I’m not much of an outdoor enthusiast, but I appreciate Bass Pro Shops for one main reason: they do the holidays the right way with complimentary activities for kids.
My daughter’s first time trick-or-treating happened at Bass Pro Shops in Atlantic City, New Jersey, when she was 2. This year, the outdoor gear retailer is offering eightdays of no-cost Halloween festivities. Expect crafts, games, costume parades, photo ops with Charlie Brown and friends and — naturally — trick-or-treating.
These happenings will take place at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s locations, both owned by the same company. Around 170 stores across 45 states and Canada will join the Halloween fun, with the exception of the Islamorada, Florida, store.
The celebrations kick off two weekends before Halloween. On Oct. 20 and 21 from noon to 5 p.m., kids can make Frankenstein crafts, get their pictures taken and try pumpkin toss — a holiday twist on bean bag toss — for a shot at small prizes. The stores will be offering a photo package for $5, though you can receive one free 4-by-6 photo without making a purchase.
From Oct. 26 to 30, the Frankenstein project will be replaced by a vampire bat craft. Families can visit Bass Pro Shops on Oct. 26 from 5 to 7 p.m. to craft and pose for photos.
More events are planned for the Saturday before Halloween (Oct. 27) with trick-or-treating from 3 to 5 p.m. and a costume parade at 4 p.m. Little guests can also work on crafts, play pumpkin toss and get pictures taken from noon to 5 p.m. on Oct. 27 and 28.
The schedule is quieter on the two days immediately before Halloween — Oct. 29 and 30 — featuring only crafts and photo opportunities from 5 to 7 p.m.
The Halloween festivities reach their peak on Oct. 31 with activities running from 4 to 8 p.m. Visitors can take photos, play pumpkin toss and create crafts — this time a scarecrow — throughout the entire period.
Between 5 and 7 p.m., kids can decorate a cookie. Trick-or-treating is set for 5 to 8 p.m., and at 6 p.m. children can participate in a costume parade.
My little one had a blast gathering candy and making crafts at Bass Pro Shops. And I appreciated that I didn’t have to spend any money.
If you’re looking for other low-cost family events, check out these free kids halloween activities or tips for celebrating halloween on a budget.
Alex Monroe is a senior writer at Savinly. He enjoys free family activities and prefers trick-or-treating that avoids house-to-house visits.
