Guide to Annual Halloween Activities in the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex

Ghosts, goblins, monsters, and spooks - these things remind us of Halloween. Most kids, however, are in it for the candy. In my house Halloween is also known as the great candy holiday.

A generation ago, parents felt safe letting their costumed children go from door-to-door (even from street-to-street) on Halloween night, regardless of how well they knew their neighbors.

It's not the case any more. Each Halloween, the news is filled stories of sick and demented individuals who seek to harm children by tampering with their treats. For this reason more and more families are wisely looking for alternatives to the traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating.

Are you looking for safe, fun Halloween activities for your family in the Dallas-Fort Worth area? Here are three family friendly Halloween events to consider.

Boo At the Ft. Worth Zoo

What kid doesn't love the zoo? Combine the zoo, costumes, and candy and the Fort Worth Zoo has come up with winner in Boo At the Zoo.

This annual event held will be held nightly at the Fort Worth Zoo on October 25 through October 30th, 2006. Admission is $10.00 for adults, seniors, and children over 3 years of age. (Buy the tickets in advance to avoid standing in the very long lines the days of the event.) There is a fee for parking in the zoo lot. The festivities begin at 6:00 p.m. and end at 8:30 p.m.

This activity bills itself as a not-too-scary event and it's perfect for younger children. The kids come dressed in their Halloween costumes. They'll find stage shows, carnival games, and other child-friendly activities. Some of the regular exhibits will be closed, but the following exhibits will be open: African Savannah, Thundering Plains, andTexas Wild!

The trick-or-treat stations are manned by volunteers from local companies and the candy is also donated by those same companies. You know it's safe to let your kids eat because those companies' reputations are on the line.

For more details about the zoo or the even check out http://www.fortworthzoo.com.

Boo at the Dallas Zoo

If you live closer to Dallas than Fort Worth, you may want your family to attend the Halloween zoo event at the Dallas zoo instead of the Fort Worth zoo.

Boo at the Dallas Zoo will be held on October 28th and 29th. The event costs $8.75 for adults, $5.75 for children ages three to eleven, and $5.00 for seniors. There is a fee for parking. The fun starts at 2:00 p.m. and ends at 5:00 p.m.

Put the kids and their costumes and check it out. The fun here includes bounce houses, games, live entertainment, and more. Costumed staff enhances the fun Halloween atmosphere.

Candy is available at tricking or treating stations are set up throughout the zoo.

Further information is available at http://www.dallas-zoo.org.

Six Flags Fright Fest

If your children are amusement park fiends, they may find the Fright Fest at Six Flags® over Texas frightfully fun.

Starting September 29th through October 29th, 2006, the theme park becomes the scene of haunted thrills after dark. During the day, less frightening activities are available for younger children. The Fright Fest event runs Friday through Sunday.

Some of the less frightening daytime challenges include children under 12 are encouraged to dress like their favorite superhero from the league of justice. (Children may not wear masks.) Other Halloween fun includes the Looney Tunes characters.

For older children the evening event includes costumed ghouls, elaborate shows, horror movies at Studio 13, and more.

Admission to the park is $45.00 for an adult, $35.00 for a child under 48 inches tall. Be on the lookout for discounted tickets available some local vendors and merchants and on specially marked products. Haunted houses are available for an additional charge. There is a parking charge also.

Find out more at http://www.sixflags.com/parks/overtexas/index.asp.