Trick-or-Treating with Baby on Board

By Elizabeth Shapiro in Miscellaneous on Oct 26, 2007 4:05PM

We didn’t grow up in a big city, so as parents we’re a little perplexed about the whole urban trick-or-treating thing. We’ve even heard that it’s taboo to go door to door in any neighborhood not your own (seriously?). Luckily, there are plenty of places in Chicago to celebrate and get your kids' hands on some candy.

The Lincoln Park Zoo hosts its annual Spooky Zoo Spectacular Saturday. Kids trick or treat in the zoo's friendly confines from 1-3 p.m. In the past, this event's pulled in an attendance of close to 25,000 kids, so we're thinking those lines for free candy might get a bit long.

Northside kids can parade and snag candy from local merchants Saturday at 11 a.m. in North Center, from 11:30-2 p.m. in Roscoe Village, and from 2-4 p.m. in Lincoln Square. Refill those candy bags from noon-3 p.m. Sunday on Southport and 12-5 p.m. in Wicker Park. Southsiders can o.d. on sugar while they party at the Haunted Beach Bash on the lake at 63rd on Saturday from 2-4 p.m., at Piotrowski Park’s Halloween Fun Fair from 4-6 p.m., or any one of a dozen local parties this weekend sponsored by the Park District (and Walgreens). Kids in Buena Park can trick-or-treat safely form 6-8 p.m. on Halloween night, thanks to volunteer monitors from their neighborhood and the Chicago Police.

Many of these events offer more then free candy: many boast pumpkin decorating, face painting and costume contests for your kid and/or dog. Just make sure their costumes aren’t too scary.