A Treat for Kids

Halloween has become such a gory holiday that it’s almost as if little children have been forgotten.

So, what are the kids supposed to do? It’s their holiday too.

The folks at Universal have an answer. They created the Halloween Festival for Kids as a sidekick to Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights, which is billed as an “electrifying haunted encounter.”

But the Halloween festival specifically targets children ages 3 to 10. It begins Saturday at Universal CityWalk, will take place every weekend through Oct. 26 and includes trick-or-treating at CityWalk on Halloween night.

The idea came from a one-day children’s event at Universal CityWalk last year called Spooky Sunday.

“It was very successful, and that told us there’s a huge need for children’s Halloween activities,” said Lauren Schwartz, Universal’s event manager.

One of the more attractive features is that the festival is free. And it has transformed a sandy area across from the Hard Rock Cafe on CityWalk into a festive Halloween headquarters decorated with orange and black balloons.

The approximately 2,500-square-foot patch is called Light House Beach, and every Saturday and Sunday this month there will be live entertainment, cookie decorating, arts and crafts, and face painting.

The opening act Saturday and Sunday consists of three performers called the Scared Silly Singers. On Oct. 18 it will be singer Lori Richards; Oct. 19, singer Bob Harrison. Twinkles the Friendly Witch will close the festival with performances Oct. 25 and 26.

All of the acts will include interaction with the young audience. “They’re very fun to watch, even for adults,” Schwartz said.

Universal has also created a series of “friendly” Halloween characters to stroll around, pose for photos with the kids and entertain them.

On Halloween evening from 4 to 7 p.m., kids can go trick-or-treating at the 40 stores lining Universal CityWalk. Most stores will be decorated for Halloween, and the kids’ bags will be filled not only with candy but also with small toys and other surprises. That’s free too.

“The merchants are great about participating,” Schwartz said. “This entire hill gets into the spirit.”

BE THERE

Halloween Festival for Kids at Universal CityWalk. Take Hollywood Freeway to Lankershim Boulevard. Arts, crafts and entertainment for children at Light House Beach across from Hard Rock Cafe from Oct. 11-26, 2-5 p.m. Trick-or-treating Oct. 26 from 2-5 p.m. and Oct. 31 from 4-7 p.m. Free except for parking, $6. Information: 622-4455.