Easter egg hunts are kicking off across the DC area this weekend!
Petalpalooza, the Circus, Egg Hunts, and More Things To Do in DC This Weekend With Kids
April is full of Easter egg hunts throughout the DC area! Photo by Marilyn Stone courtesy of Montgomery Parks, MNCPPC
Easter Egg Hunts and More Best Things to Do in DC April 2025 with Kids
Photo by Haoshuang Lou from Pexels
GUIDE
Spring Break Ideas Guide for DC Kids and Families
The famous DC cherry blossoms will make the whole family smile. Photo courtesy of Wonderlane Photography, Flickr Attribution 2.0 Generic
15 Kid-Friendly Spots to See the DC Cherry Blossoms
Eggstravaganza! at Tudor Place features both an egg hunt and an egg roll. Event photo courtesy of Tudor Place Historic House
Top Easter Egg Hunts in DC, Maryland, & Northern Virginia
The Anacostia River Festival marks the offical close of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Photo courtesy of the event
Best Spring Festivals in DC, Maryland, & Northern Virginia for Kids and Families
Kids can have lots of outdoor adventures at Beauvoir Summer Camp. Photo courtesy of the Beauvoir Summer Program
Best Summer Camps in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia
Summer Camp photo courtesy of Canva
GUIDE
Washington DC Summer Camp Guide
Go on a safari at Leesburg Animal Park. Photo by Sam Dean, courtesy of Visit Virginia
Ultimate Virginia Bucket List: 100 Things To Do With Kids in VA
A Steamer Wagon tour is the perfect way to explore Yorktown Battlefield with kids! Photo by Jennifer Marino Walters
Yorktown with Kids: 18 Best Things To Do in Yorktown, Virginia
Did you know that the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History is bigger than 18 football fields? Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress
Explore the Best Science Museums for Kids in DC: Educational Fun for All Ages
It doesn't get much better than a delicious slice of pizza! Photo courtesy of Stracci Pizza
Where to Find the Best Pizza in DC, Maryland, & Northern Virginia
Sandy Hill Camp & Retreat Center offers lots of fun outdoor activities, including water sports. Photo courtesy of the camp
Best Overnight Summer Camps Near DC in Virginia and Maryland
Toddlers have their own soft space to play at the National Children's Museum. Photo by Jason Dixson Photography courtesy of the museum.
Top Indoor Playgrounds & Play Spaces in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia
Each room holds a new surprise at The Art of the Brick.
The Art of the Brick, the World's Most Famous LEGO Exhibit, Opens in DC
Glide down Massanutten Resort's 16 snow tubing lanes. Photo courtesy of Massanutten Resort
Best Snow Tubing Near DC for Families
Experiential Learning Center at the National Museum of the United States Army. Photo by Anne Trenelone via Flickr
25 Free Things To Do Indoors in DC with Kids: Free Places To Play Indoors on Cold and Rainy Days
Even tweens and teens can enjoy summer camp through Alexandria Parks & Rec. Photo courtesy of the Alexandria Department of Parks & Recreation
Top Free and Affordable Summer Camps in DC, Maryland, & Northern Virginia
Kids eat free at IHOP every day of the week at many locations. Photo by Wendi Gratz via Flickr 2.0
Kids Eat Free: 17 DC Restaurants for Every Day of the Week
Keep the DC public school calendar handy so you'll always know what days your kids have class.
Here's the DC Public School Calendar for 2025-2026 (Plus Other Area School Districts)
Enjoy Art in Bloom during the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Photo by Elvert Barnes via FLickr 2.0
101 Free Things To Do in DC with Kids
Child's Play has a great selection of toys, games, children's books, and more. Photo by Tony Ventouris Photography
Coolest Stores for Kids in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia
There are so many places in the DC area to throw an epic birthday party. Photo courtesy of Pinstripes
Best Indoor Birthday Party Places for Kids in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia
Cherry Hill Park has lots of fun places for kids to explore. Photo courtesy of author Jess Goodwin
Best Things To Do in Falls Church City, VA with Kids

Best Halloween Trails and Haunted Houses Near DC for Kids: From Simply Spooky to Super Scary

There are some not-so-spooky haunted houses across the area that little kids would love. Photo courtesy of DC Department of Parks and Recreation
There are some not-so-spooky haunted houses across the area that little kids would love. Photo courtesy of DC Department of Parks and Recreation
10/7/22 - By Jennifer Marino Walters

Haunted houses and spooky Halloween trails are on many families' fall bucket lists. But some kids (and grown-ups, too) aren't into anything too terrifying or creepy. Luckily, there are plenty of Halloween trails and haunted houses near DC to suit any fear tolerance, from simply spooky to super scary. These Halloween attractions range from themed haunted houses for younger kids to terrifying jaunts through the woods for tweens, teens, and adults.

