by kellie abrahamson kabrahamson1@aol.com
Despite all the scary stuff associated with Halloween, it is, for the most part, a children’s holiday, especially once you have kids. Sure, we grown-ups get to indulge in scary movies, haunted houses and the occasional piece of candy (swiped from our own candy bowls, of course), but generally speaking, little ones rule the day; as they should. Most people who love Halloween are enamored with the fall spook-fest because of the nostalgia it brings. My parents always made a big deal of the holiday and, as a result, I look forward to it each year. My own little goblins are now old enough to take part in (and remember!) most Halloween festivities, a milestone I’ve been looking forward to since they were tiny future trick-or-treaters in the womb. Thankfully we live in a town that has plenty of events for families during this time of year. Here are a few of the major ones, but be on the look-out for smaller, community-based events in your neighborhood!
Most kids are just in it for the candy, but these fun Halloween activities will make them forget their sweet tooth… at least for a little while!
(October 12 to October 31) This annual stop has something for everyone. While adults and teens get their scare on at the Hall of Terror, kids get to participate in fun, not-so-scary activities such as arts and crafts, pumpkin decorating, inflatable games, face painting and more! The Hallo-WEE Zone at the Blanding location is free. Over in Jax Beach, expect to pay $2 per child for just the kiddie house or $5 for a combo ticket which includes the children’s activities plus rides on the Frog Hopper and the Wacky Worm. Head over to adventurelanding.com for more info and a $1 off coupon!
(October 26, 6 pm to 9 pm) This Halloween-themed event will thrill and chill visitors as Museum of Science and History staff members conduct scientific experiments, ghoulish games, and tours of temporarily haunted exhibits. Costume and scream contests will also be part of the action at this annual frighteningly fun fall festival. Admission is $9 for adults; $7.50 for senior citizens and military; $7 for children 3-12; and free for children 2 and under. Visitors in costumes will receive a $1 discount. For more info visit themosh.org
(October 26 to 28, 5:30 pm-7:30 pm) Families with children ages 2 to 11 will have a blast at Creatures of the Night, the St. Augustine Alligator Farm’s annual Halloween bash. Costumed animal keepers will be on hand to teach little ghosts and goblins about some of the critters they keep and everyone will thrill at seeing a gator get his grub at the end of the evening. Kids will also score some treats along the way. Tickets are $5 for children and $7 for adults if you’re annual pass members. Everyone else will pay $6 for kids and $8 for grownups. For directions and info visit alligatorfarm.us.
(October 28, 2 pm) Join Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra conductor Morihiko Nakahara for a Halloween concert with a musical mystery at the Jacoby Symphony Hall at the Times-Union Convention Center. The JSO will perform ‘The Composer is Dead,’ a new story by Lemony Snicket. Parents, bring the kids in their favorite costumes to join the ghouls and goblins of the orchestra for an afternoon of spooks and surprises! Tickets are $7 and are available at the JSO website, jaxsymphony.org.pump it up family jump (October 31, 3:15 - 6:15 pm) Children 12 years old and younger can come and jump for free if they are in costume. Otherwise admission is $8. Go to pumpitupparty.com for details.
Next to finding the perfect costume, kids are mainly concerned with getting as much candy as possible on Halloween night. If you want your child to get the most candy possible without knocking on a bunch of stranger’s doors, head to these locations for safe trick-or-treating.
(October 19-21, 26-28 and 31, 6:30 pm to 9 pm) The Spooktacular is always one of Jacksonville’s biggest Halloween events. Come out and see the thousands of carved pumpkins on display along with cool not-so-spooky sets and much more. This year there will be trick-or-treating along the Spooktacular path so kids are rewarded for seeing everything. Admission is $8 for Zoo members, $9 for everyone else. For more information visit jaxzoo.org.
Orange Park Mall: October 25, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, The Avenues: October 27, 1 pm to 3 pm
Prime Outlets St. Augustine: October 31, 5 pm to 7 pm, St. Johns Town Center: October 31, 5 pm to 8 pm
My family and I went to the Avenues last year and came home with a ton of loot, so you may really want to consider these mall events. Make sure your child comes in costumes that are free of fake weapons and masks and be sure to bring your own treat bags.
(October 28, 2 pm to 5:30 pm)
Bring the little ghosts, goblins and fairies to the Ancient City Tour’s Annual Costume Parade and Trick-or-Treating in historic St. Augustine. Kids will get to parade up St. George Street in their costumes, then come back down, trick-or-treating at businesses along the way. This one should be a lot of fun for the whole family. For complete details, visit ancientcitytours.com.
|
EU Critic’s Choice Awards
