October is a fun time for both adults and kids in Central Florida. Everything from fall festivals, trick-or-treating, Halloween parties, pumpkin patches, theme parks, and more, there is definitely no shortage of scary or not so scary fun.
Here are some of our top family-friendly activities in Central Florida to check out in the month of October.
Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween
I have had Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween on my list of things I want to do with the kids for years. Unfortunately, since we have had annual passes, I have never been able to justify spending the money on tickets. Annual passholders do however get a discount for select nights.
Unlike Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween, located at the Magic Kingdom, is suitable for all ages. This is the one time adults get to wear costumes into the park as well.
There is trick-or-treating, a special fireworks show, as well as shows and street performers that you will not see any other time. This is the time when you can meet those Disney Characters that go bump in the night. I have only ever heard positive reviews about this special Disney event. I will definitely be taking my kids next season. You can find out more about Micke’s Not So Scary Halloween here.
Halloween at Disney Springs
Love all things Disney but not attending Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party? Then perhaps head to Disney Springs. October 18th through October 31st, Disney Springs is bringing back its popular Skeleton Stilt Walkers, Forest Stump, Zombie Drum Corps, and Strolling Piano decked out in spooky attire.
Kids are invited to wear costumes and get their faces painted in several Halloween-themed designs. Everyone can enjoy the seasonal virtual backdrops with fall and Halloween themes for the perfect pictures. Best of all there is free admission and parking.
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Sea World Halloween Spooktacular
Guests of all ages can join everyone’s favorite furry friends from Sesame Street as The Count, Elmo, Abby, and others take the stage in “Sesame Street’s Countdown to Halloween.”
Families will also enjoy a Halloween Dance Party and meet whimsical characters inspired by the sea. For this special event, children can dress in their Halloween costumes and take part in fun-filled trick-or-treating in the park.
Eden and Xen have enjoyed trick-or-treating around the park since they were very small, sometimes in costumes and sometimes without. The Florida heat can be a bit brutal for daytime trick-or-treating so if your kids insist on dressing up, plan costumes accordingly.
The Halloween fun takes place every weekend through October 28th and is included with park admission.
Click here for a special discount on tickets.
Legoland Brick or Treat
On weekends in October, you can celebrate the spookiest time of the year with trick-or-treating, exclusive character meet and greets and spooktacular treats.
Kids can journey through the Brick-or-Treat themed trail with their very own treat bag to pick up lots of candy! Meet Halloween exclusive LEGO characters, including Lord Vampyre, Rockin’ Frankenstein, and more! There is also a Brick-or-Treat Scavenger Hunt where you set out to find the LEGO Candy Corn! You can end your fun adventure with The Tale of Pirates’ Cove Fireworks Spectacular.
You can get discount tickets to Legoland by visiting here.
Central Florida Zoo Boo Bash
I know, I know, that picture doesn’t show you anything about the event does it? It sure is cute though! This picture was from Eden and Xen’s first time attending the Central Florida Zoo Bash.
Ghosts, goblins, and ghouls ready to spook their way through the Zoo can visit the zoo the last two weekends in October the 19th-20th and 26th–27th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The kids can make their way through the Zoo for trick-or-treating, an interactive bubble show, a special reading of Skeletons in the Closet, crafts, activities, daily costume contests and more!
One thing I always enjoyed about this event was that the zoo makes each trick-or-treat stop an educational learning experience. The kids are asked questions about animals, at their age level of course, before taking their prize or treat and moving on.
You can find out more information by clicking here.
Screamin’ Green Hauntoween
Screamin’ Green Hauntoween can be found at the Crayola Experience at the Florida Mall in Orlando. They will have Monster-ific crafts and special spooky happenings all month long: a themed scavenger hunt, a live slime-themed show, and Crayola Slime Class.
Plus on the weekends the kids can go trick-or-treating and participate in the dance parties, all while exploring 27 exciting hands-on attractions. Children are welcome to wear costumes and all the activities and fun are included with general admission.
Click here to find out more.
Hastings Ranch and Farm Fall Festival
Located in St. Cloud Florida, Hastings Ranch and Farm Festival and will be open every weekend in October. There is a corn maze, pumpkin patch, hayrides, and pony rides and much more.
You can find out more information on their site here.
Long and Scott’s Farm – Scott’s Maze Adventures
Located in Mount Dora in Lake County Florida, Scott’s Maze Adventures is open weekends beginning October 6th. There are two Corn Mazes, a 1 acre and a 6-acre corn maze, with lots of paths and plenty of room. There are employees inside the maze and on the bridge to monitor and help guests.
A super 60-foot slide, jumping pillow, and playground is also included with your admission. There are also extras for a nominal fee including an informational hayride around the farm and catch-and-release fishing for kids. You can find out more information here.
The Horsepower Pumpkin Festival
The 2019 Horsepower Pumpkin Festival occurs on the weekend of October 26th and 27th. This festival has become a family tradition for us as we have been taking the kids since they were very small. Like the other festivals and events mentioned, there is an entry fee, but kids 10 and under are free. However, although the kids may be free at the gate, many of the activities require tickets that will need to be purchased at one of the ticket tents.
There is a U-pick pumpkin patch, luau show, car show, hayrides, pony rides, and an awesome petting zoo with some awesome Florida wildlife, including deer. They also have beautiful Clydesdales on the premises and even a couple of mystical unicorns. You will find plenty of activities for the kids as well as food and drinks. More information about the festival can be found here.
This list of family-friendly Halloween activities in Central Florida is by no means a complete list of all there is to do this month. Just a few of our family’s favorites, sprinkled with some of the larger more popular events. We hope that you will enjoy some Florida family fun this month and with that, we hope some cooler weather comes with that fall family fun!