If Halloween haunted houses and scary monsters just aren't your thing, there's plenty of other family friendly activities that can help you celebrate the fall season. The following is list of the some of the activities being offered in local Patch communities. For an even more comprehensive list, check this out.
Bolingbrook
WHAT: At Johansen Farms, you can spend the whole day enjoying the free hayrides, air slides, train rides (weekends only), navigate your way through the corn maze, play in the hay tunnel and enjoy more than 500 animals in the petting zoo, including goat mountain and the rabbit hotel. Indulge in fresh-baked apple and pumpkin pie, plus Johansen's famous apple cider donuts, then head home, pumpkin in hand. Weekday admission: $7.50; Weekend admission $10.50; children 23 months and younger are admitted free. Check Web site for coupons.
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WHEN: Now through Halloween. Daily 9 a.m. to 7 p.m..
WHERE: 710 W. Boughton Road, Bolingbrook, Ill., 60440
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WHAT: Explore the corn maze, bean maze, day and moonlight hayrides, the Kiddie Corn Box and farm animals. When you're done, explore the 30-acre pumpkin patch to find just the right one for a jack-o-lantern! Prices vary per attraction. Admission is free.
WHEN: Daily through Halloween. Check here for times.
WHERE: 4853 U.S. 52, Minooka, Ill., 60447
MORE INFO: 1-815-475-7373
WHAT: Find your perfect pumpkin at the Dollinger Pumpkin Farm. Check out the corn maze, petting zoo, and other great attractions for kids of all ages, including a miniature steam train, horse-drawn hayrides, farm playground, and plenty of pumpkins and other goodies. Free admission and parking. Click here for attraction pricing.
WHEN: Daily through Halloween, 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
WHERE: Dollinger Family Farm, 7502 E. Hansel Road, Channahon, Ill., 60410
MORE INFO: 1-815-467-6766
Crest Hill
WHAT: With a petting zoo, country store, pumpkins to pick from and a ton of other attractions, you could spend the whole day at this farm. To pick your pumpkin here, you take a hayride into the farm field and choose your favorite. The admission price of $12 on weekdays and $14 on weekends, includes 20 attractions that you can visit an unlimited amount of times.
WHEN: Check here for times.
WHERE: 17250 S. Weber Road, Crest Hill
MORE INFO: 1-800-304-FARM (3276)
Darien
WHAT: Enjoy a safe and fun-filled Halloween evening, complete with a "graveyard," games, a magician and entertainment galore.
WHEN: Halloween, 6:30 to 8:45 p.m.
WHERE: Darien Sportsplex, 451 Plainfield Road, Darien, Ill., 60561
MORE INFO: http://www.darienlions.org/index.html
Lemont
WHAT: Enjoy pumpkins in all shapes, sizes and varieties including blue, white, and Cinderella types. if you are looking for something different, see what grows this year. Hayrides/bonfire packages: Call for information.
WHEN: Daily through Halloween, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
WHERE: 13332 Bell Road, Lemont, Ill., 60439
MORE INFO: 1-708-508-0906
Montgomery
Anderson Farm
WHAT: Fresh produce, including pumpkins, sweet corn, cucumbers, pickling mix, zucchini, yellow squash, peppers, potatoes and beans — all picked daily. Michigan apples and cider September through October. Hayrides, straw maze and petting farm the last three weekends in October.
WHEN: Daily through Halloween, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
WHERE: 251 Montgomery Road, Montgomery, Ill., 60538
MORE INFO: 1-630-896-8835
Naperville
Naperville Park District Hayrides
WHAT: Dress up in your favorite Halloween costume (parents included) and head out for a hayride! Each registered child ages 1-12 years who checks in with the hayride coordinator will receive a Halloween goodie bag containing treats and prizes. You may bring your own food to cook over the bonfire or bring the fixings for s'mores and bring your own stick or skewer for roasting. Hot chocolate and apple juice provided. Bring flashlights and insect repellent. Children under 1 may ride for free and do not need to be registered. Each child and adult attending must register.
WHEN: Oct. 20, 21 and Oct. 27. Check here for times.
WHERE: Knoch Knolls Park, 336 Knoch Knolls Road, Naperville, Ill., 60567
MORE INFO: 1-630-848-5000
DuPage Children's Museum Costume Party
WHAT: Dress up in costume and enjoy an evening full of make believe, role-playing activities, refreshments, face painting and stories. Free for museum members and/or museum admission.
WHEN: Oct. 28
WHERE: DuPage Children's Museum, 301 N. Washington St., Naperville, Ill., 60540
MORE INFO: 1-630-637-8000
Oswego
WHAT: This 12-acre farm includes a corn maze, hay wagon ride, pedal tractors, kids straw maze, grain boxes, and a large kids’ play area with pirate ship, castle, train, tractor, truck and more. Admission is $8 (3 years and younger admitted free). Children 12 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.
WHEN: Daily through Oct. 30, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
WHERE: 2500 Johnson Road, Oswego, Ill., 60543
MORE INFO: 1-630-554-1325
Plainfield
Plainfield Park District Ghost & Ghouly Night
WHAT: Family event features a corn maze, campfire with a storyteller, snacks and hayrack rides. Admission is $5 for residents; $7.50 for nonresidents. There is a maximum of 20 people per hayride. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
WHEN: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 13
WHERE: Four Seasons Park, Lockport Street and Frontage Road, Plainfield, Ill., 60544
MORE INFO: 815-436-8812, Ext. 35
Plainfield Park District Frankenstein's Kiddie Carnival
WHAT: Halloween costume contest, games with prizes, and food. Games tickets are 50 cents each or three for $1 (each game requires one ticket). Costume contest for children 10 and younger, with prizes for best costume for 2- to 5-year-olds and 6- to 10-year-olds. Admission is $5 for residents; $7.50 for nonresidents. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
WHEN: 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 19
WHERE: Central Elementary School, 23723 Getson Drive, Plainfield, IL
MORE INFO: 815-436-8812, Ext. 35
Calling all witches, ghosts, goblins and ghouls! Get out your Halloween costumes and join us for a night out at our Frankenstein’s Kiddie Carnival. Play games and win prizes! Tickets will be on sale the night of the event–$.50 each or 3 for $1. Each game requires one ticket. In addition to fun games, we will have a costume contest for children 10 and younger. There will be a prize for the best costume in two age groups: 2–5 year olds and 6–10 year olds. 7 pm Costume Judging. Ages 2–10 w/parent. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Woodridge
WHAT: Children are invited to join in the fun at Edward Health & Fitness to celebrate Halloween with costume contests, trick or treating around the fitness center, Halloween games and much more. Each child will go home with a bag full of goodies. Hot dogs, chips and juice will be provided. Ages 5-11
WHEN: 6 to 8 p.m., Oct. 28
WHERE: Edward Health & Fitness, 6600 South Route 53, Woodridge, Ill., 60517
MORE INFO: 630-646-7940
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