Plenty of Halloween family fun to be had in KC this month
Halloween is more than two weeks away, but the Halloween holiday season is in full swing.
Haunted houses have been operating since September, some trick-or-treating events begin as early as this weekend, and, of course, pumpkin-centric activities are happening all over the place.
Probably the most unusual is at Sea Life, where you can watch underwater pumpkin carving.
Also, pumpkins are available for picking at several area patches, as are viewings of the orange squash dressed up for the season at Cave Springs Park, Powell Gardens and other places.
The Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead in Overland Park features a pumpkin patch as well as the Pumpkin Hollow Express, a barrel train pulled by a tractor.
Finally, once pumpkins have outlived their Halloween usefulness, the Kansas City Zoo will put on the Great Pumpkin Smash, where you can see what an elephant thinks of them.
Through Oct. 31
Carolyn’s Country Cousins Pumpkin Patch
17607 NE 52nd, Liberty
In addition to pumpkins, there are a petting farm and train rides. $10-$12. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. daily; carolynscountrycousins.com, 816-781-9196
Liberty Corn Maze
17607 NE 52nd, Liberty
Maze design honors American Royal. $8-$10. 5-10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday; libertycornmaze.wix.com/liberty-corn-maze, 816-781-9196
Pumpkin Hollow
Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead, 13800 Switzer, Overland Park
Pumpkin boats, corn tunnel and pumpkin picking are just a few of the activities. $8. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday; drfarmstead.org
Through Nov. 1
Macabre Cinema Haunted House
1222 W. 12th
Actual movie sets and movie scenes. $27. Opens 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday; macabrecinema.com, 816-842-4280
Worlds of Fun events
Worlds of Fun, 4545 Worlds of Fun Ave.
Great Pumpkin Fest, Halloween Haunt, Fright Lane and Skeleton Key. $34.99-$100. Hours vary; worldsoffun.com, 816-454-4545
Through Nov. 7
Edge of Hell Haunted House
1300 W. 12th
Features five stories of frights. $27. Opens 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, also Nov. 1; edgeofhell.com, 816-842-4280
Beast Haunted House
1401 W. 13th
Thrills on four floors, including true 4-D experience. $27. Opens 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, also Nov. 1; kcbeast.com, 816-842-4280
Oct. 16-17 and 23-24
Night of the Living Farm
Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead, 13800 Switzer, Overland Park
Farmstead is transformed into spooky but fun place. $9-$10. 6-9 p.m.; drfarmstead.org
Oct. 17 and 24
Fort Leavenworth Haunted Tours
Old U.S. Disciplinary Barracks, Fort Leavenworth
Friends of the Frontier Army Museum event. $13-$15. 7 p.m.; ffam.us
Oct. 17-18
Glow Jack-O-Lantern Festival
Powell Gardens, 1609 NW U.S. 50, Kingsville, Mo.
Trail with more than 700 jack-o’-lanterns, as well as hayrides and costumed characters. $5-$12. 6 p.m.; powellgardens.org, 816-697-2600
Hoots & Howls
Kansas City Zoo, 6800 Zoo Drive
Activities will include daily pumpkin smashes. 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; kansascityzoo.org, 816-513-5800
Oct. 17
Hammerween VI
Granada, 1020 Massachusetts, Lawrence
Hammerlord and Troglodyte will play, along with others. $5-$10. 5 p.m.; thegranada.com, 785-842-1390
Oct. 18
Fright Night
Shoal Creek Living History Museum, 7000 NE Barry
Visitors can walk through frightfully decorated log cabins and wooded areas. $8. 6-9 p.m.; kcparks.org/event/fright-night-at-shoal-creek
Kid Safe Halloween
Shoal Creek Living History Museum, 7000 NE Barry
Trick-or-treating for elementary school-age children. Free. Noon-3 p.m.; kcparks.org/event/kid-safe-halloween
Oct. 22
Enchanted Forest
Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park, Lenexa
Children can check out seasonal displays as well as puppets, magicians and more. Free. 6:30-8:30 p.m.; ci.lenexa.ks.us/parks/festivals_enchanted.html
Oct. 23-24
Spirits From the Past
Missouri Town 1855, 8010 E. Park, Lee’s Summit
Take a haunted hayride or just walk through the village filled with ghosts and goblins. $10; reservations required. 6-9 p.m.; jacksongov.org/missouritown, 816-503-4860
Oct. 23-25 and Oct. 30-Nov. 1
Brick-or-Treat
Legoland Discovery Center, 2475 Grand
Monsters will be on hand, and kids can enter a costume contest. $15.30-$18. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays; legolanddiscoverycenter.com/kansascity, 816-471-4386
Oct. 23-25 and Oct. 30-Nov. 1
Underwater Pumpkin Carving
Sea Life, 2475 Grand
