There’s a chill in the air . . . and little ghosts and goblins everywhere are on the hunt for a good scare! These haunted trails, haunted hayrides, and haunted houses range from cute to scary, so be sure to pay attention to age recommendations.
If you have younger or spook-sensitive kiddos, be sure to look for events offering daytime or special scare-free times as well. Some lean more into the Halloween theme, while others are a bit more seasonally fall focused.
This article is sponsored by Wood Dale Park District who has a fun Scarewalk with family-friendly and regular hours.
Scarewalk in Wood Dale
Scarewalk
White Oaks Park
111 S. Wood Dale Road
Wood Dale, IL 60191
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Saturday, October 18, 2025
Family-Friendly Hour: 5:00-6:00pm
Active Scare Hours: 6:30-8:30pm
Get ready for chills and thrills at Wood Dale Park District’s Scarewalk! This 1/3-mile haunted trail features spooky fun for all ages.
Family Friendly Hour kicks things off from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m., offering a gentler version of the scare trail (recommended for ages 10 and under). Guests wishing to attend the Family Friendly Hour must be in line by 5:30 p.m. to ensure they can participate before the full-scare experience begins. For thrill-seekers, Active Scare Hours are 6:30–8:30 p.m. Guests must be in line by 8:00pm.
A new addition this year is the Scarecrow Showdown, where local scarecrows made by the community will be on display near the entrance. Guests can vote for their favorite scarecrow right from the Scarewalk line.
Click here to purchase pre-sale tickets for $6, or you can buy tickets for $8 at the event. For full event details, ticket purchases, or volunteer inquiries, visit wdparks.org or call 630-595-9333.
Haunted Trails and Other Spooky Events
Parental discretion is always recommended. If you’re unsure whether a particular event or venue listed below is age-appropriate for your kids, call ahead!
Haunted Houses
Please note that some of these haunted houses do not allow children or may be very scary, while others host family-friendly times. Check out the websites, call if you have questions, and use your parental discretion.
Canyon Trail Cemetery Halloween Display
Check Facebook for dates/times/updates to this event.
371 Canyon Trail
Carol Stream, IL 60188
info@canyontrailcemetery.com
Elaborate and extensive residential Halloween display that goes all out with moving parts and special effects, including some elements that pop out.
Bengston’s Haunted Barn
September 5 – October 31, 2025
13341 W 151st Street
Homer Glen, IL 60491
(708) 301-3276
Kids under age 12 must be with an adult.
Goebbert’s Farm Haunted House
September 6 – October 31, 2025 | 9am – 6pm
40 W. Higgins Road
South Barrington, IL 60010
(847) 428-6727
10-room haunted house designed to scare school-aged children. Entry included with farm admission.
Disturbia Haunted House
Opens September 13, 2025
1213 Butterfield Road
Downers Grove, IL 60515
(630) 896-2466
Not recommended for children ages 12 and under.
13th Floor Haunted House
Opens September 13, 2025
5050 River Road
Schiller Park, IL 60176
(708) 571-3326
info@13thFloorChicago.com
Not recommended for children ages 12 and under.
Six Flags Boo Fest and Fright Fest
Select days between September 13 – November 2, 2025
Six Flags Great America
1 Great America Parkway
Gurnee, IL 60031
(847) 249-1776
Six Flags recommends not bringing children after 6pm — their scariest frights are at night. During the day, a kid-focused Boo Fest brings the Halloween theme without the scares.
Basement of the Dead
Opens September 19, 2025
42 West New York Street
Aurora, IL 60506
(630) 896-2466
Sonny Acres Farm Haunted Barn
September 26 – October 26, 2025 on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings
29W310 North Avenue
West Chicago, IL 60185
(630) 231-3859
Midnight Terror Haunted House
Opens September 26, 2025
5520 West 111th Street
Oak Lawn, IL 60453
(708) 639-3279
Hellsgate Haunted House
Opens September 26, 2025
301 W. 2nd Street
Lockport IL 60441
(605) 301-4283
Dungeon of Doom
Opens October 3, 2025
600 29th Street
Zion, IL 60099
(847) 262-3666
No one under the age of 12 can enter this haunted house. The experience features gore, suggestive themes, and intense situations that are designed for an adult audience.
House of Creeps
Wintrust Field
1999 S Springinsguth Rd
Schaumburg, IL 60193
This haunted experience started as a home display and is now part of the Schaumburg Halloween Carnival at the Boomers stadium.
Universal Horror Unleashed is expected to open in 2027 and will be a 114,000 square foot attraction open all year round. From what we’ve seen, it’s going to be too intense for young children, but we’ll add more details as they become available.
Haunted Boat Rides
Chicago Boat Company offers a 120 Minute Public Guided Ghost Tour on a party barge. It departs from the Chicago Riverwalk at between the LaSalle Street and Wells Street bridges.
City Cruises’ Seadog Haunted Halloween Boat Tour is 45 minutes and boards on the River Esplanade just outside NBC Tower.
There are so many fun events happening this fall to keep your entire family happy. Check out our excellent fall fun list for all the best ones!
