Related Article:  click for HALLOWEEN & TRICK-OR-TREAT SAFETY TIPS  

WAUGH BRIDGE BAT COLONY

Allen Parkway and Waugh Drive, Around Sunset every evening

This is a real-life Halloween thrill. Every day around dusk, witness a bat emergence. Hundreds if not thousands of bats fly out from under Waugh Bridge together. Arrive 15 to 30 minutes before the official sunset time to catch the amazing moment. 

ARBOORETUM

Houston Arboretum & Nature Center, 4501 Woodway Drive, 713-681-8433, Saturday, October 27, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Enjoy Halloween festivities in the forest. Trick or treat along the nature trails. Kids can take pony rides and a hayride through the woods. They can even try a zip line through the greenery! Stations with Halloween crafts and live animals like owls and other critters will also be set up along the trails. 

ZOO BOO

Houston Zoo, 6200 Hermann Park Drive, 713-533-6500, Saturday & Sunday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Wear your costumes to the zoo and march in the Costume Parade at the Reflection Pool. Paint pumpkins and monster murals. Trick or treat at Candy Corners scattered around the zoo, all while learning about animals. Dance like a zombie at the Monster Mashquerade.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN MANSION

Children's Museum of Houston, 1500 Binz, 713-522-1138, Saturday through Halloween Wednesday

The museum transforms each exhibit with Halloween decorations including spooky spiders and ghosts. Kids can go on a trick or treat scavenger hunt to collect goodies and trinkets. Families can create crafts and experiment with wiggly worms and slime potions. Join the Thriller dance party at 3:30 p.m. and the Trick or Treat Scavenger Hunt from 4 p.m.-6 p.m.

SCREAM ON THE GREEN

Discovery Green, 713-400-7336, Saturday, 6 p.m.-10 p.m.

Families can enjoy magicians and fortune-tellers and dancing with a D.J. Everyone is invited to enter the costume contest, which is divided by age groups. Winners will be awarded IKEA Gift cards or tickets to the ICE skating rink at Discovery Green.

SMASH THE SQUASH

Downtown Aquarium, 410 Bagby, 713-223-3474, Saturday & Sunday - 12 p.m. & 2 p.m. 

Visitors can watch the white tigers pounce on their pumpkins. At this annual event, the white tigers smash the squash filled with meat.

BOO ON THE BOARDWALK

Kemah Boardwalk, 281-334-9880, Saturday, Sunday and Halloween Wednesday

Visit the Little Boo Haunted House or the Dungeon of Doom Haunted House. Decorate pumpkins and trick or treat at retail stores and kiosks. Family-friendly rock bands will entertain parents and kids all weekend. 

GALVESTON ISLAND HISTORIC PLEASURE PIER

2501 Seawall Boulevard, 855-789-7437, Halloween Wednesday, 4 p.m.-9 p.m.

Kids can trick or treat on the pier while enjoying live entertainment and games. Drive the bumper cars and take rides in costume!