Discover 15 verified family-friendly fall activities in Ames and nearby areas.
Ames families have plenty of Halloween happenings to choose from. You’ll find everything from free downtown trick-or-treating right here in Ames to ticketed attractions a short drive away in surrounding towns.
Consider the many family-focused festivals and unique experiences available for a memorable autumn celebration.
Discover the best halloween food, drink, and parties in Ames and nearby areas.
3 eventsDiscover the best haunted experiences in Ames and nearby areas.
5 eventsDiscover the best other halloween activities in Ames and nearby areas.
2 eventsSee all trunk-or-treats, pumpkin patches, and kid-friendly events nearby.
Closed shoes that can get dirty, water, and a bathroom stop before entering are the big three. Pick the short family maze over the flagship one for under-8s; a full maze runs 45-90 minutes and patience dies at minute 30. Photograph the maze map at the entrance, agree that kids stay within arm's reach at junctions, and go before dusk on your first trip.
The first weekend of October has full activities and the thinnest crowds; the two weekends before Halloween are wall-to-wall wagons. If you want the buzz, go peak; if you want photos without strangers in them, go early. Late September often means opening deals. For trunk-or-treats and costume parades, the weekend before Halloween is usually the only option, so book patches around it.
Daytime, non-spooky hayrides are generally fine from infancy if a lap adult holds the child the whole ride; wagons bounce hard over field ruts. Sit toward the center, away from wheel edges, and skip rides where kids sit on loose hay bales without sides. Evening "haunted" versions with actors are a different product, so check which one you're queueing for.