Halloween Fun for Kids in Rochester, MN: Spooky (But Not Scary!) Ideas

Dream Away Soirée
Sep 23
2 min read

Children in costumes holding orange buckets receive candy from a bowl outdoors. One is a witch, another has bunny ears. Happy mood.

Halloween in Rochester can be such a magical time, but it doesn’t have to be scary to be memorable for kids. With a little creativity, you can transform the season into a playful, imaginative celebration that’s perfect for families. Whether you’re planning a cozy night at home or looking for local events that are kid-friendly, there are plenty of ways to make the holiday fun, festive, and stress-free.

Cozy Halloween Activities at Home

Sometimes staying in is the easiest (and coziest!) way to celebrate. Here are some ideas that keep the magic alive without the scares:

Glow-in-the-Dark Games & Scavenger Hunts

Hands stringing orange pumpkin-shaped Halloween lights on a wooden surface, creating a festive and eerie atmosphere.

Turn your living room or backyard into a glowing adventure. Use glow sticks, flashlights, or glow-in-the-dark rings and pins for games like scavenger hunts or bowling. Decorate with some string lights for more fun. Kids get to move, explore, and giggle while parents enjoy knowing their kids will be worn out and sleep well after play.

Costume Parade & Photo Fun

Children in colorful costumes smile outdoors, suggesting a festive mood. Blurred trees in the background hint at a park setting.

Kids love showing off their costumes! Create a mini runway at home with twinkle lights or a festive backdrop. Let them strut their stuff, snap photos, and celebrate creativity. Parents get photo keepsakes and kids feel like superstars.

DIY Spooky Snack Station

Halloween-themed cookies featuring ghosts, pumpkins, bats, and spider webs on a wooden table with candy corn and a festive cloth.

Make snack time part of the celebration! Try “monster apples” (apple slices with peanut butter and marshmallow teeth), decorated sugar cookies, or a “witch’s brew” punch station. Kids love helping, and the cookies double as fun party favors.

Indoor Trick-or-Treat Hunt

Two children in witch hats laughing with carved pumpkins. Warm, festive setting with candles and autumnal decor in the background.

Not every family wants to brave the cold or spooky houses. Set up indoor “trick-or-treat stations” in different rooms or corners of your home. Add small toys or festive treats to keep it exciting and safe. This is also a fun way to prep new trick-or-treaters before the big day.

Pumpkin Decorating Party

A pile of bright orange pumpkins with green stems, closely packed together. The mood is festive and autumnal. No text visible.

Skip carving and go for painting, stickers, glitter, and googly eyes. You can make it a contest with silly categories like “Silliest Pumpkin” or “Sparkliest Design.” It’s creative, safe, and gives everyone a keepsake.

Local Halloween Fun for Kids in Rochester, MN

If you want to take the celebration outside the house, Rochester offers plenty of kid-friendly seasonal events. These are perfect for families looking for festive activities without the scares:

SPARK’s SPARKTACULAR – Family-friendly Halloween event with a costume parade, crafts, and games.
Ridgefest Trunk-or-Treat – Community festival with trunk-or-treating, yard games, and bounce houses.
Zumbro Halloween Spooktacular – Trunk-or-treat, snacks, and story time programs perfect for young kids.

(Pro tip: check dates/times before going — some events sell out or require registration!)

Making Halloween Magical

Dream Away Soirée’s new theme "Boo!" shows a Halloween-themed room with ghost and skeleton decor. Lanterns on trays cast a warm glow. Cushions say "Halloween." Spooky, cozy atmosphere. — Dream Away Soirée’s 'Boo!' Theme

For families seeking Halloween fun for kids, Rochester has plenty of options to enjoy, from creative activities to cozy gatherings and festive community events. A glow-in-the-dark scavenger hunt, DIY snacks, or a themed sleepover at home can feel just as magical as local events. And if you’d like to skip the setup stress, Dream Away Soirée’s new “Boo!” themed sleepover party brings playful, kid-friendly Halloween magic straight to your home. It is perfectly spooky, creative, and hassle-free.

Looking for more Halloween ideas or ready to bring our playful ‘Boo!’ theme to your home? Get in touch today!