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12 kid-friendly Halloween events near Des Moines with 2026 dates confirmed on their official sites, across 6 towns. The earliest to open is Apple & Pumpkin Fest, on September 12. Every one is suggested for all ages and rated no more than 2 of 5 ghosts on our scare scale. 1 list free admission.
Weekend orchard festival west of Des Moines with pick-your-own apples and pumpkins, a maze, hay wagon rides and fresh cider donuts.
Big family farm south of Des Moines with pumpkin fields, a corn maze, wagon rides, goats, a playground and farm games.
Old-fashioned Halloween weekend at the open-air history museum: trick-or-treat along 1876 town storefronts, storytelling, games and historic demonstrations.
Evening Halloween walk at the zoo billed as merry rather than scary, with costumes encouraged, an indoor fun zone, food vendors, train and carousel rides.
Walk-through trail of thousands of illuminated hand-carved jack-o'-lanterns at Water Works Park, with live entertainment, carving demos and seasonal treats.
Evening garden walk lit by more than a thousand carved jack-o'-lanterns, with a trick-or-treat trail, science demos and costumed characters.
Halloween day at the science center with spooky-themed experiments and activities; costumes welcome, no costume weapons.
Halloween pop-up at a downtown brewpub, with the restaurant decked out in spooky decor, themed food specials and kid-focused events.
Afternoon trick-or-treating among the arboretum's whimsical treehouses, suited to young kids in costume.
Daytime Halloween at the botanical garden with trick-or-treating among the plants and kid-friendly activities.
Costumed kids trick-or-treat at shops along Ingersoll Avenue, keeping the old Des Moines Beggars' Night tradition alive.
Historic-district Halloween night with streets closed to cars so families can trick-or-treat among the neighborhood's decorated Victorian homes.
Apple & Pumpkin Fest, Beggars' Night on Ingersoll, Family Halloween, Halloween on the Hill, Howell's Pumpkin Patch, Night Eyes, and 6 more. Each has its 2026 dates, hours and prices on its own page.
The earliest in this guide is Apple & Pumpkin Fest on September 12, 2026.
Apple & Pumpkin Fest, Beggars' Night on Ingersoll, Family Halloween, Halloween on the Hill, Howell's Pumpkin Patch, Night Eyes, and 3 more are rated 1 of 5 ghosts: not scary.
Apple & Pumpkin Fest and Howell's Pumpkin Patch, all suggested for all ages.
Yes: Beggars' Night on Ingersoll lists free admission on the official site.
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