Whether your kids need a practice run before the big night or just can’t wait until Oct. 31, these early events give them plenty of chances to work on their trick-or-treating technique before Halloween.
Here are 10 places to trick-or-treat around Cincinnati and Dayton before Halloween:
Tricks and Treats Fall Fest
Saturdays and Sundays through Nov. 1 | Kings Island, Mason
Kings Island’s daytime Halloween event is the kid-friendly counterpart to Halloween Haunt, which takes over the park after dark. Costumed characters hand out candy along a trick-or-treat trail, and there’s a costume contest at the Bandstand, mask making, live shows and dance parties. Select family rides stay open. Tricks and Treats is included with park admission and season passes.
Heritage Village’s Haunted Village
Oct. 9, 10, 16, 17, 23 and 24 | 6 to 10 p.m. | Heritage Village Museum, Sharonville
The 19th-century village in Sharon Woods turns into a slight-fright Halloween party for families. Kids trick-or-treat with costumed characters, then work their way through games, balloon animals, a carnival-themed haunted house, an Edgar Allan Poe storytelling session and a new woodland adventure trail. Admission is $15 at the gate. Heritage Village members and kids under 2 get in free. No entry after 9 p.m.
HallZOOween
Oct. 10-11, 17-18, 24-25 and Oct. 31-Nov. 1 | Noon to 5 p.m. | Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
HallZOOween is free with zoo admission or membership. Kids trick-or-treat at stations around the zoo and can join the daily Costume Cavalcade parade at noon (meet at the Welcome Center at 11:45 a.m.). There are also illusion shows at 1 and 3 p.m. and animal enrichment demos. The Pumpkin Express train and the Not So Scare-ousel cost extra. Bring your own treat bag, because the zoo asks visitors to skip the disposables.
Boo Fest at the YMCA
Various dates, Oct. 17-30 | YMCA of Greater Cincinnati Boo Fest locations
Branches across Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky each host their own free Boo Fest. Expect trunk-or-treats, costume parades, games, crafts and plenty of candy. Some branches add petting zoos, pumpkin patches or an outdoor movie. Check the YMCA’s list for your branch’s date and time.
Sharon Woods Trunk-or-Treat
Tuesday, Oct. 20 | Timed entry at 5, 5:30 and 6 p.m. | Sharon Woods, Sharonville
Great Parks of Hamilton County and Sharonville Parks & Recreation team up on this free trunk-or-treat at the Sharon Woods Visitor Center entrance. Costumes are encouraged. Timed tickets are required and registration runs through Sharonville Parks & Recreation.
Halloween on the Green
Thursday, Oct. 22 | 6 to 8 p.m. | Village Green Park, Fairfield
Local businesses and organizations set up decorated booths around Fairfield’s Village Green, and kids trick-or-treat their way from one to the next. There’s a costume showcase, stage entertainment, selfie stations and a s’mores food truck.
Howl-O-Ween Hootenanny
Saturday, Oct. 24 | Noon to 3 p.m. | ArtsConnect, Springfield Township
The Powel Crosley Jr. YMCA brings its Boo Fest to the ArtsConnect lawn with trick-or-treating, a hay maze and a pet costume contest, so the dog can dress up too. Admission is free.
DSAGC Trunk-or-Treat
Saturday, Oct. 24 | 3 to 4:30 p.m. | DSAGC Empowerment Center, Cincinnati
The Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati hosts an inclusive trunk-or-treat with decorated car trunks, crafts, games, photo spots and Halloween snacks. Kids of all abilities are welcome. Registration closes Oct. 17.
Monster Mash at Liberty Center
Saturday, Oct. 24 | 3 to 6 p.m. | Liberty Center, Liberty Township
Liberty Center turns the whole property into a trick-or-treat route for the afternoon, with live entertainment and hands-on activities along the way. Costumes are encouraged.
Trunk or Treat at Austin Landing
Wednesday, Oct. 28 | 6 to 9 p.m. | Austin Landing, Miamisburg
Decorated Jeeps line up at Austin Landing to hand out candy, and there are giant inflatables and a costume contest. Admission is free. Bring a bucket.
