If you’ve tricked out your house in spider webs, ghosts and goblins and your little ones can’t seem to get enough of the gore, it might be time to take them on a scare adventure. From big-league haunted houses to animated farm sheds and farms that offer a bonus corn maze or pumpkin patch, we’ve searched Chicago for the best spots for pint-sized frights with just the right amount of spook for little ones. Read on . . . and get a bit of scream on.
Recommended age: The Haunted Barn is PG13, no one under the age of 12 is permitted without an adult; the giggles in the Fun Farm are open to all ages
Experience the frights of Halloween as you navigate the scary and completely animated Haunted Barn. If you chicken out on walking the Haunted Barn or if you're with little ones who prefer a lot less scare factor, get your giggles on in the animated Fun Barn.
Museum of Science and Industry's Boo Fest is two weeks of family friendly science experiments that will get you in the Halloween spirit! Explore specially decorated exhibits, examine the science of Halloween with pumpkin drops and slime, try your hand at cow eyeball dissection and more.
5700 S. Lake Shore Dr., Hyde Park; Online: msichicago.org
Goebbert's Pumpkin Farm Haunted House - Pingree Grove
Recommended age: Appropriate for school-age kiddos
Take a walk on the spooky side with twists and turns through this haunted adventure. Bring a cozy sweater, because there are thrills and chills that will leave your spine-tingling.
Goebbert's Pumpkin Farm Haunted House - South Barrington
Recommended age: Appropriate for school-age kiddos
Make no mistake, friends, this 10-room house is designed for kids, but it's not for those who don't like to be big-time spooked. So, be ready to walk it with kiddos jumping on your back like scaredy-dog Scooby Doo.
Recommended age: Ghosts and goblins 12 & under; Haunted barn recommended for ages 11 & up.
While Sonny Acres has a haunted hayride and barn appropriate for those who don't mind the daylights being scared out of them, they also have a Spook Shed and daytime hayrides perfect for little ones who'd just like to dip their toes into Halloween fun. The shed is completely automated with no actors.
Recommended age: This fear fest is for kids 8-years-old and up. It is not recommended for younger children. Or their scaredy-cat parents.
The creepy-crawlies come out on two of the darkest nights of the year, Oct. 15 & 16, and you don’t want to miss the terrifying fun at Naper Settlement. Naper Settlement will transform into an eerie and bizarre wonderland, featuring spine-chilling attractions and interactive experiences. View performances by magician Steve Chezaday, take a stroll through a zombie maze, browse the mysterious dark art gallery, play a game of laser tag and rock out to monster jams.
Guests can stroll around Meadow Lake to view scarecrows created by local scout troops and school groups all throughout the month of October. After your walk, vote for your favorite scarecrow in the visitors center.
Great Wolf Lodge is embracing the spooky season with the return of their annual month-long Howl-O-Ween celebration, running Oct. 1-31. This year's activities include Trick-Or-Treat Trail, The Thrill of Howl-O-Ween Yoga Tails, Monster Bash Dance Party and Critter Cartoons, just to name a few.
Recommended age: The Forge has a Fear Factor Scale on their website for each activity so you can best figure out which work best for your family
The Forge: Lemont Quarries is inviting all to the largest outdoor adventure course in North America. This fall, in addition to their regular activities, they will host Fear Month to celebrate the change of seasons. The month includes family movie nights, zombie tag, fireside ghost stories and more.
Museum of Illusions is decking out its space with themed decor for Halloween, making it a go-to destination for the holiday. Playing into the illusions throughout the exhibits, such as their well-known Head on a Platter, Vortex Tunnel, Infinity and Anti-Gravity Room and more, the decorations will serve as a great backdrop.
EDITOR'S NOTE: CLOSED DUE TO COVID FOR THE 2021 SEASON
Recommended age: Regular haunts recommended for ages 10 & up; parents discretion for "Lights On" experience
Scream Scene has been famously terrifying visitors since 1997 with its insane clown maze, crazed butchers and chainsaw maniacs. However, they tone it down for two days only so little ones can experience the fun with a "Lights On" performance they won't soon forget.
Disney+’s Hallowestream has finally arrived! The streaming provider is kicking off the season with an new Halloween-inspired LEGO special, LEGO Star Wars Terrifying Tales, and you can watch now!
