Wollman Rink's skate instructors will lead a huge group lesson in an attempt to break a world record on Saturday. Photo courtesy of Wollman Ice Rink
Bumper Cars on Ice, Wollman's World Record, and More Things To Do in NYC this Weekend with Kids
Museo del Barrio's The Three Kings Day Parade takes over the streets of East Harlem Photo by Mommy Poppins
Top Things To Do with Kids in NYC in January 2026, from MP Editors
Hit the ice at the scenic Mohonk Mountan House, which offers winter day passes to enjoy its spectacular resort amenities. Photo courtesy of the venue
23 Fun Winter Day Trips from NYC
Free activities for Kids in NYC include the Children's Museum of the Arts, which has pay-what-you-wish Thursdays from 4-6pm. Photo courtesy of the museum
GUIDE
Free Things To Do in NYC with Kids Guide
Bryant Park's Bumper Cars are a mainstay of late-winter fun in the park. Photo by Janet Bloom
Ultimate Winter Bucket List: 47 Best Things To Do with Kids in NYC
Stranger Things: The First Shadow plays at the Marquis Theatre and gives the popular Neflix show a prequel. Photo by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman
Best Broadway Shows for Kids and Families in 2025
Kids as young as 14 can apply for an eco-focused internship at Alley Pond Park in Queens. Photo courtesy of the Alley Pond Environmental Center
Best Museum Programs in NYC for Teens
See the skyline from a whole new vantage point on the Roosevelt Island Tram. Photo courtesy of NYCGo
Ultimate New York City Bucket List: 100 Things To Do in NYC with Kids Before They Grow Up
Winter fun for kids in New York City: Building a snowman is just the start of fun things to do with kids in NYC during winter
GUIDE
NYC Winter Vacation Guide: Best Getaways and Activities for Families
The 2025-2026 public school year for NYC kids starts on Thursday, September 4.
Here's the NYC Public School Calendar for 2025-2026
Get ready for back to school with all the right supplies, classes, and tips.
GUIDE
Back-to-School Guide 2025-2026
The Ausable Chasm has been described as the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks and it's one of our top 100 things to do in New York State with kids. Photo by Anna Fader
Ultimate New York Bucket List: 100 Things To Do with Kids in NY State
Diving into the sprinkle pool at the Museum of Ice Cream is a great way to cure rainy day blues. Photo by Jody Mercier
47 Fun Indoor Activities in NYC for a Rainy Day
Vinland Playground got a fresh upgrade in Bay Ridge. Photo by NYC Parks/Daniel Avila
Jaw-Dropping New Playgrounds in NYC to Explore with Kids Now
Summer camps help kids develop social skills and have fun
GUIDE
NYC Summer Camp Guide
The Peninsula New York rolls out the red carpet for kids—and their grown ups!
Family-Friendly Hotels in New York City with Perks for Kids
Climb on platforms dangling from ropes at Hester Street Playground. Photo by Jody Mercier
NYC's Best Playgrounds: 21 Parks Worthy of a Subway Schlep
There's always a cool new piece of public art to see and interact with in NYC. Photo by Jody Mercier
100 Free Things To Do in NYC with Kids
Brooklyn's Flying Apple offers action-packed fun for kids of all ages.
24 Best Kids' Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in NYC
Discover the NYC-themed play space hidden inside the Toys
39 Free Things To Do Indoors in NYC: Free Places To Play Indoors on Cold and Rainy Days
