Play Date at the ICA, Classic Cartoons, Halloween Fun and More for Boston Kids and Families, Oct 28-30

10/26/11 - By Audrey Trieschman

Happy Halloween!

Boston families can enjoy a variety of Halloween weekend activities that run the gamut from the scary to the not-so-spooky. Check out our roundup of Halloween fun for events that have been happening all season, plus 20 free (and one almost free) events happening at local libraries, malls, and bookstores. And read on for even more coverage of Halloween events, plus performances by the Airborne Comedians and Stacey Peasley, Play Date at the ICA, the annual Classic Cartoon Festival, and more.

As always, if the weather is questionable, we recommend checking with the venue before heading to any outdoor event.

Keith Munslow Ticket Giveaway: Keith Munslow comes to the Regent Theatre in Arlington on Saturday, 10/29, and two Mommy Poppins Boston families can win free tickets to see his show, Songs and Stories, Cartoons and Comedy. Send me an email to enter. Winners will be selected by Friday at 2pm.

 

 

OUR LATEST VIDEOS


 

Friday

Room to Read Kids Adventure Night - Barefoot Books, Concord
Friday, October 28 6:30pm-8:30pm
The evening features children’s entertainers, storytelling, raffle prizes and more! Things kick off with an energetic music and movement performance of Mister Vic (for ages 0–5), while older kids can select a (discounted) pottery painting project and hear monster and goblin tales. Costumes are encouraged! All purchases support Room to Read’s efforts to transform the lives of children in developing countries. Free admission.


 

Saturday

Play Date: Dance On! Draw On! - ICA, Boston
Saturday, 10/29 10am-4pm
Using a visit to the Dance/Draw exhibit as inspiration, families explore the connections between drawn lines and the movement of body through space; watch bubble artist Casey Carle draw lines and make circles that float in the air with a performance of Bubblemania; and take part in drawing activities and movement/art making experiments with visiting artists.

Plus, from 11am to 3pm, kids in costume can have their pictures taken. Prizes are awarded for the most original handmade costumes. Free for families (up to 2 adults per family accompanied by a child 12 or under)


The Airborne Comedians - Coolidge Corner Theatre, Brookline
Saturday, 10/29 10:30am - 11:30am       
The Airborne Comedians are two performers who’ve traveled the globe performing their high energy, unorthodox comedy juggling show to the delight of all ages. Adults $9.75; Children $7.75


13th Annual Classical Cartoon Festival - Symphony Hall, Boston
Saturday, 10-29 10am-4pm
Kids of all ages can enjoy classical music, their favorite Warner Brothers cartoons on a giant screen, live musical performances, storytelling, an instrument petting zoo, classical music hosts, PBS-costumed characters, and face painting during the annual Cartoon Fest. Tickets $15


What’s So Scary - Harvard Museum of Natural History, Cambridge
Saturday, 10/29 1pm-5pm
Families can explore the natural history behind some iconic Halloween animals like bats, spiders, owls, and wolves, create a bat or owl mask to take home. Meet a live Barred Owl, named Hattie (1pm) and catch a screening of Superbat (2pm).

Attending in costume is encouraged, but optional. Free with admission: Adults $9; Children (3-18) $6


Stacey Peasley Band Halloween Celebration! - Center for the Arts in Natick
Saturday, 10/29, 11am
Join local favorite Stacey Peasley and her band as they host a musical Halloween celebration at the Center for the Arts in Natick. Kids can show off their costumes and spend the morning singing and dancing to Stacey’s songs from her debut Children’s CD, Together! Adults $10; Children $8


Boo Bash - Strand Theatre, Boston
Saturday, 10/ 29 1pm - 4pm
Boo Bash includes a haunted house, a costume party, spooky crafts, trick or treating, and a monster mash dance party. Kids ages 13 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Kids in costume welcome! Free


Halloween Family Day - Spellman Museum, Weston
Saturday, 10/29, 12n-4pm
Kids can come in costume and win a stamp prize, decorate pumpkins and treat or treat bags with stamps; take part in stamp scavenger hunts (with prizes!) and other arts and crafts activities using stamps. Kids can get tips about how to start a stamp collection and also receive a free packet of stamps to get their collections going. Included with admission: Adults $8; Seniors & Students $5; Children (5-16) $3, free packet of stamps for each child


 

Saturday and Sunday

Zoo Howl - Franklin Park Zoo, Boston
Saturday 10/29 and Sunday 10/30, 10am-3pm
The haunted happenings include creature encounters, creepy crafts, ghoulish games, a trick-or-treat trail and the Haunted Maze! Free with admission.


 

Sunday

A Great Pumpkin Day - Gore Place, Waltham
Sunday, 10/30, 3pm-5pm
Children and their families can dance to a DJ, listen to stories, play games, join a costume parade, and take a wagon ride around the farm fields of the 45 acre estate.

Children and adults are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes but no scary costumes please as this event is intended for young children. Parking is free. Admission $5


Not So Spooky Halloween Happening - New School of Music, Cambridge
Sunday, 10/30 5pm-6:30pm
New School of Music hosts a fall open house, with a spooky sing-a-long, musical games, arts and crafts, string instrument petting zoo, and trick-or-treating throughout the music studios. Free