2012 Halloween Activities for Kids

Here are some events we found that are sure to keep your kids entertained and in the Halloween spirit from Thursday right through to trick-or-treating on Oct. 31. If there's something we missed, please add it in the comments below.

BUILD AN EDIBLE SPOOKY TOWN

Kids, 7 to 12 years old, will use Halloween candy and other edible decorations to build a Spooky Town complete with mummies, ghosts, pumpkins, witches, bats and whatever their imagination desires, on Thursday at the East Hampton Library from 4 to 5 p.m. Witches Brew will be served afterward. Note to Parents: Advanced registration is required.

SPOOKY TALES

On Thursday starting at 6:30 p.m., kids in kindergarten to second grade are invited to wear their costumes and gather for some tales from the crypt at Clinton Academy. The East Hampton Historical Society will serve Dreesen's donuts and cider. Note to Parents: Admission is free, but reservations are requested.

GRIMM SCARY TALES

The annual Festival of Frights returns to Mulford Farm at nightfall on Friday and Saturday (the rain date is Sunday). Note to Parents: It can be rather scary. Children under 12 won't be admitted without a guardian or parent. Admission is $10 per family, $5 per adult and $2 per child.

WHAILING MUSEUM:

The Sag Harbor Whaling Museum transforms to a haunted house Friday, Saturday and Sunday, from 6 to 9 p.m., for $10. A special children's tour will be given on Sunday from noon to 3 p.m., for $5 per child. Note to Parents: Not for the faint of heart!

PUMPKIN DECORATING

Guild Hall will give kids six and up a pumpkin decorating workshop on Saturday at 11 a.m. Hank's Pumpkintown in Water Mill donated the pumpkins for carving. Note to Parents: $12/$10 members, register in advance with Michelle Klein.

SPORTY HALLOWEEN PARTY

Sportime in Amagansett will host a Halloween party that includes dodgeball, basketball, face painting, bounce house, costume contest, prizes, music, refreshments and more, on Saturday starting at 11 a.m.

LVIS HALLOWEEN PARTY

Children in pre-K through third grades are invited to a Halloween Party on the Ladies Village Improvement Society grounds for a scavenger hunt, storytelling and lots of fun on Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. Each child will receive a goodie bag and treats. Note to parents: Rain or shine.

HALLOWEEN STORY AND CRAFT

The Amagansett Library gets into the spirit of Halloween with story and craft hour on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. Kids can create their own trick-or-treat or costume-carry bags.

RAG-A-MUFFIN PARADE

The annual Sag Harbor costume parade will take place on Sunday at 1 p.m. Kids can meet at the Municipal parking lot behind BookHampton and then parade down Main Street to the Custom House, where sandwiches and drinks will be available for purchase (all to benefit the Sag Harbor Food Pantry). The Sag Harbor Chamber of Commerce sponsors the event.

CREEPY CRAWLER

What's creepier than worms in the dirt? Kids, 7 to 10 years old, will create a spooky dessert in celebration of Halloween at the East Hampton Library on Monday (Oct. 29) from 4 to 5 p.m. Note to Parents: Advanced registration required.

SCHOOL EVENTS

• East Hampton Middle School 7th and 8th grade students will dance the night away — or at least between 7 and 9 p.m. — at a Halloween dance.
• Also at the middle school, “Costumes for a Cause” will take $2 from each participant and donate the money to the Doris Quigley fund. We hear that John Ryan Jr. might just reprise his role as the Tooth Fairy just for the occasion.
• The Key Club will be trick-or-treating for UNICEF and they hope to raise $500 for the Eliminate Project, which donates vaccinations against neonatal tetanus in developing countries.

SCHOOL PARADES

• John M. Marshall Elementary School, near school grounds, Halloween, 2 p.m.
• Montauk School, Main Street, Halloween, 4 p.m.
• Amagansett School, Main Street, Halloween, 4 p.m.
• Wainscott School, school grounds, Halloween, 2 p.m.
• Springs School, school grounds, Halloween, 2 p.m.
• Sag Harbor Elementary School, starts on Main Street, Halloween, 1:30 p.m. Pumpkin Trail follows.

TRICK-OR-TREAT

• Kids can trick or treat free of traffic on Cooper Lane and Sherrill Road in East Hampton on Halloween from 4 to 8 p.m.
• The Pumpkin Trail in Sag Harbor, Main Street, after school on Halloween — just look for the pumpkin faces in the windows of the participating businesses.

Where are the best trick-or-treating spots? Tell us in the comments below.

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