Halloween in Baltimore and Washington

Baltimore and Washington offer a wide variety of Halloween events, including trick or treating at a malll spooky stories, a scavenger hunt at a library, a haunted museum tour and Fall-O-Ween (above). 

WASHINGTON — With Halloween right around the corner, it can be difficult to decide which “spooktacular” event to attend with your little ghouls or goblin. These educational and mostly free Halloween events, should help.  From Halloween trains to haunted museum tours to creepy county fairs these events will definitely keep your minis entertained. Always make sure that safety is part of your fun.

You can trick or treat all in one place at Pentagon City Mall, 1100 S Hayes St, Arlington, Va.  The mall is accessible on the Metro Blue Line.   Kids can go from store to store in the mall.  Stores that are participating will have an orange jack-o-lantern decals in store front window indicating their participation in the event.   The event has been a Halloween staple for more than 20 years. Trick or Treating is from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 31.  Admission is free.

Scavenger hunt in a library? The Martin Luther King Jr. Library staff is hosting its own Halloween Scavenger Hunt. Each child will get a clue about the location of a book in the library and will search for it using the library computers. Once that book is found, a treat is given.  By the end of the scavenger hunt, each child will walk away with a bucket full of well-earned candy. This is the library's first Halloween event and all are welcome. Costumes are not required but are encouraged. The hunt will take place 3 p.m. Oct. 29.   Admission is free. Ages 5-12.

The National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW in Washington, each seasons adds a Halloween twist to its historic tours.. The ghost tour combines spooky stories with history. The tour has been running for 10 years and is for children 10 years and up. Tour times are 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. Oct. 29 to Oct. 30.  Tickets are very limited.

Cabin John Regional Park,  7410 Tuckerman Lane in Rockville, Md., is hosting a fun and scary “Eye Spy” Halloween train ride for children 8 and under. The train is in service Oct.  28-30 and children will be given “eye spy” game cards to find spooky things along way. Halloween movies, face painting and light refreshments will be available for purchase. Admission is $6 and the trains run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Haunted Hanger in College Park offers face painting, arts and crafts and
hayrides.  Courtesy Photo.

Gymboree Play & Music, 2639 Connecticut Ave NW,  #113, Washington, D.C.,  is hosting two parties to kick off Halloween.  Visitors can join the Gymboree staff in arts and crafts, dancing, snacks, music and more.  Dates, times and age ranges are as follows: Newborns – 5-year-olds invited October 29 3:30 p.m. to5:30 p.m. and newborns to 2-year-olds invited October 31, 2 p.m. to 3:30pm. Admission is $15 for members and $20 for nonmembers. Admission for each sibling is $5.

The College Park Aviation Museum, 1985 Cpl. Frank Scott Drive College Park, Md., is hosting its  annual Haunted Hangar event. This event has been a Halloween staple since 2004.   Admission is $5 per person and all ages are welcome. Costumes are not required but definitely encouraged. Events include face painting, arts and crafts and hayrides. This event will take place 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Oct.  28.

Fall-O-Ween Country Fair

You can bring your whole family out to this 18 year running all day Halloween event, Previously called "Rattle Your Bones," the Port Discovery Children's Museum, located at 35 Market Place in Baltimore,  invites you to get another day out of your costume by participating in their Pumpkin Parade. Events such as corn relays, special effects face painting and Nina The Stilt Walker make this events impossible to miss. The event takes place 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 29.

This is the 8^th year for Spookey Science at the Maryland Science Center, 601 Light Street in  Baltimorent. A mix of chemistry and science, the event teachesh kids how to make gooey, glowing slime, decorate pumpkins and watch their inventions be launched off the roof. Catch this event from noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 29.  Paid admission.

Spooky stories are an absolute must for Halloween.  Visit to the Tivoli, 3333 14^th St NW  in Washington, to hear scary stories, such as Edgar Allen Poe's "Tell Tale Heart" and "The Hairy Toe." This event is for children ages 6-12 and takes place 11 a.m. to midnight Oct. 29. Admission is free.

The International Spy Museum, 800 F Street, NW Washington, offers  a free Halloween makeover. All ages are welcome to come be transformed and to be taught by professional makeup and disguise artist Roger Riggle. This fun, hands-on lesson will help you celebrate the scariest night of the year in the best look possible. This event takes place from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 31.   Admission is free.

 The Howard Theatre, 620 T St NW in Washington, is having its annual MIXTAPE Halloween party. Join DJs Matt Bailer and Shea Van Horn as they spin the latest indie dance music. Be sure to come in your costumes for the contest in which the winner will receive $500 and free entry to MIXTAPE for one year. Doors open at 8 p.m.  Oct. 31.  Ages 21 and over.

• Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks.
• Costumes should be made of flame resistant light-colored fabric or have reflective qualities. They should be short enough so as not to interfere with walking or become entangled in bicycle chains. Use facial makeup rather than masks so children can see easily. 
• Children should carry flashlights and not use candles or torches. Before leaving the home, children should discuss the proposed route, time of return, and companions. An adult should always accompany younger children. It is advisable to visit the homes of persons you know or local familiar neighborhoods, stopping at well-lit houses only. As a general rule, children should avoid entering homes or apartments and always travel with a companion. 
• Halloween treats should be saved until children return home where adults can examine all items closely. Treats that are unwrapped, or show signs of having been opened, should not be eaten. Fruit should be sliced into small pieces and checked for foreign objects. Keep small pieces of candy away from infants and very small children, as they can easily become lodged in the throat and cause choking.
• Teach children to make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them.
• Persons receiving trick-or-treaters should keep a light on and pick up obstacles that could cause a child to trip and become injured. Jack-o-lanterns should be kept clear of doorsteps and landings. Consider the possibility of using flashlights instead of candles to light Jack-o-lanterns. Keep dogs and other pets away from doors so children will not become frightened.Trick or Treat with an adult.
• Children should avoid busy streets, always use sidewalks, and follow all traffic rules and regulations. Motorists should avoid all unnecessary travel on Halloween evening, and when driving they should drive slowly and be alert to small children crossing streets. Many accidents occur when motorists are backing vehicles out of driveways, unaware of the presence of small children.