The animated special celebrates the dark side of the galaxy and packs plenty of names and voices Star Wars fans know and love. Expect to hear Tony Hale, Christian Slater, Jake Green, Dana Snyder and many more. Now you can also get your first look at the official trailer, which features Darth Vader’s loyal servant Vaneé (Hale) spinning three spooky stories.
LEGO Star Wars Terrifying Tales takes place after The Rise of Skywalker and follows Poe and BB-8 as they make an emergency landing on the volcanic planet Mustafar. Here they meet Graballa the Hutt who is renovating Darth Vader’s castle into an all-inclusive luxury hotel (comedy abounds).
Along with Graballa’s mechanic, Dean, the characters head deep into the castle and listen to spooky stories about artifacts and villains across the galaxy. Can Poe and BB-8 quash an “ancient evil” from coming back to life and escape the spooky hotel?
The only way to find out is to watch starting today on Disney+.
Did you drift off to sleep clutching your strawberry-scented Strawberry Shortcake doll? Then you’ll be elated to find out that your fave fruit-infused girl is back!
Strawberry Shortcake is returning in an all-new animated series, Berry in the Big City. Debuting on WildBrain Spark’s Strawberry Shortcake YouTube and YouTube Kids channels on Sat. Sept. 18, young viewers will be introduced to Ms. Shortcake and her new found pals as she navigates Big Apple City.
photo: Courtesy of WildBrain Spark
The first two episodes start Strawberry Shortcake’s journey to Big Apple City, where she’s hoping to get her big break in baking. With her cat Custard in tow, Strawberry also finds new friends in Orange Blossom, Lime Chiffon, Lemon Meringue and Blueberry Muffin. Together, the friends run their food trucks and fun adventures with plenty of singing along the way.
Berry in the Big City will consist of 40 four-minute adventures for kids ages 3 to 6 (though we admit, it was just as entertaining for us parents who loved the OG version!). After the launch, new episodes will drop every week through June 2022.
And fear not, a second 40-episode season is already planned, in addition to 44-minute Strawberry Shortcake family specials! Berry in the Big City also features 10 original songs that will be released next year as animated lyric videos for kids to sing along and enjoy on WildBrain Spark’s official Strawberry Shortcake channel.
Remember Steve, the OG host of Blue’s Clues? Well, he still remembers you, even if it’s been quite a while since he starred on the animated show. 25 years after the show first appeared and 19 years after Steve left, he re-emerged with a touching message to celebrate the big anniversary.
“You remember how when we were younger we used to run around and hang out with Blue and find clues…and then one day I was like ‘oh hey, guess what? Big news, I’m leaving,” Steve starts the video. He goes on to let viewers know that he’s been able to pursue his dreams, even if the departure was sad and unexpected for young fans.
But that’s not all. Steve has a special shout out for his now grown up fans and it might be a bit of a tear jerker! He ends the video with one last heartfelt (and humorous) message. “I’m super glad we’re still friends. You look great, by the way. Whatever it is you’re doing, it’s working.”
Since Steve exited the show in 2002, he’s pursued various musical and acting opportunities, including starting his own band and releasing a children’s album. But it’s safe to say Blues Clues, where he appeared in 100 episodes over six years, will always be his biggest hit. With 20.8 million views at the time of this publication, it’s obvious the show (and Steve) will never be forgotten.
Your favorite wimpy kid is coming to the animated screen! Disney+ has announced a brand new feature film that will stream this holiday season.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid has been a favorite among young readers but it’s never been brought to life through animation. Now a new generation can follow Greg Heffley, his best friend Rowley and the rest of the gang as they navigate middle school. The trailer just dropped and we’re definitely tuning in on December 3!
The film is guaranteed to please OG wimp fans––it’s written and produced by Jeff Kinney himself. Fans can expect to see all of Greg’s shenanigans as told through his imaginative diary writing, with some important life lessons learned, too.
Of the film, Kinney shares “This film feels like the book come to life, and it’s exciting to see Greg Heffley and his family and friends in their fully-animated glory. It is the Wimpy World in a way no one has seen before. Working on this movie, I feel like we have been sitting on a wonderful secret. I can’t wait to finally share it with the world!”
Diary of a Wimpy Kid premiers only on Disney+ on December 3
Kristen Bell is staying busy! The actress, singer and mom of two is sharing her newest project, Do, Re & Mi with young fans everywhere through a brand new trailer!
