I absolutely love the fall and Halloween! However, making the decision to leave the house with the kids these days seems to carry a lot more weight than it used to. What was once, “Let’s go out and have an adventure!” has turned into, “Okay, let’s go do something, but what would be safe?” With the changes that are sure to occur on Halloween night, I wanted to find some activities that capture the spirit of October but still feel like safe choices for the family. Below you’ll find a few recommendations that may do just that.
A Visit to the Pumpkin Patch
With the fall months upon us and the weather cooling off, it only feels right to take a trip to the pumpkin patch! According to the CDC, transmission rates are lower in outdoor spaces, so why not head out to the farm. Of course, you should still practice social distancing and you may want to check out the rules and regulations put in place by whichever pumpkin patch you choose to visit, but all in all, it seems like you may be able to pull this one off safely. We plan to head out to Sauvie Island and check out Topaz Farms (formerly Kruger Farms). Enjoy their fresh baked goods, hop on a hayride into the field to pick out the perfect pumpkin, visit the farm animals, or get lost in the corn maze. It sounds like there’s something for everyone to enjoy!
Oktoberfest To-Go
Every year, we load up the kids and head over to Oaks Park for their annual Oktoberfest. We always enjoy the festivities and the kids love to go on the rides, but like so many other things in 2020, this event will be a bit different this year. Oaks Park has partnered with Edelweiss Sausage and Zoiglhaus Brewing Company to carry on the tradition and offer Oktoberfest Family Meals To-go on October 10th and 11th. You can order bratwurst sausages, german potato salad, beer and more! You can check out the entire menu on the Oaks Park website.
Visit a Haunted Corn Maze or the Haunted Drive-Thru
If you have older kids (or some brave younger ones), you’re probably used to trying to find a fun haunted house for them to check out. I don’t feel super comfortable taking the kids to public indoor spaces at this time, but I found some fun alternatives that may just provide the Halloween haunt you’re seeking! Bella Organics is offering a Haunted Corn Maze on Friday and Saturday nights in October. Even though it’s outdoors, they still have some restrictions in place regarding Covid-19 so be sure to check out the website for more details. Topaz Farms is also offering a Haunted Hayride and Maze on October 30th and 31st. Oaks Park is offering a Haunted Drive-Thru for the family to experience. You can choose from five different storylines and each one has a scare rating so you can decide which adventure is appropriate for your family.
Howloween At the Zoo
If you’d like to give the kids another opportunity to show off their costumes then head over to the zoo for a fun, educational and safe Halloween adventure. Kids are able to wear their costumes as they partake in an educational scavenger hunt around the zoo. Things will be a little different this year. Instead of collecting candy and toys throughout the zoo, Howloween participants will collect a goodie bag at the end of the scavenger hunt. Visitors will also be asked to wear a mask and purchase tickets in advance for specific entry times. This event will take place on October 24th, 25th and 31st. Tickets will be available for purchase ten days before the event.
Angela lives in SE Portland with her husband, four kids and their dog. She views parenting as one of the most challenging yet rewarding parts of her life. Her kids range in age from six to fourteen and each one shines in their own unique way. She enjoys spending time with family and friends as well as staying active! She likes attending local events and exploring the culinary scene in Portland. She’s a self proclaimed foodie who admittedly needs help mastering proteins but claims to make a mean chocolate chip cookie. Some of her favorite activities include spending time in nature, playing soccer, reading, camping, hiking and just hanging with the fam! She sees each day as an opportunity to start fresh and learn something new.