ArBOOretum

ArBOOretum is back at the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center on Saturday, October 17, from 10 AM to 4 PM, with the last entry at 3 PM. It's the Arboretum's biggest family event of the year, a Halloween celebration with a nature twist that runs rain or shine.

The main draw is the Trick-or-Treat Nature Trail, the only one of its kind in Houston, which turns candy collecting into a discovery adventure about the creatures that call the Arboretum home. Beyond the trail, the day is packed with activities for kids: a Birds of Prey program, a snake encounter, pumpkin decorating, story time, face painting, carnival games, train rides, a Monster Mart, the ArBOOretum Adventure, a pumpkin patch, a scarecrow stilt walker, and photo ops with Spider-Man and Moana.

If the crowd gets a bit much, there are two spots to take a breather: a Bat Cave tent with cooling fans and a Cooldown Room inside the Nature Center. There's also an ASL interpreter available during story time. A few things to keep in mind before you head out: pets aren't allowed, and the event continues the center's Zero Waste effort, with a goal of diverting at least 90% of waste from landfills with help from Zero Waste Houston.

Proceeds from the day support the Arboretum's nature conservation and educational programming. The center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that relies on donations to fund nature education for Houstonians of all ages. Admission is free for Arboretum members (registration required) and children under 3; it's $25 for ages 3 and up through Friday, October 16, and $30 for ages 3 and up on Saturday, October 17. You'll find it at 4501 Woodway Drive, Houston, TX 77024.