Guest Author - Aurora Mae

There are many ways to celebrate Halloween in addition to trick-or-treating. From ghost walks to haunted houses and corn mazes, there is an activity every member of your family may enjoy. Look in the events section of your local newspaper or go online and search for activities in your hometown. The following are a few ideas:

Corn Mazes

There is a good chance that a local corn maze will be happening in your area, and they are a great place to take the family. The whole idea is a maze carved out of a cornfield, and people run through it in costume trying to scare each other and get to the end of the maze. Use your own judgment with small children, as the adventure can get pretty scary, especially with the dark and the often-elaborate costumes. They range in prices from a couple dollars up to ten or fifteen depending on where you are and how large the event is.

Haunted Houses

Haunted houses are always a great activity to enjoy. There are often all sorts of events going on surrounding the haunted house as well, from games and activities to food. They are great for the whole family, and range widely in price depending where you are and how elaborate or well known they are. Many times there is a guide who will take you through if you’re in a place that is historically significant, and much of the time you may go on your own. Once again, use your judgment when it comes to small children.

Ghost Walks

These events are some of the most interesting activities. If you are in an area with a particular history or local legend, these walks can be fun, spooky, entertaining and informative. A guide takes you on a walking tour through the area and entertains you with stories and the history of the place you’re visiting. Often times these events fill up quickly, so it’s good to get your tickets and arrive as early as possible to ensure you’re at the top of the line.

Theme Parks

For those who can afford it and want to do something different for Halloween, visit your local theme park. The ambiance is great, and your kids can even trick or treat by visiting the different vendors. Halloween at a theme park is a blast as everyone is in costume; there are rides, activities, and adventures for every member of your family, even the littlest. Check with the park’s events center for price listings and activities.

Carnivals

Local charities and myriad other groups will often hold Halloween carnivals. These are fun, safe events, especially if you have young children. With events like dunking for apples, face painting, game booths, and other activities, this is a guaranteed good time. Entrance is usually free or donation based, though sometimes you may have to pay a few dollars to get in. Often they will have family deals and specials for kids, so it really is an affordable event.

Once again, check the local events sections in your weekly paper, flyers, bulletin boards, and the web. There is always something fun to experience on All Hallow’s Eve, wherever you may be. Have fun and be safe! Please feel free to email me at AdventureLiving@bellaonline.com if you have other event ideas for the family that you would like to share.