Trick or treating is a rite of passage for bigger kids, but for toddlers and babies (who we love to see dressed up, too) collecting buckets full of candy is sort of pointless. There are only so many lollies mom and pop can eat for their toothless tot, right? If you still want to get into the holiday spirit with your littlest bambinos, check out these around town activities, full of non-scary entertainment and age appropriate treats. Finally, they can get all dressed up and have someplace to go!

Photo: Juhan Sonin via Flickr

Eye Spy Train at Cabin John Regional Park
While there are quite a few haunted train rides in the area, this is the only one suitable for kids under eight. Kids should come dressed to impress in their costume and have their eye spy eyes ready—they’ll be looking for familiar friends and animals hiding in the woods. Each kid rider gets an “Eye Spy” card to mark off the things they see. Bonus: each night a family-friendly Halloween movie will be shown.

When: Oct. 16-18, 23-25 and 28-31; 1 pm-8 pm (weekend), 3 pm-8 pm (weekday)
Cost: $6
7410 Tuckerman Ln. (Rockville, Md)
301-765-8670
Online: montgomeryparks.org

Boo at the Zoo
This hip Halloween happening at the National Zoo is one of D.C.’s most popular family haunts.  More like a huge costume party than a haunted house, Boo at the Zoo caters to families with children 2 to 12. There will be animal encounters, festive decorations, and plenty of tasty treats with more than 40 trick-or-treat stations. Don’t leave the park without a spin around the zoo’s conservation carousel ride (tickets required).

When: Oct. 23-25, 5:30 pm-8:30 pm
Cost:$20-$30
3001 Connecticut Ave., NW (Woodley Park)
202-633-4888
Online: https://nationalzoo.si.edu

Halloween Toddler Time at the B&O Railroad Museum
Tykes gather ’round in their ghoulish garb to listen to a railroad story, get crafty and chug-a-chug-a behind Choo Choo Blue (the museum’s trusty mascot). Don’t be shy about joining in the costume parade around the B&O Roundhouse–the more cabooses (or princesses or Minions), the better!

When: October 28, 10:30 am
Cost: kids/$12; $18/adults
901-W. Pratt St. (Baltimore, Md)
410-752-2490
Online: borail.org

Pumpkin Hunt at Lee-Fendall House
Unstrap those toddlers and let them wander the Lee-Fendall House garden where they can search for colorful toy-filled pumpkins (Easter egg hunt-style). Come dressed up, as there will also be a costume parade. Other fam-friendly activities include crafts and not-so-spooky stories. All kids elementary school age or younger are eligible to participate in the Halloween Pumpkin Hunt.

When: Oct. 23-24
Cost: kids/ $12; adults/$5
614 Oronoco St. (Alexandria, Va)
703-548-1789
Online: leefendallhouse.org

Del Ray Halloween Parade
Celebrating its 19th year this Halloween, the annual Del Ray march is a lively, fun-filled parade of parents, kids, pets, ghouls and superheroes that winds its way through the family friendly Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria. The route, which starts at Mt. Vernon Avenue, south of E. Bellefonte, and continues down to the Mt. Vernon Recreation Center play fields at Mt. Vernon and Commonwealth Avenues., is under one mile, making it a perfect afternoon activity for costumed parents, pets and littles. P.S. Strollers are allowed on the parade route (even better if they’re decorated).

When: Oct. 25, 1:30 pm
Cost: Free
Mt. Vernon Ave. at Commonwealth Ave. (Alexandria, Va)
Online: visitdelray.com

Did we miss any tot-friendly Halloween events? Tell us about them in the comments section below. 

—Ayren Jackson-Cannady

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