Seattle Preschoolers Celebrate Halloween

by Pam Koons

The Seattle area provides a HUGE variety of unique Halloween activities and celebrations for preschoolers and their families- many are FREE! There are SO many, that we have picked out some of the best for you. Enjoy preschooler Halloween costume parties, harvest train rides, family celebrations, fall foliage viewing, monster bashes, carnivals, waterfront trick or treating, Halloween story times, a Halloween ballet and “Noogiefest”!

Seattle Japanese Gardens
Take your preschooler to see the fall season’s changing colors at Seattle’s Japanese Gardens. Enjoy 230 acres of gorgeous color at the Washington Arboretum. Adults $5, youth $3. 1075 Lake Washington Blvd. E, Seattle. 206-684-4725.

Seattle Halloween Train
Enjoy the Eastside’s Halloween Train! Hear medium-scary train stories, watch cider press demonstrations, craft-making, live music and Halloween goodies. The one hour round trip train ride chugs away from Snoqualmie Depot or North Bend Depot. Oct. 27-28. Come in costume! Check for times starting at noon, through Sunday. $9 adults, $8 seniors, $6 (2-12), free (0-2). Snoqualmie Depot, 38625 SE King St., Snoqualmie. North Bend Depot, 205 McClellan St., North Bend. 425-888-3030. 

Seattle Waterfront Aquarium Trick or Treating
FREE preschooler trick or treating on Seattle’s waterfront! October 27th, 10am-5pm. Stop by the Seattle Aquarium for their Halloween party. Provided are refreshments, entertainment and Seattle’s own special guest stars J.P. Patches and the famous Sea Fair Pirates! Come in costume. Activities included with admission. Adults $15 (13 up), $10 (4-12) Free (0-3). Seattle Aquarium, Pier 59, 1483 Alaskan Way, Seattle. 206-386-4300.

Mercer Island Pajama Story Time
FREE preschool pajama story time party on Mercer Island! Come dressed in costume or bedtime. Enjoy scarecrow themed story time, songs, treats and stuffing your preschooler’s own scarecrow. Monday Oct. 29th, ages 3-7 at 7 pm. Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave. SE, Mercer Island. 206-236-3537. 

Bellevue Square Fun Fest
FREE Halloween Family Fun Fest in Bellevue! The Festival includes arts and crafts activities, free photos, entertainment, trick-or-treating, and clowns. Wednesday, Oct. 31st from 5-7:30 at Bellevue Square, NE Eighth St. and Bellevue Way, Bellevue. 425-454-8096. 

Seattle Halloween Nature Hike
Bastyr University provides their infamous Nature Trails Trick or Treat Halloween experience for families of all ages. "Haunted Trail" is a nature tour through forest trails of St. Edward State Park, 6 pm on Oct. 12, 13, 19, 20th from 6-7pm ($3). The University also provides an indoor preschooler Halloween story time at 7 pm ($1) and Halloween Carnival (FREE) with all the works from 6-10 pm. Bastyr University, 14500 Juanita Dr. NE. Kenmore. 425- 823-1300

Seattle Noogiefest
FREE! Boogie with your preschooler at the fifth annual Noogiefest! Wear a costume and bring your preschooler and family to Gilda's Club, a non-profit organization for folks living with cancer. Join in the games, prizes, treats, a fortune teller, face painting, food, and a haunted house on Oct. 26th from 6-8pm. FREE (call to pre-register). Gilda's Club, 1400 Broadway, Seattle. 206-709-1400.

Seattle Zoo Pumpkin Prowl
Go Pumpkin Prowling at the Seattle Zoo! Take your preschooler to the Zoo for trick-or-treating, glowing pumpkins, live entertainment and many more fun family activities. Come in costume. Oct. 26, 27,28. 5-8 pm. $9 adults, $7 (3-17), free (0-2). Tickets available Oct. 2 at the Zoo and Bartell Drugs. Woodland Park Zoo, 5500 Phinney Ave. N, Seattle. 206-615-0076. 

Kirkland Monster Bash
Don’t miss the Kirkland Preschooler Pee Wee Monster Bash! Come in costume for crafts, games and treats. Oct. 26th 10-12 am. Ages 0-5 with parent. ($10 per child). Call to pre-register. North Kirkland Community Center, 12421 103rd Ave. NE, Kirkland. 425-587-3300. 

Eastside Dracula Ballet
Treat your preschooler to a magical ballet experience with Dracula! The International Ballet Theatre's production includes special effects, acrobats, jugglers, music and more. Oct. 26, 27, 28, 30, 31.
Meydenbauer Theatre, 11100 NE Sixth St., Bellevue. Tickets: 206-325-6500.