October is packed with Halloween traditions from illuminated jack o’lanterns to haunted houses, haunted train rides and haunted forests and all sorts of spooky events.  Many new attractions are waiting and you will find tons of spooky fun things to do for the entire family.  

Rise Of The Jack O’lanterns
Oct 27 - Oct 30
Meadowlands Exposition Center 355 Plaza Drive, Secaucus
Debuting for the first time in NJ, RISE of the Jack O’Lanterns will feature over 5,000 hand-carved illuminated jack o’lanterns creatively arranged along a scenic walking path and set to a musical score designed to bring out the Halloween spirit in visitors of all ages.   Experience larger than life dinosaurs, mythical dragons, and safari animals. See pop culture icons and characters from classic movies that will make you feel like you are in a galaxy far, far away.   They are also creating multi-pumpkin structures with dozens of illuminated jack o’lanterns assembled into life-sized pieces of art.  Be sure to check out the live carving demonstrations so you can see the magic happens right before your eyes.   Tickets are on sale now and required in advance so be sure to get yours now before they sell out.   Head to http://therise.org/njkids to get your 50% off admission.  

Free Spooky Spooktacular Halloween Magic Shows 
AT IPLAY AMERICA
Every Saturday & Sunday in October
Shows at 1:30 PM, 2:30 PM, 3:30 PM, and 4:30 PM
Prepare to witness feats of pure wizardry performed right before your very eyes.  Abracadabra, it’s going reach out and grab YOU! It’s Spooky Family FUN for everyone. 

Halos For Angels Family Fun Festival
Every Saturday & Sunday in October 
186 Ridgedale Ave, Florham Park (Chase Bank Lot Near Roller Rink)
Kiddie tours, face painting, pumpkin picking, games, prizes, music, food, and more.  

Scarecrows & Pumpkins At New York Botanical Garden
Now Through Oct 30
2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx, NY 10458
Enjoy this bountiful time of year with eye-popping pumpkins, spooky scarecrows, and plenty of family fun. 

Headless Horseman
Oct 8 & Oct 22 
Children’s Day “A Tiny Taste of Terror” Ulster Park
The park tones down its scare level, offering a daylight hayride with a friendly storyteller telling scary tales. A walk through their corn maze, haunted gardens, country games, face painting, and entertainment make this the perfect outing for families with young children. Children's Day will take place on the Saturdays of Oct 8th and Oct 22nd from 11:30am to 3:00 PM. The rain dates Oct 9th and 23rd. www.headlesshorseman.com/schedule. 

Allaire State Park Haunted Halloween Hayrides
Oct 14, 15, 21, 22 
4263 Atlantic Avenue Farmingdale - Rides depart every 15 minutes, heading through the woods, then into Historic Village at Allaire for a spooky visit. Purchase tickets in advance.  

Halloween In Hershey
Oct 14-16, 21-23 & 28-30
Hershey Park, 100 Hershey Park Dr, Hershey PA
Kids 12 and younger are invited to dress up and enjoy a trick-or-treat adventure starting at Hershey's Chocolate World Attraction and continuing through Treatville, their hometown village of treats and sweets. After dark, bring your flashlight for a tour of Creatures Of The Night at ZooAmerica - all included in your one-price admission to Hersheypark In The Dark.

Annual Howell Living History Corn Maze & Pumpkin Carve
Select dates in Oct 
70 Wooden’s Lane, Titusville
The 2016 Corn Maze is a game in itself, challenging visitors to answer trivia questions and find puzzle pieces to complete a map which will help show the way out. This year the Farm has teamed up with the Hopewell Valley Arts Council for a special event, called “The aMAZing Pumpkin Carve,” which will feature giant pumpkins artfully carved and embellished by specially selected artists, craftsmen and pumpkin enthusiasts.  Visit http://howellfarm.org/ for the full schedule.  

The Haunted Woods
Oct 15-17, 22–24, 28-30
75 Springhill Road, Old Bridge
Benefits Old Bridge Food Bank. Walk through haunted woods filled with displays, lights, sound, and live actors lurking about. Admission is free but food donations appreciated.

Haunted Seaport
Oct 20, 21, 22
120 West Main St, Tuckerton
Hayrides, entertainment, crafts, stories, games, and a non-scary pumpkin patch for the little ones.

Scary Plants, Scaredy Pants At The Frelinghuysen Arboretum
Oct 22
353 East Hanover Avenue, Morristown
Voodoo lily? Bat flower? Some plants are simply wicked! Celebrate HallowGreen at The Frelinghuysen Arboretum. They’ll be teeming with scary, smelly plants from around the world, and offering many children activities. Explore a display of flesh eating greenery from Cait’s Carnivores and plant one to take home. Create a vampire proof necklace straight out of the Dark Ages. Step into the Food Laboratory to make cobweb cookies and spider cupcakes. Using everyday craft supplies, create a scary plant of your own.

Free Trick-or-treat Around The Park At Iplay America
Oct 27 
110 Schanck Road, Freehold 
Danny’s Kids Club presents a FREE Trick-or-Treat around the Park on Thursday, October 27, from 4 PM to 7 PM. It’s going to be a FUN & festive time, with sweet treats for the kids, and it all takes place during iPlay America’s Spooky Spooktacular Halloween.   Registration required. For more information, go to iPlayAmerica.com/Halloween.

Teeny Tiny Trail Tales At Great Swamp OEC
Oct 29
Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center, Southern Boulevard, Chatham Township
Families with small children can now enjoy a less spooky version of Trail Tales earlier in the day. Hear silly and nature-themed tales told by costumed storytellers along the decorated trails of the Great Swamp. Wear your own costume, too. Sign up in advance for a time slot.

19th Century All Hallow’s Eve At Allaire Village
Oct 30
4263 Atlantic Avenue Farmingdale
Today it is a great day to celebrate with friends and family.   There will be pumpkin picking (limited quantity), tractor and wagon rides, historic games, storytelling, and a costume parade and contest for children 12 years and younger. 

Witches Day Out At Historic Smithville 
Oct 30
615 East Moss Mill Road, Absecon
Historic Smithville will be hosting it’s first-ever Witch’s Day Out. Come treat yourself to a good time at the Smithville Village.  Wear your witch’s hat and enter their hat contest. The winner will receive a prize announced at 6 PM at the Smithville Inn. Enjoy complimentary finger food in the Smithville tavern from 4-5 PM. Please stop into the shops with your hat and see what deals await you.