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Not-So-Scary 2025 Halloween Activities in NJ for Preschoolers

Photo courtesy of Jenkinson's Boardwalk
Photo courtesy of Jenkinson's Boardwalk
10/8/24 - By Laurie Rein

New Jersey offers plenty of not-too-scary Halloween celebrations perfect for the preschool set. From parades, like the Ocean City Halloween Parade, to over-the-top events at amusement parks, like Trick-Or-Treat Weekends at Storybook Land, to zoo celebrations, like Cape May's Boo at the Zoo, these safe activities let toddlers experience the magic of Halloween.

And, there's some spooktacular news for parents: Many of them are FREE!

Read on for dozens of fun and preschool-friendly Halloween events in New Jersey, plus a couple of extra-special events just over the border in Pennsylvania. You can find even more seasonal events in our Guide to New Jersey Fall Fun and Guide to Halloween Events in New Jersey.

Be sure to sign up for our weekly newsletter to get posts like this delivered directly to your inbox. 

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Halloween Events in New Jersey and Pennsylvania for Toddlers and Preschoolers

18th Annual Scarecrow Stroll

Cranford–FREE
Daily from Friday, October 10-Friday, October 31, 2025
Cranford hosts its Annual Scarecrow Stroll and promises the event is the biggest and best yet. Gawk at more than 100 wild and crazy scarecrows on display throughout downtown Cranford. Register online to create your own scarecrow and enter to win prizes.  READ MORE

Six Flags Great Adventure's Fright Fest and Kids Boo Fest

Jackson
Select dates through Sunday, November 2, 2025
Thrills and chills await at Six Flags Great Adventure’s Fright Fest, featuring a roster of terrifying haunted mazes, sinister scare zones, exhilarating live shows, and specialty food and drink. Young visitors can get in the spirit at Boo Fest. READ MORE

DiDonato's Trick-or-Treat Train

Hammonton
Saturdays and Sundays through Sunday, October 26, 2025
This outdoor Halloween train takes you on a ride through goblin-friendly Halloween Town. Tricks and treats include a hay maze, a new inflatable obstacle course, a pumpkin patch, a giant racing slide, photo-ops with a witch, and more.  READ MORE

Haunted Wild West Fest and Spooky Wild West

Stanhope
Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through Sunday, October 26, 2025
Wild West City gets haunted this October. The daytime festival features classic Wild West City shows with a Halloween twist, plus trick or treating and a costume contest. When the sun sets, explore the haunted ghost town at the nighttime festival.  READ MORE

Trick-or-Treat Weekends at Storybook Land

Egg Harbor Township
Saturdays and Sundays, from Saturday, October 18- Sunday, October 26, 2025
Little ones visiting Storybook Land can pick up treat bags and gather goodies from 12 stations. Then, find your way through Elmer’s Haymazin’ Maze. READ MORE

Pumpkin Patch Trains 2025

Whippany
Sunday, October 5, and Saturday-Sunday, October 11-12, 2025
Join in the Halloween fun at the Whippany Railway Museum on board The Pumpkin Patch Train.  The 10-mile, 45-minute round trip journey is the perfect way to spend a fall afternoon with the family.  READ MORE

Happy Haunts at The Red Mill

Clinton
Saturdays through October 25, 2025
Stop by this low- or no-scare event designed for kids and squeamish adults. Each group is escorted through the mill by a friendly guide to keep the ghouls and zombies at bay. READ MORE

Diggerfest Fall Festival

West Berlin
Saturdays and Sundays through Sunday, November 16, 2025
Full-day admission to this annual seasonal celebration grants you access to all of the rides and attractions at Diggerland USA, plus additional fall festival and Halloween fun. READ MORE

Halloween Parade & Dance Party in Sea Isle City

Sea Isle City–FREE
Friday, October 17, 2025
This lively local parade features music, strolling entertainers, floats, local organizations, and many well-costumed revelers. Following the parade, stick around for the Halloween Family Dance Party.   READ MORE

Halloween Celebration in Union

Union–FREE
Saturday, October 18, 2025
The township of Union is going all out for Halloween this year with a trunk or treat plus an evening food truck festival. The trunk or treat features 30 vehicles and takes place from 1pm-4pm at Jefferson School parking lot. A prize is awarded for the best decorated. READ MORE

Voorhees Harvest Festival

Voorhees–FREE
Saturday, October 18, 2025
This free family event features a pumpkin patch, hayrides, Voorhees Art Commission pumpkin decorating, bounce houses, Voorhees Fire Prevention, craft and food vendors, petting zoo, DJ, and more. READ MORE

