Seattle Family Calendar
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Whether your kids are channeling their favorite superhero or dressing up as a beloved character from a book or show this year, they’ll want to wear their Halloween costumes as often as possible.
In October, kids can get free stuff just for showing up in costume. Dress up to see animals get pumpkin treats at zoos, or head to the Museum of Flight’s annual “Museum of Fright” event. Kids in costume can even score free treats at local bakeries and cafes, while parents grab a coffee to fuel up for a long night of trick-or-treating.
Free events for kids in costumes
Museum of Fright
When: Sunday, Oct. 25
Where: The Museum of Flight, 9404 East Marginal Way S., Seattle
Details: You’ll find Halloween-themed games, live music, arts and crafts, face painting and even a spooky planetarium program. Costumes are encouraged for everyone and kids younger than 17 get free entrance to the museum when sporting a costume. Be sure to check the costume guidelines before you head out.
Pumpkin Bash
When: Saturday, Oct. 31
Where: Woodland Park Zoo, 5500 Phinney Ave. N., Seattle
Details: On Halloween day you can watch the animals chow down on pumpkins at Woodland Park Zoo’s Pumpkin Bash. There will also be a costume parade and trick-or-treating in addition to regular zoo activities. Kids younger than 12 get in free with an adult ticket (one free ticket per adult). Costumes are highly encouraged!
Howl-O-Ween
When: Saturday, Oct. 31
Where: Cougar Mountain Zoo, 19525 S.E. 54th St., Issaquah
Details: Kids ages 2–12 can get free entry to the zoo when wearing a costume. Howl-O-Ween offers fun activities such as trick-or-treating, scavenger hunts, a costume contest and animal enrichment.
Free food and treats for kids in costumes
Tasty tamale
When: Saturday, Oct. 31
Where: Cafetal Quilombo Cafe, 4343 15th Ave. S., Seattle
Details: Stop by on Halloween in your costume and grab a free tamale! This family-owned cafe offers a variety of tamale options, including vegan.
Fresh hot doughnut
When: Saturday, Oct. 31
Where: Multiple Krispy Kreme locations
Details: Krispy Kreme will be offering a hot, delicious doughnut to kids in costume on Halloween. It’s a great way to warm up before hitting your favorite trick-or-treat spots! Check the website and social media for details later in October.
Classic cookie
When: Saturday, Oct. 31
Where: Insomnia Cookies, 4215 Brooklyn Ave. N.E. Unit MR-2, Seattle and 1513 Broadway, Seattle
Details: Stop by the bakery on Halloween and kinds in a costume can snag a free classic cookie. Check the website and social media for more details coming soon!
Boorito
When: Saturday, Oct. 31
Where: Chipotle, multiple locations
Details: Chipotle Rewards members can purchase one entrée item for $6 when wearing a costume on Halloween. It’s not quite free, but it’s a good deal and might help you balance out all that candy about to come your way!
Many businesses don’t start advertising Halloween specials until late October. Here are a few spots to keep an eye on, as they have offered freebies on Halloween in the past:
- Mighty-O Donuts
- Red Robin
- Dairy Queen
- Outback Steakhouse
Specials are often location-specific, so check the social media of the location near you to scope out the deals.
Don’t forget to check in with your local shops and bakeries, they might be offering treats as well!
Bonus: Need a costume to wear to get your free stuff? Check out these Halloween costume swaps and pick up a costume for free too:
Recology Store, multiple locations. Take your gently used children’s costumes and accessories to any Recology store location (Shoreline, Bothell, Burien and Issaquah), then return on Oct. 9 or 10 and your child can choose a new costume from what’s been collected!
City of Kirkland Costume Swap, North Kirkland Community Center. Head to the community center on Saturday, Oct. 10 to pick up new-to-you costumes and accessories for the whole family! There will be a photo wall for to share your new costume pics with friends and family. (Please bring your own reusable bag to take all your goodies home.)
Costume Swap and Shop, Sunrise Play Cafe. Drop off your gently used kids Halloween costumes Oct. 12–14, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. and receive one swap ticket for each costume. Come back on Oct. 18, 10 a.m.–noon to shop for your new costumes! If you don’t have any swap tickets, costumes are just $5 each.
