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Halloween Family Day in Balboa Park

Posted by bayinn on October 29, 2011

10/29/11

Over a dozen museums are treating families to free admission for children 12 and under during the 3rd annual Balboa Park Halloween Family Day on Saturday, October 29. In addition to free children’s admission with a paid adult, participating museums and cultural attractions will present a spooky array of hands-on activities, crafts, special tours, storytelling, and other free goodies from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. Adults also receive discounted admission when they pick up a Stay-for-the-Day Pass, a one-day excursion pass allowing one adult admission to five park museums for a low price of $35.

Among the highlights of this year’s park-wide Halloween Family Day is a doggie costume contest at the Spanish Village Art Center, a Great Pumpkin parachute drop at the San Diego Air & Space Museum, a creepy nocturnal Critter Cavern at the Natural History Museum, a dance performance by Ballet Folklorico Xochitl at the Mingei Museum, and activities that explore local cemeteries and gravestones at the San Diego History Center. Please see below for a complete listing of all the activities scheduled for the October 29 Family Day. Coupons are not required.

 

Price:
Children 12 and under free with paid adult admission

Special Family Day Activities and Offers

Balboa Park Visitors Center: Free gift to kids in costume who are accompanied by an adult (while supplies last). Enter a drawing to win:

• Passports to Balboa Park
• Old Town Trolley/Seal tickets
• Junior Theatre tickets to Annie
• Old Globe Family 4-pack to the GRINCH

Japanese Friendship Garden: An interactive scavenger hunt will teach families about Japanese culture and gardening. Stay for lunch as the Chop Soo-ey food truck, featuring the creations of San Diego’s celebrity chef, Deborah Scott, will be parked in the Garden.

Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theatre: Free puppet making for all kids accompanied by an adult at 11:45am and 1:45pm; show ticket not required.

Mingei International Museum: Take part in a skull-making craft activity with Amalia Menchaca and a dance performance by Ballet Folklorico Xochitl at 1pm, in collaboration with the House of Mexico.

Reuben H. Fleet Science Center: Participate in toddler-themed activities in the Kid City exhibition (ages 5 and under).

San Diego Air & Space Museum: Make Great Pumpkin parachutes in preparation for the pumpkin drop off the museum roof at 2:30 pm; enjoy kid-friendly 3-D films. Special admission price of $5 to see the Space exhibition.

San Diego Automotive Museum: Discover your inner (scary) car designer with ghost car coloring sheets in the Children’s Art Gallery.

San Diego Hall of Champions: Children 12 and under free with paid adult.

San Diego History Center: Explore gravestone symbols from San Diego’s historic cemeteries, read epitaphs, and design creative funerary art for the future. Learn the history of various local cemeteries.

San Diego Junior Theatre (booth on the Prado): Learn about a special theater camp during Thanksgiving weekend and the two upcoming shows, Annie and Santa Claus vs. the Martians.

San Diego Model Railroad Museum: Make haunted train trick-or-treat bags and enjoy Thomas the Tank Engine bounce house. Treats provided for all children.

San Diego Museum of Art: Children 12 and under free with paid adult. The SDMA Sculpture Court Café by Giuseppe will offer a warm apple cider station with candy for the kids, while quantities last.

San Diego Museum of Man: Learn about Dia de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, with local artist and expert Mary Lou Valencia! Make a calavera mask and learn about sugar skulls, or make a paper flower to honor friendly spirits! Sample authentic “Bread of the Dead” and hot chocolate. Explore the museum with a spooky tour of our mummy collection, presented in ghostly rhyme!

San Diego Natural History Museum: Grab a flashlight and visit the Critter Cavern tolearn about bats and other nocturnal creatures, meet our staff animal expert, and join in a costume parade lead by Ms. Frizzle at 2:30pm! Hands-on activities to create crafts to take home.

San Diego Zoo: Free admission to all children through 11 years of age, regardless of adult ticket purchase. Part of “Kids Free Month" (October) promotion.

Spanish Village: Doggie Costume Contest beginning at 1:00 pm. Doggie treats for the winners and first place receives a $25 Spanish Village Gift Certificate. Also, free art activities, including trick-or-treat bag decorating; trick-or-treating at the studios; entertainment, art, and food booths.

Timken Museum of Art: Revel in ghostly giggles at a Family Storytelling at 11:00 am that will give ages five and up “just the teeniest bit of shiver.”

UNA International Gift Shop: Pick up a Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF box for kids to take along with them as they go trick-or-treating this Halloween. The money they collect will be sent to UNICEF to help children around the world who need clean water, food, school supplies, etc. One free flag per family while supplies last.

Additional Booths along the Prado:

Balboa Park Online Collaborative: See the Park’s exciting new technology-related projects, including mobile apps and a forthcoming online library featuring content from 20 Balboa Park cultural institutions.

Marston House: Mask making and coloring. Receive a vintage, c. 1900 style, treat bag full of various goodies, including coupons and candy (while supplies last).

San Diego Civic Youth Ballet: Information on upcoming programs including The Nutcracker.

SDG&E: Learn how to slay energy vampires in your home. Free workbooks for kids with energy-saving tips and information about other SDG&E programs and services.

San Diego Natural History Museum: Hands-on activity; information on upcoming programs.

San Diego Youth Symphony: Performances by student musicians; raffle give-away; musical petting zoo— students will demonstrate and teach visitors how to play an instrument; information on concert season, membership, and community programs.

San Diego Zoo: Pins, decals, magazines, and Halloween candy will be handed out to everyone. Zoo animals at the booth.