Halloween isn’t complete without adding some horror to your life. Kids of all ages can enjoy a little spooky fun thanks to these local attractions. From haunted houses and barns to spooky hayrides and walks, we’ve rounded up all the best places to get in all the age-appropriate scares and thrills this month.
Kid-friendly Haunted Houses in Chicagoland
This article was recently updated on Aug. 19, 2024 by Chicago Parent’s Assistant Editor, Nikki Roberts. The update included her research and fact-checking expertise to provide the latest information on family-friendly haunted houses in Chicagoland. Questions? Please reach out to nikki@chicagoparent.com.
Itasca Haunted Trail – Family Friendly Hour
Oct. 29, 2024
- Address: Springbrook Nature Center, 130 Forest Ave., Itasca
- Cost: Tickets available at Itasca Waterpark on event day.
Families can traverse a 1/3-mile trail around Springbrook Nature Center for scares and trick-or-treating. Ages 11 and under must be with an adult at all times.
Woodridge Haunted Forest Walk – Saturday Matinee
Oct. 25-26, 2024
- Address: 2600 Center Drive, Woodridge
- Cost: $5/person, free/ages 2 and under
Wind your way through the haunted forest trail that is full of scary scenes and dark corners lurking with creepy creatures in Hawthorne Hills Woods. The Saturday afternoon session is recommended for children 9 and under.
Westmont Haunted Forest – Little Monsters
Oct. 19, 2024
- Address: 300 W. 59th St., Westmont
- Cost: $8
Participants will hop on a wagon ride that takes them from Diane Main Park through the terrifying woods path scenes. Recommended for ages 9 and under.
Westmont Haunted Forest – Sheer Terror
Oct. 19, 2024
- Address: 300 W. 59th St., Westmont
- Cost: $8
Sandra Smith Woods will come alive for one mystical, magical night! Participants will board a hay wagon for the first part of the journey through the woods and then hope to survive the second part of the tour as they try to escape the ghouls on foot! Recommended for ages 10-plus.
Ackerman Haunted Trail
Oct. 24-25, 2024
- Address: 800 St. Charles Road, Glen Ellyn
- Cost: $5, free/ages 3 and under
Take a walk along the haunted trail through Ackerman Woods and enjoy Halloween-themed games. Refreshments will be available for purchase. The trail will be less scary from 4-6 p.m. Registration required.
Trick or Treat Trail at Community Arts Center
Oct. 18, 2024
- Address: Community Arts Center, 225 McHenry Road, Buffalo Grove
- Cost: Free
Check out this no-scare trick-or-treating trail, which features friendly characters, games, prizes, entertainment and more family fun. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Registration required for children.
Bengston’s Pumpkin Farm
Through Oct. 31, 2024
- Address: 13341 W. 151st St., Homer Glen
- Cost: Included in general admission
Kids can stick their heads in a guillotine, and groove to the terrifying tunes creeping out from the Little House on the Scary or enjoy the animated Haunted Barn.
Sonny Acres Haunted Hayride
Through Oct. 27, 2024
- Address: 29W310 North Ave., West Chicago
- Cost: $25
Ride through the enchanted woods where you will see and experience creepy live action characters at every turn. There will also be animatronics, pyro techniques, vibrant lighting, sound effects, music and more along the way. This experience is rated PG-13.
Sonny Acres Haunted Barn
Through Oct. 27, 2024
- Address: 29W310 North Ave., West Chicago
- Cost: $20
The Haunted Barn at Sonny Acres is themed, “Curse of the Scarecrow” for 2024. Go through the old abandoned barn, which has creepy characters (including the Scarecrow) chasing you throughout the maze and twists and turns. For ages 12 and up.
Goebbert’s Pumpkin Patch Haunted House
Through Oct. 31, 2024
- Address: 40 W. Higgins Road, South Barrington
- Cost: Included in general admission
The Fall Festival at Goebbert’s Pumpkin Patch brings back classic autumn activities from a corn maze to wagon rides. Take a walk through the haunted house, which features 10 rooms designed for school-aged children.
Six Flags Fright Fest
Through Nov. 3, 2024
- Address: 1 Great America Parkway, Gurnee
- Cost: Included in general admission
The theme park offers six haunted houses and nine scare zones. Entertainment, illusions and freakish acts will abound at Fright Fest. There will be Ghoul Rides, too. Stay tuned for 2024 programming. Visit before 5:30 p.m. with littles; 6 p.m. and later is recommended for ages 13-plus.
Follow Chicago Parent on Instagram.
