Family-friendly Halloween parties are popping up in every corner of our city this weekend. And there are still plenty of fun opportunities to explore, create and learn – all week long, all for free!
Monday, October 22
Fall Foliage Festival Stroll through a picturesque autumn garden that’s home to the largest collection of rhododendrons in the world. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today through Saturday. Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden, Federal Way.
Explorastory! Mini Catapults Design your own catapult to make marshmallows fly. Kids ages 5 to 8 will learn real science concepts as they test for distance, speed and accuracy. 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Bothell Library.
Library Lab Learn to think like a computer scientist. Children will use board games and robotics kits to practice coding skills. 4 to 7 p.m. Delridge Library, West Seattle.
Tuesday, October 23
Preschool Discovery Zone Kids ages 3 to 5 will get their creative juices flowing with design projects, art activities and science-related stories. 10 to 11 a.m. Bellevue Library.
Kaleidoscope Play and Learn Listen to stories, sing songs and do simple arts and crafts. Pack some sandwiches and enjoy a post-playtime lunch with your newfound friends. Ages 5 and younger. 10:30 a.m. to noon. Rainier Beach Library.
U Bookstore Story Time Escape in a story with lively readings from some of the best in new and classic children’s literature. Ages 3 to 7. 11 a.m. University Bookstore, U-District.
Toddler Gym Let the wee ones work those wiggles out. They can safely crawl, climb, bounce and roll with friends while developing strength and learning social skills. 11:20 a.m. to 1:20 p.m. Alki Community Center, West Seattle.
Zero Waste Heroes Is your kid fascinated by garbage trucks? The City of Bellevue Utilities wants you to know all about where garbage goes. Families will learn how to reduce food waste, properly sort recycling and organics, and recycle unusual items. Noon to 1 p.m.; pre-register. Bellevue Library.
Wednesday, October 24
Children’s Story Time Bring your preschoolers and toddlers to enjoy stories, dancing, singing and parachute-play with Ms. Lynn. 10:30 to 11 a.m. Douglass-Truth Library, Central District.
KidFlix: Wallace and Gromit – The Curse of the Were-Rabbit Make it a mid-week movie afternoon! Rated G. Snacks provided. 3 p.m. Woodinville Library.
Story Time at Secret Garden Books This bookstore often features local authors and illustrators. Best for school-aged kids and families. 4:30 p.m. Secret Garden Books, Ballard.
Family Halloween Happy Hour Feel like getting out of the house for dinner? Play candy corn bingo, watch a Halloween movie and chow down some hot dogs. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Populuxe Brewing, Ballard.
Thursday, October 25
Hola! Spanish Story Time Enjoy stories, songs and activities in Spanish. For those who speak and those interested in the language. Ages 3 to 6 and families. 11 to 11:30 a.m. Shoreline Library.
Stellaluna Puppet Show Tears of Joy Puppet Theatre invites you to tag along with an adorable fruit bat who’s learning what it takes to be a bird, a bat and a friend. Ages 2 to 5. 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. Richmond Beach Library, Shoreline.
Little Makers Story Time Tinker, explore and create with activities and experiments designed for curious preschoolers. 3 to 4 p.m. Broadview Library.
Glow in the Dark Party Take your new Halloween costume for a spin, and light up the night with friends and neighbors. Wear glowy garb and face paint, and bring along anything else that will illuminate the party. There’ll be snacks, games and music. 6 to 7:30 p.m. Delridge Community Center, West Seattle.
Teen Open Art Studio Need some evening entertainment for the older kids? Teens ages 13 to 18 can get creative with hands-on art projects while learning from professional teaching artists. 6 to 8 p.m. Schack Art Studio, Everett.
Friday, October 26
Bounce House and Pool Party The bounce houses are haunted and the pool is full of pirates and floating pumpkins. Bring your swim suit. Snacks and glow-in-the-dark accessories provided. Ages 5 to 15. 6 to 8 p.m. Green Lake Community Center/Evans Pool.
Pumpkin Carving Pumpkins of every shape and size, safe carving tools, decorations and sweet treats are all provided. You just have to bring the creativity. 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Northgate Community Center.
Halloween Carnival Play games, get your face painted, do arts and crafts, collect candy and enter the costume contest. Bring something to donate to the toiletry drive. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Montlake Community Center.
Día de los Muertos: Community Night Out Celebrate Day of the Dead at SAM by checking out a unique tapete (sand painting) inspired by Oaxaca’s traditions. Take in a dance performance, get involved with art activities and listen to music. RSVP requested. 7 to 9 p.m. Seattle Art Museum, Downtown Seattle.
