Hoots and Howls at the KC Zoo: Hay rides, free face painting, tractor pedal races, mural painting, characters in costume, pirate plank to walk, etc. (Free for FOTZ members...otherwise, you just pay cost of admission into the zoo). It's fun if you're already planning on going to the zoo...I wouldn't make a special trip for it.
Boo at the Zoo: Trick or Treat around the zoo...trick or treating + zoo = FUN! Different local businesses come to hand out candy or treats to the kids. Some of the treats included candy, large elephant gift bags from Hallmark, animal masks, Dippin' Dots, cans of Fanta from Coca-Cola, etc. It's lots of fun and a tradition our family has had ever since our first child was born! (Free for FOTZ members...otherwise, you just pay cost of admission into the zoo). It's fun, gets you some treats and helps you burn them off at the same time! What candy-loving mom doesn't love that?!
Macken Park Halloween Party: Hay rides, free face-painting, free mini pumpkins and pumpkin painting, free balloon animals, free moon bounce, tons of free games with prizes, food vendors. (Free!) This event was lots of fun! It wasn't packed, and there was so much for the kids to do! You should check it out next year!
Park University Fright Night: This was my FAVORITE event, and not just because I'm an alum! Despite the name, it's not scary. Park really goes all out at this event! Kids trick or treat through the huge resident halls - yes, I am talking 4 floors of college kids who go ga-ga over your little ones' costumes and end up giving them way more candy than one could possibly eat! They also have a moon bounce, music, and they invite local businesses and all the Park University clubs to set up booths to give out candy, caramel apples and toys. They also have games with prizes for the kids and free popcorn! (Free!) So...part of me wants to tell you that it's AMAZING and super impressive, but the other part of me wants to keep this one all to myself! I'll let you make up your own mind... ;)
The Salvation Army Northland Corps: Trunk or treat in the parking lot, moon bounce, free popcorn, $1 hot dogs, tons of games inside gym, door prizes (Free!) We went to this last year, and it was packed...but that's because it was amazing last year!!! They had a ton of prizes, face painting, balloon animals, etc. This year wasn't nearly as big or exciting, but we can understand that things sometimes don't work out as planned. Maybe next year will be like last?
Kendallwood Hills Estates Retirement Home: The residents gather in the lobby and have bowls of candy to distribute as the kids walk around in costume. It's not huge, but we enjoyed it because it really blesses the residents to get some visitors and get to see the kiddos in costume! I think they may have enjoyed it even more than the kids! :) (Free!) I thought this was worth it. This was in the middle of the afternoon on Halloween when nothing else was going on. It's kind of a "feel good" place, because you feel like you're also giving back in a way.
Yogurtini: Kids in costume got 5 ounces for free on Halloween and the two days before! So H and R BOTH scored...and that means I scored, too, because I got to share! Yum! Reese and I love their birthday cake ice cream with sprinkles! (Free!) Definitely worth it...you can't miss this one, folks!
Platte County YMCA Trunk or Treat: A portrait studio took free professional halloween shots and local businesses set up trunks and booths to handy out candy. They also had a moon bounce, crafts, a Storm Trooper, and a haunted house (which we skipped since my kids are little). (Free!) It's fun, and if there wasn't anything else going on, we'd go back...but it wasn't especially amazing.
Gladstone Hy-Vee: Trick or treat around the store, make a caramel apple, and get candy, a juice or coke, and a free reusable treat bag. (Free!) My kids LOVED this, because they especially love Hy-Vee! It was fun, and Hy-Vee did a great job! The employees all dressed up, too!
Gladstone Price Chopper Trunk or Treat: Trick or treat around the store and get candy plus an item (juice, apple, cheese stick, etc) in each department, cupcake walk where every kid gets a cupcake and some great store sales! (Free!) It's fun and provides great bribes as you quickly do some grocery shopping!
Liberty Jr. High Trunk or Treat: Trick or treat down the hallways of the school. The school clubs put this on and do a great job! They distribute candy, prizes, and coloring sheets. They also have some games and prizes for the kids. (Free!) It's fun and is usually always on an evening a few days prior to Halloween.
Sprint Family Fun Days in the P & L District: Trick or treating at the stores and restaurants, free kids' concerts, free horse-led hay rides, free pony rides, free crafts and goodies from local business' booths, free caramel apples, etc. (Free!) It gets pretty busy, but is fun if you can get there early enough!
