Halloween in NYC with Kids, 12 Things to Do.

One of the best free things to do for Halloween with kids in NYC is to spend some time scouring the city in search of Halloween decorations. Neighborhoods like the Upper West Side, Upper East Side, and the Greenwich Village are brimming with brownstones adorned in spider webs, skeletons, vibrant pumpkins and more.

Bundle up, grab a hot chocolate, and wander the streets in search of the best Halloween decorations in NYC, but don’t forget to bring a camera to capture the moment.

Dates Late September – early November

For a cute Halloween photo of children in NYC, head to Pier 17’s free art installation featuring over 500 pumpkins in the shape of an arch. This vibrant display, set against the stunning backdrop of the Brooklyn Bridge, is located at South Street Seaport.

While there are no strict time limits for pictures, consider the length of the line and aim for efficiency. I’ll leave you with a Pro tip, experiencing the arch at night (when the lights come on) is one of the most memorable things to do for Halloween in NYC with kids.

Date Typically the last week of October

Tompkins Square throws an annual Halloween parade for dogs and it’s just as adorable as it sounds. Folks flood Tompkins Square Park’s Dog Run with their pups dressed in ridiculously cute costumes creating one of the most memorable Halloween events in NYC that kids will love.

Incentivized by the awards, locals get creative (and aren’t afraid to spend) on their dogs’ costumes. The parade generally runs Avenue B from 12th to 7th Streets, and most of the participants hang out in the park afterwards.

Dates Late September through October

Fall-O-Ween at the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) kicks off fall with an abundance of pumpkins, gourds, and autumn activities. Not to mention there’s a Halloween parade that adds to the festive spirit. The weekends are full of family-friendly Halloween activities, and kids are welcome to dress in costume.

But you should check Fall-O-Ween’s schedule before booking tickets. Every weekend hosts different activities (like Bales & Ales, giant parking carving and a spooky garden night) so pick the date that best suits your interests before booking the kid-friendly Halloween event in NYC.

Dates The month of October

Queens County Farm offers a quintessential Halloween activity for kids in New York City, offering a pumpkin patch New Yorkers have come to love. Established over 300 years ago, the 47-acre farm provides an ultimate fall activity in NYC, with pumpkin patches, a petting zoo, and corn mazes.

The pumpkin patch is open daily from October 1st to 31st, and offers free admission. Pumpkins are priced by size for those who choose to bring one home (but bring a bag to carry them in). And for those wondering if you can get to the farm with public transportation, there’s a bus stop 10 minutes away.

Dates Weekends in October

Every year the Bronx Zoo hosts a Halloween event in NYC for kids, named Boo at the Zoo. Guests are encouraged to show up in costume and take part in a schedule full of fun activities. The zoo has candy trails so kids can trick or treat alongside their favorite animals.

It’s an educational experience, since the zoo shows what some of the animals’ favorite snacks are. There’s a multitude of arts and crafts kids can take part in, as well as a magician, pumpkin carving shows, and a costume parade that takes place 3 times a day.

Dates Thursdays through Sundays in October

While Boo at the Zoo is one of the best things to do with kids for Halloween in NYC during the day, Pumpkin Nights is one of the best things to do at night. After the animals go to bed, more than 5,000 pumpkins with animal carvings are illuminated at the zoo.

The animal themed jack-o-lantern trail meanders around the zoo and there’s games and vendors selling small bites. Throughout the whole experience kids get to learn about animals and how they behave at night (but remember, there won’t be any actual animal exhibits open).

The annual Greenwich Village Halloween Parade in NYC traces its roots to a solo mask maker and puppeteer entertaining local kids. Presently the parade boasts over 50,000 costumed participants annually. The parade spans 6th Avenue between King and 15th Streets, where eager families flood the sidewalks.

Locals are encouraged to join the parade, all you have to do is arrive early and in costume (and there’s prizes announced post-parade!). If your kids aren’t comfortable being around so many spooky figures consider watching the parade at home, the TV Channel NY1 will be covering the parade from 8 to 9:30 PM.

Dates. Late September to late October

Coney Island’s Luna Park is an amusement park that’s worth visiting in October for the Halloween Harvest – one of the best Halloween events in New York City for families! With admission into the amusement park, guests get free access to all the Halloween and fall festivities.

There’s pumpkin carving as well as an array of pumpkin-flavored treats like spice funnel cake and Halloween cotton candy. And don’t worry, they also offer carnival classics. Face painting, balloon animals, and rides galore all make this a treasured Halloween activity in NYC for kids.

Dates. Usually a few days before Halloween

Every year, usually a few days prior to Halloween, the Harlem Meer in Central Park hosts a pumpkin flotilla. Essentially, they let a caravan of carved, illuminated pumpkins float across the body of water for a few hours around sunset. It’s one of the best Halloween events in NYC for kids, who are encouraged to dress up in their favorite costumes.

You can enter your own jack-o-lantern, but only few spots are available and the park picks the best of the best According to the website, you should try to make your pumpkins as close to eight-pounds as possible and avoid using unnatural decorations like glitter that could harm the ecosystem.

Dates. Usually the entire month of October

If you’ve ever wanted to go to haunted house with your children but thought the jump-scares and gory scenes might be too much for them, the Halloween House is the next best choice. Their slogan is, no fear. Just fun. which makes this one of the best things to do for Halloween in NYC with kids.

Instead of mad-men chasing you with a chainsaw you’re instead greeted by a troop of friendly faces. Kids will be able to trick or treat, enter a glow in the dark room, explore an indoor pumpkin patch and more. The event takes place at the Oculus Center in the Financial District, for less than $40 per person.

Trick or treating is one of the best things to do on Halloween with kids in NYC, but it looks a little different compared to the rest of America. Instead of ringing doorbells in a subdivision, New Yorkers take their kids to local stores and businesses.

And like most towns across America the affluent neighborhoods are famous for giving out full-sized candy bars. Specifically, places like the Upper East Side and the West Village are known for giving generous helpings, and trick or treating there is the best thing to do for Halloween in NYC with kids!