Nature Movie: The Secret World of Bats We might think bats are spooky, but they’re just misunderstood. Learn about these amazing animals and how they impact our daily lives. 5 to 6 p.m. Please RSVP. Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center, Bellevue.
Saturday, October 27
Butterfly Workshop and Procession Spend the morning at KiDiMu on Bainbridge, where kids can decorate butterfly wings. Then flit-float in a festive parade celebrating Día de los Muertos. 9:15 to 10:30 a.m. Kids Discovery Museum, Bainbridge Island.
Story Time with Leslie Patricelli Known for her bestselling board books featuring a curly-haired baby, author-illustrator Leslie Patricelli’s characters help toddlers and families through big milestones. 11 a.m. Third Place Books, Lake Forest Park.
Rock and Gem Show Rock hounds can ogle over fluorescent mineral displays and exhibits. Special kids’ activities include rock identification and science projects. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Vasa Park, Bellevue.
Family Weekend Walk: A Coat of Many Colors Learn why leaves change colors and how plants prepare for cold weather. Games and hands-on activities are geared toward children ages 2 to 12. 12:45 to 2:30. Washington Park Arboretum.
See Art/Make Art Make a reverse glass painting with Seattle artist and educator Lene Sangter. Take home your plexi-glass painting to hang with pride or gift for the holidays. Ages 7 and older. 10:30 a.m. to noon. Southwest Branch Library, West Seattle.
Autumn Leaves Story Time Jump into three colorful books that feature autumn leaves. Then do a fun, leaf-inspired craft. Ages 3 to 8. 10:30 to 11:15. Miller Library, Laurelhurst.
Creepy Crawly Halloween Party Trampolines, reptiles, costumes and candy. 10 a.m. Springfree Trampoline, Bellevue.
Fear on the Pier Assemble a mammal skeleton. Experience a close encounter with a creepy specimen. Watch divers carve pumpkins underwater. Costumes encouraged! 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Highline MAST Aquarium, Des Moines.
Día de los Muertos Festival Experience the Mexican traditions of this day honoring departed loved ones, including an altar, live performances, crafts, food, displays and more. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. today and Sunday. Seattle Center Armory.
Hunger Goblin Trick-or-Treat Bring a non-perishable food item for the FamilyWorks Greenwood Food Bank. Then visit businesses for treats, the library for bat and goblin crafts and the Lutheran church for trunk-or-treating. Noon to 3 p.m. Phinney/Greenwood.
Boo in Burien This Halloween party has wiener dog races! Noon to 4 p.m. Town Square Park, Burien.
Mercer Island Halloween Party and Food Drive Bring 10 non-perishable items to help stock the food bank. Then enjoy martial arts demos, a bounce house, games and a costume contest. Noon to 3 p.m. Mercer Island Martial Arts.
Hilloween A carnival, costume parade and trick-or-treating along Broadway (3 p.m.) Noon to 6 p.m. Mitchell Activity Center at Seattle Central College, Capitol Hill.
BAM-O-Ween Calling all witches, ghosts, mummies and superheroes for art making, costumes and candy. Noon to 4 p.m. Bellevue Art Museum.
Thrill the World: Occidental Park It’s a flash mob with the funk of 40 thousand years! Register to dance to Michael Jackson’s Thriller, or simply enjoy the zombie watching. 12:30 p.m. registration; 3 p.m. performance. Occidental Park, Pioneer Square.
Sunday, October 28
Toddler Halloween Fest Tykes ages 1 to 5 can enjoy a costume contest with prizes, cookie decorating, arts and crafts, a toddler gym and pumpkin painting. 10 a.m. to noon. Rainier Community Center.
West Seattle Harvest Fest Put your costumes on for a chili cook-off, a kids’ pie-eating contest, a root beer garden, a farmer's market and games galore. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. West Seattle Junction.
Ranger-led Hike at Coal Creek Natural Area Head into the wilderness while still in the city. You’ll learn about the local wildlife and history from your park ranger guide. 10:30 a.m. to noon. Meet at Cinder Mine Trailhead, Bellevue.
Art-Venture: Super Sensory Beings Explore the “Between Bodies” exhibit, then design costumes and inventions inspired by insects, animals and machines. 1 to 3 p.m. Henry Art Gallery, U-District.
Bow Wow and Books Come read with certified therapy dogs from Project Canine. 3 to 4 p.m. Greenwood Library.
There are loads more Halloween happenings in and around Seattle, and many are free! Search the Family Events Calendar and filter by “Holiday” and “Festivals” to see the seasonal fun.
