NYC Halloween Fun For You And The Kids

Before I was a mommy, I shamelessly used my Godchildren to live vicariously through during the holidays.  I’d lie and say I was just excited for the children, but deep down inside I was happy that I got to get dressed up in a Halloween costume, or that I was walking over to the Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center, or going to see the Christmas windows on Fifth Avenue, etc., etc.  Now that I’m a mommy, I get to use my own child to thoroughly enjoy the holidays through, and boy-oh-boy am I excited!

This year, now that my little guy is two years old and super-aware of what is going on around him, I have a ton of options for exposing him to some Halloween revelry.  I don’t want to overdo it because he is still very small and easily overwhelmed, but the options are there and it makes for an exciting time.  Here are the three that I will be sure to make it to this year:

Boo at the Zoo

Every Saturday and Sunday in October, starting October 10^th, the Bronx Zoo offers some spooky fun for you and your children!  During the Boo at the Zoo weekends, you and your family can experience wildlife magic shows, pumpkin carving demonstrations, haunted hayrides, and this year, for the first time ever, the Bronx Zoo will have their first Haunted Safari.  The best thing about these weekends is that if your children come to the Bronx Zoo wearing a wildlife costume, they will receive a free General Admission ticket when accompanied by an adult purchasing a full-priced admission ticket (limit one free child per paying adult).  Good thing my little guy is going to be a Tiger this year.  October 10 – 12, 18-18, 24-25, and October 31 – November 1 (Bronx Zoo, Bronx River Parkway at Fordham Road).

Baby Loves Disco’s Boo Baby Boo Halloween Party

Baby Loves Disco is one of my all-time favorite hangouts in NYC, and I’ve been taking my little guy to their parties since he was 7 months old.  He always has so much fun, but the truth is, he is merely the excuse I use to go out and party to music I actually like listening to!  While I adore Laurie Berkner, sometimes I miss shaking my tail feathers to classic 70s and 80s disco music, and Baby Loves Disco plays all the old goodies, and during their annual Halloween Party, Boo Baby Boo, you get to have fun with classics like the Monster Mash and Thriller as well.  Best of all, you can dress up right along with your little guys and get in on the Halloween fun!  Sunday, October 18^th from 12noon to 3pm (Le Poisson Rouge, 158 Bleeker Street).

Washington Square Park’s Children’s Halloween Parade

The great thing about this parade is that you won’t have to explain to your little ones why the man in the bushy moustache and beard is wearing nothing but a bikini bottom and a floor-length golden wig.  It is the MUCH more child-friendly version of Greenwich Village’s bawdy and extremely fun adult Halloween parade (that you should check out as well, just probably not with children under 11).  On Halloween Day, October 31^st, the Children’s Parade begins with costumed children gathering at 3:00pm by the arch at Washington Square North and then they begin marching at 3:30pm.   After the parade, kids have an opportunity to get their faces painted, watch live entertainment, and of course, get lots and lots of treats!

So now, go forth, and make mischief of one kind or another!

Photo credit: Mrsnorth / Stock Xchng

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