Halloween Spooktacular at the National Children's Museum

The Museum After Hours, in Costume

The National Children's Museum stays open late for one Halloween night, Friday, October 23, from 5 to 7:30. On a normal day it closes at 4:30, so this is your chance to see it in the evening, with every exhibit open and kids in costume everywhere. The museum lists it for all ages.

A few stations are just for the night. At the Tinkering Corner, kids use light and Halloween cutouts to make shadow scenes and tell spooky stories. Over by the DC Mural there's a pumpkin catapult pop-up, where they launch mini pumpkins at targets and adjust their aim. In Climate Action Heroes they look at real insect specimens under handheld digital microscopes and draw what they find. Right before closing, everyone joins a Monster Mash noise parade through the museum.

You need a ticket for this event specifically, not a regular daytime visit. Members get in free, and everyone else pays the regular admission price ($18.95 for ages 1 and up when I checked). Costumes are encouraged, but masks, weapons and inflatable costumes aren't allowed. If your kid shows up with a mask or a toy sword, it stays at the admissions desk until you leave.

The dinosaur exhibit, Land of Fire and Ice, is open that night too, so if you haven't seen it yet this is a fun way to do both. The museum sits right on top of the Federal Triangle Metro stop, which makes a Friday evening downtown a lot less stressful.

Parent Tips 💡

• ✓Buy the Spooktacular ticket. It's a separate ticket for the 5 to 7:30pm event, not a regular daytime pass.
• ✓Leave masks and toy weapons at home. They aren't allowed, and you'd have to check them at the admissions desk.
• ✓Skip the inflatable costume. Those aren't allowed either.
• ✓Members get in free. If you have a membership, this is a good night to use it.
• ✓Stay until the end. The Monster Mash parade happens right before closing.
• ✓Feed them before you go. It starts at 5, right around dinnertime for little kids.

Questions Parents Ask

When is the National Children's Museum Halloween Spooktacular?

Friday, October 23, 2026, from 5 to 7:30pm, after the museum's regular hours.

How much are Halloween Spooktacular tickets?

It's a separate ticket at the regular museum admission price. Members get in free.

Can kids wear costumes to the Spooktacular?

Yes, costumes are encouraged. Masks, weapons and inflatable costumes aren't allowed, and masks or costume weapons stay at the admissions desk during your visit.

What activities are there?

Spooky shadow stories, a pumpkin catapult pop-up, a creepy crawly investigation with digital microscopes and a Monster Mash noise parade before closing. All exhibits are open.