrations perfect for the preschool set. From trunk or treats to over-the-top events at amusement parks and zoo celebrations, these safe activities let toddlers experience the magic of Halloween. Good news for parents: Many of them are FREE!

Read on for dozens of fun and preschool-friendly Halloween events in New Jersey, plus a couple of extra-special events just over the border in Pennsylvania. You can find even more seasonal events in our Guide to New Jersey Fall Fun and Guide to Halloween Events in New Jersey.

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Enjoy live music, specialty food, hay rides and plenty of fun and games at Diggerland's Fall Festival. Photo courtesy of Diggerland
Enjoy live music, specialty food, hay rides and plenty of fun and games at Diggerland's Fall Festival. Photo courtesy of Diggerland

Halloween Events in New Jersey and Pennsylvania for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Brick-or-Treat at Legoland

East Rutherford
Daily through Monday, October 31, 2022
Join the LEGO Monsters at their Brick-or-Treat Monster Party this Halloween to celebrate the release of their brand new 4D Movie, The Great Monster Chase. Halloween activities include creative workshop builds, finding the missing monsters, taking selfies and more. READ MORE

Screamin' Green Hauntoween

Easton, Pennsylvania
Daily through Monday, October 31, 2022
Visitors to Crayola Experience Easton can participate in the colorful and festive Screamin' Green Hauntoween. Kids can enjoy crafts, photo ops, pumpkin decorating, and a themed scavenger hunt. There are 28 attractions in all. READ MORE

Annual Scarecrow Stroll

Cranford–FREE
Daily through Monday, October 31, 2022
Cranford hosts its Annual Scarecrow Stroll and promises the event is the biggest and best yet. Gawk at more than 100 wild and crazy scarecrows on display throughout downtown Cranford. Register online to create your own scarecrow and enter to win prizes.  READ MORE

Wagner Farm Arboretum Brite Nites

Warren
Thursdays through Saturdays from Thursday, October 13-Saturday, October 29, 2022
Wagner Farm Arboretum's popular Brite Nite attraction returns for its 11th season with both drive-thru and walk-thru options. The family-focused Halloween-themed Brite Nites showcases an elaborate display of intricate, creative, hand-carved, and lit pumpkins.  READ MORE

DiDonato's Trick-or-Treat Train

Hammonton
Saturdays and Sundays through Sunday, October 23, 2022
This outdoor Halloween train takes you on a ride through goblin-friendly Halloween Town. Tricks and treats include a hay maze, a new inflatable obstacle course, a pumpkin patch, a giant racing slide, photo-ops with a witch, and more.  READ MORE

Haunted Wild West Fest

Stanhope
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Sunday, October 30, 2022
Wild West City gets haunted this October. The daytime festival features classic Wild West City shows with a Halloween twist. When the sun sets, explore the haunted ghost town at the nighttime festival.  READ MORE

Halloween Fun at IKEA Elizabeth

Elizabeth–FREE
Daily through Wednesday, October 26, 2022
Celebrate Halloween at IKEA Elizabeth! Collect the scavenger hunt by the entrance. Along your walk through the showroom, take part in an IKEA trick or treat. And, lastly, stop by the Swedish Food Restaurant for more fun for the entire family to enjoy. READ MORE

Six Flags Great Adventure Fright Fest & Kid's Boo Fest

Jackson
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Monday, October 31, 2022
Six Flags Great Adventure’s Fright Fest returns with its iconic, family-friendly “thrills by day” and “fright by night."  Experience 13 haunted houses, scare zones, the Trick-or-Treat Trail, live shows, haunted mazes, and more.  READ MORE

Trick-or-Treat Train

New Hope, Pennsylvania
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Sunday, October 30, 2022
All aboard the train at New Hope Railroad for a 45-minute trick-or-treat train ride. Kids can dress up in their Halloween costumes and ride the rails, with stops for for candy and assorted toys. READ MORE

Halloween Party at Liberty Science Center

Jersey City
Thursdays through Sundays through Sunday, October 30, 2022
Liberty Science Center is home to a month-long Halloween celebration, featuring an outdoor Spider Maze, a giant indoor pumpkin patch, a 3D movie about a haunted house, and some creepy, crawly animals. READ MORE

Trick-or-Treat Weekends at Storybook Land

Egg Harbor Township
Saturdays and Sundays, from Saturday, October 22- Sunday, October 30, 2022
Families visiting Storybook Land can climb aboard the Happy Hayride to pick a pumpkin, and decorate it just in time for Halloween. Then, find your way through Elmer’s Haymazin’ Maze, and pick up treat bags. READ MORE

