Fun Halloween Activities for Kids in the Twin Cities

Halloween lands on a Friday this year, and MEA weekend is mid-October. It is a great setup for families to get more use out of costumes and enjoy fall fun without the scares. From gentle trails and pumpkin patches to indoor dance parties, the Twin Cities packs October with kid-friendly options that work for toddlers, grade schoolers, and tweens.

Below is a curated list, updated for 2025, with a mix of free picks, outdoor classics, and indoor favorites. Use it to build a full month of memory-making around Minneapolis, Saint Paul, and the suburbs.

Valleyfair Tricks and Treats, Shakopee

Valleyfair runs a daytime Halloween celebration that keeps things bright and friendly. Expect themed zones, crafts, live entertainment, and ride time for a big day out. Select Fridays and Saturdays run September 20 through November 1, so you can pick a weekend that fits your schedule. Learn more at the official page for Valleyfair Tricks and Treats.

Minnesota Children’s Museum Halloween Party, Saint Paul

Plan for two nights of playful Halloween fun inside the museum. Kids can wear costumes, join a dance party, try hands-on activities, and explore the exhibits after hours. Dates for 2025 are October 24 and 25, from 6 to 9 pm. Find details on the city’s seasonal roundup at 2025 Halloween Events and Activities in Minneapolis.

Crayola Experience Screamin’ Green Hauntoween, Bloomington

This is a colorful choice for younger kids who want Halloween without frights. Expect crafts, scavenger hunts, and festive make-and-take projects inside the Mall of America. The event spans most of the season, typically September through October, which makes planning easy.

Free City Trick-or-Treat Trails and Pop-Ups

Many cities host outdoor trick-or-treat trails, plaza parties, and small festivals that are perfect for little legs. These events often feature music, photo ops, and costumes galore with a light, fun vibe. Find a current, growing list of no-cost picks in FFTC’s guide to Free Halloween Events In the Twin Cities.

Saint Paul Family Halloween Highlights

Saint Paul’s October calendar features neighborhood trick-or-treat routes, community center events, and zoo fun that keeps fear-factor low. Expect family parties, crafts, and friendly characters. Keep an eye on seasonal happenings curated by the city at Halloween Events in St. Paul.

Pumpkin Patches and Adventure Farms

Make a day of it with hayrides, corn mazes, giant slides, pedal carts, and pumpkin picking. Farms around the metro, including Waldoch Farm and other favorites, roll out kid-friendly attractions through October. See dates and options compiled at KidsOutAndAbout’s Halloween activities around the Twin Cities.

Scarecrows in the Garden, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chaska

The Arboretum lines its paths with creative scarecrow displays that kids love to discover. Pair the stroll with leaf peeping, simple nature play, and a snack break. Displays typically run from late September through October, and costumes make the visit extra fun for photos.

Jack-O-Lantern Nights at the Minnesota Zoo, Apple Valley

Thousands of carved pumpkins light up the zoo’s pathways after dark, and the atmosphere stays calm and family friendly. You get the magic of glowing displays without jump scares. Strollers work well, and bundled-up evenings bring out that cozy fall feeling.

Toddler Tuesdays Halloween Fun, Nickelodeon Universe at MOA

The park’s regular toddler sessions get a seasonal twist with costumes, gentle games, and character meet-and-greets. Rides cost extra, but you can keep it simple with photos, parades, and easy activities. It is a great pick for first-time trick-or-treaters.

Trick-or-Treat on Main Streets

Historic downtowns like Stillwater and other walkable districts host daytime trick-or-treat events with participating shops. These are shorter, safe, and perfect for little ones who tire quickly. Costumes get a second or third outing before Halloween night.

Midtown Global Market Halloween Night, Minneapolis

This indoor market event often features trick-or-treating through vendor stalls, a costume parade, and live music. It is an easy win when the weather turns cold or wet. Grab dinner while you stroll and wrap up the night with treats and photos.

City Park Festivals and Spooktaculars

City-run events pack a lot into a short window, which helps keep costs down. Expect illuminated trails, hayrides, carnival-style games, and craft stations. These are gentle and lively, and they work for preschoolers through early middle school.

Friendly Haunted Houses, Lights-On Hours

Some attractions offer a daytime, lights-on option that lets kids see the sets without scares. Families walk through at their own pace, enjoy the artistry, and avoid jump scares. It is a smart bridge for kids who want “something spooky” without nightmares.

Library Storytimes and Costume Parades

Local libraries across the metro host non-scary storytimes with songs, simple crafts, and a short parade. It is a low-stress way to wear a costume and practice polite trick-or-treating. The morning schedule works well for naps and younger siblings.

Minnesota Streetcar Museum’s Halloween Rides, Minneapolis and Excelsior

Classic streetcars become rolling stages where kids meet friendly characters, hear short stories, and collect small treats. Rides are short and sweet, and the novelty keeps kids smiling. It is a nostalgic pick for parents and grandparents too.

Farmer’s Market Costume Days

Markets turn festive with pumpkins, face paint, caramel apples, and quick parades. Vendors sometimes host candy stops and mini photo backdrops. It is an easy add-on to your weekend produce run.

Como Zoo’s Fall Fun, Saint Paul

The zoo sets the stage for daytime visits with pumpkin displays and family activities. Little ones can roam at their own pace, take animal breaks, and enjoy gentle seasonal touches. Many events sit on the free or low-cost end.

Community Center Monster Mash Parties

Rec centers host evening socials with music, open play, and craft corners. Some add bounce houses, mini mazes, or a short trick-or-treat loop. These are perfect for staying close to home while still making it special.

School and PTA Trunk-or-Treats

Parking lots transform into candy lanes with decorated trunks, bubbles, and lawn games. It is quick, contained, and ideal for younger kids who scare easily. Costumes shine in daylight, and you can wrap up before bedtime.

Twins of October: MEA Weekend and Halloween Friday

MEA lands October 16 and 17 this year, which makes a perfect mini break for farms and daytime festivals. Halloween on a Friday gives families a little more evening time for neighborhood walks and community events. Stack a farm day, a lights-on haunt, and a city trail for a full, balanced week.

Minneapolis and Metro-Wide Roundups

City and metro calendars collect key dates, indoor options, and last-minute ideas. Start with the official hub for 2025 Halloween Events and Activities in Minneapolis. Broader family calendars also track farms, corn mazes, and seasonal open hours across the metro and beyond, like KidsOutAndAbout’s Twin Cities guide.

Budget-Friendly Picks All Month

You can build a full October without paying theme park prices every weekend. Mix in free trails, library events, and market parades. Use curated lists to spot no-cost days and freebies, like FFTC’s roundup of free Halloween fun.

Conclusion

Halloween in the Twin Cities is packed with kid-first fun, from lights-on haunts and pumpkin trails to dance parties and cozy storytimes. Build your month around a few big anchors, like Valleyfair and the museum party, then fill in with free city events, farms, and library parades. With Halloween on a Friday and MEA mid-month, 2025 gives families extra time to celebrate, make memories, and get every last mile out of those costumes.