Photo courtesy of PLAY Greenpoint.
GUIDE
Guide to Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in NYC
Visit the 180 Pool at the Crystal Springs Resort. Photo courtesy of the resort
14 Family-Friendly Weekend Getaways near NYC
Kids' classes like art lessons can help your NYC child grow and develop
GUIDE
Guide to NYC Classes for Kids
For an only-in-NYC experience, head to the Top of the Rock to enjoy the view. Photo by Jody Mercier
Best Attractions and Things To Do near NYC that are Kid-Friendly
Tea Around Town combines a sumptuous meal with a unique view NYC landmarks! Photo by Jody Mercier
25 Best NYC Tours for Families: From Boat Rides to Free Walking Tours and More
The American Museum of Natural History's blue whale is an NYC icon, and the entire museum is one of the best children's museums in NYC. Photo by R. Mickens/courtesy of AMNH
Best Museums for Kids in NYC: Children's Museums and Family-Friendly Museums in NYC
GUIDE
Guide to Kids' Birthday Parties in NYC
Registration is now open for the reasonably priced summer camps at YMCA locations in NYC.
Free and Cheap Summer Camps in NYC for Kids
The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk has 75 animal exhibits and is home to more than 7,000 animals. Photo courtesy of the aquarium
Best Aquariums to Visit from the NYC Metro Area with Kids
Get a Broadway-caliber serenade during a birthday dinner at Ellen's Stardust Diner.
Best Fun Restaurants for Kids' Birthdays in NYC
Get a birds eye view of the skyline from the Edge observation deck at Hudson Yards. Plan a visit near sundown to watch the city lights come to life. Photo by Jody Mercier
3 Days in NYC with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom
Feed a crowd with extra large, classic, New York-style pizza slices without breaking the bank. Photo by Jody Mercier
NYC on a Budget: Cheap Things To Do and Money Saving Tips for Families
These boredom-busting activities turn a stuck-at-home day into a lasting memory.
75 Indoor Activities for Kids on a Rainy Day
Kids can see the masterpieces and get hands-on with art during a free visit to MoMA on Friday evenings. Photo by Jody Mercier
Free Museum Days (and Always-Free Museums) in NYC
Kids can while away hours of a day with a set of watercolors and a stack of new paper for painting. Photo by Sara Marentette
Crafts for Kids: 100 Awesome Art Projects
No visit to NYC is complete without an up-close encounter with the Statue of Liberty. Photo by Jess Laird
40 Best NYC Attractions to Do with Kids Right Now
Teach 'em to tie during downtime.
65 Life Skills to Teach Kids at Every Age
GUIDE
NYC Kids Summer Guide: 728 Best Festivals, Deals, Activities & Free Things to Do
Take a hike with your little one on a family day trip from NYC.
GUIDE
Family Day Trips and Weekend Getaways for NYC Kids
Creating a baking soda volcano is a classic science experiment for kids. Photo by Sara Marentette Nighswander
67 Easy Science Experiments for Kids To Do at Home
Hester Street Playground. Photo by Jody Mercier
GUIDE
Playgrounds & Parks NYC Guide
Suncatcher_Liz Baill @creativishmom
GUIDE
Crafts for Kids Guide: Thousands of Craft Ideas
Explore modern humanity through all-new world-wandering exhibitions at Mmuseumm.
Weird, Wacky, and Wonderful Under-the-Radar Museums in NYC that Kids Love

