October’s (generally) cooler temps makes it the perfect time to get outside in Georgia. To make it extra fun for kids to head outside, some nature centers are planning Halloween thrills and chills. Here’s a rundown of a few:
Halloween Hikes at Chattahoochee Nature Center
- Friday, October 30
- 7:00 – 9:45 p.m.
- $9/person
- Chattahoochee Nature Center, Roswell, GA
We’re updating this blog post to include the last in the Chattahoochee Nature Center’s series of “Halloween Hikes.” Experience the mystery of a guided night hike! Each group of 20 – 25 people will have a guide lead them on a lighted trail. Meet costumed characters including everyone’s favorites, the Box Turtle and Dragonfly during your ~45-minute hike.Smores kits are available for purchase to enjoy a treat around the bonfire.
“Spooky Mill” at Autrey Mill Nature Preserve
- Friday, October 23 & Saturday, October 24
- 6:00-9:00 pm
- Autrey Mill Nature Preserve, Johns Creek, GA
Enjoy family-friendly Halloween fun including trick-or-treating in the Heritage Village, a haunted house, fortune teller, themed activities, games, food, and more! Free entry. Free trick-or-treating. Purchase tickets for activities and food.
We also like that they offer a “kindler, gentler” version for preschoolers on the same days, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. You pay the entry fee, but the rest of the event, including games, crafts, stories, and a scavenger hunt, is free.
Nightfall at Elachee
- Saturday, October 17
- 4:00 – 8:00 p.m.
- Elachee Nature Science Center
Experience the magic and excitement of autumn in the Chicopee Woods with Elachee Nature Science Center for this years’ Nightfall. Load up the kids and come to Elachee for a fun and educational evening – a non-scary, natural alternative to traditional Halloween events scheduled for Saturday, October 17th from 4:00-8:00pm. Don your best costume and join us for a night of excitement and fun that will include: A Trick or Treat trek through the woods where you will meet costumed naturalists with treats and stories to share. A storyteller will spin funny and not-too scary stories by the light of an October moon. Another feature of the evening will be a telescope tour of the night sky with Elachee astronomers. We will also have free face painting, crafts, and more! The Elachee Nature Shop will be open with a variety of nature-oriented gifts. Guests are invited to wear their favorite costume. Admission: Elachee members admitted free; Non-members, $5.00 per person. Children 2 admitted free. Reservations not required. Call 770/535-1976 or go to www.elachee.org for more information.
Georgia State Parks, multiple locations and dates
There are tons of Halloween-themed events happening at Georgia State Parks this month – check out the full list on their Calendar. Some of our favorites:
- “The Haunting of Blackbeard’s Island,” Fort McAllister State Park, October 24: Savage Island becomes Blackbeards’ Island for the weekend as we decorate and dress like pirates. Decorate your campsite like a pirate ship or camp and compete for prizes for the most original and most frightening campsite. Rangers will go site to site giving out candy. Come for a campfire where we will give prizes for best sites and best costumes. This event is only open to registered campers and their guests.
- Kids Halloween Carnival, George L. Smith State Park, October 24
- Clicks in the Night, a Batty Experience, Red Top Mountain State Park, October 31:
Join an AmeriCorps Ranger to learn the importance of this favorite Halloween Mascot. Help us build Bat Boxes to expand the bat’s habitat. Take your box home or leave it at Red Top Mountain to help our bat population grow. Spaces limited, pre-register by phone or at the Park Office by October 28th. Spaces limited, pre-register by phone or at the Park Office by October 28th. Minor’s must be accompanied by an adult.
