There are two ways of looking at Oct. 31. It is a day in the life of the harvest season in the world of nature or the spookiest time of the year when supernatural creatures come out to play. Kids can get both perspectives at the HALLOWEEN HARVEST FESTIVAL, where they can see how animals behave in fall and decorate the pumpkins that grow ripe at this time of year. They can make masks and costumes, wear them to watch marionettes that include Scare E. Crow and Rip Reaper, and join in a parade with the stilt-walkers and larger-than-life puppets of Redmoon Theater. Halloween Harvest Festival, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Field Museum, 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive; $8 adults, $4 children museum admission, $3 for Creation Station materials; 312-665-7300.
— Nancy Maes
In 1963 Thelma Nokes borrowed a piece of property between the el tracks and a ComEd facility in Evanston and turned it into a garden. After her death neighbors started to care for it and named it Thelma’s Garden. In it are native plants and old toys and pieces of sculptures. Families this year can come to see a new display of unique scarecrows, make their own, create sidewalk chalk art and wander through a slighty spooky setting. Scarecrow Exhibit, Saturday-Tuesday; Scarecrow Creation Station, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday; Sidewalk Chalk Art Expo, 1-3 p.m. Sunday; Ghost Gathering, 5-8 p.m. Tuesday; Thelma’s Garden, Bryant Avenue between Central and Isabella Streets, Evanston; events are free, $2 for scarecrow supplies, or bring your own; 847-401-1500.
— Nancy Maes
Spring Valley Nature Sanctuary hosts “Halloween Ghost Jaunt” Friday and Saturday. Every 15 minutes, groups of 15 visitors will be guided down a trail of fun, adventure and education. Halloween treats will be sold. Pre-registration required. Appropriate for all ages, but children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult. “Halloween Ghost Jaunt,” 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Spring Valley Nature Sanctuary, 1111 E. Schaumburg Rd., Schaumburg; tickets $3 residents, $4 non-residents; 847-985-2100.
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— Stephanie Price
Have a wild time during Brookfield Zoo’s annual “Boo at the Zoo!” festivities Saturday and Sunday, when lots of Halloween happenings will be brewin’. The events include a costume showcase, pumpkin carving demonstrations, hair-raising ghost stories, a scavenger “haunt” activity and a Halloween costume parade led by actors from the Redmoon Theater. While you’re there, get acquainted with some spooky animals that slither, crawl or fly. Call the zoo for more information and specific times for each activity. “Boo at the Zoo!” activities, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Brookfield Zoo, 1st Avenue and 31st Street, Brookfield; zoo admission $7 adult, $3.50 seniors and children age 3 to 11, children 2 and under free; visitors who show a Dominick’s Fresh Value Card receive a free child’s admission with a paying adult; 708-485-0263.
— Stephanie Price
Ghosts and witches and other scary creatures will be lurking in Haines Park in New Lenox Friday. The New Lenox Park District’s annual fright night features haunted tours of the park grounds, where witches may pop out from behind a tree. A bonfire is part of the fun. The Haunted Hollows of Haines Park, 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Haines Wayside Park, on Haines Avenue west of Cedar Road, New Lenox; $1 a person for the haunted tour and bonfire, other fees for other activities; 815-485-1737.
— Pat Harper