Cardboard City, Science Museum of Minnesota, 120 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul. Wear your costume to the museum for free admission and an afternoon of hands-on activities with a spooky Halloween theme. October 31, 1–4 p.m. FREE if you’re in costume. 651-225-6000 or SMM.org.
Creatures of the Night, Lebanon Hills Regional Park, 860 Cliff Rd., Eagan. Spooky fun is on the menu as children play games and learn about creepy animals like owls, bats, spiders, and more. A guided night hike will end the evening. October 19, 6–8 p.m. $5 per person. 952-891-7000 or co.dakota.mn.us/parks.
Halloween Show for Kids, Old Log Theater, 5185 Meadville St., Greenwood. This fun-filled show features the wildly outlandish Medicine Show Music Company, complete with songs, jokes and magic. Juggler Craig Carlson and ventriloquist David Malmberg will also be on stage; be sure to wear your costume! October 31, 2 p.m. $10 per child. 952-474-5951 or OldLog.com.
Halloween Spooktacular, Minnesota Children’s Museum, 10 W. 7th St., St. Paul. One of the museum’s most popular events is back! Experiment with slimy chemistry activities, try your luck and carnival games like pumpkin bowling, and scare up a meal of pizza, carrots, and lemonade before the party, too! October29-30. Reservations at 651-225-6035 or MCM.org.
Little Shop of Horrors, Lyric Arts Main Street Stage, 420 E. Main St., Anoka. Floral assistant Seymour Krelborn becomes an overnight sensation when he discovers an exotic plant with a mysterious craving for fresh blood. This classic show features plenty of doo-wop style songs and laughs. Recommended for kids ages 10 and older. Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. through November 1. $18 adults, $16 students. 763-422-1838 or LyricArts.org.
Mini Monster Mash, The Bakken, 3537 Zenith Ave S., Minneapolis. The Bakken’s regular Super Science Saturday program gets a monster makeover, with a live ‘Finding Frankenstein’ science theater performance, meet and greet with Frankenstein himself, haunted mansion tours, and more. October 31, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. $7 adults, $5 children, with a FREE admission coupon available on the Bakken’s website. 612-926-3878 or TheBakken.org.
The Nature of Halloween, Carpenter Nature Center, 12805 St. Croix Trail, Hastings. Storyteller Roy Edward Power will lead participants around the grounds to learn about the ancient customs that surround Halloween, all while sipping cider. Program takes place outside so dress accordingly. Friday, October 30, 6:30-8 p.m. $3 members, $5 nonmembers. To register call 651-437-4359 or CarpenterNatureCenter.org.
Puppet Escapades: Halloween Fun, Eastman Nature Center, 13351 Elm Creek Road, Dayton. Mischief abounds as the puppets learn about trick-or-treating, with plenty more Halloween fun after the show. October 30, 10–11 a.m. $4 per person. Reservations required at 763-694-7700 or ThreeRiversParkDistrict.org.
Sever’s Corn Maze and Fall Festival, Canterbury Rd., Shakopee. This year’s annual maze has a pirate theme sure to impress even the smallest swashbucklers and 14 acres of stalks for visitors to run through. In addition to the maze families can enjoy a petting zoo, pumpkin slinger, hayrides, a corn pit to jump in, pig races, live music, and a magic show. 11 a.m.–6 p.m. weekends through November 1. 952-974-3000 or SeversCornMaze.com.
Valleyfair Tricks or Treats, 1 Valleyfair Dr., Shakopee. Valleyfair converts to ValleyScare and offers four walk-through mazes and a creepy Scare Zone for older kids. Younger visitors can gobble treats at the pirate-themed Loot Lagoon trick-or-treat trail explore scare-free activities at Pumpkin Hollow. Evening activities not recommended for young children. 7 p.m.–12 a.m weekends through November 1. $27.95 starlight admission or $38.99 regular admission, $17.99 junior admission. 952-445-6500 or ValleyScare.com
Victorian Ghost Stories, James J. Hill House, 240 Summit Ave, St. Paul. Experience an evening of Victorian-era ghost stories, including pieces by Edgar Allan Poe, Edith Wharton, and the Brothers Grimm. The evening ends with hot cider, too! Not recommended for children under 8. November 1, 6 and 7:30 p.m. $10. Reservations recommended at 651-297-2555 or MNHS.org.
World’s Largest Indoor Trick-or-Treat, Mall of America, 8100 24th Ave S, Bloomington. Who needs to worry about the weather when there’s plenty of treats to be had inside! Meet at the Rotunda for plenty of candy, ghosts, goblins, and tricks at the largest indoor hunt for candy around. October 31, 5–8 p.m. FREE. MallOfAmerica.com
