Kids Planner: Spooky Fun for All Ages

Fall brings a whole new group of fun activites for families. Here are our suggestions:

Haunted Hayride

• When/Where:  Thursday, Oct. 27 from 6 – 8 p.m. at the .
• Why Go: Many of the Halloween hayrides are way too scary for little ones, but this is geared toward younger kids, so it has all the fun of a Halloween hayride without the zombies and chainsaw wielding characters.  After the hayride, each participant will get some treats and make a craft to take home.
• Geared Toward: 3- to 10-year-olds.
• Price: $12 per child. (Register by Oct. 20)

 Great Pumpkin

• When/Where: Friday, Oct. 21 from 9:30–11 a.m. at the .
• Why Go: In honor of Halloween, learn about pumpkins—why we carve them, how they get so big and is a pumpkin a vegetable or a fruit anyway?
• Geared Toward: 3- to 6-year-olds. (Must be potty trained)
• Price: $7 per participant. (Register by Oct. 14)

Ramsey County Fright Farm

• When/Where: Weekends from 7 to 10 p.m. through Halloween at the Ramsey County Fairgrounds.
• Why Go: This is definitely for teenagers and NOT young children. One of the highest rated haunted houses in the area; this is not for the faint of heart. A number of the actors are members of the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Department and all proceeds benefit Ramsey County D.A.R.E. so you can feel good about getting the pants scared off you.
• Geared Toward: Teenagers. Period.
• Price:  $10 per person.

Blackout 2011

• When/Where: Oct. 21-22 and 28-29 from 5 – 10 p.m. at Nickelodeon Universe at the MOA.
• Why Go: They turn off the lights and turn on the fog machines to transform the amusement park into a Halloween spooktacular. There is also a DJ, costume contest and other Halloween themed activities. There are a number of things geared toward the younger set as well.
• Geared Toward: Kids of all ages. (Under 16 must be accompanied by an adult)
• Price: $19.95 per person for an unlimited ride wristband.

Shafer Corn Maze

• When/Where: Weekends now through Halloween at Shafer Farm near Taylors Falls.
• Why Go: If you are looking for a big corn maze this is the one. Twelve acres of corn are transformed into mazes of varying difficulty. Besides the maze, there are pumpkins for sale and a petting zoo.
• Geared Toward: The whole family. Leave the stroller at home as some of the trails through the maze can get muddy depending on what the weather has been like.
• Price: $5 per youth, $8 per adult, kids 4 and under are free.