Guide to Halloween Activities in Indianapolis - Fun Activitities for Children

Annual Halloween activities in the Indianapolis area have become an October tradition for literally thousands of Hoosiers throughout Indiana. An Indiana Halloween is one typically accented by a natural chill in the air, the aroma of crisp fall leaves, and plenty of Halloween happenings throughout the major city for all Hoosiers to enjoy. There are several renowned and a few less well known but just as exciting, certain to excite and entertain any family.

The Indianapolis Zoo and Gardens offers a great treat around Halloween as Sallie Mae Fund presents Halloween Zoo Boo on October 19-22, and October 26029. The Indianapolis Zoo is an excellent place for families to celebrate a safe and happy Halloween. Children are encouraged to dress in costume to see the animals, go bowling with pumpkins, see a special Halloween themed animal show, decorate cookies, ride a "haunted" train to see animals in habitat, and even enjoy a little trick or treating. Festivities occur from 2:00 pm through 7:00 pm. Cost of admission is $12.50 for adults, and $7.50 for seniors over sixty-two or youth two to twelve. Parking is free. Tickets may be purchased online or at the gates. Consider a membership for additional savings.

The Indianapolis Children's Museum is a Halloween hangout through the Children Museum Guild and Marsh's annual Monster Manor from October 14 through Halloween, a haunted house with both frightening and friendly hours, an overnight camp, feast (or breakfast) with the Witches, Halloween Theater with a live animal show, and even a trick or treat party. All activities cost in addition to museum admission.

For younger museum goers, they offer Pumpkin playscape. $10 a pair. Visit the museum website for details!

The Indiana State Museum offers a twist on typical Halloween festivities with their annual Day of the Dead Celebration, in honor of dia de los Muertos. Children can make sugar skulls, crafts, and learn about Mexican culture and traditions. Pre-registration is required. While you're there, check out the exhibit on Superman costumes.

If you're interested in some old fashioned fun, a few blocks from Circle Center at 25 East Henry Street, Downtown Indianapolis, you can find Peewinkle's Puppet Studio, a marionette gallery featuring a forty-five minute show featuring ghosts and ghouls as well as a human witch. Tickets are $8, but for an additional $3, you can stay after the show for a puppet workshop.

The kids can trick or treat safely at the annual Indiana State Fair Safe Night Halloween. Admission is free, and the event is for children 14 and under.

Conner Prairie (13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers), Indiana's Living history museum has a lot to offer this October with its annual Headless Horseman evening. Crafts, traditional storytelling, haunted hayrides, treats, and games are all in store. You can even participate in a barn dance, enter a scarecrow competition, and watch a puppet show of the Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Hoosier Icon Sammy Terry is scheduled to appear on one of the spooky evenings. You can get tickets at Marsh for $6 a person for weekdays, and $8 a person for weekends. At the gate, expect to pay $2 more. 1-800-966-1836.

Throughout October, Verizon Wireless Music Center (12880 E 146, Noblesville) offers Stage Fright, a Halloween event to see. This is a huge event with a haunted hayride, games, storytelling and plenty of creepiness.

Carmel schedules its annual Fall Spooktacular every October with several child-oriented activities available from crafts to a haunted trail hayride. The festivities are at West Park at 2700 W 116th, and costs $5 a person. Last year, they even had a Halloween egg hunt.

No matter how you celebrate the Halloween holiday, be sure you have a safe one. Halloween is a great time for families to enjoy the fall season, and Halloween in the Indianapolis area is one of the best places have a boo-tiful autumn.