Amazon Prime Video has just dropped the new trailer for the Amazon Original animated series starting Kristen Bell, Jackie Tohn, and Luke Youngblood. Perfect for preschool-aged children, the show will debut i more than 240 countries worldwide. Keep scrolling to catch the first glimpe at the adorable new characters.
The series will follow three birdie friends, Do, Re and Mi as they head out on musical adventures. Each episode will feature new sounds, melodies and show how music can solve every problem!
Do, Re & Mi will debut on Sept. 17 on Amazon Prime and will be followed by toys, a book, teacher and family guide as well as a mobile game.
It’s been quite the journey from 2015 for Mal and King Ben, but the time has finally come for a royal wedding! The Descendants: The Royal Wedding is airing this Friday!
The summer special is a new take on the fan fave movie series––an animated show that has everyone heading back to Auradon with nearly the entire cast voicing the OG characters.
You’ll hear Dove Cameron as Mal, Sofia Carson as Evie, Booboo Stewart as Jay, Mitchell Hope as Ben, Sarah Jeffery as Audrey, Melanie Paxson as Fairy Godmother, China Anne McClain as Uma, Jedidiah Goodacre as Chad, Anna Cathcart as Dizzy, Dan Payne as Beast, Bobby Moynihan as Dude the Dog and Cheyenne Jackson as Hades.
Notably missing is the late Cameron Boyce who voiced Carlos. His absence will be acknowledged in the story and he will be honored in the telecast.
The Descendants: Royal Wedding will air on Fri. Aug. 13 immediately following the premiere of Disney Channel’s new film, SPIN, around 9:40 p.m.
Who doesn’t love an animated film about a sweet and cuddly creature that’s also packed with music? Thanks to Netflix and Sony Pictures Animation, Vivo checks all the boxes.
Featuring our fave musical guru Lin-Manuel Miranda, Vivo tells the story of a kinkajou on a mission to deliver a special message. Oh yeah, but what’s a kinkajou?
Now that we know all about the rainforest “honey bear,” we’re even more excited to watch the musical adventure. Along with Miranda, Vivo also shares the voices of newcomer Ynairaly Simo, Zoe Saldaña, Michael Rooker, Gloria Estefan, Nicole Byer and more.
Vivo will debut only on Netflix this Fri., Aug. 6.
He’s sharper than the average bear and he’s making a comeback after 30 years! Yogi Bear, along with Boo Boo, Cindy and a familiar crew of Hanna-Barbera characters, are returning to a screen near you. HBO Max is releasing Jellystone! a new animated comedy that reimagines the cartoons from your childhood—with a modern touch.
Season one premieres today and will follow an ensemble cast of characters as they work, play and participate in hijinks around the town. Each plays a specific role in the community, including Huckleberry Hound as the town’s mayor and the bears as the town’s medical staff. You’ll be delighted to see the gang get back together and your kids will definitely be laughing at the show’s hilarious plotlines. Watch the trailer now!
Keep an eye out for Mr. Jinks, Wally Gator, Lippy the Lion, Auggie Doggie, Jabberjaw, Snagglepuss and many more! The show is run and produced by Hollywood mainstay C.H. Greenblatt, who also voices some of the characters, plus Warner Bros. Animation. Make a nice little pic-a-nic and settle in to enjoy Jellystone! on HBO Max!
––Sarah Shebek
Featured image courtesy of Warner Bros. Animation and HBO Max
Need a break from the same YouTube channel videos over and over? The Minions are starring in their first-ever animated LEGO short and it’s out now! Minions: The Kung Fu Master is available to watch on YouTube now and might give your kids some brick-building inspiration.
The LEGO Minions are attempting to be Kung Fu masters in the new short film—but it’s easier said than done. Can they break the board or will they be broken? Teamwork and LEGO bricks combine for the successful recipe!
For even more fun, you can pre-order a new LEGO Minions Kung Fu set. It comes with 4 minifigures, including Bob, Kevin, Gru and Belle Bottom. Accessories include a practice dummy, a chain and a sticky gun. Or snag the LEGO Kung Fu Battle set complete with a toy temple and shooting “fireworks.”
Illumination created the world of Despicable Me and the Minions movie is the fourth-highest-grossing animated film of all time! Other franchise hits include Despicable Me 2, which was nominated for an Academy Award and Despicable Me 3, which made more than $1 billion worldwide. Now there’s one more way to enter their ever-popular universe!