Top Free Halloween Events Near Boston for 2025

Get out and about to see some great Halloween events for free in 2025! Frankenstein on Essex Street in Salem, photo by Kate Fox.
Get out and about to see some great Halloween events for free in 2025! Frankenstein on Essex Street in Salem, photo by Kate Fox.
9/26/25 - By Lucie T

October is all about the boos—and Boston has plenty of free Halloween 2025 fun to go around! Between stocking up on candy, costumes, and decorations, it’s nice to know there are plenty of free Halloween events to keep kids smiling (and parents’ wallets happy). From parades to pumpkin parties, the Boston area is bursting with free Halloween activities all month long in October 2025.

Our Halloween Fun and Activities Guide for Boston Kids has things to do for Halloween 2025. Families can find plenty more seasonal activities in our list of Boston Fall Day Trips Guide. Or, curl up on the couch with the kids and watch one of our picks for best Halloween movies for kids. 

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

From Boston to the White Mountains, there is plenty of free Halloween 2025 fun! Return of the Pumpkin People at the Inn at Jackson photo courtesy of the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce
From Boston to the White Mountains, there is plenty of free Halloween 2025 fun! Return of the Pumpkin People at the Inn at Jackson photo courtesy of the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce

Free Halloween 2025 Events near Boston

Haunted Happenings Grand Parade

Salem–October 2, 2025
This time honored kick off to the Halloween season is full of color, pageantry, music and the enthusiasm of thousands of Salem’s students from kindergarten to college and local business owners. READ MORE

Return of the Pumpkin People

Jackson, NH–FREE
October 1 - October 31, 2025
It's the 41st annual Return of the Pumpkin People! Take a self-guided tour of a variety of Pumpkin People at more than 50 different displays. See Pumpkin People doing all kinds of things from flying across yards to deep-sea diving.  READ MORE

Pumpkin People in the Park

Chatham–FREE
October 10 - October 31, 2025
This annual tradition down the Cape brings together local businesses that craft clever, funny, or awe-inspiring displays of people and activities out of pumpkins. READ MORE

Fall-o-Ween Children’s Festival

Boston–FREE
October 17, 2025
The fourth annual Fall-o-Ween Children’s Festival returns to the Boston Common Frog Pond. READ MORE

Bierman Autism Centers Annual Trunk-or-Treat

Bedford–FREE
October 18, 2025
Join Bierman Autism Centers for a magical morning of fun and excitement at the Annual Trunk-or-Treat event. This sensory-friendly celebration is designed for everyone to enjoy, featuring whimsical trunks full of treats and surprises, ensuring a safe and engaging experience for all. READ MORE

Revere Beach Pumpkin Dash & Pumpkin Patch

Revere–FREE
October 18, 2025
The Revere Beach Pumpkin Dash brings together runners of all ages for a scenic 5K along Revere Beach. The event features a family-friendly atmosphere, with activities like a free Kids Fun Run, pumpkin picking, cookie decorating, and live giant pumpkin carving.  READ MORE

SomerStreets: Monster Mash

Somerville–FREE
October 19, 2025
The last SomerStreets festival of the season, Monster Mashed Up is a Halloween block party for all ages. The street is closed to traffic and is loaded with kids' activities, food vendors, and live music. READ MORE

New Hampshire Pumpkin Festival

Laconia, NH–FREE
October 25, 2025
An annual tradition in New Hampshire's Lakes Region, this free, family-oriented festival is known for its pumpkin tower, built with donated pumpkins carved at home or on site, as well as rides, activities, music, and food.  READ MORE

Hocus Pocus Recreation at Historic Ropes Mansion

Salem–FREE
October 23- November 3, 2025
Salem's historic Ropes Mansion will be decorated in the style of the Halloween classic Hocus Pocus. The grounds will be open for self-guided tours. READ MORE

Sensory-Friendly Halloween

Acton– FREE with pre-registration
October 25, 2025
The Discovery Museum is hosting a special Halloween event for children and adults with disabilities or sensory sensitivities, including those who are deaf, blind, or autistic. READ MORE

Tricks and Treats at the Waterworks

Chestnut Hill–FREE
October 25, 2025
Calling all werewolves, zombies, and mad scientists! Join us at the Waterworks Museum for a ghoulishly good time at this Tricks and Treats event. Decorate a treat bag and then collect candy while exploring some spooky science and trying special crafts and activities.  READ MORE

Trick-or-Treat At Hammond Castle

Gloucester–FREE for kids
October 30, 2025
Experience Halloween magic at Hammond Castle Museum’s beloved Trick-or-Treat, now in its 7th season. This enchanting adventure leads young ghosts and goblins across a real drawbridge, through winding corridors, and into the majestic Great Hall. With multiple stations, spooky music, and crafts, it’s the perfect way to spark a child’s imagination. READ MORE

Places featured in this article: