How to have a spook-tacular, family-friendly Halloween in Sioux Falls

Story courtesy of Sioux Falls Argus Leader

Whether you’re a dog mom looking to show off your fur-child’s spider costume, or the parents of a rambunctious young ghost or goblin ready to scare the neighbors, Sioux Falls has a lot to offer families this Halloween.

And if your little one simply refuses to take that new VSCO girl costume off, good news parents: the creepiness goes all week long.

Here’s a round-up of some of the top family-friendly Halloween events this year in Sioux Falls:

Haunted Car Wash

At 6 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, make cleaning your car before winter hits a little weirder by visiting the Silverstar Car Wash, 4916 S. Marion Road, to experience a family-friendly light and fog show, with spooky music and creepy characters.

Visitors get free candy, but the entry fee is $15, a portion of which will go to Feeding South Dakota.

Animal, Vegetable or Tentacle?

Looking for something that involves a bit of science? Stop by the Sioux Falls Science Pub at Remedy Brewing to learn a little bit about moon jellyfish and brine shrimp with representatives from The Butterfly House & Aquarium for some hands-on demonstrations during “Animal, Vegetable or Tentacle?”  The event is kid-friendly and goes from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Old Courthouse Museum Halloween Party

Here’s something more interactive for the younger ones in your life this Thursday. Shortly before the sun sets, children can trick or treat throughout the Old Courthouse Museum galleries, hear spooky stories, participate in costume contests and even go on a scavenger hunt. The event, 200 W. 6th Street, goes from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. and is free to attend.

Mall-O-Ween

On the creepiest night of the year, stop by The Empire Mall in your best costume for crafts, fun and free candy for the whole family. The event only lasts two hours, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, at 5000 W. Empire Mall.

But there are other similar events scattered throughout town:

• Halloween Trick or Treating at Scheels,  4-6 p.m. Thursday at Scheels, 2101 W. 41st St.
• Trick-or-Treat at the Western Mall,  4 – 6 p.m. Thursday at REACH Literacy, 2101 W. 41st Street on the south side of the Western Mall.
• Trick or Treat at First Bank & Trust, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Thursday, 2300 W. 57th Street.
• Hallow-Luja Party,  6 – 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Salvation Army Sioux Falls, 800 N. Cliff Avenue and 900 N Cliff Avenue
• Trick or Treat – Southern Plaza, 5 – 6 p.m. Wednesday at Kinesio Care Center – Chiropractic and Active Car, 3717 S. Grange Ave.
• Halloween Story Time, from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Wednesday at First Bank & Trust, 500 S. Highline Place
• Not-so-Scary Kids Halloween Party, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Thursday at Rainbow Midwest, the outdoor playground store at 2801 S. Carolyn Ave.

All the local Trunk or Treat and church festival-related events your sweet tooth can handle

From fall festivals, to a Family Circus event, to the trendy way churches rally adults to use Pintrest and decorate the trunks of their trucks and cars for children to trick or treat safely, here’s several chances to enjoy the Halloween fun with your little one at local churches, day cares and even retirement homes this year:

• 6 p.m. Thursday at Celebrate Community Church, 1000 S. Sycamore Ave.
• 5 p.m. Thursday at First Lutheran Church, 327 S. Dakota Ave.
• 4:30- 6 p.m. Thursday at Memorial Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls, 5000 S. Western Ave.
• 7 – 8 p.m. Wednesday with the Ransom Teens at The Ransom Church, 700 N. Main Avenue
• 6 – 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at Sioux Falls First, 6300 W. 41st Street
• 6:30 – 8 p.m. Wednesday at Oak Hills Baptist Church, 6201 S. Lyncrest Ave.
• 3-5 p.m. Thursday at the Meadows on Sycamore Sioux Falls Retirement Home

Mystery Murder Dinner Theater

If you’re looking to carry the scary into the weekend, 605 Boxer Rescue needs your help solving the interactive mystery of the Jazz Age Jeopardy murderer. From 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, enjoy a night of wine, chicken breast stuffed with tomato basil, a spring salad and dessert at The History Club of Sioux Falls, 758 S. Phillips Ave. There’s a $50 registration fee, and only 65 tickets are available and will only be sold through Thursday.

“1984”

Looking for more of a psychological chill this Halloween to enjoy with the older children in your house? Dive into George Orwell’s dystopic tale of “Big Brother” in the on-stage production of “1984” by the Aquila Theatre. The performance runs 7:30 to 10 p.m. Wednesday at the Washington Pavilion, 301 S. Main Avenue. The show is best for those ages 15 and older.