Halloween parties, Halloween parades, spooky storytelling, haunted houses, “boo bashes”, and more are taking place on weekends leading up to October 31 in Toronto. We’ve managed to scare up the best of all the not-too-scary Halloween celebrations in the Toronto area for young kids. So get some extra mileage out of that spooktacular costume and show it off multiple times at these fun Halloween events!
Boo! at the Barns
The annual kid-friendly Halloween shindig from Wychwood Barn Community Association will have storytelling, colouring competitions, a photo booth, haunted bouncy castles, a spooky DJ dance party, prizes, a cash bar, and food. Best of all—it’s free!
Artscape Wychwood Barns, 601 Christie St., TorontoOctober 20, 4–9 pm
Free
Riverdale Farm Boo Barn
There will be no scary surprises at this kid-friendly Halloween attraction, set in one of the kids’ favourite “haunts”: Riverdale Farm. Carve a pumpkin (tools provided) and go home with the goods (jack-o-lantern and pumpkin seeds). Kiddos are welcome to wear costumes but they’re not required, and face painting plus arts and crafts round out the bill. Don’t forget the non-perishable food item to “pay” for entry to the Boo Barn. Recommended for ages 3–9.
Riverdale Farm, 201 Winchester St., TorontoOctober 20 and 21, 9:30 am–3:30 pm
Free; suggested $5 donation for pumpkins
Howling Hootenanny
Enjoy a howling good time at Black Creek Pioneer Village this Halloween at this annual family-friendly event—appropriate for all ages. There will be live stage shows, a “creepy creature” meet-and-greet, trick-or-treating in the village, a haunted maze and a mini-maze, an apple slingshot, pumpkin decorating, and more.
Black Creek Pioneer Village, 1000 Murray Ross Parkway, North YorkOctober 20, 21, 27, 28, 11 am–4:30 pm
$15 adults, $11 kids ages 5–14, free for ages 4 and under
Boo at the Zoo!
Come to the Toronto Zoo in costume and bring your camera too. The Halloween photo backdrops are out and they make for wonderful memories. Plus, kids ages 12 and under in costume get in for free when accompanied by an adult paying regular admission. All the fun of the zoo, plus photos, plus free admission: that’s more treat than trick.
Toronto Zoo, 2000 Meadowvale Rd., TorontoOctober 20, 21, 27, 28 regular zoo hours apply
$29 adults, kids 12 and under in costume free (up to 2 children per paying adult)
Fort York After Dark: Lantern Tours
This one is a bit scary for younger kids, which is why it’s recommended for ages 8 and up. On one of these popular tours of Fort York National Historic Site at night, you hear stories about the haunted lighthouse, the bloody Battle of York, and more, and visit two military cemeteries. Register and buy tickets.
Fort York National Historic Site, 250 Fort York Blvd., TorontoOctober 23, 24, 25, 26, and 27; 7:30–9:30 pm
Tickets $13.27 plus HST
Riverside Halloween Fest
Kids of all ages are invited to get into costume and join in for some fun and spooky happenings in Riverside this Halloween. The free Halloween fest starts with face painting and crafts, then a haunted house and pumpkin carving at the Jimmie Simpson Rec Centre. Starting at 11:30, there’s a kids’ costume parade along Queen Street. This event is a fundraiser to support the Rivertowne Breakfast Program.
Queen St. E. at DeGrass St., TorontoOctober 27, 9:30 am–12:30 pm
Free, but registration is encouraged
Planet Fun Halloween Party
Get into costume (you, too, parents!) for an evening of face-painting, a pumpkin contest, a fun (rather than haunted) house, crafts, and loads of free play in the fabulous indoor playground facilities. The only screams you’ll hear at this Halloween party are the screams of laughter and pure fun. Note that prop weapons are prohibited, even as part of a costume.
Planet Fun, 24 Lebovic Ave., ScarboroughOctober 27, 5–9 pm
$12 kids, $1 adults
Halloween Howl
Take part in an all-ages nighttime Halloween hike in High Park to learn the not-so-scary truth about “creepy crawlies” like bats, spiders, and toads. Bring a glass jar to make your own lantern. The walk ends with a campfire. Costumes encouraged.
