There are many reasons as to why Halloween is an especially unique holiday, but possibly most notable is how it lends itself so well for creativity amongst children.
Sure, we all know kids like candy (and frankly. who doesn’t?!) but the holiday has the potential to involve so much more than just a night’s trip of trick-or-treating. From pumpkin carving and painting to spooky film screenings to ghoulish games, these Hamptons locales are offering up a slew of scarily good times for kids of all ages to enjoy.
Here’s a taste of what terrors await. As always, be safe and have fun out there!
Do the Monster Mash at CMEE’s Halloween bash
The Children’s Museum of the East End (376 Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike, Bridgehampton, 631-537-8250) will be celebrating All Hallows’ Eve with their annual Halloween Bash on Friday, Oct. 23 from 4 to 6 p.m. Designed for families with children ages 2 to 8, the Halloween Bash will feature creepy crafts, ghostly games, prizes, dancing and free play throughout the museum. The spooky shindig will also feature a special Truck or Treat, featuring some of CMEE’s favorite community helpers (including Maggio Environmental, Bartlett, Hampton Yards and more!). Children will have the opportunity to get an up-close look at big trucks, meet the community helpers who operate them and enjoy some Halloween fun before heading inside for the rest of the festivities. Baby’s First Halloween on Tuesday, Oct. 27 from 10 a.m. to noon.
Safari on the Enchanted Forest Trail
The beloved Enchanted Forest Trail is back at the Quogue Wildlife Refuge (3 Old Country Road, 631-653-4771), but this time with a safari twist! Families are invited to join in for a whimsical and educational outdoor experience at the forest trail this Friday and Saturday, with arrival times between 11:30 a..m. and 1 p.m. Learn about habitats, migration and animals along the way as guests will encounter fun, interactive learning stations. Of course, costumes are encouraged for adventurers of all ages. Enjoy complimentary themed crafts and games, while refreshments will be available for purchase. $15 per person (children under 2 are free). Trail is stroller friendly. Tickets must be purchased here.
Art & Treats at the Parrish
The Parrish Art Museum (279 Montauk Highway, Water Mill, 631-283-2118) hosts Halloween Arts & Treats on Friday, Oct. 30 from 3:45 to 5 p.m. A free afternoon of art-making, this family-friendly event will also include a scavenger hunt, music and tons of treats. Come dressed to impress, for the family with the most creative and coordinated costume will win a one-year family pass membership to the Parrish. Other activities include a pumpkin weight guessing game for a chance to win a fun prize, sculpting your own pumpkin, monster collaging, button and pin making, and mask making. Free and open to all. Advance registration is recommended. Do so here.
Sag Harbor Pumpkin Trail
Celebrate Halloween by trick-or-treating throughout downtown Sag Harbor with the annual Pumpkin Trail on Saturday, Oct. 31. Kids are welcome to don their best costumes and search for store fronts with “Sag Harbor Pumpkin Trail” signs in their windows to get candy and treats. Starts at 1 p.m.
Sag Harbor Ragamuffin Parade and Carnival
Sag Harbor’s annual Ragamuffin Parade, brought to us by the village’s chamber of commerce, is on Sunday, Oct. 25, beginning at 1 p.m. Parade participants should line up on Nassau Street (near the laundromat) and parade down Main Street to the Sag Harbor Whaling Museum lawn for a Halloween celebration, hosted by Bridgehampton School’s Drama Club.
Bridgehampton Lions Carving Contest
The 28th Bridgehampton Lions Carving Contest will be held at the Bridgehampton Museum’s Corwith House (across from the Community House) on Saturday, Oct. 25, starting at 5 p.m. It’s open to all ages, free to enter, and free to see, but you can’t win unless you bring a carved pumpkin or squash-like life form to enter in the contest. There’s no carving taking place at this event, so be sure to bring your finished submission (carving a day or two before the event is recommended). The judging happens when it’s dark, so it’s important to be sure your entry glows and your candles are lit before the judges come by. Natural candlelight seems to be the way to go, but other safe lighting sources are acceptable.
Spooktacular in Southampton
Families of pre-school and school-aged children are welcome on Saturday, Oct. 25 for the annual Spooktacular at Rogers Memorial Library (91 Coopers Farm Road, Southampton, 631-283-0774). Come in your best costume for a morning of crafts, games, music and treats. Starts at 11 a.m.
Howlin’ good times at the Hampton Library
There’s plenty of ghoulish good fun to be had at the Hampton Library (2478 Main St., Bridgehampton, 631-537-0015). On Wednesday, Oct. 28 from 4 to 6 p.m., kids ages kindergarten to fifth graders are welcome for a mini pumpkin decorating session. On Friday, Oct. 30, it’s pom pom monsters and Halloween slime beginning at 3:30 p.m. (designed for kindergartners to second graders). Attendees can listen to a Halloween story and create their very own monster and slime. On Halloween proper, dress up in your best Halloween costume and meet on the front lawn of the library before setting out on the town to scare up some treats on Main Street. Inside the Corwith House, tour the haunted SLED (Suffolk Libraries Empowering Discovery) — a mobile library decked out with spooky props and special kids activities. Fun starts at 10 a.m.
Southampton Ragamuffin Parade
Southampton Playhouse is teaming up with the Southampton Chamber of Commerce and Southampton Village Partnership for the annual Ragamuffin Parade on Halloween. Families can join the parade route all morning long from 9:30 a.m. to noon before ending at the Playhouse (43 Hill St., Southampton, 631-339-9069) for a costume contest at noon, with prizes from the community. Route starts at Shippy’s (36 Windmill Lane). At 12:30 p.m. the Playhouse invites all inside for a few special all-ages Halloween short films.
Halloween Family Fun Day
Kiwanis Club of East Hampton hosts the 27th Annual Halloween Family Fun Day on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at American Legion Post 419 (15 Montauk Highway, Amagansett). Enjoy a costume parade (with prizes), pony rides, a petting zoo, pumpkin painting, face painting, bouncy houses, slides, games, a fire juggling act from Keith Leaf and live music. There’ll be popcorn, candy, hamburgers and hot dogs (for a couple of bucks each!) for plus coffee, soda and water along with goodies from the Legion’s bake sale Admission is $5 per person.
Frightening fun at East Hampton Library
East Hampton Library (159 Main St., 631-324-0222) hosts a Halloween Celebration on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dress to impress in your beset costume, for prizes for most creative, spooky and original looks will be rewarded. Enter your pumpkin bread into the library’s baking contest (all entries should be delivered to the library by Friday, Oct. 23) with tastings and judging from a panel from the Ladies’ Village Improvement Society. A pumpkin carving contest will also be held, with submissions due by Friday. The library will have pumpkins available for pick up for the contest. Movies slated for screening at the library include “Spookley the Square Pumpkin,” “Hocus Pocus,” “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,” and “Trick or Treat Scooby Doo.” For a full rundown on what’s other Halloween happenings are in store, click here.
