Are you ready for a spooktacular Halloween season?
Here’s our list of 2020 Kansas City Halloween parades, parties and other events for kids. This roundup of family-friendly Halloween activities focuses on fun, candy and cute costumes. In other words, nothing too scary. You’ll want to read carefully though, because some activities are fun for little ones or all ages, but a few are better suited for kids of a certain age.
Many of these activities include some sort of trick-or-treating, but we also have a list of trick-or-treating events, trunk or treat gatherings and places where kids do (almost) nothing but dress up and go get candy. See more about Kansas City trick-or-treating.
Don’t worry, though. If you’re looking for terror-filled haunted houses, thrilling costume parties and pulse-quickening corn mazes, we’ve got you covered. We’ve divided these into separate lists so you can more easily find what interests you most. Scroll down to see our full list of Kansas City Fall and Halloween posts.
We’ll be adding more Halloween events for kids as we find them, so make sure you check back often. Where possible, we’ve noted the latest information possible as well as local Halloween events from last year isn’t happening this year. If know of any we’ve missed, send us a message at news@kansascityonthecheap.com; we’ll add them for FREE as time allows.
Be sure to check out our other posts so you don’t miss any Fall and Halloween fun in Kansas City this season:
Kansas City Haunted Houses and Discounts
Kansas City Pumpkin Patches, Corn Mazes & Hayrides
Halloween Movies Showing in Kansas City
Dog-Friendly Halloween Events in Kansas City
Free and Cheap Kansas City Halloween Parties and Events for Adults
Free and Cheap Trick-or-Treating in Kansas City
Kansas City Halloween Food Discounts and Freebies
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Kansas City Halloween Parties and Events for Kids
Get your little ghosts and goblins dressed up for these Kansas City Halloween activities for kids. Everything is in chronological order so you can scroll down to find something that fits in your schedule. Pay attention because some events are happening on multiple days during the month.
Electric Poe
Sept. 17 – Oct. 31, 2020
Location: Union Cemetery
Hours: Sunset (between 6-7 p.m.)
Admission: $50 for a “plot” that seats up to four people
Union Cemetery at sunset is the perfect venue for live theatrical readings of two Edgar Allen Poe classics. Please note that this activity is best suited for kids 10 and older.
Hoots & Howls
Oct. 3-4, Oct. 10-11, Oct. 17-18, 2020
Location: Kansas City Zoo
Hours: 9:30 a.m.
Admission: FREE with Zoo admission
Fun and spooky Halloween activities for kids at the Kansas City Zoo.
Pumpkin Palooza
Oct. 17, 2020
Location: Sunflower House – Shawnee, KS
Hours: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Admission: FREE
Come in costume for a drive-thru one-of-a-kind Halloween visual experience.
Carved
Oct. 17, 2020
Location: Riverside Waterfall
Hours: 6 to 11 p.m.
Admission: FREE
Take part in scary and not-so-scary Halloween fun in Riverside, Missouri.
Kid’s Halloween Haunt
Oct. 17, 2020
Location: Shayzlei’s Kreations – Independence, MO
6 p.m.
Admission: $10 each or $35 for a family 4 pack
This festive event includes a glow-in-the-dark egg haunt, face painting, costume contest and trunk or treating.
KCRep Ghost Light
Oct. 22-24 and 29-31
Location: Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (south lawn)
Hours: 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Admission: $80 for a “pod” that seats up to four people
The KCRep kicks off a new Kansas City Halloween tradition combining music and local storytellers sharing fun and frightening stories. Best suited for kids 8+.
Trick-or-Treat Geocache
Oct. 23, 2020
Location: Antioch Park
Hours: 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Admission: $13-$14 for individuals; $33-$46 for families
Explore outdoors with this adventurous twist on trick-or-treating. Costumes are encouraged.
Trick-or-Treat OFF the Street
Oct. 24, 2020
Location: Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm – Olathe, KS
3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission: $4 at the gate, $3 in advance, under 3 are FREE
Enjoy a horse-drawn wagon ride along with trick-or-treating and pioneer fall fun.
Boo at the Zoo
Oct. 24-25, Oct. 31, 2020
Location: Kansas City Zoo
Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission: FREE with paid zoo admission
Halloween-themed activities and trick-or-treating at the Kansas City Zoo. Costumes encouraged.
Spooky Springs Halloween Bash
Oct. 24, 2020
Location: Adam’s Pointe Golf Course – Blue Springs, MO
Hours: 6 p.m. to p.m.
Admission: $8 per person in advance; $10 at the gate; Kids 2 and under are FREE.
A spooky hayride, smores, hot chocolate, bonfire, games, face painting and trick-or-treating make up this Halloween experience. Everything is family friendly until 8 p.m. when things get spooky for teenagers. Wear costumes!
Hide ‘n’ Seek Trick or Treat Scavenger Hunt
Oct. 29-31, 2020
Location: Lenexa Rec Center
Hours: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission: FREE
Dress up, follow the clues and collect a treat in the end once you’ve captured the code. Suited for kids 3-12.
