Related story: Police advise precautions during Halloween festivities

By Janis Fontaine

     Halloween is more popular than ever, but the days of trick-or-treating door-to-door are fading fast. Less than a third of costumed kids plan to walk around their neighborhoods ringing doorbells. Parties are becoming the norm. But no one wants to be all dressed up with nowhere to go, so we’re offering a few options.

Haunted schoolhouse
    The Schoolhouse Children’s Museum and Learning Center, 129 E. Ocean Ave. in Boynton Beach, will hold its annual Spooktacular: Haunted Schoolhouse on Oct. 24 and 25.
    This not-too-scary event is designed for kids ages 3 to 9 and features a “slightly spooky” Wizard of Oz theme on the first floor for younger kids, and a “slightly scarier” zombie-themed experience on the second floor for older kids.
    The event takes place 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $5 per child, with one free accompanying adult.
    The museum also will hold its first Costumes & Cocktails, an adults-only costume party, from 7 to 10 p.m. Oct. 23. The evening features food by the bite, cocktails, dancing to DJ Arce’s special Halloween spins, a costume contest with prizes, glow-in-the-dark painting and access to the haunted house. Costumes are encouraged but not required. Tickets are $50 (proceeds benefit the museum).
   For more information: call 742-6780 or go to www.schoolhousemuseum.org.

Haunted hammock
    Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, 1801 N. Ocean Blvd., Boca Raton, offers two frightening events:
    Halloween in the Hammock is an evening scare-fest for kids ages 6 and older (adults are welcome, too!). They can stroll through the spooky forest with ghostly guides and visit with creepy animals like snakes, owls and spiders. Attendees need to beware that the little lights that flicker, dance and gleam are not what they seem.
    Costumes are welcomed but not required, but reservations are required. The event is 6:30 to 9 p.m. Oct. 17. Tickets are $10 members, $15 nonmembers, $20 at the door (if available).  
    At Halloween in the Garden from 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 25, kids ages 2-6 are invited to a morning of games, treats, crafts and photo ops with Luna the sea turtle. Costumes are encouraged but not required.
    Because this program takes place before the center’s regular opening time of noon, the aquariums and other exhibits will not be open.
    Pre-registering for this event is a good idea, as it sold out last year. Tickets are $7 members, $10 nonmembers, $14 walk-in.  
For more information or to register: www.gumbolimbo.org or 544-8615. 

More outdoor thrills
    The town of Lantana is hosting its first Haunted Nature Preserve from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 16. Visitors will take a guided excursion through the haunted preserve then celebrate with a DJ for music and dancing, a costume contest, hayrides, carnival games, prizes and, of course, candy. Lantana Nature Preserve is at 400 E. Ocean Ave. This new event is part of Lantana’s new special events program called Enjoy Lantana! Info: www.lantana.org.

Superhero walk
    Here’s an opportunity for youngsters to join costumed friends in an event help the Boca Raton Children’s Museum raise money to keep the museum open.
    At 10 a.m. Oct. 10, the Save Our Children’s Museum Superhero Walk will take place at the museum. The goal is to recruit 100 children and their families to raise $100 each, making them Museum Heroes.
Everyone in a costume is a hero, including princesses and pirates. Families will stroll around Boca Raton Christian School then return to the museum for a party with food, games, activities and prizes.
    The museum is at 498 Crawford Blvd., Boca Raton. Registration is $25. Call 368-6875 or email wendy@cmboca.org.

Pumpkins everywhere
    Pumpkin patches are a big source of fund-raising for many churches. Here are a couple of local choices:
    The Pumpkin Patch at West Campus of First United Methodist Church of Boca Raton, 9087 Glades Road, is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 10-31. Volunteers needed; 395-1244 or www.fumcbocaraton.org.
    Cason United Methodist Church, 342 N. Swinton Ave. in Delray Beach, also features a Pumpkin Patch starting at 9 a.m. daily from Oct. 10 to 31. Call 276-5302.  

Janis Fontaine writes about teenagers and toddlers. Contact her at janisfontaine@outlook.com.

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