Ultimate Family Halloween Fun Guide

There's something uniquely magical about Halloween. From picking out the perfect pumpkin to selecting a special costume to the actual day where candy and the chorus of "Trick or Treat" rule the neighborhood, it's not surprising that kiddos (and kids at heart) love this holiday. With so many awesome Halloween activities going on in your city, we know the possibilities can be overwhelming--that's why Red Tricycle has compiled an ultimate Halloween guide so that your family can maximize the fun this Halloween season.

Local Halloween Fun

If you're looking for the best spots to buy costumes or trick or treat in your area, we've got you covered. We're all about delivering to your family fun things to see, do, and eat in your neighborhood and the Halloween season is no exception. With so much going on in your city, we've uncovered the best of the best so that your kiddos will have the most memorable Halloween yet.

Seattle
Seattle is a fantastic place to celebrate Halloween. Dive into the fun with our list of 10 Halloween activities that will delight your little monsters. We also have the low down on pumpkin patches, costume shops, where to enjoy fall colors, where to hike with kids who are 5 and under, the best apple picking spots and 10 low-sugar Halloween events. Plus, we've got a surprising list of great trick-or-treating venues and neighborhoods. We've even got you covered when you're dealing with the candy aftermath--there are lots of great local candy buy-backs in town.
And If you're still craving more Fall fun, then check out our 50 activities for fall fun in Seattle.

Portland
Portland families know how to have fun and enjoy Halloween. In addition to our awesome list of 50 Ideas for Fall Fun in Portland, we've come up with 10 Awesome Halloween Activities for Portland Kids. If you're in need of a Halloween getup, we'll tell you where to find the coolest, creepiest, and craziest costumes. Still looking for things to do? Check out Portland's best pumpkin patches, corn mazes, farms with harvest activities, spooktacular spots for kids, parades and events where kids can dress up in costume, and harvest festivals.

San Francisco
The idyllic October weather in the Bay Area makes Halloween and the excitement of trick-or-treating even more awesome. With the abundance of harvest season happenings, pumpkin patches, costume shops and picturesque spots to enjoy fall colors, it's not difficult to find fun things to do in October. For a special thrill and a fun family outing, try our 5 spooky haunted house picks or one of these Halloween-themed family night hikes. Looking for a more low-key experience? Take advantage of one of these daytime trick-or-treating events. Be sure to check out our list of 10 cool Halloween activities for kids in San Francisco, which is your comprehensive guide to making Halloween even more amazing this year. And don't forget about our 70 Ideas for Fall Fun in San Francisco, a full list of family-friendly seasonal activities in the Bay Area.

Los Angeles
From pumpkin patches to hay rides to costume shops, the Los Angeles area is chock full of fun Halloween activities for the little ones. Just for you, we've compiled a list of 75 Fall Activities for Los Angeles Kids and dug up the top 8 awesome Halloween activities for the entire family and other Halloween happenings. We've also gathered everything you need to know about local pumpkin patches, spook-free haunts for timid trick-or-treaters, costume shops, places to enjoy fall foliage, candy buy-backs, and so much more.

San Diego/Orange County
While the rest of the country is gearing up for the fall and winter chill, the lucky folks in SoCal are happily basking in the sun! Halloween in San Diego and Orange County is full of fun family events and activities. There are sweet costume shops for kids, fun harvest farms, and endless pumpkin patches. We've got the scoop on the best San Diego neighborhoods for trick-or-treating, how to turn your leftover candy into cash, and Legoland's legendary Brick-or-Treat. Oh, and your family won't want to miss our list of 40 cool things to do with your kids this fall!

New York
Ahh, New York in the fall. It's poetic, it's cinematic, and it's the best backdrop for Halloween! We hunted around to find you the best places to score a Halloween costume. We've also got the skinny on where to go apple-picking outside of the Big Apple, where to go for a fantastic farm experience, and where to set sail your lovingly-carved pumpkin. Be sure to keep up with our Events Calendar, so you know all about NYC's Halloween happenings!

Halloween Costumes & DIY Fun

DIY Halloween Costume Ideas
When you need major costume inspiration, we have your back. We scoured the Internet for 17 awesome, original DIY costumes that will wow the neighborhood and delight your little one.

DIY Fun & Crafts
Celebrate Halloween with this cool Boo Bag project. It's a great way to spread the Halloween spirit and your kiddos will love pulling this sweet "trick" on their neighbors and friends.

Have your little ones count down the days to Halloween on a calendar they made themselves.

And if you're still feeling that DIY fever, try your hand at one of our favorite fall crafts for kids.

Everything Pumpkin

For those who eagerly await all the yummy pumpkin treats of Fall (lattes and muffins and breads--oh my!), we've rounded up lip-smacking-good pumpkin recipes that are definitely worth trying.

Of course, one of the big events of Halloween is carving and decorating the pumpkin. If you're going the carving route, we found 12 unique pumpkin carving templates that are sure make your pumpkin perfect. Looking for something different? We've gathered 9 easy pumpkin decorating ideas that won't give you carpal tunnel.

Halloween Accessories & Favors

Trick-or-Treat Bags
If you're tired of the same ol' plastic pumpkin pail your kid lugs around every year (and inevitably, that you end up carrying), then take a look at these fab trick-or-treat bag alternatives for every style and budget.

Halloween Party Favors
For your Halloween party or pre-trick or treating get together, we've rounded up awesome unconventional party favor ideas, for babies to big kids. These favors range from the DIY variety to the eerily extravagant and are guaranteed to make yours the coolest house on the block.

Halloween Activities & Tips

What to Do with Leftover Candy
When trick-or-treating is over and the house is filled to the brim with candy, what's a mom to do? If you're stumped about what to do with all the extra loot, we suggest creating a fun science experiment. Your kids will love the hands-on nature of this activity!

How to Stay Safe on Halloween
Whether your youngster is stepping out on Halloween in an awesome DIY outfit or an adorable purchased costume, you'll want to make sure he or she is highly visible and safe and sound. We've come up with 5 ways to make your little trick-or-treater visible for a safe and fun night.

Halloween Treats

Halloween Cupcakes
Make your kids the happiest little ghouls on the block with these super tasty and creative Halloween cupcake recipes.