Fall is by far my favorite season in Northeast Ohio. I’m a fall festival junkie, a corn maze addict and a Halloween event aficionado. So of course, my husband and I bundled up the boys and made the trip to the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo for its annual Boo at the Zoo event.
This is our second year in a row attending, and it was fun to see our 3-year-old get even more excited by the activities than last year. (Our youngest is 9 months old, so while he enjoyed the sights and sounds, he can’t quite fully appreciate the event yet.) Who would have thought watching a bear devour a pumpkin is top-notch entertainment? For a toddler, it most definitely is.
Besides checking out all the animals and taking part in trick-or-treating at stations throughout to zoo, there were several special offerings that were a big hit with our oldest son:
Monster Mash Dance Party — our son loves music and dancing, so the live DJ, flashing lights and dance props were appreciated. Parents will love watching children shake, bounce and spin in their adorable costumes.
Spooky Train Ride — the name is somewhat deceiving, as this is totally family-friendly and not at all scary — a plus for our youngsters. It’s fun to take the familiar train route in the dark with dozens of Halloween inflatables and other decorations.
Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital Safety Zone — This area is part trick-or-treat and part education, with staff on hand to guide children through activities and offer prizes.
Hay Maze — This indoor adventure consists of a wide (read; stroller-friendly) path through highly stacked hay bales, with fun Halloween decorations, lights, a fog machine and more.
