Shows For Streaming:
Perhaps one of the best family Halloween shows of all time is It’s a Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown. The story is a charming classic, but there is always room for other holiday favorites. Here are a few suggestions to change up your online streaming this year:
Curious George: A Halloween Boo Fest
Curious George is up to his mischievous, albeit good-hearted, ways again. George and the Man with the Yellow Hat hear a mysterious story about a hat-stealing thief that comes out every Halloween. Together they work to understand the old legend all while preparing for the town’s Halloween festival.
Room on the BroomBased on the lovable book by Julia Donaldson, this captivating tale follows a sweet, ginger-haired witch, her cat, and her broom. They journey from place to place collecting friends as they go until the very last stop when they come across a hungry dragon. Find out how the story ends!
Halloween is Grinch Night This short film came out in 1977. Many people don’t even know about this prequel to How the Grinch Stole Christmas! In this TV short, you will see the Grinch terrorizing the beloved Whos in Whoville once again. The hero, Euchariah, finds his courage and helps prevent the Grinch from unleashing horrors all over Whoville.
Halloween TownSome of us may remember this Disney made-for-TV movie from Halloweens past. The main character, Marnie, is more than intrigued by trick-or-treating, but her mother refuses to let them go without any explanation. Follow Marnie and her family as they travel to a mysterious place called “Halloween Town”.
Toy Story of Terror!This funny tail first debuted in 2013 alongside It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown. Any show that can coincide with a classic has to be a good one! It begins where Toy Story 3 left off – all of Andy’s old toys now live with Bonnie. You’ll follow all of your favorite toys on a spooky, action-packed adventure. Your family will loving adding this to their Halloween TV list.
YouTube Videos:
Trick or Treat– Blippi brings Halloween to life with this slightly spooky but fun animation of Halloween. Complete with kids dressed up in all your favorite costumes. This song will be sure to get your kiddos in the Halloween spirit.
Haunted House– The song follows three kids dressed for a fun Halloween night as they explore a haunted house. The kids encounter a zombie, ghost, witch and more! No reason to be scared because it turns out all the creatures are friendly and invite the kids to a fun-filled Halloween dance party at the end of the song.
Five Little Pumpkins– From Super Simple Songs, this delightful tune is sure to impress your toddler. Each pumpkin has their own emotions in this catchy tune. Get your child involved by making funny faces along with the video.
What to do:
Corn Mazes– Get lost! Imagine corn high above your head as you follow a tricky path and clues to get to the finish line. Corn Mazes are a super fun activity for the whole family.
Pumpkin Patches– Forget buying a pumpkin at the grocery store; buy local and support a farm as well! Many pumpkin farms offer fun activities like hayrides, hot apple cider, and petting zoos. Best of all you get to explore the patch to find your family’s perfect pumpkin.
Apple Picking– Another fun fall pastime, grab a bucket and pick your own apples. Like pumpkin patches many local farms offer more than just apple picking. Don’t forget to sample a few yummy apple dishes while you are visiting!
Amusement Parks:
Many Amusement Parks do some type of Fall/Halloween takeover. Heck, even Disney World participates in Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Here you can celebrate Halloween Disney style, wear fun costumes and trick-or-treat with all your favorite Disney Characters. Can’t make it Disney? Many local theme parks do fun Halloween Events as well. Here are few favorites:
Howl-o-Scream Busch Gardens Williamsburg, VA– Many theme parks focus on more child friendly events during the day with a more scary approach at night, keep that in mind when planning your visit. Busch Gardens switches over around 6 p.m. This year they have added The Count Spectacular featuring all of your favorite Sesame Street characters. Come dressed to impress in your favorite Halloween costume to enjoy trick-0r-treating, fun shows, and a dance party parade.
Legoland Brick or Treat Florida- If you are visiting Legoland during October you will get to experience Brick or Treat at no extra cost. Your family will get to experience Trick-or-Treating, themed fireworks, exclusive meet and greets with spooky Lego characters, and themed Lego build activities.
Fright Fest: Thrills by Day Six Flags– Like Busch Gardens you will want to plan your visit to Six Flags during the day if you have young children. Here, you can visit safe trick-or-treating, pumpkin patch hay maze, and hayrides. Not to mention all the family-friendly Halloween shows! Just beware full on Fright Fest with all the ghost and goblins starts at 6 p.m.
Fun Fall Festivals:
All over the U.S., fun fall festivals are popping up. The weather is cooling down, the leaves are changing and Americans are ready to get outside.
Haunted Happenings – Salem, Massachusetts
When: October, dates vary per event
The town where the infamous Salem Witch Trials took place is sure to do a bang out job of celebrating the witchiest holiday of the year. Here you will find fun for everyone from bar crawls, kids fun days, and even a 5k event all take place during the month of October.
Hallowe’en in Greenfield Village – Dearborn, Michigan
When: October 13-15, 19-22, 26-29, 2017
At Hallowee’en you will find a creative take on traditional fall festivals as you travel into a mystical place with Dorothy and her friends as you follow the Yellowbrick Road lit by 1,000 pumpkins. Other stories unfold as well- the Headless Horsemen, Hansel and Gretel, and a Mad Scientist. All coming together to create a Halloween adventure your family will remember for years to come!
Halloween in Sleepy Hollow– Sleepy Halloween, NY
When: September, October, and November dates vary per event
What better place to celebrate Halloween than where the character of the Headless Horsemen was brought to life. You take creepy ghost tours that celebrate Sleepy Hollow’s author Washington Irving as well as proclaimed vampire Barnabas Collins. There is also a haunted hay ride and block party that is sure to impress. And short drive away is The Great Jack O’Latern Blaze featuring more than 10,000 individually hand-carved, illuminated jack o’lanterns.
Sources: Country Living, Redbook Magazine, Decider
Photo Credit: Ashley W, Lauren L
