Hike through a bat cave, bone yard and woodland trails or check out the “Grossology Lab” and 700 carved pumpkins at three nature-inspired, family-friendly, Halloween events this weekend.
HOWLoween: October 14
Celebrate nature and creatures of the night at HOWLoween, as the Missouri Department of Conservation staff turns the outdoor garden at the Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center into a walk on the wild side.
The evening includes activities and treats for all ages. Kids will explore nature stations such as Track or Treat, the Bone Yard and the Bat Cave. Staff and volunteers will host varied activities along trails throughout the Discovery Center’s prairie, woodland and wetland areas. The event will also include fireside treats and acoustic music.
This free event will be held 6 – 9 p.m. on Friday, October 14 at the Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center, 4750 Troost Ave., Kansas City, MO. For more information, visit the Discovery Center.
GLOW Jack-O-Lantern Festival: October 14-15
Take the kids to see more than 700 hand-carved pumpkins along a one-mile, self-guided walk through the heart of Powell Gardens. Visitors will encounter 13 “mythical creatures” and can enjoy food and drinks from several vendors, a bonfire, and demonstrations by Rudy Garcia, a Kansas City sculptor and master pumpkin carver. Indoor events include a jumbo jack-o-lantern exhibit, free make-and-take craft and the “Grossology Lab.”
The outdoor events will be open from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, October 14 and Saturday, October 15. Indoor activities are open from 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. both days.
Both evenings include pumpkin painting ($4/pumpkin), hayrides ($3/person) and a special selection of Glow gear for purchase.
Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for ages 60-plus, $5 for children ages 5-12, and free for ages 4 and under. For more information, go to Powell Gardens, 1609 N.W. U.S. Highway 50, Kingsville, MO.
Hoots and Howls: October 15-16 and 22-23
Take a hayride around the Kansas City Zoo, watch the animal pumpkin smash and enjoy spooky, not scary, activities at Hoots and Howls on October 15, 16, 22 and 23.
Hoots and Howls is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the regular price of zoo admission. Kids can pedal a tractor, navigate a hay bale maze and have their face painted like a favorite animal. There will be a DJ sing-along, rides on the Scare-o-cel and a chance to create a wild craft.
For more information, visit KC Zoo. The zoo is located at 6800 Zoo Drive, Kansas City, MO.
Photo: Connie Harclerode
