Sometimes the trick to Halloween is finding activities that are a treat for all ages. Here are a few ideas that won’t scare the pants off you but will put you in the All Hallows’ Eve spirit. Many encourage participants to wear their costumes, and what kid doesn’t want more than one chance for that?
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Beecher
Trick or Treat in the Woods, 6-9 p.m. Oct. 14, Plum Creek Nature Center; Reconnectwithnature.org; 708-946-2216.
(Check for availability; there is currently a wait list for this event.)
Hike the woods along a glowing trail and look for hidden treats — and some tricks as well. After a spooky story, participants may roast hot dogs and s’mores.
Blue Island
Halloween “Egg Hunt,” 6:45 p.m. Oct. 27, Memorial Park, 12804 Highland Ave.; Blueislandparks.org; 708-385-3304.
Don’t leave all the fun to the Easter Bunny. Kids can look for treat-filled Halloween-themed eggs. Participants must bring their own bags and flashlights. Children 4 to 6 years old start at 7 p.m.; children 7 to 9 begin at 7:30 p.m. Costumes encouraged. $5 in advance; $8 at the door.
Monster Bingo, 6-8 p.m. Oct. 20, Memorial Park Banquet Hall, 12804 S. Highland Ave.; Blueislandparks.org; 708-385-3304
Children and families of all ages play; costumes encouraged. Register in advance and check in at 5:45 p.m. $10 in advance; $15 at the door.
Bridgeview
Pumpkin Patch Festival, Oct. 13-15 and Oct. 20-22, Bridgeview Shopping Center, 7701 S. Harlem; pumpkinpatchfestival.com; 708-378-0102.
Six-day festival includes carnival rides, a pumpkin patch (where you can check out a 1,000-pound pumpkin), old-school games like potato sack races and hula hoop contests, magic shows, a petting zoo, and live music. Check website for festival hours and the times of various events. Tickets can be purchased online, but on-site parking is $10 at the door. Admission is $10, and admission-plus-carnival wristbands is $35.
Frankfort
Frankfort Park District’s Halloween Haunting, 6-9 p.m. Oct. 20, Founders Community Center, 140 Oak St.; Frankfortparks.org/special-events; 815-469-9400.
Kids’ party includes inflatables, DJ, balloon artists, spooky games, hay ride, crafts, movie room and small pumpkins for the first 150. Concessions will be sold. Wristbands are $10; $9 for kids wearing costumes.
Howl-a-Woof, 10 a.m. Oct. 21, Bark Park at Commissioners Park, 80th Avenue and Sauk Trail, Frankfortparks.org/special-events; 815-469-9400.
Dogs don’t even need to know special tricks to get canine treats at this on-leash event. Dogs may enter costume contest to be judged on the best, funniest, and scariest. An adult should accompany all dogs and any humans younger than 12. Free.
Joliet
Special effects make up workshop, 6 to 7:30 p.m., Oct. 9, Joliet Public Library Black Road Branch, 3395 Black Road,; Jolietlibrary.org; 815-740-2660.
Get the look: Practice for Halloween or your next creepy homemade movies with a special effects makeup class for students in 7th through 12th grades. Free, but registration is required. The workshop includes instruction on makeup effects such as zombie looks and fake wounds.
Oak Lawn
Superhero costume day at the Ice Arena, 1-2:30 p.m. Oct. 29, 9320 Kenton Ave.; Olparks.com; 708-857-5173.
Oak Lawn’s ice skating rink gets into the spirit. Admission is $7 for 5 and older; $5 for 4 and younger. Skate rental is $3. Active duty military, health care workers, and first responders are admitted free with ID. A DJ will be playing appropriate tunes for the occasion.
Spookview, 1-5 p.m., Oct. 21, Oak View Center, 4625 110th; Olparks.com; 708-857-2200
This Halloween party includes a costume parade for kids, magic, games, maze, crafts, black light room, inflatables. Concessions available. Wristbands are $10; $5 for additional children.
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Family art class at The Center, 11 a.m.-noon Oct. 17, 12700 Southwest Highway; Thecenterpalos.org; 708-361-3650.
Bring your young Picasso to The Center to create whimsical and weird monster faces using paints, wood pieces and other materials. $10 per person.
Oak Forest
Halloween Hike and Happenings, 5-9 p.m. Oct. 28, Camp Sullivan, 14630 Oak Park Ave.; Fpdcc.com/event; 708-386-4042.
The Forest Preserve District of Cook County celebrates Halloween with a night hike, “ghost hunting” and scary stories at Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery, the climbing wall, live music and s’mores. Costumes are welcome. The “ghost hunt” will be a roughly 40-minute hike on an unpaved trail, and some of the stories are scary, so parents of very young children should use their discretion.
Kids’ Halloween Party at Chicago Gaelic Park, 6 p.m. Oct. 26, 6119 W. 147th St.; chicagogaelicpark.org; 708-687-9323.
S’mores around the fire pit, movies, hayrides, and more are part of the evening. Admission is free, and “Mummy dogs,” “I Scream! Treats” and other food and beverages are available for purchase.
Palos Park
Haunted hayride, 6:30, 7:15 or 8 p.m. Oct. 27 and 28, The Center, 12700 Southwest Highway; thecenterpalos.org.
Take a hayrack around the farm trails at The Center, listen to a theatrical telling of a spooky tale, then roast marshmallows and drink cider served by “witches.”
Advance tickets required; $10 per person.
Romeoville
Halloween Spooktacular Concert, 7:30-9:30 p.m. Oct. 27; St. Charles Borromeo Convocational Hall, Lewis University, 100 Airport Road; Lewsiu.edu; 815-838-0500.
The American Guild of Organists performs selections designed to evoke the Halloween mood, including Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D Minor. Admission and parking are free.
South Holland
Sand Ridge Nature Center Halloween, 1:30 p.m. Oct. 29, 15891 S. Paxton Ave.; Fpdcc.com/event; 708-868-0606.
Wear your costume, have some spooky fun, and learn about those creatures that give you the creeps — snakes, bats, and spiders. You might leave with a new appreciation. Free.
Tinley Park
Book Bash, Noon-3 p.m. Oct. 29, Oak Park Avenue train station, 6700 South St.; Downtowntinley.com; 708-445-5678.
Activities are free, and food and beverages will be available for purchase. Events include spooky hayrides, animal encounter, games and crafts, magic shows from 12:30 to 1:30; “Fangtastic Dance Lessons” from 1:30 to 2:30 and “Witch’s storytime” at 2:30. Costume contest runs from noon to 2:30.
Paige Fumo Fox is a freelancer reporter for the Daily Southtown.