Greenfield Village

DEARBORN — Family-friendly Halloween events can sometimes be a challenge to find when many activities are geared towards teens or young adults, like haunted houses and spine-chilling movies. 

Fortunately, a number of kid-friendly attractions in Dearborn and surrounding communities provide a safe outlet for families to enjoy Halloween festivities without the ghastly gore.

The Arab American National Museum is hosting a Haunted Halloween Family Party on Saturday, Oct. 29, from 2 to 4:30 p.m.

“We continue to have the Halloween party and the other family parties because it’s an open opportunity for families to come into the Museum,” said Kathryn Grabowski, AANM’s public programmer. “It is really about small children and their families getting to know the museum – that it’s a space for them, so that they can spend time together and learn and have fun.”

The event, which started about five years ago by the museum’s Education and Public Programming Department, includes opportunities for children to make seasonal crafts, play games, listen to a storyteller and trick-or-treat in the galleries. There will also be a raffle with prizes.

All kids are invited to dress up in costumes, because there will be a costume contest with awards.

“The costume contest is for the kids, but adults are welcome to dress up if they’d like,” Grabowski said. 

For the past five years, anywhere from 200 to 400 people have attended the event, which is consistent with the turnout for the AANM’s events at Christmas and Eid.

Admission is free for adults and for young children who do not participate in any of the activities offered throughout the afternoon. Tickets for children who participate in the activities cost $5 for AANM members and $7 for nonmembers.

“We encourage folks to purchase their tickets ahead of time, because the line can be a little bit long when you come in, because it is such a popular event,” Grabowski said. 

Attendees may purchase tickets on AANM’s website or directly at the museum.

Greenfield Village also offers opportunities for children to enjoy the Halloween season without the fright of ghosts or goblins.

Hallowe’en in Greenfield Village invites families to walk the streets of the Village at night, exploring the different hand-carved Jack-o’-Lanterns on display. In addition to viewing the 1,000 carved pumpkins, kids can enjoy a number of shows that include “sword-swallowing, fire-breathing, death-defying stunts and more.” 

The Headless Horseman and other well-known characters will be in full costume, ready to interact with attendees. Don’t forget to look for the dancing skeletons, witches and wizards. 

The event takes place Oct. 20-23 and 27-30. On Fridays, Saturdays and Thursday, Oct. 27, the Village hosts the activities from 6:30 to 9 p.m. On Sundays and Thursday, Oct. 20, the event lasts from 6:30 to 8 p.m. 

Admission is free for children under 2. Tickets for children 2-years-old or older and all adults cost $13.75 for members and $16 for nonmembers. Parking is free for members and $6 for nonmembers.  

For those interested in fall activities not directly related to Halloween, Plymouth Orchards and Cider Mill, located at 10685 Warren Rd., in Plymouth, might be a desirable destination.

The cider mill is open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and will stay open through Nov. 6. 

Plymouth Orchards is home to a small petting zoo, a pumpkin patch, wagon rides, hay bales, caramel apples and fall’s signature treats – cider and donuts. The cider mill also has live music on weekends and a rustic covered wagon where families are welcome to take photos.

Dr. Sohrab Ansari and his two kids, Muskaan, 8, and Abrahim, 4, stumbled upon the cider mill by accident, but Ansari was happy they found it. 

“I wish there were more places like this where the kids can go and just hang out, especially in the outdoor, small family-oriented [setting],” he said. 

While the environment welcomes kids of all ages, it doesn’t just appeal to young children. 

Hannah Dittmers and Tom Canny, law students at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, enjoyed a sunny afternoon at Plymouth Orchards. 

 “I just like the area,” said Dittmers, who is from Germany and came to the U.S. for one year to continue studying law. “I like the leaves, and the food is not only for kids.”

Canny said he liked that Plymouth Orchards was centrally located and coming on weekdays has its benefits. 

“Last time I came it was on the weekend, so it was a lot more packed,” he said. “But this is much nicer because it is more relaxed.” 

For those interested in a less crowded cider mill that contains most of the same food as Plymouth Orchards, including apples, cider, donuts and homemade pies, the Red Shed Market, the smaller version of Plymouth Orchards, is located at 10260 Plymouth Ann Arbor Rd. in Plymouth.