Smolak Farms Fall Festival - Pirates Theme
Features hop-on hayrides, apple picking, an animal playground, and cider donuts.
31 family-friendly fall activities in North Andover and nearby.
North Andover families can find over a dozen Halloween events to celebrate the season. From classic pumpkin picking at local farms to larger attractions like Canobie Lake Park, there are many ways to enjoy the holiday.
If you seek free community gatherings, explore local trick-or-treat opportunities. For those open to a short drive, consider a visit to Stone Zoo Boo for a family-focused experience.
Costumed pub crawl through bars around Kenmore Square and Lansdowne Street.
Live haunted magic, mind reading, and ghost stories in Salem.
Join Sam and Molly to reverse a spooky Halloween transformation.
Instructor-led canvas painting class with BYOB drinks and snacks.
See all trunk-or-treats, pumpkin patches, and kid-friendly events nearby.
Pick costumes that survive walking, climbing hay bales, and a bathroom trip in under two minutes: no floor-length hems, no masks that block vision, and nothing that can't fit a jacket underneath. Sneakers always beat costume shoes. Add reflective tape for evening events, and pack a backup shirt because face paint, snow cones, and petting zoos will find white fabric.
The rule: animals, then handwash, then food, in that exact order, every time. Use the farm's wash stations rather than sanitizer alone when hands touch animals or fences, keep pacifiers and sippy cups in the bag near animals, and don't let kids eat inside the enclosure. Strollers stay outside pens. It's two minutes of routine that prevents the classic post-farm stomach bug.
Farm terrain is the challenge: grass, gravel, and rutted fields vary by venue and by how much rain fell that week. Call and ask about packed paths, accessible restrooms and parking, and whether the picking field has a firm route, since some farms bring pumpkins to a paved area on request. Festivals on fairgrounds or paved lots are the safer default.