Halloween for Families, a Gentler Kind of Scary

Traditionally, many Halloween events are too intense for little kids, and maybe even bigger kids.

But there are plenty of Halloween happenings for youngsters looking for a little fiendish fun. Following is a sample of events that are frightful yet family-friendly.

Children can lurk in the devilish depths of the Scarium of the Pacific, where crafts, games, a costume parade (Saturday only, 1 p.m.) and vampire magician shows take place Saturday and Sunday. Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach. Adults, $16.95; seniors, $13.95; 11 and younger, free. (562) 590-3100.

Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion has undergone a makeover based on Tim Burton’s film “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” Through Jan. 6. Included in park admission: $43, general; $33, ages 3 to 9; $41, seniors. (714) 781-4565.

Camp Spooky at Knott’s Berry Farm includes walk-and ride-through attractions, trick-or-treating (11 and younger) and costume contests. Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Southern California residents, $30; ages 3 to 11, $15. (714) 220-5200.

Pumpkins and candy await visitors to Universal’s CityWalk Halloween Carnival, Saturday and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Pumpkin decorating, face painting, a giant bounce house and magic and puppet shows are free; trick-or-treating and a kids’ costume contest Wednesday. 5 to 8 p.m. Free admission; parking, $7. (818) 622-4455.

Expect tricks and treats (for kids 10 and younger) and “Creepy Crawly Pet Show” at Six Flags Magic Mountain’s Loony Tunes Spooky Town. Noon to 5:30 p.m., Friday through Sunday and Halloween. $42.99; $21.50 for kids 48 inches and under; 2 and younger, free; parking, $7. (661) 255-4111.

Legoland’s Brick-or-Treat Celebration features costume contests, Halloween-themed shows and trick-or-treating. Legoland, weekdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., through Halloween. Adults, $39; children, $33. (760) 918-KIDS, https://www.legoland.com.

Bring a bag for candy and toys to the Police Activities League’s Halloween Carnival at Barker Hangar, for ages 18 and younger; check out the costume contest, fun house ($1) and games (25 cents). Santa Monica Airport, 3021 Airport Ave., Santa Monica. 5 to 9 p.m. Free admission. (310) 392-7673.

Forest Lawn will have pumpkin coloring contests today at Forest Lawn-Long Beach, Sunnyside Courtyard, 1500 E. San Antonio Drive; Monday, at Forest Lawn-Cypress, Ascension Mausoleum, 4471 Lincoln Ave.; and Tuesday, at Forest Lawn-Covina Hills, 21300 Via Verde, in the Christian Heritage Mausoleum. 3:45 to 5 p.m. Free. (800) 204-3131, Ext. 4738.

Boo at the L.A. Zoo offers trick-or-treating, creepy creature encounters, crafts and goodies, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Children in costume receive $1 off admission; $8.25, adults; $3.25, ages 2 to 12; $5.25, seniors. Griffith Park, Los Angeles. (323) 644-6400.

The fifth annual Boo & Goo at La Brea Tar Pits includes an overnight stay at the Page Museum, from 7 p.m. Friday to 9 a.m. Saturday. Campers (ages 5 to 12) will tour the museum, make gooey crafts, meet spooky nocturnal creatures, then trick-or-treat by flashlight. Admission of $40 includes food. Reservations required: (213) 763-3534.

Kidspace Museum’s seventh annual Halloween Adventure & Carnival on Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., will include games and a tour of the Mystical Magical Wizard School. The program will run five days, through Halloween. 390 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena. $5. Reservations suggested: (626) 449-9143.

Children ages 3 to 8 can come in costume to the Arboretum of Los Angeles on Saturday, for the Peacock Parade and Pumpkin Decorating. Kids take home the pumpkin they decorate with natural materials collected on Arboretum grounds. 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia. 10 to 11:30 a.m. $10 per pumpkin. Reservations required. (626) 821-4624.

The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum presents non-scary Halloween stories on Sunday at 11 a.m. 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga. $7. (310) 455-3723.

Grand Marshal Dr. Demento will lead the second annual Halloween Hearse, Bug and Monster Car Show procession on Saturday, starting on the grounds of the Orange County Market Place. Dr. Demento will also perform at 12:30 and 1 p.m. 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. Activities included in marketplace admission: $2; 12 and younger, free. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (949) 723-6660.

A costume parade, games and a Great Pumpkin Contest are all part of the Village Venture Arts and Crafts Faire, featuring more than 400 arts and crafts booths, Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Yale Avenue, Claremont. Free. (909) 621-9644.

The Echo Park Recreation Center’s Halloween Carnival offers rides, games and food today through Sunday, noon to 10 p.m. On Halloween, a teen area with a skate ramp, haunted cemetery, costume and other contests will be open 6 to 9 p.m. 1632 Bellevue Ave. $5 includes games, refreshments and the haunted cemetery on Halloween. (213) 250-3578.

Kids ages 3 to 12 are invited to the Carlin G. Smith Recreation Center on Saturday, 5:30 to 9 p.m. A $5 charge covers games, the Moon Bounce, Cake Walk, prizes and face painting. Costume parade begins at 8 p.m. 511 W. Ave. 46, L.A., (323) 225-4960.