Finding kid-friendly activities during Haunted Happenings doesn’t need to be a nightmare—with carnivals, harbor cruises, story-times, and of course trick or treating, there are plenty of fun things to do with kids this October!
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October Kid Friendly Events
For classic midway rides and games, bring the whole family down to the Salem Common for the Kid’s Fun Fest! With family rides, kiddie rides, and midway games of skill and luck, the Fun Fest has something for everyone. This event takes place on October 22, 23, 29, and 30 from 10am to 5pm. See our event calendar for the full listing of dates. There is no admission fee to visit the carnival, however tickets must be purchased for rides and games.
Looking for an immersive experience to take the entire family on? Head over to Old Town Hall to see the new Ghost Scavenger Hunt created by the local Salem group History Alive titled No Ghosts at Old Town Hall. This immersive experience acts in part as a scavenger hunt and an escape room! Interact with the troubled spirits trapped in the Old Town Hall and help them find peace. This event was kid conceptualized and is an inviting space for all ages. The No Ghosts event will take place on October 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 21, 23, 28, 30 from 7pm until 11pm. You can see more details HERE.
Eerie Events at the Peabody Essex Museum
The Peabody Essex Museum hosts an array of October events with family fun in mind. With costume shows, basket weaving classes, tours of the Ropes Mansion, a screening of the ParaNorman Film, and Haunted Histories just to name a few, you are sure to find something for everyone in the family! Check out their lineup of events HERE.
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Family Movie Nights on Fridays
If you find yourself in town on a Friday our Family Movie Nights on the Salem Common are a wonderful way to spend the evening. With movies like ParaNorman and Hocus Pocus you will truly be able to immerse yourself into the films being shown! Family Movie Nights are free with ParaNorman taking place on the 21st and the Original Hocus Pocus on the 28th. Click HERE for more information.
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On the Water
If you’re looking to take to the water with the kids, be sure to check out Mahi Mahi’s Haunted Happenings Harbor Cruise. This cruise is filled to the brim with family-friendly fun including story-telling, Halloween party music, complimentary tarot card readings, photo ops, and a full bar for the adults and face-painting for the kids. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for kids ages 3-12. Tickets may be purchased in advance on Mahi Mahi’s website. Their Five Lighthouses and Fall Foliage Cruise is a truly special 90-minute narrated sightseeing tour exploring 14-miles of local protected coastlines & islands. Discover the shorelines of Salem, Beverly, Marblehead, Manchester-by-the-Sea and the Misery Islands full passing landmarks, marine life, 5 working lighthouses, estates & so much more. Cozy up with a hot beverage and enjoy the spectacular fall foliage and local knowledge with fun views for passengers of all ages.
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Kid Friendly Attractions & Tours
There are a lot of brick and mortar attractions that run in Salem year round that are great options to see while you are visiting during the month of October. Stop into the Halloween Museum with the entire family, located right on Essex Street here in town. This museum is a self guided experience that you can go at your own pace and take in all of the wonderful Halloween themed displays. Each participant will be handed a pair of 3D glasses to truly make their experience special while you follow along the neon path in the museum. There is no timed entry needed, so this spot is the perfect stop when you are looking for a break from the crowds outside.
The House of the Good Witch of Salem is pink, magical, welcoming, and full of fun! The Good Witch welcomes all into her shop located across from the Witch House on North Street. Create your very own Good Witch Hat to take home, create potions at her potion bar, or sign up for a sparkly Good Witch makeover complete with stickers and glitter! With over ten years of teaching experience and a love for children, Ashley created an avenue to share her talents with a larger audience. The Good Witch of Salem is a positive role model represented by the vibrant color “pink.” Events, workshops, educational resources, and storytelling are just a few of the ways in which the Good Witch shares her magic. You may also read about the Good Witch’s magical gifts in Ashley Tina’s first published book, “The Good Witch of Salem.”
Looking for a magical escape for your witches and wizards at heart? Professor Spindlewick’s World of Wizardry timed ticket allows you to take photos with their Fantastic Magical Beasts, (a Griffin, a Phoenix and a Unicorn) and then venture into The Wizard’s Chamber of Professor Spindlewink. Before exiting through the secret door, you can take photos in The Wizard’s Chamber. This family friendly event is their way to show you a sneak peek as to what’s in store for you next season! Tickets can be purchased in advance on their website linked HERE.
