Exploring Halloween in our community…
As cooler temperatures hopefully settle in and as thoughts turn toward fall activities, why not take a chance to explore the metropolitan community for activities that children, families and some older kids might find fun.
Halloween Haunts at Worlds of Fun Worlds of Fun brings back Halloween Haunts 2012. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, ghouls and ghosts swarm the park while guests enjoy more than 175 acres of Halloween themed thrill rides and attractions. During the day, Howl-O-Fest promises to be that daytime scare-free fun. Halloween starts at Worlds of Fun the weekend of Sept. 15. For older tweens and teens, there will be 10 extreme haunts, more than 400 monsters, spooky night-time shows and lots of thrill rides. These scarier events are not recommended for those under 14 after 7 p.m.
Hoots and Howls and Boo at the Kansas City Zoo
The first three weekends in October are Hoots and Howls at the Kansas City Zoo. The zoo will be bustling with activities and entertainment that are Halloween friendly. For those more adventuresome, try the Spooktacular Overnight Oct. 27 into Sunday, Oct. 28. The overnight will be equal parts educational and spooky. During that weekend, Oct. 27 and 28, known as Boo at the Zoo, family-friendly trick-or-treating will be part of the zoo experience. Activities, entertainment, and games are part of the day.
Full Moon Productions and Haunted Houses
For brave tweens and teens, perhaps nothing beats a good scare. For more than 35 years, Full Moon Productions and their teams of master monster makers and artists have been frightening folks. The first haunted house, the Edge of Hell, is the oldest. The converted five story warehouse ends with the five-story spiral slide into the arms of the Devil himself. The Beast opened in 1991 and has an “open format” design where guests wander through scenes. There is also the Chambers of Edgar Allan Poe which brings to life the tales of The Raven, The House of Usher and Rue Morgue. The fourth is Macabre Cinema set in a haunted 1930s movie theater.
Halloween Fun at Powell Gardens
Head to Powell Gardens during the month of October to experience some of the beauty and joy of nature. Scarecrows in the Gardens will be from Oct. 1 to Oct. 31. Staff, volunteers and some community members display their creativity. There’s the Spooktacular Oct. 19-20 where storybook characters come to life in skits throughout the gardens, which are decorated with 100-plus Jack-O-Lanterns. Children are invited to wear a costume and bring a trick-or-treat bag. On Oct. 21, from dusk to 9 p.m., take a closer look at the creatively carved pumpkins lining the walks.
Parkville Nature Sanctuary
From 6-10 p.m., Oct. 27, families can share in a family ghost story night at the Parkville Nature Sanctuary. The evening includes dinner, a pumpkin trail that leads to the Girl Scout cabin. There is a scary haunted trail for older children. There will be ghost stories in the cabin and other family fun.
Friday Fright Night
Halloween Fun, sponsored by the Gladstone Parks & Recreation Department, and the Gladstone Area Chamber of Commerce, is designed to provide a safe trick or treat option, with entertainment and storytelling. The event is held in Oak Grove Park at 76th & Troost on the Friday evening before Halloween. Chamber members are given the opportunity to promote their businesses through their generosity to the children of the Gladstone area. l
