See how much fun you can find as a family, with the top things to do in Boston this weekend with kids!
Easter Eggs, Kids Con, and More Things to Do in Boston This Weekend with Kids
You know Spring has sprung when the Swan Boats return to Boston in April 2025! Swan Boat photo by Elliott & Dena via Flickr 2.0
Easter Egg Hunts and More Best Things To Do in Boston with Kids April 2025
Ziplining is one of many adventurous activities at Camp Birch Hill. Photo courtesy of the camp
GUIDE
Boston Summer Camp Guide
Vermont's Mountain Top Resort is as picturesque as a New England family getaway could be. Photo by Gary Hall
This Activity-Packed Resort in Stunning Vermont is an Ideal Family Getaway
There's something for everyone, even teens, at Apex in Marlboro! Photo courtesy of Apex
25 Fun Things To Do in Boston with Teens
Find the best snow tubing in Boston and around the region, like Bousquet Mountain Tubing in Pittsfield. Photo by Ogden Gigli for the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism
Best Snow Tubing Near Boston for Families
From outdoor events to indoor fun, explore the free things to do in Boston with kids! Riverfest at Assembly Row photo courtesy of Federal Realty
100 Free Things To Do in Boston with Kids
Jump into fun with the top kids indoor playgrounds and play spaces in Boston! Photo courtesy of Boston Playground
Best Kids Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in Boston
Family Travel Guide
Indoors and out and about, there are so many thing to do in Boston with kids before they grow up! Photo courtesy of the Rose Kennedy Greenway website
100 Things To Do in Boston Before Kids Grow Up
Teatime meets playtime in Beverly. Photo courtesy of the Children's Piazza
GUIDE
Guide to Indoor Play Spaces and Fun for Boston Kids
Don't sweat the weather, because the best indoor water parks in New England are waiting for year-round fun! Photo courtesy of Jay Peak Resort
Best Indoor Water Parks in New England for Easy Family Getaways
Big league fun awaits at Boston's top attractions for kids. Photo courtesy of Fenway Park
Top Attractions in Boston: Best Things To See and Do with Kids
Photo courtesy of Fire+Ice
15 Boston-Area Restaurants Where Kids Can Play While You Eat (and Relax)
New England Family Travel Guide
We've launched a partnership with Care.com to bring background-checked nannies and sitters to the Mommy Poppins Directory.
Find Trusted Babysitters and Nannies Now on Mommy Poppins–Powered by Care.com
Peek inside a rainforest at Providence's Roger Williams Park Zoo.
Boston Zoos: There's More Than Just the Franklin Park Zoo!
GUIDE
Guide to Boston Classes and Activities for Kids
Explore a new area on a weekend trip with the kids from Boston
GUIDE
Day Trips and Weekend Getaways from Boston Guide
Free, fun activities can be as simple as blowing bubbles on a sunny day
GUIDE
Free Things To Do in Boston with Kids Guide
Hiking is just one of many things to do in the White Mountains region of New Hampshire, but it sure delivers great views!
25 Things to Do in the White Mountains of New Hampshire with Kids
10 One-Mile-or-Less Hikes to Take with Your Preschooler Around Boston
Step into family fun in the Merrimack Valley. Photo courtesy of the Salisbury Beach Partnership.
25 Things To Do in the Merrimack Valley with Kids
These boredom-busting activities turn a stuck-at-home day into a lasting memory.
75 Indoor Activities for Kids on a Rainy Day
Take flight at Story Land in New Hampshire, one of the top New England theme parks for kids and families! Photo courtesy of the park.
Best New England Theme Parks for Kids and Families
The Robert Gould Shaw and the 54th Massachusetts Regiment Memorial. Photo courtesy of the National Parks Service
Black-Owned Restaurants, Shops, and Landmarks to Discover in Boston
Who you lookin' at?! The Tropical Forest at Franklin Park Zoo. Photo by Don Crasco/Franklin Park Zoo
Franklin Park Zoo: Top Tips for a Great Visit with Kids
Try a little freeze dancing, robot style! Photo courtesy of Pavel Danilyuk via Pexels
30 Exercise Games and Indoor Activities to Get Kids Moving
Playing in fall foliage is one of the most beautiful and fun things to do with kids in Boston in the autumn
GUIDE
Boston Fall Day Trips Guide: Orchards, Farms, Festivals, and Family Getaways 2024
Science experiments and STEM activities for kids entrance children with their
GUIDE
Guide to Science Experiments for Kids and Fun STEM Activities
New England sleepaway camps get kids out into nature. Photo courtesy of Night Eagle Wilderness Adventure Camp
New England Sleepaway Camps Where Kids Completely Unplug
No messy, dripping fingers when you eat watermelon on a stick.
15 Amazing Mom Hacks That Make Everything Easier
Photo by Liz Baill
GUIDE
Games & Activities Guide for Kids
GUIDE
Guide to Online and Virtual Family Fun
GUIDE
Homeschool & Online Learning Resources for Families
A water park, beach activities, and more await at Coconut Bay's all-inclusive resort in St. Lucia.
Best All-Inclusive Resorts in the US, Caribbean, and Mexico for Kids

Not-So-Scary Halloween Activities and Toddler Events in Boston

Greater Boston's zoos are a hit with preschoolers for some not-so-scary Halloween fun! Photo courtesy of the Franklin Park Zoo
Greater Boston's zoos are a hit with preschoolers for some not-so-scary Halloween fun! Photo courtesy of the Franklin Park Zoo
10/6/23 - By Vanessa Leigh

Looking for some not-so-scary Halloween events in Boston for toddlers and preschoolers? For little kids, Halloween is usually more about the treats than the tricks. The excitement is in getting dressed up for a costume parade, making decorations, and hitting the trick-or-treat trail with a pillowcase or pumpkin bucket in hand.

