Ames Family-Friendly Fall Activities 2026

15 family-friendly fall activities in Ames and nearby

Spirits in the Gardens

Oct 9 – Oct 11

Ames $$

Over 1,000 hand-carved jack-o'-lanterns, illuminated displays, and a Trick-or-Treat Trail.

Deal's Orchard Apple Acres

Jefferson 41 mi $

Family-owned Iowa orchard featuring apple picking, a corn maze, and outdoor play.

Illustration of striped market booths and pumpkin displays on a street with small clay figures under orange autumn trees (Applefest at Living History Farms)

Applefest at Living History Farms

Sat, Sep 26

Urbandale 30 mi

Celebrate apple harvest season with historic treats and Print Shop recipes.

Spooky Science

Sat, Oct 31

Des Moines 31 mi $$

Hair-raising experiments and creepy-crawly critters for family Halloween fun.

Pumpkin Walk

Sun, Oct 25

West Des Moines 32 mi Free

The event takes place at the Valley Junction Main Street District.

Illustration of a toy tractor pulling a wagon of costumed figures past pumpkins, autumn trees and a red barn (Ankeny Family Halloween at Living History Farms)

Ankeny Family Halloween at Living History Farms

Oct 23 – Oct 25

Urbandale 29 mi $

Trick-or-treat through the historic 1876 town of Walnut Hill.

Night Eyes

Oct 15 – Oct 25

Des Moines 35 mi $

Enchanted lighted displays, live entertainment, and a merry-not-scary treat safari.

Illustration of two costumed trick or treaters with candy buckets on a dusk street of glowing houses and carved pumpkins (Trick or Treat Around the Lake)

Trick or Treat Around the Lake

Thu, Oct 22

Pleasant Hill 30 mi

Collect treats from local businesses around Copper Creek Lake Park.

Halloween on the Hill

Fri, Oct 30

Des Moines 31 mi Free

Des Moines historic neighborhood transforms into a glowing, spooky wonderland for charity.

Illustration of a pumpkin patch full of orange pumpkins on curling vines, with small figures, a wheelbarrow and a farm stand (Howell Halloween Around the Farm)

Howell Halloween Around the Farm

Sat, Oct 31

Cumming 41 mi

Scavenge for treats and smash pumpkins across the farm.

Illustration of a pumpkin patch with orange pumpkins, a red wheelbarrow, a wooden farm stand and two scarecrow figures (Wills Family Organic Apple Orchard & Pumpkin Farm)

Wills Family Organic Apple Orchard & Pumpkin Farm

Sep 12 – Oct 25

Adel 40 mi $

Fall festival featuring u-pick apples, pumpkins, corn maze, and farm activities.

Downtown Ames Trick or Treat

Ames $

Community-wide trick-or-treating with over 30 participating businesses.

Halloween In Uptown

Ankeny 21 mi $

Four blocks of trunk-or-treating with a costume contest.

Illustration of a ghost and a small witch carrying a pumpkin bucket on a sidewalk past glowing porches on an autumn street (Altoona Business Trick or Treat)

Altoona Business Trick or Treat

Altoona 28 mi $$

Trick-or-treating directly from local businesses.

Trick or Trees

Des Moines 30 mi $

Spooky plant-themed Halloween celebration

Family-Friendly Fall Activities this weekend Oct 16–18

Fri16Oct Night EyesDes Moines

thru25Oct Wills Family Organic Apple Orchard & Pumpkin FarmAdel

Other Halloween categories in Ames

Illustration of clay figures in costumes and a floating ghost at a Halloween party with a punch bowl and glowing pumpkins

AmesHalloween Food, Drink, and Parties5 parties & tastings

Illustration of a small cottage with glowing windows, ghosts, jack o'lanterns and a black cat among bare trees at twilight

AmesHaunted Experiences4 haunted attractions

Illustration of a town street at twilight with glowing windows, pumpkins, floating ghosts and a witch on a broom by the moon

AmesUnique Halloween Events2 unique events

About Family-Friendly Fall Activities in Ames

Halloween in Ames offers a mix of experiences. Expect events hosted at farms, downtown areas, and various community spaces.

Consider the immersive experiences in Urbandale, or the local downtown Ames gathering for convenient trick-or-treating. The choices extend to nearby towns, providing diverse outings.

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Halloween Events Near Me

15 family-friendly fall activities in Ames and nearby

Family-Friendly Fall Activities this weekend Oct 16–18

Other Halloween categories in Ames

About Family-Friendly Fall Activities in Ames

Find Family-Friendly Halloween Fun on Our Map!