High Park Nature Centre, 375 Colborne Lodge Dr., TorontoOctober 27, 6–7:45 pm
$10; registration is required
Halloween on Queen
There’s always so much fun to be had in The Beach, and now it’s of the Halloween variety. Ivan Forrest Gardens will have a live DJ, face painter, pirate bouncy castle, reptile meet-and-greet (1–3 pm) and costume contests for kids, adults, and pets at 3 pm. Kew Gardens will have an inflatable corn maze, trampoline, Halloween nail art, a palm reader (2–4 pm), puppet show (12:30 and 2:30), and costume parade at 2:30 pm. Plus, vote for your favourite carved pumpkin!
Kew Gardens (2075 Queen St. E., Toronto) and Ivan Forrest Gardens (131 Glen Manor Dr., Toronto)October 27, noon–4 pm
Free
Halloween Spooktacular
The Bata Shoe Museum is putting on a fun event perfect for ages 3–12. Kids can decorate a Halloween-inspired cookie, play iSpy in the galleries, and do some arts and crafts. Bonus: kids in costume get in for free!
Bata Shoe Museum, 327 Bloor St. W., TorontoOctober 27 and 28, 10 am–4 pm
Included in museum admission: $14 adult, kids in costume free
Solar Stage Halloween Howl with Soli & Rob
Soli and Rob are back, with fun and interactive songs all about pumpkins, trick-or-treating, and Halloween. The Bungalow Bugs puppets will also be there. Costumes are welcome. The performance takes place at the Artscape Wychwood Barns, the home of the Solar Stage children’s theater company.
Artscape Wychwood Barns, 601 Christie St., TorontoOctober 27 and 28, 11 am and 2 pm showtimes
$23 per person
Retro Halloween Family Drop-In
Celebrate Halloween traditions of the past. Tour historic homes, make a themed craft and try old-fashioned sweets. Costumes are encouraged. Get crafty this Halloween at Todmorden Mills is also hosting two family workshops the weekend prior: Halloween mask-making (October 20) and Halloween lantern-making (October 21). Register online.
Todmorden Mills, 67 Pottery Rd., TorontoOctober 27 and 28, noon–4 pm
$8 adults, $7 youth, $5 kids
Twilight Pumpkin Float
This unique event organized by the High Park Nature Centre combines two beloved kids’ activities: carving pumpkins and setting things afloat. This event culminates with all of the jack-o-lanterns lit up and floating on the High Park wading pool at dusk—certainly good for a photo or two.
High Park wading pool (northwest corner of the park), 1873 Bloor St. W., TorontoOctober 28, 4–6 pm
$3 per pumpkin
Seasons Family Centre Haunted House
The haunted house at this early child centre in Midtown is a bit scary, but there are also crafts and treats for those who are not into anything creepy. Plus, you can take a family photo in the pumpkin patch. Ticket sales benefit Kids Can Academy.
Seasons Family Centre, 655 Davenport Rd., TorontoOctober 28, 2–5 pm
$25 per family
Toronto Public Library Halloween Events
Library branches throughout the city will host Halloween crafts, storytelling, puppet shows, movies, and Halloween parties. Costumes welcome! Below are some of the best events—those worth straying from your home branch to attend. But do check what’s happening at your local branch, too!
Applefun Halloween Puppetry Show. Applefun Puppetry troupe performs a Halloween-themed puppet show for ages 4 and up. Long Branch Library, Oct. 23, 6:30–7:30 pm
Halloween Haunted House. Enjoy a spooky good time at this library haunted house, recommended for ages 8 and up. Weston Library, Oct. 25, 5–7 pm.
Halloween Haunted House Tour. A haunted house in the library auditorium, for ages 5 and up. Costumes are encouraged. Drop-in. Brookbanks, Oct. 30, 4–6 pm
Halloween Party. Show off your Halloween costume, see a scary movie, make a Halloween craft, see a puppet show, and hear some scary songs. All ages, drop-in. Barbara Frum Library, Oct. 27, 10 am–2 pm
Halloween Costume Party & Games. A costume party to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the publication of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. There will be games and a raffle with prizes. All attendees are urged to wear a costume. All ages, drop in. Deer Park, Oct. 30, 4–5 pm.
Monster and Mummies. Get in the spirit right before you head out for trick-or-treating with a Halloween mummy contest at the library and a Frankenstein-inspired activity, for ages 6–12. Drop-in. Spadina Road, Oct. 31, 4–5 pm