For fun, not-so-scary Halloween happenings in and around Boston this month, read on. We've rounded up some of 2023's best Halloween activities for families with young children. While older brothers and sisters may want to be spooked (or even scared silly), these activities are for kids and families who just want the Halloween festivities to be sweet.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Head to the Back Bay for costume treats fit for little ones. Pru Bu photo by Rachel Lehman, courtesy of the Prudential Center
Head to the Back Bay for costume treats fit for little ones. Pru Bu photo by Rachel Lehman, courtesy of the Prudential Center

Not-So-Scary Halloween Events in Boston for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Pumpkin Paint Party @ the Anchor

Charlestown—Tuesday, October 17, 2023
Free
Overlook ships in the harbor and enjoy beautiful Boston skyline views while decorating a pumpkin during this free, family-fun event. READ MORE

Minni Family Workshop - Fall Fest

South End—Sunday, October 22, 2023
Pop into the studio at Minni for a morning Fall Fest workshop where little ones can enjoy a vast array of sensory activities to celebrate the fall season. Pumpkin painting, leaf collaging, and apple printing are some of the crafts that your toddler can look forward to at this family-friendly workshop. READ MORE

Zoo Howl at Franklin Park Zoo

Franklin Park—Saturday, October 28 & Sunday, October 29, 2023
Thrills, chills, and animals await at Franklin Park Zoo’s annual Zoo Howl! During this popular Halloween event, children are invited to trick-or-treat among the animals at the Zoo. Other haunted happenings include mystery animal encounters, costume contests and a scavenger hunt with prizes. READ MORE

Pru Boo 2023

Back Bay—Sunday, October 29, 2023
Free
Trick-or-Treat for Charity! Parents can bring their little ghosts and goblins to the Prudential Center to trick-or-treat from store to store throughout the Center. Enjoy face painting, magic tricks and other spooky fun along the way. READ MORE

Truck or Treat at Suffolk Downs

East Boston—Sunday, October 29, 2023
Free
The annual touch-a-truck event is getting a spooky upgrade. Wear a costume and go trick-or-treating at tractors, trucks, diggers, fire engines and more!  READ MORE
Witch city has some Halloween fun for everyone! Photo courtesy of the Good Witch of Salem Facebook page
Witch city has some Halloween fun for everyone! Photo courtesy of the Good Witch of Salem Facebook page

Not-So-Scary Halloween Activities and Events Around Boston

The Good Witch of Salem's Halloween Celebration for Families

Salem— Sunday, October 15, 2023
Mark your calendars for a day of Halloween family magic that you won't want to miss! Activities include a Halloween parade, book signing and "spooky"activities. READ MORE

Stone Zoo’s Boo at the Zoo

Stoneham—Saturday, October 21 & Sunday, October 22, 2023
Children are invited to trick-or-treat among the animals at Stone Zoo. Thrills, chills, and animals lurk around every corner on the trick-or-treat trail, while other haunted happenings include mystery animal encounters, costume contests and a scavenger hunt with prizes! READ MORE

SomerStreets: Monster Mash

Somerville—Sunday, October 22, 2023
Free
The last SomerStreets festival of the season, Monster Mashed Up is a Halloween block party for all ages. The street is closed to traffic and is loaded with kids' activities, food vendors, and live music. READ MORE

Halloween Glow in the Park at TreeTop Adventures

Canton— Saturday, October 28, 2023
Wear a costume and enjoy colored lights and music while climbing through the tree tops on this zip-line obstacle course. READ MORE

Trick Or Treat at Hammond Castle Museum

Gloucester— Monday, October 30, 2023
What better place to trick or treat than at an old seaside castle? There will be spooky music, multiple trick-or-treat stations inside the castle, bubbles, snacks, stories, and a craft at the 13th-century arches. Make sure to dress in costume! READ MORE

Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular

Providence, RI—Through Monday, October 31, 2023
Celebrate the Halloween season with a visit to Roger Williams Zoo's Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular. Stroll through a path that features thousands of intricately carved pumpkins.  READ MORE

Return of the Pumpkin People

Jackson, NH—Through Monday, October 31, 2023
Free
It's the 40th anniversary of the Pumpkin People! Take a self-guided tour of a variety of Pumpkin People at more than 50 different displays. See Pumpkin People doing all kinds of things from flying across yards to deep-sea diving.  READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

About the Author

Vanessa Leigh
Vanessa Leigh is a busy mom of three (including twins!), a Midwesterner turned East Coaster, and a chocolate enthusiast. She’s a copywriter specializing in Early Childhood and Motherhood, plus the creative force behind her Etsy shop. When she’s not writing or designing, you can find her indulging in dark chocolate peanut butter cookies at Levain Bakery. Connect with Vanessa at www.vanessaleighagency.com or browse her creations at MamaMagicByVanessa.etsy.com. She loves chatting with fellow parents—don’t hesitate to reach out!
Recent Articles By Vanessa Leigh:
Read more articles by Vanessa Leigh.