You won’t see this anywhere else. $11-$19. 11 a.m. Fridays, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays; visitsealife.com/kansas-city, 816-471-4386
Oct. 24-25 and 31
Boo at the Zoo
Kansas City Zoo, 6800 Zoo Drive
Trick-or-treating, entertainment and other Halloween-themed events. 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; kansascityzoo.org, 816-513-5800
Oct. 24-25
Boo-Tastic Fun
Crown Center Shops, Level 1 Atrium
Photos with Wicked Queen, StoneLion Puppet Theatre and other entertainment. Free. Noon; crowncenter.com, 816-274-8444
Oct. 24
Boo Ball
Stoney Creek Hotel and Conference Center, 18011 Bass Pro, Independence
St. Luke’s Foundation benefit will feature dueling pianos. $100. 6:30 p.m.; saintlukesgiving.org, 816-347-4853
Historical Hauntings
Shawnee Town, 11600 Johnson Drive
Trick-or-treating, contests and more. $1 suggested donation. 6-8:30 p.m.; shawneetown.org, 913-248-2360
A Nightmare At Haunted Harbor
VooDoo, Harrah’s Casino, North Kansas City
The Musical Blades will play. $12-$39. 8:30 p.m.; voodookc.com, 816-472-7777
Pumpkins on Parade
Cave Springs Park, 8701 Gregory
Hundreds of carved, lighted pumpkins as well as children’s activities and vendors. Free. 4:30-9 p.m.; jacksongov.org, 816-547-9679
Spookfest
Science City at Union Station, 30 W. Pershing
Kids can enjoy creepy critters and spooky science. $5-$7. 5-8 p.m.; unionstation.org/sciencecity
Oct. 25
Día de los Muertos/Day of the Dead
Kansas City Museum at Corinthian Hall, 3218 Gladstone
Music, storytelling, and arts and crafts. Free. 1-4 p.m.; kansascitymuseum.org, 816-513-0720
Oct. 27-31
“Legend of Sleepy Hollow”
H&R Block City Stage Theater, Union Station
Theatre for Young America will bring Headless Horseman back to life. $10. 7 p.m.; unionstation.org or tya.org, 816-460-2020 or 816-460-2083
Oct. 30
Buzz Halloweenie Roast
Midland Theater, 1228 Main
Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness, New Politics, the Griswolds and Lolo will play. $26.50-$30. 7 p.m.; midlandkc.com, 816-283-9921
Retro Halloween Bash
VooDoo Lounge, Harrah’s Casino, North Kansas City
Music by the Stolen Winnebagos and Synchronicity. $5.26-$9.75. 8 p.m.; voodookc.com
Oct. 31
Bacchus Bash: 13 Years of Terror
Union Station, 30 W. Pershing
Bacchus Foundation event will include DJ, 10 bars and special performances. $55-$85. 7 p.m.; bacchuskc.org/#!bacchus-bash/cb30
Bohemian Cult Revival: Raising the Dead
The Buffalo Room, Westport Flea Market, 817 Westport
Day of the Dead with a burlesque twist. $20-$30. 10 p.m.; brownpapertickets.com/event/2379291
Boos and Barks Halloween Parade
City Hall Plaza to Howard Station Park, Lee’s Summit
Both you and your pooch can dress up. 10 a.m.; downtownls.org
Carnival of Chaos Halloween Party
KC Live! Power & Light District
Costume contests as well as 10 bars featuring carnival events. 8 p.m.; powerandlightdistrict.com
Halloween Monster Maze
Gage Center, 1101 NW Jefferson, Blue Spring
Kids can collect treats along the way. Free. 3:30-6:30; gagecenter.com, 816-220-7775
Halloween Trick or Treat
Downtown Parkville, Main Street
Shops and buisnesses will supply goodies. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; parkvillemo.org, 816-505-2227
Happy Halloween
Blue Room, 1600 E. 18th
Lady D. will appear with Wes Blackman and Darryl Terrell. $10. 8:30 p.m.; club.americanjazzmuseum.org, 816-474-6262
Howling Halloween Public Nocturnal Overnight
Kansas City Zoo, 6800 Zoo Drive
For children 10 and up, who must be accompanied by adult. $35. 6 p.m.-10 a.m.; kansascityzoo.org, 816-513-5800
Independence Halloween Parade
Historic Independence Square
Nearly 100 entries expected. 10 a.m.; ichamber.biz
Motown Halloween
Knuckleheads, 2715 Rochester
Atlantic Express will perform with Hal Wakes. $12. 9 p.m.; knuckleheadshonkytonk.com, 816-483-1456
Safe Trick-or-Treat
Zona Rosa, 8690 N. Dixson
Free candy, giveaways, haunted house, games and more. 5-9 p.m.; northlandhalloween.org
Trick or Treat on the Square
Downtown Liberty, 111 N. Water
This is the place to be in Liberty. 5-7 p.m.; historicdowntownliberty.org, 816-781-3575
WonderSpook
Wonderscope Children’s Museum, 5700 King, Shawnee
Activities will include trick-or-treating, a costume contest and entertainment by Dino O’Dell. $4-$10. 3-7 p.m.; wonderscope.org, 913-287-8888
Nov. 7-8
Great Pumpkin Smash
Kansas City Zoo, 6800 Zoo Drive
Zoo animals turn pumpkins into playthings. Zoo admission $10.50-$13.50. 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; kansascityzoo.org, 816-513-5800
This story was originally published October 14, 2015 at 6:39 AM with the headline "Plenty of Halloween family fun to be had in KC this month."