If you dare, add these spooky trails and haunted houses near DC to your list of things to do this Halloween. For more seasonal fun, check out our Halloween Events and Activities Guide for Kids in Washington, DC, our roundup of the top Halloween events in DC for kids, and our list of the best free Halloween events for families.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Do you dare to visit a haunted house? Photo courtesy of Rolling Valley Elementary
Do you dare to visit a haunted house? Photo courtesy of Rolling Valley Elementary

Not-So-Scary Halloween Trails and Haunted Houses Near DC for All Ages

Haunted Trail at Salamander Resort & Spa

Middleburg, VA
Thursday -Sunday, October 26 -29, 2023
This kid-friendly, 0.6-mile trail features not-so-spooky scenes with actors in costume from 7-9pm. From 6:30-7pm, kids can walk the trail without the actors in the scenes. READ MORE

AVFD Station 7 Terror Trail

Gambrills, MD
Fridays & Saturdays September 30 -October 28, 2023
Families can stroll along a scary Terror Trail recommended for ages 8 and up, while younger kids can enjoy a Boo Haunt Maze. All proceeds benefit the Arundel Volunteer Fire Department. READ MORE
Field of Screams is not for the faint of heart. Photo courtesy of Field of Screams in Maryland
Field of Screams is not for the faint of heart. Photo courtesy of Field of Screams in Maryland

Super Scary Halloween Trails and Haunted Houses Near DC for Tweens and Teens

Clifton Haunted Trail

Clifton, VA
Saturday, October 28, 2023
Take a walk through the Clifton Haunted Trail, where you'll pass creepy costumed characters, spooky scenes, and more. READ MORE

Frights At Height at Go Ape! Springfield

Springfield, VA
Fridays & Saturdays through October 28, 2023
At Go Ape Zipline & Adventure Park's Frights at Height, guests find zombies, ghosts, and ghouls hiding in dark corners of the Treetop Journey ropes course. Thrill seekers are invited to tackle the wobbly obstacles and epic zip lines during a one-hour gravity-defying, scream-filled adventure after dark. READ MORE

Laurel's House of Horror

Laurel, MD
Various dates from September 22 - October 31, 2023
Laurel's House of Horror, DC and Maryland's largest indoor haunted house, sits inside an abandoned movie theater. The 28,000-square-foot attraction includes chilling scenes, interactive characters, and more. There are also escape rooms and paranormal investigation tours READ MORE

Field of Screams Maryland

Olney, MD
Various dates from September 23 - October 31, 2023
This massive, award-winning attraction features two haunted trails that take guests through creepy forests full of haunted houses, scary sites, zombies, and more. Guests can also tour the terrifying Slaughter Factory and play spooky carnival games such as the Crypt Ring Toss and the Body Bean Bag Pumpkin Toss. READ MORE

Workhouse Haunt: Twisted Tales of Terror

Lorton, VA
Various dates from September 30 - October 31, 2023
The 2024 Workhouse Haunt features Twisted Tales of Terror, a themed walk-through experience leading guests on a frightening journey that brings them along abandoned, historic buildings where they will encounter terrifying characters and sights and sounds that are not for the faint of heart. READ MORE

CornStalker's Trail of Terror

Waldorf, MD
Various dates from October 6 - November 4, 2023
Southern Maryland Blue Crabs Stadium transforms into one of Maryland's top-rated haunted attractions. This haunted trail and house are truly terrifying, so leave young children home! READ MORE

Cox Farms Fields of Fear

Centreville, VA
Various dates from September 22 - November 4, 2023
Fields of Fear features more than 20 acres of spooky attractions, including a haunted corn maze, forest, and hayride. At the Firegrounds, guests can also dance, sing karaoke, and slide down a huge, six-lane slide. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

About the Author

Jennifer Marino Walters
Jennifer Marino Walters is the DC and travel editor for Mommy Poppins and the author of over 20 beloved children's books. A proud mom of three—plus twins!—she lives in Northern Virginia with her husband and busy brood. When she’s not writing or editing, you’ll find Jennifer cheering from the sidelines of a baseball game, supporting her daughter’s cheerleading squad, diving into a good book, or exploring new destinations. Connect with her on Instagram @jmwalters718.
Recent Articles By Jennifer Marino Walters:
Read more articles by Jennifer Marino Walters.