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Immerse yourself in the stories of Real Pirates at Real Pirates Salem located here in Salem, Massachusetts. This family-friendly pirate experience features the true tale of “Black Sam” Bellamy – the richest and one of the youngest pirates of all time – and Maria Hallett, the love of his life and so-called “Witch of Wellfleet”. Walk through the museum at your own pace and enjoy the interactive exhibits that help to tell the story of Sam Bellamy.
If you are looking to explore the rich history of Salem, Massachusetts with the entire family, The House of the Seven Gables and Pioneer Village are two great options. The October Guided Tour Package for children ages 5-12 over at the House of the Seven Gables is $12 dollars per child and is a wonderful way to learn the history of the property and the infamous Nathaniel Hawthorne in an engaging and entertaining way for all participants. Pioneer Village is open during the weekends from 12pm – 4 pm during the month of October, and advanced tickets are not currently required to visit the village. Built in 1930 to mark the tercentennial of Massachusetts, Pioneer Village is America’s first living history museum. The village sits on three acres of land and contains various examples of colonial architecture: dugouts, wigwams, thatched roof cottages, and the Governor’s Faire House. Culinary and medicinal gardens and a blacksmith shop further interpret early 17th-century colonial life.
For a history of Salem Massachusetts at your own pace with wax figures painting the story, make sure to stop by the Salem Wax Museum. The Salem Wax Museum is open daily during the month of October and is a great way for a family to learn the history of Salem Massachusetts with visuals guiding you through. Each display and wax figure sets the scene on an important time during Salem’s History. Tickets for the Salem Wax Museum can be purchased the day of in person, or online in advance through the link HERE.
Image by the Salem Trolley
Hop on a Salem Trolley Tour to see a holistic view of our beautiful town of Salem, Massachusetts. Take their one hour Tales and Tombstones Tour to see how dusk transforms the city of Salem. As the city of renown seafarers and distinguished architecture fades into the shadows, a new Salem of the occult and paranormal emerges. Visit scenes of grisly murders and ghastly executions, hear tales of ghosts, both mischievous and malevolent, of Salem’s haunted hotels and restaurants, of long forgotten underground passageways, ancient curses, and legends of ghost ships and haunted islands.
If you are visiting Salem, Massachusetts during the fall Salem Kids Tours is a great way to see all that Salem Massachusetts has to offer with a knowledgeable and friendly guide. Walk with tour guide Alicia through the mysterious and magical streets of Salem as she tells you stories that are not only well-researched and entirely true, but are also fascinating. The two tours offered are the Our Kids History Tour through the historic Downtown, and the Slightly Spooky Tour, which includes history and some mild ghost stories to spark your imagination. (Unfortunately do to the high demand for Salem Kids Tours they are sold out for the October 2022 season)
Quick Bites to Eat and Sweet Treats
Image by Flip the Bird
A great way to grab food and beat the crowds when you are traveling with a family is to grab some quick bites at some of our delicious local spots. Some yummy options if you are looking to grab a quick slice of pizza are Flying Saucer Pizza and Essex’s NY Pizza & Deli. Both are fun and welcoming environments where you can grab a quick slice and go! If you aren’t in the mood for pizza you can stop by BonChon or Flip the Bird for some yummy crispy chicken options. For buffet style dinner the second level of Turner’s Seafood has a hot bar with a variety of options to dine in for a quick meal.
Image by Kakawa Chocolate House
It wouldn’t be October without a sweet treat for the whole family, and there are lots of options to choose from! Maria’s Sweet Somethings has a wonderful selection of chocolate goodies and a full ice-cream bar on the upper level. If you want to warm up, grab a hot chocolate from Kakawa Chocolate House located on Essex Street. Kakawa’s chocolatiers are dedicated to sharing their passion for chocolate. They balance the traditional with the cutting edge, creating unique and exquisitely bold creations from fresh, seasonal ingredients. Their one-of-a-kind creations include truffles, drinking chocolate elixirs, agave caramels, solid dark chocolates and delicious homemade ice cream. Working exclusively in small batches, our staff ensures that each piece of chocolate looks as exquisite as it tastes. To see all of the magic that goes into the chocolate making process, book a tour of the Harbor Sweets workshop and sample some of their iconic sweet sloops!
