FREE Family-Centric Halloween Activities & Events Nationwide Throughout October

Readers: Don't forget to bookmark this page NOW, then keep checking back as events will be added to this list as MommyBlogExpert becomes aware of them.  If you know of a FREE Halloween-related event not listed, definitely add it to this list by leaving brief info and a link (if you have one) in the comment box below.

Yes, ALL Events Listed Below are FREE!!!

Halloween may officially be October 31, but in cities and towns across the U.S., fall and Halloween events take place every year during the whole month leading up to pumpkin day. Even better is that many of these activities are FREE and suitable for families with children.

Here are just a few of the places you can take the kids for some Halloween fun without spending a dime.  All events take place nationwide, unless otherwise indicated.  Just click on the link with each for more information.

October 9 - 10, 1-5 pm, Nationwide
Harry and David Stores from coast to coast have tasting events each Saturday and Sunday in October.  But, if you love the season of ghouls, don't miss H&D's Halloween Tasting Party for free samples of many of the season's yummiest sweets and treats.  Click to find the closest Harry and David Store here

October 10, 9 pm, Nationwide
Tune in to The Martha Stewart Show Halloween Special on the Hallmark Channel for all kinds of crafty ideas, from clever holiday cookies and cupcakes, plus other wild concoctions to make your celebration fun. See this ultimate scary show's preview here

October 16, 1-3 pm, Nationwide
Wilton Halloween Decorating Sweet Treats Demo - Cupcakes and More at Michaels Stores. Click for details here

October 17 - 23, Times May Vary, Nationwide
Williams-Sonoma is scheduled to offer a Week of Free Halloween Themed Cooking Demonstrations from  featuring holiday cookie and cupcake baking & decorating and lots more. Schedules and demos likely will vary by store, so check with your local W-S for details in your area.

October 23, 2-4 pm, Nationwide 
Make and Take Halloween Crayola Glow Explosion Creepy Eye Craft at Michaels Stores for ages 3 and up.  Get the details here

October 23, 10 am-3 pm, Great Park, Irvine, California
An afternoon of family fall activities, including pumpkin picking & decorating (1 pumpkin/child while supplies last), kids games and activities, mini hay maze, costume parade, Halloween treats,petting zoo, and more. Details here

October 25, 6-8 pm, Nationwide
Make and Take Halloween Crayola Glow Explosion Creepy Eyes Craft at Michaels Stores for kids ages 3 and up.  Get the details here

October 28, 6-8 pm, Nationwide
Make and Take Halloween Mask Workshop at Michaels. Details here

October 30, 10 am - 2 pm, Nationwide
Family Halloween Event.  Details here

Don't miss MommyBlogExpert's

Other Fun & Creative Halloween Posts
Crafty Ideas and Giveaway Contests

• Creative, Easy & Inexpensive Family-Friendly Costumes to Make
• Spookley Square Pumpkin Movie & BIG Giveaway Contest
• Frugal Halloween DIY Crafts
• Plus more NEW Halloween posts coming up shortly

Want to suggest an event to add to this post's list? Please leave a comment with link to details. If appropriate, we will be happy to spread the word for you.


FTC Disclosure:  MommyBlogExpert did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post.  See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.  

All Mommy Bloggers Invited to a Cocktail Party Meet Up Hosted by TwitterMoms During BlogWorld

TwitterMoms.com is inviting all Mommy Bloggers attending BlogWorld in Las Vegas next week to a get-together.  This is an informal must-attend live happy hour cocktail party/meet-up that every mom who blogs should make every effort to participate in.

Pictured: Janis Brett Elspas of MommyBlogExpert & Megan Calhoun of TwitterMoms at another blogging event launching The Internet Mommy Book by Kimberley Clayton Blaine  in Santa Monica earlier this year

Enjoy a glass of wine or a cocktail (on TwitterMoms) while you meet Megan Calhoun and the rest of the members of the TwitterMoms team and get to know other TwitterMoms who are attending BlogWorld this year.

Friday, October 15, 2010 

5 - 7 pm

The American Fish at the Aria Hotel

3730 Las Vegas Boulevard
Las Vegas

RSVP Requested

Hosted by TwitterMoms

More information on this mom blogging network event here

FTC Disclosure:  I disclose that I am a TwitterMoms Elite Member, however this does not influence this blogpost.  In addition, MommyBlogExpert did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post.  See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Students and Teachers - This is Your Big Chance to Win Up to $100,000 for Your School in Bing's Giveaway

Additional Contest is Giving Money to Schools, Too

Thanks to an email I received today from MomCentral, one of the mom's blogging networks I am active in,  I've learned that Bing.com is giving away a chance to win up to $100,000 for your school.  This is too good to not share it with all my readers:  Bing will be giving away over $1 million through their new Our School Needs program.

With the current climate of Great Recession elevating the number of budget cuts in education at the national, state, and local levels, news about this contest is a God-send for any of us with school-age kids.  That's my four kids above on the first day of school of third and fifth grades a few years ago.

Students and teachers -- elementary, middle, and high school -- are invited to submit their entry requests on behalf of their schools.  Submissions will be accepted through October 22, 2010.  To participate, K-12 students can work individually, in small groups, as a classroom, or even a whole school to prepare their entry including

• A 500-800 Word Essay
• 3 to 5 Photos
• A Video, 3 minutes or less (Optional)

If you've been inside any public school lately, for sure, you know that just about every classroom is lacking in a major kind of way.  So, I'm sure most of you students and teachers can think of something your school needs desperately.  To enter, as well as for detailed contest rules and additional information on how to pitch your school's story and to see entry examples to inspire you, visit the official contest site Bing Our School Needs.

Special BONUS Giveaway from MomCentral
MomCentral.com is fueling the outreach effort not only by encouraging Mommy Bloggers like me to spread the news about Bing's contest.  They're also hosting an additional giveaway offering each of five random winners a $50 donation to use at DonorsChoice.org to support their local classroom!  

The best news is you don't have to be a student or teacher to enter this second giveaway -- anyone can submit for this contest that knows a school that needs help.  So, as a mom myself I've already entered on behalf of the public school district's Independent Study program that my four kids are attending.  Check out what I'm hoping to win for their school, or better yet, enter the related giveaway on MomCentral's site, for your own chance to win, by clicking HERE

Be sure leave a COMMENT below this post to share the #1 thing the classroom you know about needs most!

FTC Disclosure:  MommyBlogExpert did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post.  However, as mentioned in this post I have entered MomCentral's giveaway myself.  See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.