Kansas City Haunted Houses and Halloween Fun

Every October brings the expectation of a great Halloween, especially in places like Kansas City where the fun crosses over from Missouri to Kansas and places in between. Geared for young adults and couples, Kansas City haunted houses and spooky fun outfright most of the competition.

Night of the Living Farm is a popular Halloween event at Kansas City's Deanna Farmstead.
Night of the Living Farm is a popular Halloween event at Kansas City’s Deanna Farmstead.

Adults shouldn’t overlook the city’s one-night-only costume parties, bar frights, or the Edge of Hell and The Beast (two amazing haunts), which are highlighted on local events websites.

There are, however, plenty of other options for Halloween family fun… But why wait until October 31st when you can celebrate as a family from mid-September on? Let’s go!

Low Freak Outs at Worlds of Fun & Around Kansas City, Missouri

Little ones can have a fun “haunt” without all the fear at Great Pumpkin Fest, the G-rated part of Halloween Haunt at Worlds of Fun. They promise “all treats and no tricks” in Planet Snoopy, so your tiny travelers will have a blast. Halloween isn’t scary when you’re surrounded by your favorite lovable Peanuts characters.

Saturday and Sunday are dedicated to kid celebrations from mid-September through the weekend prior to Halloween. Take time for the kids to enjoy a play zones, the Count Snooptacula costume contests and dance parties in Spooky Planet Snoopy with Charlie Brown. For braver youngsters, there’s entertainment around every corner in the hay bale maze, a real Kansas City treat.

We know that some of you might not want to be scared and spooked and up all night with kids suffering from nightmares, and that’s just fine. Kansas City has fun entertainment at The Blue Room, an intimate and family-friendly music lounge attached to the great American Jazz Museum. Just walk in, put some headsets on those kiddoes tuned to Duke Ellington, and just watch them tap their toes. This listening space is sister to the wonderful Negro Leagues Baseball Museum at 18th and Vine, a place where the horror of racist indignities suffered by these amazing athletes is ever so gently felt.

Costumed characters and kids at Worlds of Fun amusement park.
Worlds of Fun Halloween weekend in Kansas City.

Over the Top Freak Out: Worlds of Fun and Kansas City Haunted Houses

Active, retired and veteran military families are welcomed into Worlds of Fun with a big discount. Why would you need military on site? Well, we heard that after sundown — about 6:30 at this time of year — the place goes wild (and gets scarier!)

The adults’ Halloween Haunt is said to be the Midwest’s largest haunted attraction. Defy the more than 400 costumed characters making the 235-acre theme park a positive misery. Experience the fog-shrouded lanes packed with thrill rides at this Kansas Halloween event running select Thursday to Sunday nights. Fight your way through the crowds of monsters, zombies and freaks lurking in the shadows. Ages 14+ should get ready for super scary mazes, scare zones and live shows with plenty of scary entertainment. Locals love it because the park closes seasonally in September, then reopens for the holiday.

Halloween Family Fun in and around Kansas City, Missouri

Father and son play with Lego models at Legoland Kansas City.
Build and test out your own Lego models at the KC Legoland Discovery Center. Photo c. Legoland

Boo at the Zoo takes place two days only at the 200-acre Kansas City Zoo. The zoo is home to 1,500 animals from around the world. On the last weekend in October, tour the several Trick or Treat stations set up for kids of all ages. The KC Zoo hosts games, fun and entertainment included in regular admission tickets. Families can try the Pumpkin Toss, visit the Haunted Woods of the Valley, a Jack-o-Lantern display, ride the Scarecrow Train Express, see a “spooky” animal show and much more.

Go for a Brick-or-Treat Monster Party adventure at LEGOLAND Kansas City. Open Sept. 29-Oct. 31, 2023, the Lego mega-store is packed with Lego kits and attractions, some themed to fall. Work with Lego master builders, go on a haunted scavenger hunt and enjoy other special fall season activities. New Lego monsters who starred in the 4-D Movie greet kids and teach fun dances. Don’t miss the fun Kingdom Quest mini-coaster where you can help good guys take the day! Entry tickets start at $14.99 and include rides, a 4-D movie, VR Experience and more. Children 2 and under visit free and package tickets that include SeaLife Aquarium are available.

The ca. 1858 John Wornall House (at the Wornalls/Majors House Museums) is an edutaining option, with many seasonal events on weekends. Designed for guests of varying agees, choose between Paranormal House tours, scavenger hunts, cider drinking, talks on death during Victorian times and much more. The third annual Howl-O-Ween, a dogs-only event, takes place Oct. 29. Bring your dog in their finest Halloween attire for a dog costume parade. 

Gentle Frights and Farm Style Freak Outs in KC, Kansas

The John Wornall House Museum looks innocent enough until you tour in October and hear about its ghosts and the horrifying lives of its enslaved servants. Photo c. Wornall/Majors Houses.
The John Wornall House Museum looks innocent enough until you tour in October and hear about its ghosts and the horrifying lives of its enslaved servants. Photo c. Wornall/Majors Houses.

Visit the unique Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead, a planned community dating back to 1905, at 138th and Switzer in nearby Overland Park, Kansas. It opens each spring and continues with family programming and special fall attractions through October 31 each year. The Pumpkin Hollow patch opens all of October. Ride the horse-drawn wagon to and from the pumpkin patch, where each person can take home a pumpkin of their choosing. Kids can also enjoy several other farm activities including a hay maze, climbing a hay pyramid, play in a “corn” box, slide down a hay-slide, or race pumpkin boats.

Join their Night of the Living Farm for pumpkins, old-fashioned lanterns and trick or treating. Held over four nights on the last two weekends prior to Halloween, families can explore a haunted barn, haunted horse-drawn hayride, hear from a fortune teller and enjoy a marshmallow roast.

Kids and train aficionados alike will love the Pumpkin Express Train Rides from the historic Belton, Grandview, and Kansas City Railroad. The end of the line features Halloween games and pumpkins for sale after de-boarding the 1920s era passenger coach or open-air excursion car. Check their calendar of events for an updated schedule at the Belton, Missouri location. In 2023 they plan to operate the train four weekends in October.

Safely Sleeping… Not in Kansas City Haunted Houses

Need a Kansas City hotel discount?

We stayed on the Missouri side at the Westin Kansas City at Crown Center on a recent visit. It’s convenient to all sorts of family fun including Kansas City haunted houses and even had a great big heated pool. If you don’t want to rent a car, or are afraid of being chased by zombies, hail an Uber, which is widely used throughout the region. For more scary activities, ask the friendly folks at VisitKC, the tourism office which publishes its own blog of KC Fright Night Activities.

Want even more Halloween ideas for kids around the country? See our round-up of what’s going on for Halloween this year. 

Share your favorite Kansas City haunted houses and Halloween fun events in the Comments section below!

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