Iowa City and the surrounding area offer a variety of fun and family-friendly activities for kids in October. Here are some ideas for October activities for kids in Iowa City before the Halloween season is over!
Pumpkin Patches and Corn Mazes
Wilson’s Orchard Farm – Open Wed-Sun from 9 AM – 9 PM
Wilson’s Orchard offers a variety of fall activities that capture the spirit of the season. In the autumn, visitors can enjoy apple picking, pumpkin picking, and exploring corn mazes. The orchard’s fall festivities often include seasonal events like hayrides and cider tasting. It’s a wonderful time to experience the vibrant colors of the changing leaves, taste freshly harvested apples, and partake in traditional fall activities in a picturesque countryside setting near Iowa City.
Colony Acres – Open Mon-Tues from 10 AM – 5 PM & Wed-Sun 10 AM – 8 PM
You can enjoy goodies, including homemade donuts and sweets, personal pizzas, and even a beer from the beverage shed while you enjoy hours of fun on the farm! Bring the whole family to enjoy the activities and U-pick pumpkin patch as there is something for every age to enjoy, even some admission-free sitting areas. Harvested pumpkins, mums, corn stalks, and hay bales will be available to purchase out front, so grab them before you leave or stop in on your way home! Get your tickets online Now and SAVE $3! Group discounts are also available.
Bloomsbury Farm Open Fri – Sun from 10 AM – 5:30 PM
Bloomsbury Farm is a great place to be during the Autumn season! During the annual Fall Festival for acres of U-Pick pumpkins, iconic fall-themed photo ops, our 10-acre corn maze, 30+ attractions for all ages…the list doesn’t stop for your fall fix here at the farm! Check out their website for the full list of activities this season.
Haunted House Attractions
Eclypse Haunt Open Thurs & Halloween from 6:30 PM – 9 PM & Fri-Sun 6:30 PM – 11 PM
Haunted Houses: For older kids who enjoy a good scare, consider visiting Ecylpse Haunted House. This haunted attraction in the area are family-friendly and offer different levels of spookiness. Recommended for ages 15 and up! Snacks & Refreshments available, touching not allowed, and free parking. Buy Tickets Now: https://www.eclypsehaunt.com/ đź“ŤAddress: 171 Hwy 1 W, Iowa City, IA 52246
Scream Acres Open Fri & Sat from 6:30 PM – 10:00 PM
With original story lines, trained actors and talented make-up artists, Scream Acres creates a spooky experience this Halloween season. There are four haunts​: 3D Sinister Silo, Cell Block Z, The Slaughterhouse & Haunted Cornfield. For parents, there is a glass alley beer garden in the outdoor beer garden with several yard games. Recommended for Ages 12 and up! Chaperones for minors are encouraged.
Local Events in Iowa City
Halloween Storytime & Trick or Treat Parade Thurs, Oct. 26th from 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
The Iowa City Public Library will be hosting a special Halloween Storytime followed by a Trick or Treat Parade through the library! This year, they will be visiting several book carts that are ready to show off their Halloween costumes and eager to hand out some tricks and treats! After the parade, stop into the Storytime Room for more Halloween fun with crafts!
Pumpkin Storytime at Wilson’s Orchard Friday, Oct. 27th from 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
The Iowa City Public is hosting a special Storytime all about pumpkins at Wilson’s Farm and Orchard! This event starts at 10:30 in front of the farm store for Storytime, and then feel free to explore the many offerings of the Orchard, including a special pumpkin craft, hayrides, and pumpkins! Wilson’s is located at 4823 Dingleberry Rd NE, Iowa City, IA 52240. In the event of inclement weather, we will cancel Storytime.
Halloween Party Saturday, Oct. 28th at 11 AM
Join the So.6 Business District for spooky treats, drinks and games in the south district market. There will be a trunk or treat outside in the Pepperwood Plaza parking lot. Costumes encouraged!
Food and Trunk Benefit and Trunk or Treat Saturday, Oct. 28th at 11 AM
Sankofa Outreach Connection’s 2nd Annual Food Truck Benefit & Trunk or Treat: A Spooky Good Time for a Great Cause! Get ready for a spooktacular event that combines delicious food, family fun, and giving back to the community! Join us at the Food Truck Benefit & Trunk or Treat, where everyone can come together for an unforgettable time. Dress up in your favorite Halloween costumes and participate in the Trunk or Treat event! Bring your car and decorate your trunk for a chance to win prizes. There will be plenty of candy and goodies for all the little goblins and ghouls. Event will be held at DEFY Iowa City Parking lot 851 Hwy 6 E Iowa City, IA 52240. RSVP as a Trunk or Treat car/booth at Sankofaoutreach@gmail.com
Halloween Storytime at Tot Time Monster Mash Saturday, Oct. 28th from 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
For Storytime on Halloween, join in on the action at Mercer for Tot Time Monster Mash, happening from 9:30-11:30! In addition to all of the fun activities going on at Tot Time, there will be a special Halloween Storytime at 10:30! Youth ages 6 and under are invited to put on their Halloween costumes and join the staff at Mercer Park Aquatic Center and Scanlon Gym. Activities include inflatables, carnival games, prizes, stories, crafts, and more. This event is free, and no registration is required.
Fall Kids Scavenger Hunt Saturday & Sunday, Oct. 28th & 29th, from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Get the kids outdoors this fall with Forever Green’s annual scavenger hunt! This is a FREE event! Great for young ages. Bring your family to stroll through our nursery and find all of the items on our scavenger hunt list. Find all the items and receive a prize! Bonus Prize Chance: Post a pic with you and your family on our page during the scavenger hunt, and you will be entered to win a Forever Green gift card!
HalloWEEKEND 2023 at Iowa Children’s Museum Saturday & Sunday, Oct. 28th & 29th, from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM | Tuesday, Oct. 31st, from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Join us for a weekend of not-too-scary Halloween activities that kids of all ages will enjoy! Bats, spiders, pumpkins, and more will take over our exhibits during the spooky season, and families can check out special Halloween activities on October 28th, 29th, and 31st (closed Monday).
Pirate Pete’s Trick-or-Treasure Takeover: Mascot Pete is wearing his pirate costume for Halloween this year and taking over the museum with spooky, swashbuckling fun! Build a sea-worthy ship in the blue room, make a pizza with treacherous toppings, and deposit gold doubloons at the bank. There will also be pirate training activities, a scallywag scavenger hunt, sea shanty sing-alongs, and so much more!
Costumes are encouraged (but not required)! Disguise yourself from the pirates or join Pete’s band of buccaneers. Staff will join the fun as well, so keep an eye out for dinosaurs, superheroes, and other silly characters. All activities are included with museum admission. FREE for members!
Sensory Friendly Halloween Sunday, Oct. 29th, from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM | The Iowa Children’s Museum
Join the Children’s Museum for a special Halloween-themed Sensory Friendly Night! As part of their HalloWEEKEND activities, this free event offers sensory-friendly activities in a calmer environment and opportunities to collect treats in our museum exhibits.
Costumes are encouraged (but not required!) as you look for “treat stations” throughout the museum. In line with the Teal Pumpkin Project, all treats will be small non-food items to avoid allergy concerns. There will be not-too-spooky Halloween activities.
