DFW Fall Fest

Local Picks: Halloween in Dallas for Kids

You’ve just landed on your 2024 guide for Halloween in Dallas for kids! Get ready for some spooktacular fun—Texas-style! 

Dallas is lively in October, and whether your little ones love to dress up and trick-or-treat or pick pumpkins, our local guide to Halloween in Dallas for kids has you covered. 

Keep reading to have the very best Halloween in Dallas for kids (and adults!).

Top Halloween Events for Kids in Dallas

When it comes to Halloween in Dallas for kids, this city does ’em spooky, silly, and fun! 

Here are some of the most popular, kid-friendly events:

Boo at the Zoo

Fort Worth Zoo’s Boo at the Zoo is a Halloween favorite! This 3-day event turns the zoo into a wonderland of family-friendly frights, complete with treat stations, animal-themed pumpkin displays, and even special animal shows. 

Kids can come in full costume mode, as there are plenty of treat stations loaded with enough candy to feed the entire animal kingdom! 

Read Our Full Guide to Boo at the Zoo

Autumn at the Arboretum 

The Dallas Arboretum’s Autumn at the Arboretum is known as one of America’s best pumpkin festivals. It’s honestly a Dallas tradition that your family can’t miss! Kids will love exploring Texas Town, which features over 100,000 pumpkins, gourds, and squash arranged into magical displays. Special activities like face painting, scavenger hunts, and storytime make this event a hit with kids of all ages. 

Trick-or-Treat on Downtown Streets

Trick-or-Treat on Downtown Streets is on the actual night of Halloween, and it offers safe trick-or-treating, Halloween-themed games, delicious food from local vendors—and monstrous amounts of candy! 

You Might Also like: 10 Best Fall Festivals in Dallas TX

Best Pumpkin Patches for Kids Near Dallas

A pumpkin (or many) is essential for Halloween.

From gourds galore to costume contests and tasty treats, Halloween in Dallas for kids is a pro-pumpkin patch.

Top Pumpkin Patches Near Dallas:

  • Blase Family Farm – Tucked away in Rockwall, this small, family-owned farm offers pumpkin picking, hayrides, and a petting zoo (llamas, alpacas, sheep, donkeys, and more!). 
  • YesterLand Farm – A seasonal favorite, YesterLand Farm in Canton has pumpkin patches, corn mazes, and amusement rides, making it a full-day adventure for the family. 
  • Animal Connection Fritz Park Pumpkin Patch – In Irving, Texas, this patch has everything—a petting zoo, pony rides, pig races, picnic areas, and even an air-conditioned mother’s lounge to nurse or escape the heat!

We suggest buying tickets online to miss out on the scary long lines!

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Kid-Friendly Haunted Houses

If your kids enjoy a light-hearted scare, Dallas has several haunted attractions for younger audiences. These spots focus more on fun than fear, ensuring kids can enjoy some thrills without the nightmares—because the next day is scary if your little one doesn’t sleep at night! 

Top Kid-Friendly Haunted Houses:

  • Hall’s Pumpkin Farm: While not a traditional haunted house, the corn maze at night is a fun challenge for younger kids.
  • Pumpkin Nights at Howell Farms: Featuring glowing pumpkin sculptures, this magical experience feels like stepping into a Halloween wonderland.
  • Pumpkin Nights: It’s enchanting, stunning, creative, and nothing like anything you have ever experienced. 
  • Children’s Haunted Village: No scary, all kid-friendly attractions such as a Dungeon of Doom 3d Maze, 13th Street  2-story trick-or-treat walk, and magic shows.

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Best Trick-or-Treating Spots in Dallas Neighborhoods

Trick-or-treating is the main event, so go big this year with our favorite neighborhoods! 

Safe and Popular Trick-or-Treating Neighborhoods:

  • M Streets: Known for getting decked out in Halloween decor and friendly vibes, the M Streets is a top spot for safe trick-or-treating.
  • Highland Park: With wide, tree-lined streets and a reputation for handing out the best candy, Highland Park is a local favorite.
  • Lakewood: This neighborhood has a tight-knit community vibe, with houses decked out in spooky decorations and residents who are all in on the Halloween fun.
  • Kessler Park: Expect elaborately decorated homes and plenty of candy in this historic neighborhood.
  • Vickery Place: A family-friendly neighborhood known for being well-lit and safe.

View our Full Guide to Trick or Treating in Dallas

View All of Our DFW Trick or Treat Guides

Kid-Friendly Halloween Shows and Performances

Halloween in Dallas for kids isn’t just about candy and corn mazes—there are plenty of events, parades, and outdoor movie screenings to enjoy. 

From spooky (but not too creepy) performances to Halloween-themed parades, these events are designed with families first.

Where to Find Kid-Friendly Halloween Shows in Dallas:

You Might Also Like: 9 Free Things To Do with Toddlers in Dallas, This Fall

Safety Tips for Costumes, Trick-or-Treating, and Attending Events

To make sure Halloween is fun and safe, keep these simple safety tips in mind:

  • Costumes: Choose bright colors or add reflective tape to costumes for night safety. Avoid masks that block vision, and make sure costumes fit well so nobody trips.
  • Trick-or-Treating: Always stick to well-lit neighborhoods and accompany younger children. Bring a flashlight and remind kids to stay on the sidewalks.
  • Events: Be mindful of crowd sizes at larger events, and keep a close eye on little ones. Use strollers or carriers for toddlers in busy areas.

Halloween in Dallas is a Texas favorite. As you plan your Halloween adventures, don’t forget to check out the DFW Fall Fest blog for more family-friendly fun ideas. 

Get your free ticket to DFW Fall Fest on October 19th!

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