When the stores start to stock up on giant bags of candy, costumes in every shape and size, and spooky decorations, you know it’s time to start thinking about Halloween! It still feels like summer in Dallas, so if you’re not careful, Halloween can be a ‘blink-and-you-miss-it’ holiday.
Of course, your kiddos won’t let you completely forget about Halloween – they might have already been planning their costumes with their friends for weeks – but no one gives mom a list to make the most out of Halloween in Dallas. Thankfully we’ve got you covered with the best local tips, resources, and celebrations to kill it this Halloween. (Figuratively, of course)
Shop Smart for Dallas Halloween
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Don’t get caught without a costume at the last minute! If you’re planning to buy your costumes, check out local consignment sales and children’s consignment shops to get a great deal on a slightly used costume. The catch with shopping consignment is that it’s best to shop early for the best selection. Here are a few consignment shops:
- Kid to Kid (multiple locations)
- Once Upon a Child (multiple locations)
- Small Pockets (Dallas)
Another great option for used costumes is local Facebook ‘garage sale’ groups. You can find these groups by searching on Facebook for “(Your Community) Garage Sale” or “Buy/Sell/Trade (Your Community)”.
Visit a DFW Pumpkin Patch
Pumpkin Patches around DFW are often open from the beginning of October through Halloween, so they are the perfect way to get a little more use out of your Halloween costume and have Fall fun throughout the month. You can get some adorable pumpkin pictures (without the stress of trick-or-treating) and pick out a pumpkin to carve at home. Here are some of the best Pumpkin Patches throughout Dallas/Fort Worth and in the surrounding areas:
- Flower Mound Pumpkin Patch (Flower Mound)
- Hall’s Pumpkin Patch (Grapevine)
- Tucker Hill Pumpkinville (McKinney)
- YesterLand Farm (Canton)
- Preston Trail Farms (Celina)
- Mainstay Farm (Cleburne)
- The Gentle Zoo Pumpkin Patch (Forney)
Find a Trick or Treat Alternative
City squares, businesses, and churches throughout the metroplex host Fall Festivals and events where kids can get their face painted, play carnival games, jump in bounce houses, and of course get lots of candy. Though they are only one day, these festivals are typically free or very low-cost. They are a great alternative to trick-or-treating if your little ones are too young to stay out late at night (or if your neighborhood isn’t very generous!). Check the websites of churches or towns near you, or you can check out one of these Fall Festivals:
- Boo on Ballard (Wylie) – 10/27
- Farmers Market Daytime Street and Treat (Grapevine) – 10/31
- Prestonwood Baptist Church Fall Festival (Plano) – 10/31
- Park Cities Baptist Church (Dallas) – 10/30
- ParkwayHills Baptist Church Trunk or Treat (Plano) – 10/30
- St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church (Plano) – 10/23
Check Out Museums, Zoos and More
From ‘Boo at the Zoo’ to a Star Wars themed night, your favorite Dallas/Fort Worth children’s activities are hosting fun activities for little ones. Here are a couple of the best options to check out this Fall:
- Dallas Arboretum: Autumn at the Arboretum – 9/17-11/23
- Dallas Zoo: Halloween Nights – 10/27-10/30
- Fort Worth Stock Yards: Treat Street – 10/31
- Frontiers of Flight Museum: Halloween at the Museum: Star Wars Day – 10/29
- Fort Worth Zoo: Boo at the Zoo – 10/28-10/30
- Children’s Aquarium at Fair Park: Tank and Treat – 10/31
- Fort Worth Nature Center: Tails and Treats – 10/27
Something for the Older Crowd
If your teenagers are looking for something a little less Charlie Brown and a little more Walking Dead, they will want to check out Fright Fest at Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington. While the park is more family-friendly during the day, after the sun goes down you’ll see ghouls, goblins, and zombies roaming along the midways. They also have Haunted Houses and Scarezones throughout the park. Fright Fest runs September 24-October 31.
Did I miss your favorite Dallas Halloween survival trick? Share the tips, tricks, and local events that help you survive Halloween in Dallas with kids in the comments below!