Free Halloween 2010 Events For Kids in Fort Worth

With Halloween just a couple of weeks away, the celebrations around town are starting to rev up. Here’s the definitive listing of free (or very cheap) Halloween events for kids around Fort Worth and the surrounding areas. All events are free unless otherwise noted:

Monday, Oct. 18:

• Halloween Make-and-Take Craft, 4-5 p.m., Southlake Library. This craft is called ‘Spooky Companions.’ All ages are welcome; free of charge event.

Friday, Oct. 22:

• It’s the Great Pumpkin event, Bass Pro Shop in Grapevine, 4-8 p.m. Kids’ activities include Peanuts coloring pages, pumpkin mask crafts, free photos with Linus in the pumpkin patch, and trick or treating.
• River Oaks Community Center Haunted House, 7 p.m. Cost is $5 per person. The center is at 5300 Blackstone Dr. in River Oaks.

Saturday, Oct. 23:

• Saturday Halloween Storytime at Barnes & Noble @ University Park Village, 11 a.m. They’ll be reading The Ghouls Come Haunting One by One, a counting book with a spooky twist.
• Splat the Cat Halloween Storytime at Barnes & Noble Hulen Center (on Overton Ridge), 11 a.m. Wear your costume and stay after for an extravagant craft!
• Halloween Glow Explosion Make-It Take-It Event at Michaels craft stores, 2-4 p.m. Make creepy crafts with Crayola’s Glow Explosion. While supplies last; ages 3 and up welcome.
• Flapping Bat Wood Craft Workshop at Lowes home improvement stores, 10-11 a.m. Make a wooden Flapping Bat with glow in the dark stickers. Visit www.lowesbuildandgrow.com to RSVP.
• Green Halloween, Whole Foods Market in Arlington, 12-4 p.m. Get your li’l punkins in the mood with good-for-you-treats and green ways to give back.  One way is to bring in a “gently read” book or “gently worn” Halloween costume, which will be donated to the children of Mission Arlington.
• It’s the Great Pumpkin Event, Bass Pro Shops in Grapevine, noon to 5 p.m. See Oct. 22 entry for details.
• River Oaks Community Center Haunted House, 7 p.m. Cost is $5 per person. The center is at 5300 Blackstone Dr. in River Oaks.

Sunday, Oct. 24:

• It’s the Great Pumpkin Event, Bass Pro Shops in Grapevine, noon to 5 p.m. See Oct. 22 entry for details.
• Spooky Kooky Keller Kastle, 2-4 p.m., Johnson Road Park Playground in Keller. Before the little ones go trick-or-treating, children ages 11 and under are invited to have a howling good time from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 24. There will be plenty of free carnival games, candy and prizes for the kids. Mainstage entertainment begins at 4:30 p.m. The park is at 660 Johnson Road.

Monday, Oct. 25:

• Halloween Glow Explosion Make-It Take-It Event at Michaels craft stores, 6-8 p.m. Make creepy crafts with Crayola’s Glow Explosion. While supplies last; ages 3 and up welcome.

Tuesday, Oct. 26:

• Halloween Quick & Easy Costumes Make-It Take-It Event at Michaels Craft stores, 6-8 p.m. Create a quick and easy costume to complete your Halloween look. While supplies last.

Thursday, Oct. 28:

• Free Halloween Mask Make-It Take-It Event at Michaels craft stores, 6-8 p.m. Make a mask for free. While supplies last.

Friday, Oct. 29:

• Halloween Treat Bag Make-It Take-It Event at Michaels craft stores, 6-8 p.m. Purchase of bag required. Create a spooky trick-or-treat bag to complement any costume.
• Halloween on Main Street, 6-9 p.m., downtown Grapevine. Bring all your little ghosts and goblins for a family fun-filled night of frolic at Grapevine’s 24th annual Halloween on Main Street event.  The Texas-sized Halloween Festival includes six city blocks of trick-or-treating, carnival games, illusions, bounce houses, laser tag, giant slides, crafts, music and more.  Wear your “scary-best” costume for the costume contest which is open to all ages, including the family theme division.
• It’s the Great Pumpkin Event, Bass Pro Shops in Grapevine, 4-8 p.m. See Oct. 22 entry for details. This night’s event includes a costume parade from 6-7 p.m., too.
• River Oaks Community Center Haunted House, 7 p.m. Cost is $5 per person. The center is at 5300 Blackstone Dr. in River Oaks.
• Haltom Halloween, 6-8 p.m., Haltom Recreation Center in Haltom City. See flyer here for more info.

