Halloween Fun Across Morris County

Here are a few ways families can get properly spooked in preparation for Halloween in October....

Historic Speedwell: Mask-making

If you're interested in masks as part of your Halloween getup, the Historic Speedwell is the spot for you on October 9. Learn all you need to know about the historic function of marks and make a little history by creating your own to take home. $5 per adult, $4 per senior (65+),$3 per child age 4 - 16, FREE per child under age 4. The event happens at the Historic Speedwell in Morristown on Sunday, October 9 between 2 and 4 PM. 333 Speedwell Avenue in Morristown. Call (973)285-6550 for more information.

Fosterfields Living Historical Farm: Customs of Mourning

Is death the same for everyone? Explore the unique death and mourning traditions of the Victorian period while touring the Foster family home, The Willows. Those customs that we now consider strange could influence loved ones for months and years after the deceased passed on. Learn about how we deal with death at the Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, 73 Kahdena Road in Morris Township. $6 per adult, $5 per senior (65+),$4 per child age 4 - 16, $2 per child ages 2 & 3,FREE for children under age 2. The talks will happen through October, between 1 and 2 PM. For more information, call (973)326-7645.

Pyramid Mountain NHA: Making Costumes

It might be more fun to make your own costume this season instead of buying one that many of your friends might already have. Make a mask or fashion a headband based on the native wildlife of New Jersey to add to
your Halloween regalia on Saturday, October 22 between 1 PM and 2 PM at the Pyramid Mountain NHA, intersection of Mars Court & Boonton Avenue in Montville Township. The cost is $5 per child, for ages 5 and up. Preregistration is required so call (973)334-3130.

A huge part of Halloween comes in the form of treats. Learn to make your own at this event at the Speedwell on October 22. Cost: $5 per adult, $4 per senior (65+),$3 per child age 4 - 16, FREE per child under age 4. Event happens between 2 and 4 PM. 333 Speedwell Avenue in Morristown. Call (973)285-6550 for more information.

Great Swamp OEC: Tales for Kids

For the very young, a less spooky version of Trail Tales, which will be told earlier in the day. Kids aged 2 through 5 and their parents can hear silly and nature-themed tales told by costumed storytellers along the decorated trails of the Great Swamp. You can even get into the spirit by wearing your own costume, too. $3 per person. Sign up in advance for a time slot on Saturday, October 29, between 1 and 2 PM. The event will take place at the Great Swamp OEC, 247 Southern Boulevard in Chatham Township.$3 per person. To register, call (973)635-6629.

Cooper Gristmill: Corn Husk Doll-making

Come in costume, and enjoy spook-tacular storytelling at 1 PM and 2:30 PM. You can also take part in creating corn husk dolls and playing old-time games. Tour the Gristmill and look for surprises around every corner on Saturday, October 29 between 1 and 3 PM. This event is free, but donations are always appreciated.
The Gristmill is located at 66 Route 513 in Chester Township. For more information, call (908)879-5463.

Historic Speedwell: Ghost stories

Hear ghost stories and play Halloween games at the Speedwell. The event happens on Sunday, October 30, between 12 and 5 PM. Cost: $5 per adult, $4 per senior (65+),$3 per child age 4 - 16, FREE per child under age 4. Event happens between 2 and 4 PM. 333 Speedwell Avenue in Morristown. Call (973)285-6550 for more information.

Great Swamp OEC: What about Bats

For toddlers aged 2 and 3, Halloween is a perfect time to learn about bats. Enjoy a story read aloud to
learn about bat habits and habitats, followed by a walk on the trail on October 31 between 12 and 5 PM. The event will take place at the Great Swamp OEC, 247 Southern Boulevard in Chatham Township.$5 per child. To register, call (973)635-6629.

Great Swamp OEC: What about Bones

What do bones do for you? Find out as you compare real skulls and teeth of wild animals and examine
how your own teeth look and function, too. After a walk and ‘bone-y’ craft, the day is complete with a
LIVE animal presentation! Enjoy bones on Wednesday, October 12, between 9 AM and 2 PM. The event will take place at the Great Swamp OEC, 247 Southern Boulevard in Chatham Township. $35 per child. To register, call (973)635-6629.

Frelinghuysen Arboretum: All About Plants

Voodoo lily? Bat flower? Some plants are simply wicked! Celebrate HallowGreen with exhibits of scary,
smelly plants from around the world, and many other children's activities. Explore a display of flesh-eating
greenery from Cait’s Carnivores and plant one to take home. Create a vampire proof necklace straight out of
the Dark Ages. Step into the Food Laboratory to make cobweb cookies and spider cupcakes. Using everyday
craft supplies, create a scary plant of your own. This fun event happens on Saturday, October 22 between 1 and 4 PM at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum, located at 353 Hanover Avenue in Morris Township. The cost is $15 per child. To register, call (973)326-7603.

Fosterfields Living Historical Farm: Pumpkin Decoration

Decorate your 1st or your 50th pumpkin at this event. Pick a pumpkin and decorate the orange beast using natural materials. This event happens on Saturday, October 22, between 1 and 3:30 PM. Cost is $6 per adult, $5 per senior (65+),$4 per child age 4 - 16, $2 per child ages 2 & 3, FREE for children under age 2. The event happens at the Fosterfields Living Historical Farmon 73 Kahdena Road in Morris Township. For more information, call (973)326-7645.

Historic Speedwell: Death and Mourning

Death and Mourning were treated in very particular ways during the 19th century. Join a discussion about the history of public cemeteries, Victorian funerary art, and the fashion of mourning on Saturday, October 22 and Sunday, October 23 between 2 and 4 PM. Cost is $5 per adult, $4 per senior (65+),$3 per child age 4 - 16, FREE per child under age 4. Located at 333 Speedwell Avenue in Morristown. Call (973)285-6550 for more information.

Great Swamp OEC: Trail Tales-SPOOKY!

For a slightly older crowd, ages 6 and up, hear silly, slightly spooky, and nature-themed tales told by costumed storytellers along the decorated nighttime trails of the Great Swamp. Enjoy the sweet goodness of cider and cookies, provided by Whole Foods of Madison! Sign up in advance for a time slot, since they fill up quickly! $3 per person. Saturday, October 29, between 5:30 to 7:45 PM. The event will take place at the Great Swamp OEC, 247 Southern Boulevard in Chatham Township.$3 per person. To register, call (973)635-6629.

Historic Speedwell: Vail House Tales

Enter the Vail House to hear tales, both old and new, in a particularly atmospheric setting. A costumed interpreter regales you with horror stories from the Victorian period. If you haven’t left screaming, enter the next room to hear modern day reports of things going ‘bump’ in the night at museums all over the country. Cost is $5 per adult, $4 per senior (65+),$3 per child age 4 - 16, FREE per child under age 4. This event happens at the Speedwell from 6 to 9 PM on October 29. The Historic Speedwell is located at 333 Speedwell Avenue in Morristown. Call (973)285-6550 for more information.

Fosterfields Living Historical Farm: Halloween Games

Play festive Halloween games, decorate cookies, and try on old-fashioned costumes. At 3:30 PM, take a guided walk and find all the jack-o-lanterns hiding in the nearby woods. Board the open-air wagon for a ride back to the Visitors Center. This event happens on Sunday, October 30, between 1 and 3:30 PM. Cost is $6 per adult, $5 per senior (65+),$4 per child age 4 - 16, $2 per child ages 2 & 3, FREE for children under age 2. The event happens at the Fosterfields Living Historical Farmon 73 Kahdena Road in Morris Township. For more information, call (973)326-7645.

Image via Chrismm1225, Morguefile, used under Creative Commons.