Top Alternatives To Trick-Or-Treating In Your Neighborhood

Halloween is just around the corner, and it’s almost time to begin trick-or-treating. If you're not really down with running around in the dark from house to house asking for candy, you're not alone. Philadelphia offers plenty of warm, exciting alternatives that'll still make good use of that costume. Round up the kids for the top alternatives to trick-or-treating in Philly.

The Philadelphia Zoo
3400 W. Girard Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19104-1196
(215) 243-1100
www.philadelphiazoo.org

Hours: Oct. 20 to Oct. 28 Sat and Sun 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Price: $18 adults/$15 children 2 to 11/free children 2 and younger

The Philadelphia Zoo will host its annual Halloween "Boo at the Zoo" again this year. Children may come dressed up in their costumes, eat treats, play games and listen to music at one of the most exciting places for kids in Philly. In fact, there is a whole schedule of events for the day. Kids can enjoy a Little People Live! show on the Fisher Price Little People stage, spooky stories in PECO Primate Reserve on the hour and half hour, and a Boo at the Zoo costume parade that will begin in the Bird Lake Plaza.

Smith Playground
East Fairmount Park
Reservoir Drive
Philadelphia, PA 19121-1095
(215) 765-4325
www.smithkidsplayplace.org

Hours: Oct. 27 – 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Price: free for members/activity tickets required for non-members

Children ages 10 years old and younger are invited to dress up and march in the parade, play games, have special treats and, most importantly, exhaust themselves with other costumed kiddos in a safe, fun environment. Though the event does require a ticket, it's free to members, and with fun events year round, it's worth it to be a Smith member! Don't miss out on reading and other educational programs throughout the year; the kids are going to want to come back after Halloween's fun introduction to Smith Playground.

Related: Top Philadelphia Petting Zoos & Farms

Sesame Place
100 Sesame Road
Langhorne, PA 19047
(866) 464-3566
www.sesameplace.com

Hours: Sept. 29 to Oct. 28 click here for hours
Price: $27 adults/$18 children 2 to 11/free children 2 and younger

Sesame Place is packed with family fun this Halloween season. The Count's Halloween Party is a kid-friendly monster bash that involves singing and dancing with Elmo, Big Bird, the Count, and all of the energetic Sesame Street characters. There will also be a buffet available to fuel up the kiddos for this exciting event. Be sure to get in on the costume parade for a Halloween they'll be talking about for years to come!

Turkey Hill Experience
301 Linden St.
Columbia, PA 17512
(866) 986-8784
www.turkeyhillexperience.com

Hours: Oct. 12 and Oct. 28 – 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Price: free for children up to 12 years old/$7 for five additional stops

At the Turkey Hill Experience, children may come dressed in their costumes, tour the facilities and, most importantly, trick-or-treat in a safe environment. Turkey Hill staff scatters all kinds of treats around for the children to hunt up in a scavenger hunt like they've never experienced before. Be sure to explore the Tea Room and learn to make ice cream at the most interactive, kid-friendly "farm" in Pennsylvania.

Related: Top Fall Sports Leagues for Kids in Philly

Granite Run Mall
1067 W. Baltimore Pike
Media, PA 19063
(610) 565-1654
www.shopgraniterunmall.com

Hours: Oct. 27 – 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Price: free

Head on over to Granite Run Mall for a mall-wide trick-or-treat this Halloween. Children should dress up in their costumes and can parade around the mall for candy all day without worrying parents. The best part is, parents get to shop while their trick or treaters collect candy in a safe environment--long before bed time.

Janet Todd is a freelance writer covering all things Philadelphia. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.