Guide to Not So Scary Halloween Events for Kids in NJ

Let’s celebrate Halloween 2026!

There are so many fun kid-friendly events with no fright in sight in the New Jersey area. Check out these non-scary events for kids, from costume parades, pumpkin festivals, to haunted fun scenes. Please confirm dates, times, and fees before you head out.

Boo At The Zoo @ The Bronx Zoo

Every Saturday & Sunday, September 26 - November 1, 2026. Family friendly Halloween daytime event at the Bronx Zoo. Join in the adventure with Halloween Crafts, Pumpkin Garden, Boo Carnival, Costume Parade, Candy Trail, Hay Maze & Challenge Trail, Wildlife Theater, Animal Chats, and plenty of wildlife fun. Buy tickets online. 2300 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY.

Storybook Land Fall Into Fun Festival

September 19 - October 25, 2026. Hay bales, cornstalks, and non-scary fun take over Storybook Land! Climb aboard the Happy Hayride for a tour of park or find your way out of Elmer's Hay-Mazin' Maze. Decorate a pumpkin, enjoy family rides and attractions. Wander around the beautifully decorated park, filled with mums, cornstalks, and pumpkins. For even MORE fun, come for Trick-or-Treat Weekend on October 17, 18, 24, and 25th and wear a costume. 6415 E Black Horse Pike, Egg Harbor Township, NJ. Buy tickets online at storybookland.com

Boo At The Boardwalk - Jenkinson’s Point Pleasant

October 17, 18, 24, 25, 2026, 12PM-4PM. Join in some spooktacular family fun at Jenkinson's. Trick-or-treating, character appearances, Halloween activities, and more! Point Pleasant Beach, NJ.

Annual Halloween Spectacular At Nj State Museum

Saturday, October 31, 2026, 10AM-2PM. FREE. Stop by the NJ State Museum. Children can come dressed in costume for the annual parade on the front lawn. Trick-or-treat for candy at 11AM. Play games, make crafts, and go on a Boo hunt around the museum. 205 West State St, Trenton, NJ.

Howl-O-Ween At Turtle Back Zoo

Saturday, October 31, 2026, 4PM-8PM. Come dressed in your Halloween costume. Kids will participate in trick-or-treating at the Turtle Back Zoo. Candy stations located throughout the grounds. Enjoy stilt walkers, Halloween-themed shows, and more! Book your tickets today, $5 per person. Under 2 years old FREE. 560 Northfield Ave, West Orange, NJ.

The Dark Tower Halloween Puppet Show At Fairy Tale Forest

Saturday & Sunday, October 10 & 11, 2026. Visit this fun family friendly theme park. Handmade marionette performers presenting a fast paced, high energy, monster cabaret of Halloween fun! Buy admission tickets at gate. 140 Oak Ridge Rd, Oak Ridge, NJ. fairytaleforest.com

Zooboo 2026 At Bergen County Zoo

Friday - Sunday, October 16, 17, 18, 2026. Zoo Boo is full of frightful fun. The Bergen County Zoo is decorated with Halloween themed scenes, trick-or-treat stations, enjoy shows, music, and day & night train rides. Buy tickets online. 216 Forest Ave, Paramus, NJ.

The Haunted Hollow Magic Show At Fairy Tale Forest

Saturday & Sunday, October 17 & 18, 2026. Stop by this theme park. A Halloween themed magic and illusion show that includes a variety of interactive fun, comedy, and spooky mysteries to amaze the entire family! Buy admission tickets at gate. 140 Oak Ridge Rd, Oak Ridge, NJ. fairytaleforest.com

Boo At The Zoo @ Cape May Zoo

Saturday, October 24, 2026, 10AM-2PM. Visitors of all ages are invited to wear a costume to this fun family event. There will be activities for kids, crafts, candy, music, entertainment, animals presentations, and more at the Cape May Zoo! Cape May County Park, NJ.

Fintastic Pumpkin Glow At Adventure Aquarium

September 18 - November 2, 2026. Discover glowing pumpkins in the shape of aquatic animals. Explore glowing sea creatures, underwater pumpkin carvers, and other exciting adventures. Reserve tickets online at Adventure Aquarium. 1 Riverside Drive, Camden, NJ.

The Great Pumpkin Train @ Delaware River Railroad Excursions

Saturdays & Sundays, September 19 - November 1, 2026. Take a ride on The Great Pumpkin Train along the Delaware River. Every child can pick a pumpkin at the pumpkin patch. 38 Market St, Phillipsburg, NJ.

Skylands Stadium Jack-O-’Lantern Experience

September 25 - November 1, 2026. Enjoy a 45 minute walk though 6,000+ hand carved Jack-O-’Lanterns at Skylands. Experience a Fall Festival with pumpkin picking, painting, music, corn maze and more! Seasonal food and drink available. Tickets must be purchased in advance. 94 Championship Place, Augusta, NJ.

Halloween Light Show At Demarest Farms

September 26 - November 1, 2026, evening. A spooktacular Halloween Light Show! Take your vehicle on a guided 30 minute tour and enjoy 32 acres of Halloween light displays. Holiday treats and farm fresh goodies available at the retail farm market. Must make reservations online. 244 Wierimus Rd, Hillsdale, NJ.

Pumpkin Patch Train At Whippany Railroad Museum

October 4, 10, 11, 2026 at 1PM, 2PM, 3PM, & 4PM. Go onboard "The Pumpkin Patch Train"! A 10-mile, 45-minute round trip ride and back. Children with valid train tickets can go to the Pumpkin Patch and pick out a free kid-sized pumpkin and receive a pumpkin decorating kit. Buy tickets online. 1 Railroad Plaza, Whippany, NJ.

Night Of Frights At Allaire Village

Friday & Saturday, Oct 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, 2026. Spooky encounters as you walk the Allaire Village grounds. Bump into ghosts, ghouls, and goblins. Fire jugglers, storytelling, Glow in the Dark Bubble Show, and more! Families welcome. Buy tickets in advance. 4263 Atlantic Ave, Wall Township, NJ.

Ghoul Spring Village At Historic Cold Spring Village

Friday & Saturday, Oct 16, 17, 23, 24, 2026. Family friendly haunted walk through the Cold Spring Village. Advance tickets required. Route 9 in Cape May, NJ.

Lights On, Scares Off - Brookdale Haunted Theater

October 17 & 24, 2026. Kid friendly tour. Walk through a haunted house and see the lighting sets and props. No scares, pop-outs, or fright. Friendly actors located throughout to tell young visitors about the theater. Purchase tickets online. 765 Newman Springs Rd, Lincroft, NJ.

Rolling Railway Trick-Or-Treat Train @ Didonato Family Fun Center

Select dates September 26 - October 25, 2026. Little goblin-friendly Halloween outdoor train ride. Admission includes Halloween corn maze, trick-or-treats spots, toy market, photo op with local pumpkin mascot, and more! 1151 S White Horse Pike Hammonton, NJ.

Historic Smithville’s Witches Day Out

Sunday, October 25, 2026, 12PM-5PM. Fun family outing with your fellow witches. Wear your witch’s costume & stroll around town. Scavenger hunt, contests, parade, special activities and more! 1 North New York Rd, Smithville, NJ.

Day Time Spooky Wild West At Wild West City

Saturday & Sunday, October 2 - November 1, 2026. Take part in a fun and spooky western experience at Wild West City. Great for kids of all ages. Shows, performances, Trick-or-Treating, costume contest and more! See night time scare factors on a haunted train and along a haunted walking trail. Book your tickets online. Stanhope, NJ.