Halloween in Three Rivers Parks

Tired of the blood, gore and severed limbs you encounter during some Halloween events? Check out for some spooky to not-so-spooky family Halloween activities at Three Rivers Parks District.

Reservations are either required or highly recommended. Call 766-559-6700 to make a reservation and reference the activity number listed for each program.

Hyland's Not-so-Scary Trick-or-Treat Trail

Saturday, Oct. 13, from 5-8 p.m., at Hyland Lake Park Reserve, Bloomington. Hike on a short trail featuring animal puppets and games between 5 and 8 p.m. Enjoy the mad scientist’s lab, explore a junior Fear Factor Maze, meet a dinosaur, and warm up by a campfire. New this year is the opportunity to follow a lighted trail through the play area beginning at 6:30 p.m. Come in costume and bring a bag for goodies. Cost is $5 for pre-registration and $6 day of, if tickets are still available. Children under 2 are admitted free. This program is for all ages.  Activity number #463007-H1-H4

Ghost Town

Friday, Oct. 19, from 6-9 p.m., at The Landing-Minnesota River Heritage Park, Shakopee. Walk along candlelit streets in the Village of Eagle Creek. Visit historic buildings and hear costumed interpreters share folktales, legends, superstition, and history. Enjoy refreshments and the warmth of a campfire. Enter park through the West Entrance. The cost is $5, and this program is for ages 12+. Activity number #438407-20.

Old-Fashioned Trick Or Treat

Saturday, Oct. 20, from 4-8 p.m., at The Landing-Minnesota River Heritage Park, Shakopee. Trick-or-treat along candlelit paths to 20 historic buildings. Begin your journey on the trolley pulled by Percheron horses. Collect a variety of traditional treats and toys. Finish your celebration with cider, cookie and entertainment in the Town Hall. Costumes are encouraged. Cost is $9 per child and $5 per adult for those who pre-register and $10 per child and $6 per adult the day of the event.  This program is for all ages. Activity number #438407-32

Little Folks Halloween

Saturday, Oct. 20, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., at Eastman Nature Center, in Elm Creek Park Reserve, Dayton. Meet costumed animal characters on the woodland trail and go on a scavenger hunt in search of special pumpkins. Dig for the golden acorn in the corn pool, jump in a straw pile, play games to win prizes, and meet an owl. Enjoy a puppet show, refreshments, face painting, and a fall craft. Dress to be outside. Start anytime between 10 a.m. and noon. Reservations are highly recommended. Cost is $5 per person for those who preregister and $6 per person the day of the event. This program is for ages 2-7. Activity number #412207-01.

Baker Boo

Saturday, Oct. 20, from 10 a.m.-noon, at Baker Campground, in Baker Park Reserve, Maple Plain. Start the afternoon playing a round of Ghoulish Golf, throwing spears, and playing other games of skill. Carve a pumpkin, make a scarecrow, or make your way through the maze. Try scaling the climbing wall or head out on a GPS course. Take time to decorate your campsite and march in the costume parade. Trick-or-treat from door to door through the “Baker Boo Neighborhood” and the campsite loops. The evening will be filled with campsite awards and door prizes sponsored by Hoigaard’s. Evening entertainment will be an interactive music and live animal show by KidPower with Rachel. Cost is $74.20 and includes a non-electric campsite for Saturday night and unlimited activities from 1-9 p.m. Reservations are required by Oct. 19. This program is for all ages. Activity number #410007-X2.

Big Woods Halloween

Saturday, Oct. 20, from 6-9 p.m., at Eastman Nature Center, in Elm Creek Park Reserve, Dayton. Meet costumed characters and collect treats along the woodland trail. Be entertained by a magician at 6:15, 7:15 or 8:15 p.m. Visit the “Gross-Out Grotto” to attempt the Eat-a-Bug Challenge, cockroach races and the gross-out station. Meet an owl, dig in the “animal graveyard,” and race in the Creeper Challenge obstacle course. Play Bone Bingo and other Halloween games, and follow the pumpkin trail to refreshments at a bonfire. Trail closes at 8:30 p.m. Cost is $9 per child and $5 per adult for those who pre-register and $10 per child and $6 per adult the day of the event.  This program is for ages 6+. Activity number #412207-04.

Intricate Pumpkin Carving

Saturday, Oct. 27, from 10 a.m.-noon, at Lowry Nature Center in Carver Park Reserve, Victoria.  Take your pumpkin carving to the next level and create an artistic masterpiece. Learn tips and tricks from a skilled carver in creating an intricate design. We will provide the pumpkins and the intricate carving tools. Cost is $8 and reservations are required. This program is for ages 16+. Activity number #411317-02.

Pumpkin Carving for Families

Saturday, Oct. 27, from 1-3 p.m., at Lowry Nature Center, in Carver Park Reserve, Victoria. Provided: pumpkin, patterns, carving tools, and the space to create. Take home a jack-o-lantern masterpiece. A skilled pumpkin carver will help you create a fun design together and provide tips and tricks to good pumpkin carving. Children under age 12 should work alongside an adult. Cost is $8 and reservations are required. This program is for ages 4+. Activity number #411301-23. 

“Gourd-eous” Pumpkin Party

Saturday, Oct. 27, from 1-3 p.m., at Kroening Interpretive Center, in North Mississippi Regional Park, Minneapolis. Make some creative pumpkin creations to take home, try your hand at pumpkin bowling and compete in Pumpkin Jeopardy. Celebrate seasonal gourds through our pumpkin party; ending with a pumpkin parade to send a pumpkin boat down river! Cost is $7 and reservations are required. This program is for all ages. Activity number #416901-00.

Halloween Farm Fun

Saturday, Oct. 27, from 5-9:30 p.m., at Gale Woods Farm, Minnetrista. Take a walk on the wild side through our trail of costumed characters and pay a visit to the mad scientist’s lab. Meet a live owl and farm animals. Make a nature craft, play nature games, and have Halloween treats from the farm. Come in costume. Activities are on-going. Farm-raised concessions are available. Cost is  $9 per child and $5 per adult. Reservations are not required. This program is for ages 2+.

Information provided by Three Rivers Park District.