Roller Roo’s Costume Party
Oct. 31, 2020
Location: Skate City Overland Park
Hours: Noon to 2 p.m.
Admission: $5 admission, $3 skate rental
Enjoy games, prizes, trick or treating and a costume contest.
Roller Roo’s Costume Party
Oct. 31, 2020
Location: Skate City Shawnee – Merriam, KS
Hours: Noon to 2 p.m.
Admission: $5 admission, $3 skate rental
Enjoy games, prizes, trick or treating and a costume contest.
Halloween Egg Hunt
Oct. 31, 2020
Location: Faulkner’s Pumpkin Ranch
Hours: Noon to 2 p.m.
Admission: FREE with paid admission to the ranch.
Kids 3-12 can take part in a Halloween-themed egg hunt.
Lenexa UMC Halloween Car-Nival
Nov. 1, 2020
Location: Lenexa United Methodist Church (9138 Caenen Lake Road Lenexa, KS 66215)
Hours: 4 to 5:30 p.m.
Admission: FREE
Close out the spooky season with a free drive-through Halloween carnival with games to play from your car in the church parking lot.
Kansas City Halloween Events for Kids Cancelled for 2020
Halloween in Kansas City (and everywhere else) will look differently this year. Some organizers are adapting to abide by health and safety regulations. Other groups have chosen to cancel events altogether.
We’ve confirmed that the following annual Kansas City Halloween activities are not happening this year.
Independence Halloween Parade – cancelled for 2020
Oct. 31, 2020
Location: Independence Square
Hours: 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Admission: FREE
Great Pumpkin Fest – cancelled, park closed for the 2020 season
Sept. 14-Oct. 27, 2019 (Saturdays and Sundays)
Location: Worlds of Fun
Hours: All day
Admission: FREE with paid park admission
Family-friendly (not scary) Halloween-themed activities in Camp Snoopy. Kids can enjoy rides, a costume contest, trick-or-treating, a petting zoo, crafts and a pumpkin patch.
Night of the Living Farm – cancelled, farm closed for 2020 season
Oct. 18-19 and 25-26, 2019
Location: Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead
Hours: 6 to 9 p.m.
Admission: $10; $9 for Friends of the Farmstead; kids 2 and under get in FREE
Kansas City’s favorite farmstead goes dark with a variety of scary and non-scary activities for families.
Halloween Happenings – cancelled for 2020
Oct. 24, 2020
Location: Merriam, KS Marketplace
Hours: 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Admission: FREE
Halloween fun geared for kids ages 10 and under. Celebrate with inflatables, games, costumes, a photo booth and more. Costumes encouraged.
Enchanted Forest – cancelled for 2020
Oct. 29, 2020
Location: Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park
Hours: 4 to 8 p.m.
Admission: FREE
Enjoy puppets, musicians and singers along the trail around Rose’s Pond and fun photos in the photo booth.
Kansas City Halloween Parties and Events for Kids 2019
Here are Kansas City Halloween events for kids we included in our round up last year. To date, we don’t have confirmation if they’re happening or cancelled. We’re still checking back with organizers so expect our information to change regularly as we get new details.
Oct. 18-19, Oct. 25-26 2019
Location: George Owens Nature Park (Independence, MO)
Hours: 7 to 9 p.m.
Admission: $3
The woods of the park are transformed into a magical forest for a non-scary alternative for younger kids complete with a hayride at the end. Anyone in line by 9 p.m. will get to go through the trails.
Fairy Tale Forest
Oct. 18-20, 2019
Location: Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Sanctuary
Hours: 5:30 to 8 p.m.
Admission: $8; $5 for members; FREE for kids 2 and under
Enjoy a jack-o-lantern walk, treats from fairy tale folks and make spooky crafts.
Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Great Pumpkin Celebration
Oct. 19-20, Oct. 25-31, 2019
Schedule varies by day
Cabela’s (Kansas City, KS) and Bass Pro Shops (Olathe, KS and Independence, MO)
Admission: FREE
Kids can enjoy games, a costume parade with prizes, FREE photos with the Peanuts gang and crafts while supplies last. Trick-or-treating in the store on Halloween.
Oct. 19, 2019
Location: Independence Center parking lot
Hours: Noon to 3 p.m.
Admission: FREE; registration requested for planning
Don your favorite Halloween costume and trick-or-treat at a 65 Ton Rotator, Howitzer, Dump Truck, and many more heavy-duty vehicles. Prizes and goodies.
Oct. 19, 2019
Location: Harrisonville City Park – Harrisonville, MO
Hours: 3 to 5 p.m.
Admission: FREE
An all ages, in-costume trail walk with trick-or-treating, crafts, games, a photo booth and costume contest.
Oct. 19, 2019
Location: Town Center Plaza
Hours: 3 to 6 p.m.
