You don’t need me to tell you that the fall season and Halloween feel different this year. But that doesn’t mean that there isn’t plenty of festive fun to be had all around the Cincinnati area. My family loves all of the pumpkin patches, festivals, and special events that typically fill our calendar this time of year, and while we do miss some of them, this unusual year has allowed us to really pinpoint what we love and what we want to make sure we still get to experience. I knew what would be at the top of my kids’ list this Halloween – a visit to Kings Island. So last weekend we checked out their Tricks and Treats Fall Fest and we had a blast.
If you haven’t had a chance to visit Kings Island since it opened over the summer, now is such a great time. The park is open Saturdays and Sundays through November 1st for its all-new Tricks and Treats Fall Fest. If you’ve been to Kings Island in the past for Halloween festivities, you know that they typically host a family-friendly event during the day and then transition into a “Haunt” at night. This year there is just one event during all open hours and it’s appropriate (and fun!) for the entire family.
All of your favorite rides will likely be open during your visit and we got to experience several of our favorites. I had researched the cleaning and sanitation process for the park before our visit and I was very impressed and comfortable with their implementation. Rides were sanitized often, hand sanitizing stations were everywhere and there is currently a policy that every guest must wear a mask. You can read all about the Covid-19 policies and procedures for the park on its website.
Now let’s get back to the fun stuff! While my husband and son rode as many roller coasters as they could, I took our 6-year-old daughter around the park for trick-or-treating and all of the fun and festive activities. We collected candy, did a few crafts, and checked out some fall additions from years’ past, such as the hay bale maze and the pedal tractors. There were also games set up (you’ll want to purchase tokens for these at about $1/token) and every player wins! Be prepared to trek a large stuffed animal or two home with you.
Tricks and Treats Fall Fest is not just about the rides, games, activities, and decorations…it’s also about the food! When you visit the Kings Island website to purchase your tickets ahead of time, be sure to look into the option of getting your tickets bundled with parking and a Tasting Card. You can use this card to sample dozens of “tricks and treats” throughout the park. Don’t miss out on a chance to try pumpkin spice funnel cake!
Spending the day at Kings Island with so many of the familiar fall activities and some of our favorites rides was a wonderful way to spend time together as a family. Plan a visit for an upcoming weekend and start your planning with a visit to the Kings Island website.