Best Alternatives To Trick-Or-Treating In Your Neighborhood In Minnesota
Dressing up in costumes and trick-or-treating are the best parts of Halloween. However, parents of small children who are not quite ready to experience a full-on terrifying Halloween or those who are not comfortable with knocking on doors and trick-or-treating in their neighborhoods may be interested in alternatives in the area. Here are some of the best alternatives to neighborhood trick-or-treating in Minnesota. These Halloween events are not only scare-free but kid-friendly and tons of Halloween fun as well.
ZooBoo
Como Park Zoo and Conservatory
1225 Estabrook Drive
Saint Paul, MN 55103
(651) 487-8200
www.comozooconservatory.org
Date: October 20-21 and 26-28
This year at Como Park, ZooBoo will celebrate its 25th anniversary with a special Halloween event for children that involves trick-or-treating in a non-scary atmosphere. Over 500 volunteers and 200 guests in fairytale costumes put on one of Como Zoo's largest fundraisers for a safe and entertaining Halloween evening for children. ZooBoo takes place October 20, 21, 26, 27 and 28 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. allowing children the opportunity to dress up in their favorite contests and still pick up a bit of trick-or-treat candy. Halloween partiers that live further north may want to stop by Zoo Boo at Pine Grove Zoo in Little Falls, Minnesota.
Ar-BOO-Retum
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
3675 Arboretum Drive
Chaska, MN 55318
(952) 443-1400
www.arboretum.umn.eduDate: October 31
There are a couple kid-friendly Halloween events being held at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Those who are into ghouls and goblins will want to stop by for Ghouls & Goblins in the Gardens on October 28. However, October 31 kicks off the Arboretum's all-day event Ar-BOO-Retum with scarecrows, trick-or-treating for apples, Halloween treats and the Pumpkin Palooza display in the Visitor Center.
Related: Best Places To Go Apple Picking This Fall Near The Twin Cities
Halloween Trick or Treat Event
Maplewood Mall
3001 White Bear Ave. N.
Maplewood, MN 55109
(651) 770-5020
www.facebook.com/MaplewoodMall
Date: October 31
Many shopping malls provide safe Halloween events that give kids an opportunity to engage in Halloween fun while in a safe environment. Maplewood Mall provides a free event on Halloween night from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. with activities, candy and a prize wheel that benefits the Simon Youth Foundation. Photo packages are also available for $10 for a 5x7, $15 for two 4x6 photos or one 5x7 and two 4x6 photos for $20. Other shopping malls to check out for big Halloween events are Rosedale, Mall of America and Albertville Outlets.
Halloween Historia
Stearns History Museum
235 S. 33rd Ave.
St. Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 253-8424
www.stearns-museum.org
Date: October 27
Stearns County also holds a non-scary event for children. Past activities that have taken place at Halloween Historia include craft-making, a scavenger hunt in the exhibit gallery, a hayride and carnival games. Guests also meet the kindly Candy Witch and are invited to dress up in their favorite costumes. All proceeds from Halloween Historia support children's programming at the Stearns History Museum.
Halloween Farm Fun
Gale Woods Farm
7210 County Road 110 W.
Minnetrista, MN 55364
(763) 694-2001
www.threeriversparks.org
Date: October 27
On October 27 from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Gale Woods Farm and Lowry Nature Center host their Halloween Farm Fun full of barnyard animals, including a live owl. Guests to this party make crafts, play nature games and snack on Halloween treats straight from the farm. There is also a trail of costumed characters that lead to the Mad Scientist's lab. This event is recommended for children at least two years of age. Costumes are encouraged.
Christina Majaski is a full-time legal assistant and freelance writer for online and print publications. She has an obsession for all things related to social media and invites you to follow along with her on Twitter @cmajaski. She currently resides with her daughter in central Minnesota. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
