20 best family-friendly Halloween events

By Bree Davies Fri., Oct. 26 2012 at 6:00 AM

Categories: Events, Family, Halloween

(An incarnation of) Beetlejuice hosts Loveland Museum's Family Fun Festival.

Looking for somewhere safe to trick-or-treat? Want to hear some ghost stories in a haunted, old West setting? Hankering for a spot where the whole family can dress up and enjoy a little (mildly) scary entertainment? From Día de los Muertos celebrations to parties offering unlimited trips to the bouncy castle, here are twenty of the most family-friendly Halloween events in the area.

Children's Museum of Denver.

ALREADY UNDER WAY
Bootown 3D Maze Craze
Heritage Square (now through November 4, $5-12)

In addition to a haunted maze, the decorated-for-Halloween Heritage Square features a spooky, scarecrow-themed train ride and a pick-and-paint pumpkin patch. This Saturday, October 27, the park will also host a trick-or-treat street. Bring a canned food item to donate and receive $1 off admission.

Fright Fest 2012
Elitch Gardens (now through October 28, various times, $27.99 and up.)

Decorated in haunting style, Elitch Gardens Amusement Park is now the perfect place for ghoulish fun. With two haunted houses and multiple live shows, the park keeps things family-friendly during the day, and terrifying for adult audiences at night. For the kids, "gross-out milkshake" drinking contests, ghost sightings and a trick-or-treat trail will be offered daily, as well as costume and screaming (yes, screaming) contests. For a list of scheduled Fright Fest events, visit the Elitch Gardens' website.

Chatfield Corn Maze
Botanic Gardens at Chatfield (now through October 28, $4-10)

The eight-plus-acre maze is shaped like a basket of produce and lit up throughout. There's a mini-version of the maze for kids; after 11 p.m., the field becomes haunted. Food and hayrides are also part of the fun.

Chatfield not in your neck of the woods? See our listing of corn mazes throughout the state.