Halloween is kids stuff
COMPILED BY SCOTT “SPOOKY” STIFFLER
HALLOWEEN IS HAPPENING AT TRINITY CHURCH
Historic Trinity Church in Lower Manhattan transforms its north churchyard into a kid-friendly Halloween zone full of treats, crafts and chats with “ghosts” from old New York. The south churchyard will feature music and dancing where adults (if they dare), can try a “spirited” Haunted Hamilton cocktail or non-alcoholic beverage. When the sun goes down, Fritz Lang’s groundbreaking 1927 silent sci-fi masterpiece “Metropolis” will be screened — accompanied by a haunting score played by Peter Krasinski on Trinity’s virtual pipe organ.
All events are free and open to the public (donations accepted…costumes encouraged!). Fri., Oct. 28; 4-10pm, at Trinity Church (Broadway at Wall St.). “Ghouls, Games and Graves’” appropriate for ages 3 and up. “Metropolis” appropriate for ages 10 and up. For info, call 212-602-0800 or visit trinitywallstreet.org.
SCREAMIN’ GREEN HALLOWEEN
At least pumpkins are biodegradable — but a store-bought Halloween costume used once and tossed in the trash might live longer than Frankenstein…and come back to haunt our children’s children in the form of landfill horrors. That’s what makes the World Financial Center Winter Garden’s eco-friendly “Screamin’ Green Halloween” such a great, guilt-free way to celebrate. With the help of artist-educators, kids will enjoy costume making with recycled and repurposed household materials, photo booths, prizes, parades and a 30-foot high scarecrow, witch and skeleton. A variety of games will reward players with fair trade and organic treats (as well as temporary tattoos of pumpkins and ghosts — printed on recycled paper.
Free. Sun., Oct. 30, 12-3pm, at the World Financial Center Winter Garden (220 Vesey St.). Costume parades will take place throughout the World Financial Center (including, weather permitting, the waterfront) at 1pm, 2pm and 3pm — led by the new Outer Borough Brass Band. World Financial Center Shops and Restaurants will offer specials and sales throughout the afternoon. Free valet bicycle parking will be provided by Transportation Alternatives (on the outdoor waterfront Plaza). For info, 212-945-0505 or artsworldfinancialcenter.com. Also visit greenhalloween.org.
HUDSON RIVER PARK’S HALLOWEEN KIDZ KARNIVAL
It’s officially a Halloween tradition. For the third year, Hudson River Park’s Pier 46 morphs into a “Halloween Kidz Karnival” featuring enough face painting, mask decorating, wax hands, cotton candy and rides to keep you in the Halloween spirit all day long…and into the long, dark night. In addition to these spooktacular activities, The Story Pirates will perform Halloween-themed improv shows for children and adults of all ages throughout the day.
Sun., Oct. 30, 12-6pm. At Hudson River Park’s Pier 46 (Charles Street & the Hudson River in Greenwich Village). All ages are welcome (most attractions will appeal to kids between 2–8. Some activities are free; select activities will cost $2 per ticket. For more info, visit hudsonriverpark.org.
HALLOWEEN PARADE AND EXTRAVAGANZA AT THE SCHOLASTIC STORE
On Sat., Oct 29 at 3pm (for all ages), Clifford the Big Red Dog leads the annual Halloween Parade. Listen to scary (but not too spooky) tales and dance the day away to bewitching music. Costumes are encouraged…treats are guaranteed. Then, on Sun., Oct. 30 from 5-7pm, the Halloween Extravaganza features storytelling, a “Black Cat Scavenger Hunt,” pumpkin bowling, eyeball relays and cupcake decorating — plus pizza, punch, snacks and goodies galore. The $20 per person ticket gets you a $5 in-store coupon. To RSVP, call 212-343-6166 or email thescholasticstore@scholastic.com.At 557 Broadway (btw. Prince and Spring Sts. Stroller Entrance: 130 Mercer St.). Regular store hours: Mon.-Sat., 10am-7pm and Sun., 11am-6pm. For info, call 212-343-6166 or visit scholastic.com/sohostore.
GHOULISH GOURMET HALLOWEEN PARTY
It’s a fact: Evil eyeballs, ghastly ghost sticks, freaky Frankenstein fingers and putrid worm punch are almost as tasty as fresh human brains. But to get the most out of these undead snacks, they must be properly prepared. That’s what McNally Jackson’s Ghoulish Gourmet School of Halloween Cuisine is here for. With help from the fiendishly talented Chef Vladimir and Mistress of Scarimonies Yvonne Brooks, little monsters will learn how to conjure these dastardly dishes (then take their creepy cuisine back to their own dark crypt). They’ll also fly back home, like a bat out of a belfry, with a Haunted House Book of revolting recipes to prepare in their family laboratories.
This free event is appropriate for ages 3-10. Costumes are encouraged, but not required. Sat., Oct. 29, 11:30am-1:30pm, in the McNally Jackson Café (52 Prince St.). For info, call 212-274-1160 or visit mcnallyjackson.com.
BOOKS OF WONDER
A moonlit graveyard full of authors will be reading from some creepy books that may already be giving someone you care about bad dreams. On Sat., Oct. 29, 12-2pm (for ages 8-12), “Great New Chapter Books” welcomes seven authors whose works target middle grade readers. Among them: Elise Broach will read from the first volume of her new trilogy, “Missing on Superstition Mountain.” Illustrator and debut author Scott Gustafson spins the tale of a dark little boy who grew up to be the master of the macabre, in “Eddie: The Lost Youth of Edgar Allen Poe” — and Josh Lewis catches fans up with the adventure of Super Chicken Nugget Boy (whose latest adventure finds him facing off against the Massive Meatloaf Man).
At Books of Wonder (18 W. 18th St., btw. 5th & 6th Aves.). For info, call 212-989-3270 or visit booksofwonder.com. Hours: Mon.-Sat., 10am-7pm; Sun., 11am-6pm.
PUMPKIN PATCH and HIGH LINE HALLOWEEN HI-JINKS
Fulton Youth of the Future, Friends of the High Line and NYC Council Speaker Quinn’s office have joined (dark?) forces to transform the High Line into a pumpkin patch. Purchase pumpkins to take home, or decorate them on the spot. Sun., Oct. 30, 12-4pm. On the High Line, in the Chelsea Market Passage (near W. 15th St.). Also on that same day, from 12-3pm, “Halloween Hi-Jinks on the High Line”invites families to dress in costume and join Friends of the High line for tricks, treats and the first-ever Halloween parade on the High Line. The ghoulish procession begins promptly at noon (at the Seating Steps, on at West 22nd St.). Puppet Master Ralph Lee will lead, as the parade travels south toward The Porch (the High Line’s new open-air café, at West 15th St.). Following the parade, stay at The Porch to paint faces, dance to spooky tunes and howl at the moon — in the dead of the afternoon. This event is free, and open to visitors of all ages. Children age 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult. For info, visit thehighline.org.
