NYC's 8 Best Family-Friendly Halloween 2011 Events, Parties And Classes
Want to treat your kids to more Halloween fun than just an early evening of neighborhood trick-or-treating on October 31? Across the city this weekend, find free outings and ticketed parties to get in the spooky holiday spirit. Attend these parties, classes and events to celebrate Halloween as a family in New York City. By Sarah Shaker.
Walk over to the band shell in Central Park on Saturday, October 27 from 11am-3pm for this crowded fest filled with NYC families. Hit the pumpkin patch, dance to live bands, watch a puppet show, decorate pumpkins, play games, wander through a haunted house and a so much more. This festival of pumpkins is always a hit, so arrive early to avoid long waits.
Take your kids out to sea on Circle Line's Halloween Party Cruise on October 27. The little ones will enjoy a story telling corner hosted by Books of Wonder, a juggler, face painter and balloon artist, kid friendly food and drinks and so much more while they get a view of the city and the Statue of Liberty up close.
Head downtown for this eco-friendly outdoor event on Saturday, October 27 from noon-3pm. Families can make masks and costumes out of recycled and repurposed household materials, bob for apples, pin the face on the pumpkin, compete in a gourd roll, hear spooky tales and follow wandering puppets and marching bands. There will also be green art projects, photo ops in front of a ghoulish green screen, organic and fair-trade sweets, and a massive costume swap. To wrap up the day, the Ghosts and Goblins Parade will take place around Battery Park City.
On Saturday, October 27 at 3pm, put on your Halloween holiday best for a neighborhood parade, and then head back to this children's bookstore to make monster blood, play Goosebumps' Horrorland for Wii and spin the Wheel of Misfortune to snag a spooky prize. Reading is pretty darn cool at this Soho Halloween event.
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Southern Hospitality is hosting a spooky cooking extravaganza to celebrate Halloween on the Upper East Side. On Sunday, October 28, from 9am - 10:30am students will whip up deliciously scary delights like witch hats and Jack O' Lantern marshmallow treats. Kids ages 3-8 can come out for a morning of foodie fun. Costumes are encouraged, so dress up in your trick-or-treating gear.
Bring the whole family to Big Daddy's on Monday October 29th for pumpkin cookie decorating, freaky fun tater tots and spooky milkshakes! Costumes are welcome, so dress in your Halloween best. Tickets are $25 per child and reservations are recommended. This event is happening at all three locations on the Upper East Side, Upper West Side and Flatiron to bring Halloween fun to families all over Manhattan.
On the family-friendly Upper East Side, Neely's Barbecue has a Halloween deal parents will love; kids in costumes eat free all day on Halloween! Head to the restaurant before or after trick-or-treating and your kiddos can enjoy items from the popular Kids' Menu, including mini pulled pork sandwiches, mac and cheese, sweet potato fries, bbq chicken drumsticks and tiny green beans.
On Halloween at 11:30 am, Karma Kids Yoga studio will lead young children up to age 6 in creepy poses, like the wolf, bat, spider, goblin, witch, wizard and ghost. Costumes are encouraged and there will be a glow-in-the-dark surprise! Make sure your kids know that fitness can be fun on Halloween and all year round!
Sarah Shaker is the founder of the blog Bright Lights, My City.
