Des Moines Family-Friendly Fall Activities 2026

15 family-friendly fall activities in Des Moines and nearby

Spooky Science

Sat, Oct 31

Des Moines $$

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

Night Eyes

Oct 15 – Oct 25

Des Moines $

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

Halloween on the Hill

Fri, Oct 30

Des Moines Free

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

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 5 mi

Collect treats from local businesses around Copper Creek Lake Park.

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 8 mi

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

Pumpkin Walk

Sun, Oct 25

West Des Moines 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 9 mi $

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

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 14 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 24 mi $

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

Spirits in the Gardens

Oct 9 – Oct 11

Ames 29 mi $$

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

Deal's Orchard Apple Acres

Jefferson 50 mi $

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

Trick or Trees

Des Moines $

Spooky plant-themed Halloween celebration

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 10 mi $$

Trick-or-treating directly from local businesses.

Halloween In Uptown

Ankeny 10 mi $

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

Illustration of a child in a witch costume holding a pumpkin bucket on a leafy sidewalk lined with glowing houses at dusk (Downtown Ames Trick or Treat)

Downtown Ames Trick or Treat

Ames 30 mi $

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

Family-Friendly Fall Activities this weekend Oct 16–18

Fri16Oct Night Eyes

thru25Oct Wills Family Organic Apple Orchard & Pumpkin FarmAdel

Other Halloween categories in Des Moines

Illustration of a Halloween party at dusk with costumed characters around a punch bowl, a ghost, pumpkins and string lights

Des MoinesHalloween Food, Drink, and Parties6 parties & tastings

Illustration of a small haunted cottage with glowing windows, ghosts, jack-o'-lanterns and a black cat under a pale moon

Des MoinesHaunted 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

Des MoinesUnique Halloween Events2 unique events

About Family-Friendly Fall Activities in Des Moines

Living History Farms in Urbandale hosts a popular Family Halloween event, offering a glimpse into historical traditions. For a different experience, consider Trick or Treat Night in Altoona, a free downtown gathering.

Des Moines area families have numerous ways to celebrate Halloween, from immersive living history farms to local town trick-or-treat opportunities, many featuring kid-friendly activities.

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See all trunk-or-treats, pumpkin patches, and kid-friendly events nearby.

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Halloween Events Near Me

15 family-friendly fall activities in Des Moines and nearby

Family-Friendly Fall Activities this weekend Oct 16–18

Other Halloween categories in Des Moines

About Family-Friendly Fall Activities in Des Moines

Find Family-Friendly Halloween Fun on Our Map!