Admission: FREE
A Halloween-themed gathering with aerialists and contortionists, live music, a beer garden, trick-or-treating, tarot card and palm readings, pickleball and more.
Oct. 19, 2019
Location: Olathe Keller Williams Diamond Partner
Hours: 5 to 7 p.m.
Admission: FREE; registration requested for planning purposes
An all-ages event with trick-or-treating, face painting, games, bounce houses, balloon artists, FREE cotton candy, fire trucks and police cars and food trucks (cash or credit accepted).
Oct. 25, 2019
Location: McClain’s Market – Overland Park, KS
Hours: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission: FREE for the first cookie; $2 for each additional
Get festive with cookies, sprinkles, and icing during a cookie decorating party.
Halloween Boo Bash
Oct. 25, 2019
Location: Plaza Library
Hours: 6:30 p.m.
Admission: FREE
Enjoy an all-ages get together of games, a haunted house, face painting and trick-or-treating.
Healthy Halloween Spooktacular!
Oct. 26, 2019
Location: Roeland Park Community Center
Hours: 9 a.m. to noon
Admission: FREE
Stop in with your costume on to visit the photo booth, play games, make crafts and dance to some spooky tunes.
Wonka-Ween
Oct. 26, 2019
Location: Macken Park, Festival Pavilion
Hours: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Admission: FREE
North KC Parks and Recreation hosts an afternoon of carnival games, inflatables, hayrides and food for purchase.
Spooky Skate
Oct. 26, 2019
Location: Line Creek Community Center (5940 NW Waukomis Dr., Kansas City, MO)
Hours: 2 to 4 p.m. for skate; 3 to 5 p.m. for other activities
Admission: FREE if you’re wearing a costume; $5 for additional activities
No Trick, Our Treat: Not Your Mummy’s Halloween House Party III
Oct. 26, 2019
Location: Lenexa Rec Center and Lenexa Public Market – Lenexa, KS
Hours: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Admission: FREE
Start off with a candy-finding scavenger hunt at the Rec Center and then enjoy face painting, airbrush tattoos, games, music and a costume contest at the Public Market.
Trail of Tricks and Treats
Oct. 26, 2019
Location: Peterson Park – 6136 Mission Rd, Fairway, KS
Hours: 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Admission is $3 per person (cash only) and includes trick-or-treating, two glow sticks, hot dogs, cookies, drinks, carnival games and pumpkin painting. Come in costume.
Spookfest
Oct. 26, 2019
Location: Union Station
Hours: 5 to 8 p.m.
Admission: $8.25 ($6.25 for Union Station members)
Food, spooky science demos, stage show and costume contest make up a fun night for kids at Union Station.
Historical Hauntings
Oct. 26, 2019
Shawnee Town 1929
Hours: 6 to 8:30 p.m.
Admission: FREE ($1 donation suggested)
Prep your costumes and join for contests, hayrides and trick-or-treating.
Haunted Swamp
Oct. 26, 2019
Olathe Community Center
Hours: 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Admission: $10 Olathe residents; $15 non-residents; parents are FREE
Fun starts with pumpkin decorating and lifeguard trick-or-treating. A pumpkin dive and open swim follow.
Boo-Tastic Fun
Oct. 26-27, 2019
Location: Crown Center
Hours: Noon to 4 p.m.
Admission: FREE
Free admission lets kids enjoy performances by the StoneLion Puppet Theatre and get pictures with the wicked queen.
Main Event Halloween Party
Oct. 27, 2019
Location: Main Event (Independence, Kansas City, MO and Olathe)
Hours: All day
Admission: FREE
In addition to all the activities Main Event has to offer, candy stations will be set up around each center, so guests can trick-or-treat, rain or shine, throughout the day. Those in costume receive a FREE session of zombie laser tag.
Storytelling Spooktacular
Oct. 28, 2019
Location: West Wyandotte Library – Kansas City, KS
Hours: 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Admission: FREE
Family-friendly ghost stories are part of this annual storytelling session.
Cookie Decorating Party
Oct. 29, 2019
Location: Clock Tower Bakery – Overland Park, KS
Hours: 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission: $5
Enjoy juice or water with a made-from-scratch cookie.
Trick-or-Treat Scavenger Hunt
Oct. 31, 2019
Locations: Scheels, Overland Park, KS
Hours: 3 to 6 p.m.
Admission: FREE
Treats and goodies for the first 1,000 children under age 12.
Spooky Vibes Trunk or Treat on the Vine
Oct. 31, 2020
Location: 18th & Vine District – Kansas City, MO
3 to 9 p.m.
Admission: FREE
Here’s a family-friendly Halloween event with music, dancing, games, costumes and trunk-or-treat festivities. Be sure to dress up!
Scare-It Halloween
Oct. 31, 2019
Location: 3600 block of Gladstone Boulevard
Hours: 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Admission: FREE
Eight blocks of car-free trick-or-treating and a haunted house put on by the Scarritt Renaissance Neighborhood Association.