Halloween | Boo at the LA Zoo

My darling readers, by now, you know that Halloween at our house begins in August. We decorate, we frequent pumpkin patches and as many Halloween themed attractions, as possible. We use every spare moment to go somewhere and see something that has to do with Halloween. Only one rule, it MUST be kid friendly, for our tiny Halloween fanatics.

Nothing in the city of Los Angeles, has provided more opportunity to enjoy Halloween, than The Los Angeles Zoo. There is literally something at the Zoo, every day of the week.

Spooky Stroll – Enter, if you dare, and discover Halloween games, a mini pumpkin patch, frightfully Boo-tiful photo ops, and more in Eucalyptus Grove from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Animals & You Boo – Get up close to creepy critters – so close, in fact, you may even get to touch them – in front of the Winnick Family Children’s Zoo at 10: 45 and 11:45 a.m., with an extra performance at 12:45 p.m. on weekend days. Schedule subject to change due to weather.
The L.A.I.R. – Come face-to-face with rare snakes, poisonous frogs, and venomous lizards. No decorations required for this goose bump-inducing excursion! Open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Boo Bird Show – Witness fascinating behaviors of some of nature’s most mysterious and misunderstood flying fauna – owls and vultures – at a special Halloween edition of our popular World of Birds Show at 12 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. every day but Tuesday. Schedule subject to change due to weather.

Of course, weekends provide the most Halloween fun, but do get the most crowds.

Swazzle’s Monster Menagerie Puppet Show – Help a lonely mad scientist create the ultimate trick-or-treating buddy by combining animal “superpowers.” Performances in Adventure Theater at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
“Spooktacular Science” Show – Discover bubbling potions, a hovercraft-powered ghost, and more fun surprises in a mad scientist’s bustling lab. Performances in Adventure Theater at 3 p.m.
Masterpiece Pumpkins with Gene Granata – Marvel at expert carving demonstrations in Eucalyptus Grove from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Crocodilian Craft – Create a cute clothespin alligator to wear in honor of October’s Reptile Awareness Day.
Fearsome Feedings & Creature Treats – Watch as our animal residents enjoy seasonal treats all their own. See schedule below. Warning: Includes carcass feedings. Parental discretion is advised.

In previous years, we visited the LA Zoo at least once a week throughout the month of October. But, now that the boys are getting older and are in school half days, we were only able to make Boo at the LA Zoo, on the final weekend before Halloween. This is the weekend where all the kiddos get to trick or treat!

Hubby lead the way as we navigated our way through the crowds. The boys were excited in their excited in their costumes. But as the day became hotter, the boys started shedding their costumes piece by piece. Until eventually, they were trick-or-treating in their shorts and t-shirts. Thanks 96 degree, Los Angeles October!

Our little Caped Crusader loved stopping at the spooky critter stations, to touch various creepy crawlers.

Princeton, loved playing the sack toss games set up on the Spooky Stroll and actually made it on his very first try.

The Spooky Stroll was a lot of fun and, surprisingly, not overly crowded.

It did start to get a little too hot for the boys, so we took a break to cool off and recharge. The carousel has been a favorite of theirs for some time, and I agree. It gives all of us a much needed breather at the top of the hill.