Monday is Halloween, and the weekend is filled of frightfully fun events across our region. Here, Patch picks the best tricks and treats, as well as outlines the most important tips for keeping your kids safe on Halloween night.
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
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14390 Air & Space Museum Way, Chantilly
Saturday, Oct. 29
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2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Your haunted holiday kicks off at the Udvar-Hazy Center's seventh annual Air & Scare event. Kids can take part in spooky science experiments, participate in creepy crafts and hands-on activities, and get their face painted to add some flair to their costumes. The entertainment offerings continue with cartoon showings, a puppet show and roving magicians. Tots to tweens are welcome. Admission is free; parking is $15.
Burke Lake Park "Ghost Train" Rides
Burke Lake Park
7315 Ox Road, Fairfax Station
Saturday, Oct. 29, and Sunday, Oct. 30
First train ride is 11:15 a.m.; last train ride is 5:45 p.m.
The Burke Lake Ghost Train rolls into town with family-friendly fun. It’s a spooky ride through the park that is sure to delight your little ghouls and goblins. Admission is $4.50 a person and free for children under 2. Best for kids ages 2 through 10.
Bradley Farm Haunted House
Bradley Farm Barn
13159 New Parkland Drive, Herndon
Friday, Oct. 28, and Saturday, Oct. 29
Fri. 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Sat. 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. (for the kids) and 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
This is the quintessential Halloween haunted house. Although there is no gross-out gore, the scares will come fast and furious! The kids haunt on Saturday afternoon, for ages 10 and under, is full of milder fun, including a magician, balloon artist and face painting. Tweens and teens who are fans of scary scenes are welcome all other times. Admission is $3.
Trick-Or-Treating Safety Tips from the Fairfax County Office of Emergency Management
- Make sure your children can see and be seen. Expand the eye holes in commercial masks to improve peripheral vision. Add reflective tape to costumes to make them visible to drivers.
- Ensure that each trick-or-treater has a working flashlight.
- Tell the children to remove their masks and look both ways before they cross a street.
- Adult supervision is a safety “must” during Halloween. Never let a child trick-or-treat alone.
- Trick-or-treat only at homes of people you know.
- Instruct children never to eat candy or treats until they return home. When your child gets home, inspect all the candies and fruits. Slice open the fruit to look for strange odors or any signs that the fruit has been altered or tampered with. Dispose of any treat that appears to have been tampered with or is unwrapped.
Safety Tips from the Fairfax County Police Department
- Make sure children cross the street with an adult.
- Walk on sidewalks or paths.
- Cross the street at corners; obey traffic signals and crosswalk signs. Watch for cars that may be turning or backing up.
- Drivers should stay alert and remember that Fairfax County neighborhoods will be "crawling" with children. Drive slowly.
- Children should wear reflective costumes or carry lights to ensure they will be seen by drivers.
Join Crime Prevention Officer Brendan Murphy as he answers all your safety-related questions on Friday, Oct. 28, at noon. Submit your questions online at: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/askfairfax/ActiveDiscussion.aspx?roomid=24