Saturday, Oct. 30:

• Free Family Halloween event at Michaels craft stores, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Duck Tape Cuff craft event from 10 to noon, face painting from noon to 1:30 and Halloween parade from 1:30-2.
• Halloween Spooktacular at Borders (4601 W. Freeway), 11 a.m. Kids ages 3 to 8 are invited to join in the fun. Scary stories, spooky games, crafts and a Halloween parade. Costumes are encouraged.
• Burleson Boo Bash, 6-8 p.m., 124 W. Renfro St., Burleson. Free games, candy, entertainment, booths, costume parade and Halloween story. For children from birth to 12 years of age.
• Cleburne Public Library Fall Festival, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the library (302 W. Henderson). Events include a book sale, chili, bake sale, Branlin’s Wild West Photos, Indian war pony, games for kids, face painting, and more.
• Central Market Goes Batty, 2:30-5 p.m., Central Market Fort Worth. Bring your little ghosts and goblins down to Central Market Fort Worth for a cauldron-full of fun.  Start out at the main entrance wind your way through the store, stopping at each Scavenger Hunt station to figure out a trick – and get a treat!  Make your way out to the patio for our Bean Bag Toss, Cookie Decorating, Cake Walk and Costume Parade.
• Halloween Storytime, Southlake Library, 4 p.m. Ms. Elizabeth and Ms. Cynthia will have a fun & spooky Story Time for kids under 12. Costumes are welcome.
• Trick-Or-Treating at Grapevine Mills Mall, 6-8 p.m. Grapevine Mills offers a fun and safe way for kids to enjoy Halloween with family friendly trick-or-treating throughout the mall. Kids are invited to come in costume and trick-or-treat indoors at Grapevine Mills,
• It’s the Great Pumpkin Event, Bass Pro Shops in Grapevine, 12-5 p.m. See Oct. 22 entry for details.
• River Oaks Community Center Haunted House, 7 p.m. Cost is $5 per person. The center is at 5300 Blackstone Dr. in River Oaks.
• Hooowling Halloween, 2-3 p.m., Haltom City Library. See this flyer for more details.
• Hoot N’ Howl, 5-8 p.m., Green Valley Park in North Richland Hills. Hoot n’ Howl activities include live entertainment, free carnival games, bounce houses, hayrides, storytelling, a costume contest and more. The park is at 7701 Smithfield Rd in NRH.
• Halloween Fun at the Library, 1-2 p.m., North Richland Hills Library. Between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m., children can trick-or-treat at each Library department, make their own Halloween mask, and complete the library scavenger hunt for a prize. Then, stay for free popcorn and a family friendly movie in the Community Room at 2 p.m. The Library is located at 9015 Grand Ave.
• HalloweenFEST, 6 p.m., Boys Ranch Activity Center in Bedford. Have your face painted, enjoy bounce houses and carnival games. Make slime and other arts and crafts. Trick or treat at candy stations. Concessions will be available. The cost is one canned good per person or a donation to the Tarrant County Food Bank. The Ranch is at 2801 Forest Ridge.

Sunday, Oct. 31:

• Treat Street Halloween event, Fort Worth Stockyards, 6 p.m. This family-friendly Halloween party features trick or treating at nearby retailers, free hayrides, costume contest and more.
• Fall Festival, 3-5 p.m., George Hawkes Central Library in Arlington. Come join the library as they celebrate the beginning of the holiday season. Children up to 12 years of age can enjoy a spooky storytime, participate in a costume contest (prizes awarded), and create their very own treat bag. Families welcome; no scary costumes, please.
• Trick-Or-Treating at Ridgmar Mall, 3-5 p.m. Bring your costumed kids to trick-or-treat at participating retailers. For kids 12 and younger.
• Trick-Or-Treating at Hillsboro Outlets, 2-5 p.m. Costume contest for kids happens at 3 p.m., along with a pet costume contest. $5 entry fee requested for pet contest.
• It’s the Great Pumpkin Event, Bass Pro Shops in Grapevine, 12-5 p.m. See Oct. 22 entry for details.
• Halloween Carnival, 7 p.m., fire station in Everman (400 W. Enon St.). No details available, but it’s probably safe to say you can bring the kids in costume to enjoy candy and fun.