Spookfest Market 2.0 in Piscataway

Piscataway–FREE
Saturday, October 18, 2025
Get ready for a frightfully fun day at the Second Annual Outdoor Spookfest Market by Beastro Events, a family-friendly Halloween celebration that is hauntingly unforgettable. ️ READ MORE

North Brunswick Halloween Happenings

North Brunswick–FREE
Saturday, October 18, 2025
Have a frightfully fun time with pumpkin decorating, trick or treating, a petting zoo, hayrides and more. Wear your costumes, and enjoy this not-so-scary Halloween event. READ MORE

Boo at the Boardwalk

Point Pleasant–FREE
Saturdays and Sundays from Saturday, October 18-Sunday, October 26, 2025
Celebrate Halloween at Jenkinson's Boardwalk with two weekends of family fun, including trick-or-treating, crafts, a magic show, limited kiddie rides, slime, and more. READ MORE

Addams Family Fun Day in Westfield

Westfield–FREE
Sunday, October 19, 2025
Join Morticia, Gomez and other Addams Family favorites at this spooky and spectacular festival, which is part of Westfield's month-long AddamsFest. The fun includes character visits, live entertainment, bubbles, pumpkin decorating and more. READ MORE

2025 Cape May Halloween Parade

Cape May–FREE
Sunday, October 19, 2025
Cheer on costumed marchers, plus decked-out cars and golf carts, at Cape May’s Annual Halloween Parade. Prizes are awarded for many categories, such as funniest, scariest, and most original. READ MORE

Belmar Costume Contest and Trunk or Treat

Belmar–FREE
Friday, October 24, 2025
Double the Halloween fun with a parade and trunk or treat in the Dempsey Park lot. Prizes are awarded for the funniest, scariest, and most original costumes. READ MORE

Pumpkin Patch Day at Liberty Hall

Union
Saturday, October 25, 2025
The Liberty Hall Museum hosts its annual Pumpkin Patch Day, which features pumpkin picking, carving, and decorating, plus tractor rides, crafts, and trick-or-treating.   READ MORE

Boo at the Zoo in Cape May

Cape May–FREE
Saturday, October 25, 2025
Visitors of all ages are invited to come in costume to this annual Halloween event sponsored by the Cape May County Board of Commissioners. Enjoy kid-friendly fun, candy, entertainment, plenty of animals, an inflatable obstacle course, a pirate ship, and more.  READ MORE

North Wildwood Trunk-or-Treat Halloween Block Party

North Wildwood–FREE
Saturday, October 25, 2025
Get your car decked out for Halloween at this annual festive family event. Costumed children can visit each car, where families will provide treats from the trunks.  READ MORE

Ocean City Halloween Parade

Ocean City–FREE
Thursday, October 30, 2025
Feast your eyes on creative costumes and floats, antique vehicles, and cheerleading and dance teams at this 77th annual parade. READ MORE

Screamin' Green Hauntoween

Easton, Pennsylvania
Daily through Thursday, October 30, 2025
Visitors to Crayola Experience Easton can participate in the colorful and festive Screamin' Green Hauntoween. Kids can enjoy crafts, photo ops, pumpkin decorating, and a themed scavenger hunt.  READ MORE

Howl-O-Ween at Turtle Back Zoo

West Orange
Friday, October 31, 2025
Trick-or-treat at Turtle Back Zoo, featuring candy stations throughout the grounds. Grab a bag and your costumes and enjoy treats and entertainment.  READ MORE

The Great Pumpkin Sail

Mountainside
Saturday, November 1, 2025
Bring your carved jack-o'-lantern to Echo Lake Park post-Halloween and enjoy the spectacular view of floating pumpkins. Sign up for one of three sessions. READ MORE

The Count's Halloween Spooktacular at Sesame Place

Langhorne, Pennsylvania
Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through Sunday, November 2, 2025
Enjoy silly, not-too-spooky fun at The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular at Sesame Place. Everyone is encouraged to wear a costume and enjoy Halloween shows, a themed maze, rides, and a Neighborhood Street Party Halloween Parade. READ MORE

Trick-or-Treat Train

New Hope, Pennsylvania
Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from Saturday, October 11-Friday, October 31, 2025
All aboard the train at New Hope Railroad for a 45-minute trick-or-treat train ride. Kids can dress up in their Halloween costumes and ride the rails, with stops for candy and assorted toys. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Jefferson School Parking Lot
6th Street & Asbury Avenue

About the Author

Laurie Rein
Laurie Rein is passionate about finding fun (especially free!) activities for her twin daughters. Before joining Mommy Poppins New Jersey, Laurie worked in the television industry, with roles as an NBC page, copywriter, affiliate liaison for The Rosie O'Donnell Show, and research manager for CBS.
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