Diggerfest

West Berlin
Saturdays and Sundays through Sunday, October 30, 2022
Bring fall fun to a new level this season by operating heavy machinery at Diggerland. In addition to the theme-park attractions, enjoy hayrides, carnival games, food, balloon animals and pumpkin decorating. READ MORE

The Wizard's Halloween Party: a Family-Friendly Magic Show

Butler
Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, from Friday, October 14-Sunday, October 30, 2022
The Wizard invites you to his one-of-a-kind Halloween party. Join the Wizard for this silly, funny, magical Halloween magic show. READ MORE

Trick or Treat Halloween Family Fun Day

Princeton
Saturday, October 22, 2022
Bring your entire family for a fun day at Tumbles. Activities includes Baby Shark dances and stories, music and movement, crafts, puppets, Zumba, open gym and open Tumble Zone. READ MORE

Cape May Halloween Parade

Cape May–FREE
Sunday, October 23, 2022
Show off your costume in this annual parade that concludes at the Emlen Physick Estate. Prizes are awarded by age group. READ MORE

Trick or Treat with Stew Leonard’s Characters

Paramus–FREE
Wednesday, October 26, 2022
Join Wow the Cow and friends for trick-or-treating fun. Wear costumes, and collect candy from stations throughout the store. Free timed tickets are available online. READ MORE

Ocean City Halloween Parade

Ocean City–FREE
Thursday, October 27, 2022
Feast your eyes upon creative costumes and floats, antique vehicles, and cheerleading and dance teams. READ MORE

Boo at the Zoo

Cape May–FREE
Saturday, October 29, 2022
Visitors of all ages should come in costume to this annual Halloween event sponsored by the Cape May County Board of Commissioners. Enjoy kid-friendly fun, candy, entertainment, plenty of animals, an inflatable obstacle course, and more.  READ MORE

North Wildwood Trunk-or-Treat Halloween Block Party

North Wildwood–FREE
Saturday, October 29, 2022
Get your car decked out for Halloween at this annual festive family event. Costumed children can visit each car, where families will provide treats from the trunks. Balloon twisting adds to the fun.  READ MORE

Pumpkin Patch Day

Union
Saturday, October 29, 2022
The Liberty Hall Museum hosts its annual Pumpkin Patch Day featuring pumpkin picking, carving, and decorating, plus hayrides, and more crafts. Join the event for a memorable day that's become a fall tradition for so many families.  READ MORE

Tricks and Treats at Sea Life

East Rutherford
Daily through Monday, October 31, 2022
Serafina the Sea Witch hosts a frighteningly fun time at Sea Life Aquarium. The fun includes pinch the nose on the witch, pumpkin carving in the tanks, activity trails and the underwater Ocean Tunnel. READ MORE

Howl-O-Ween at Turtle Back Zoo

West Orange
Monday, October 31, 2022
Trick-or-treat at Turtle Back Zoo, featuring candy stations throughout the grounds. Grab a bag and your costumes, and enjoy treats and entertainment. READ MORE

The Great Pumpkin Sail

Mountainside
Tuesday, November 1, 2022
Bring your carved jack-o'-lantern to Echo Lake Park post-Halloween, and enjoy the spectacular view of floating pumpkins. Sign up for one of three sessions. READ MORE

Scarecrows Of The Sea

Camden
Daily through Sunday, November 13, 2022
A crew of colorful scarecrows crop up across the aquarium for a limited time, inviting everyone to explore life underwater with fun fall flair. Look out for scarecrows dressed as pirates, penguins, mermaids and more, posing alongside the 15,000 amazing animals. READ MORE

The Count's Halloween Spooktacular

Langhorne, Pennsylvania
Saturdays and Sundays through Sunday, November 6, 2022
Enjoy silly, not-too-spooky fun at The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular at Sesame Place. Everyone is encouraged to wear a costume and enjoy Halloween shows, a themed maze, three Count von Count-themed mechanical rides, and a Neighborhood Street Party Halloween Parade. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Perry Street and Carpenter Lane
6th Street & Asbury Avenue

About the Author

Laurie R
Laurie Rein is thrilled to have made a career of digging up activities (especially free ones!) for her twin daughters. Prior to working with Mommy Poppins NJ, Laurie wore many hats in the television industry including gigs as an NBC page, NBC copywriter, affiliate liaison for The Rosie O'Donnell Show and research manager for CBS. She is currently the Events Editor for Mommy Poppins NJ and can be reached at njevents@mommypoppins.com
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