Boo at the Zoo opened last weekend at the Bronx Zoo with activities, performances and rides for kids of all ages. With the theme of wildlife conservation incorporated in most of the activities, you and your kids can enjoy Halloween fun and see your favorite animal exhibits. Boo at the Zoo runs every weekend in October and don’t forget your costumes! Kids under twelve wearing their Halloween costume get in for free with one adult’s paid ticket.
Below is the complete schedule of Halloween activities at Boo at the Zoo including my personal “scary meter.” Of course, all kids are different, so if you don’t agree with my scary prediction, please disregard!
The Creepy Hollows Hayride takes you on an approximately ten minute ride past an abandoned town, spooky scarecrows, skeletons that jump out of crates and Halloween music. Scary meter: Big kids only! Location: Fordham parking lot. Time: 11am – 5pm.
The Haunted Habitat Mansion has a clever story. Enter the mansion and witness visions of extinct animals and the ghost of wildlife conservationist, Dr. Benton Boone, who wants to teach us to protect wildlife from extinction. Scary meter: Big kids only! Location: By Samba Village. Time: 11am – 5pm.
Learn the truth about some Halloween creepy crawlies at Creature Chats. The Truth about Creepy Crawly Spiders is located at the Sea Lion Pool at 11am. Slithering Snakes is at the World of Reptiles at 1pm. Batty about Bats is at Jungle World at 3pm. Scary meter: Fun if you like creepy crawlies!
Get lost in the Hay Maze, a twisting turning maze full of fun and surprises. Location: Butterfly Patio. Time: 11am – 3pm. Scary meter: Fun for all!
Musical puppet theater performance “Who Put the Trick in Trick or Treat?” by acclaimed puppeteer Noel MacNeal of Sesame Street and Nickelodeon. Location: Asia Plaza Theater. Times: 12:30, 1:30 and 2:30. Scary Meter: Fun for all!
Costume Parade starts at the Zoo Center and continues throughout the zoo. Hand-made puppets and props and characters from the Alice Farley Dance Company. Scary Meter: My 5 and 3 year olds found the characters very scary. We had to wheel our stroller quickly in the other direction! Times: 12pm and 2pm.
See jack-o-lanterns like you’ve never seen before at the Carved Pumpkin Demonstrations and Display with pumpkins carved like classic movie monsters, animals, insects, and more! Location: Dancing Crane Plaza. Time: 11am – 5pm. Scary meter: Fun for all!
Live music by Gigi and the Lend me a Hand Band will perform and invite the audience to participate in animal themed songs, dances and games. Location: Tent by bears. Times: 11:30am, 1pm, 3pm. Scary meter: Might be scary for the youngest zoo-goers.
Magician David Levitan will perform Animal Themed Magic Shows. Location: Tent by the bears. Times: 12pm, 2pm, 4pm. Scary meter: Fun for all!
Visit the Creepy Crafts Workshop and make a Halloween mask of your favorite animal. Location: Dancing Crane Plaza. Time: 11am- 4pm. Scary meter: Fun for all!
And possibly the most exciting of all… Treat Stations are located around the zoo. Fill your pockets with candy and don’t forget to share!
All Boo at the Zoo activities are included with general admission except the hayride and haunted mansion. For those activities, purchase a Total Experience Ticket.
(Photos by Julie Larsen Maher. Courtesy of the Bronx Zoo.)
The Bronx Zoo has two parking lots: 2300 Southern Boulevard and Bronx River Parkway and Boston Road. For complete directions, please visit their website.
