Looking for Halloween events in Iowa City that are playful, hands-on, and designed just for kids? This October, The Iowa Children’s Museum is filling the season with spooky STEAM activities, creative performances, after-hours adventures, sensory-friendly fun, and a whole week of Halloween play. Whether you’re planning a fall family getaway, looking for things to do with kids in Iowa City, or exploring the Iowa City/Cedar Rapids area, you’ll find plenty of ways to celebrate the season through the power of play.

Here’s what’s happening this year:

Afterschool Studio: Spooky STEAM — October 1–29

Get ready for some spooky STEAM all October long! Every Thursday from 3:30–5:30 p.m., museum educators will lead a hands-on activity inspired by the Halloween season. STEAM stands for science, technology, engineering, art, and math, bringing these subjects together through creating, experimenting, innovating, and problem-solving.

Drop in, experiment, create, and see what you discover! Afterschool Studio activities are included with museum admission, making them a fun addition to a family visit to The Iowa Children’s Museum.

Here’s the spooky STEAM lineup:

• October 1: Pumpkin Investigation — Can pumpkins move? Can they float? Let’s put pumpkins in motion by investigating the properties of pumpkins.

• October 8: Halloween in 3D — Explore Halloween from a whole new dimension with a hands-on 3D activity.

• October 15: Lights & Shadows — Experiment with light and discover the spooky possibilities of shadows.

• October 22: Spooky Solutions & Mixtures — Mix, experiment, and investigate with some spooky solutions and mixtures.

• October 29: Printmaking — Get creative with a hands-on printmaking activity inspired by the season.

Traditional Mexican Dances with Fuerzas Culturales Ballet Folklórico — October 17

Enjoy a lively Ballet Folklórico performance celebrating the traditions of Mexico with Fuerzas Culturales! Two groups will perform dances from the states of Sinaloa and Jalisco. After the performance, children and families are invited to join us to learn a few basic steps!

Performances are included with museum admission.

After Dark: Night of the Living Toys — October 23

After Dark returns Thursday, October 23, from 7–10 p.m. for a Halloween edition of The Iowa Children’s Museum’s grown-ups-only night, presented by Procter & Gamble.

Put on your costume, grab your friends, and take over the museum after hours with Halloween trivia, crafts, tarot readings, karaoke, dancing, drinks, treats, and plenty of opportunities to let your inner child out.

But there’s a mystery to solve, too. A mysterious doll has gone missing from the museum. Was she misplaced… or did she leave on her own? Follow the clues, uncover the mystery, and find out what really happens during Night of the Living Toy after dark!

This adults-only Halloween event is a chance to experience The Iowa Children’s Museum in a whole new way, with a little spooky fun, a little mystery, and a lot of PLAY!

Sensory-Friendly Night — October 26

Our Sensory-Friendly Night gives children of all abilities the chance to enjoy Halloween in a calmer setting. From 6–7:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 26, families can explore the museum and enjoy Halloween-themed activities in a more sensory-friendly environment.*

* To ensure a sensory-friendly experience, we ask large groups to please contact us ahead of time. Our goal is to keep the museum environment calm, which may require limiting total attendance or asking large groups to visit another time.

HalloWEEK — October 27–31

Investigator Peter is magnifying the not-too-spooky fun this HALLOWEEK! From Tuesday, October 27, through Saturday, October 31, families can explore the museum while enjoying Halloween-themed decorations, activities, and plenty of hands-on play.

Costumes are welcome as kids celebrate Halloween through the power of imagination and play. Whether you’re visiting Iowa City for the weekend or looking for a fun Halloween activity close to home, HalloWEEK is a great way to add some not-too-spooky fun to your fall plans.

STEM Family Free Night — October 30

Celebrate Halloween during STEM Family Free Night on Friday, October 30, from 5–8 p.m. Admission is free, giving families a chance to explore the museum’s hands-on exhibits and enjoy STEM-focused activities together. 

Costumes are welcome, so come ready to build, experiment, explore, and play!

Jack SPLAT — November 7

Halloween isn’t over until the pumpkins fly! On Saturday, November 7, from 9:30–11 a.m., families can bring their jack-o-lanterns to Jack SPLAT for a spectacular end to the Halloween season.

Watch pumpkins take flight before they come crashing down with a satisfying SPLAT! It’s a memorable outdoor family activity and a fun Iowa City tradition to add to your fall calendar.

From spooky STEAM and after-hours adventures to sensory-friendly celebrations and pumpkin-smashing fun, The Iowa Children’s Museum is a must-stop destination for families visiting Iowa City this fall. If you’re planning a family trip to the Iowa City/Cedar Rapids area, make time for hands-on play, creative exploration, and Halloween fun at the museum. Mark your calendars and join us for a playful, not-too-spooky October!