Park-Wide Halloween Family Day

Oct 31, 09

Balboa Park is the place to be this Halloween for safe, family-friendly adventures as 15 museums open their doors free to children as part of a park-wide Family Day on Saturday, October 31. Kids 17 and under will be admitted free of charge with a paid adult admission, and together families can enjoy a rich variety of hands-on activities, music, performances, and special programs, all free with museum admission. Adults can also take advantage of the new Stay-for-the-Day Pass, a one-day excursion pass allowing one adult admission to four park museums for one low price of $29.

Suggested parking is at the Inspiration Point lot at Park Blvd. (east side) and Presidents’ Way. Park in the large lot and take the friendly and free red tram into the center of the Park at the Balboa Park Visitors Center. For public transportation options, ride the MTS trolley or bus to Balboa Park for Family Day. Take Rt. 7 to Balboa Park and two kids 12 and younger ride free with each paid adult 18 and older. Take the Trolley to the City College Station to transfer to Rt. 7 on the 11^th Avenue side of the station --Rt. 7 runs every twelve minutes.

Please see below for a complete listing of all the activities scheduled for the October 31 Family Day. For updates visit www.balboapark.org

Japanese Friendship Garden– Japanese crafts (1 & 2pm); treats for children in costume (10am-4pm).

Mingei International Museum– Papel picado (Mexican cut paper) crafts 12-4pm

Museum of Photographic Arts– Film in collaboration with San Diego Children’s Film Festival "Coraline" (2009) (recommended for ages 8 and up), 2pm

Museum of San Diego History–Create unique hats using historic photographs of vintage hats as inspiration in collaboration with the exhibition San Diego Style. (11am-3pm)

Reuben H. Fleet Science Center– Science-themed pumpkin contest, 20% off admission, galleries or IMAX for adults 18+ ... 17 and under receive free gallery admission and IMAX for only $8.50

San Diego Air and Space Museum–build paper pumpkins with parachutes at 12:30 and 2:30pm. At 2pm the Great (real) Pumpkin will plunge off the roof attached to a da Vinci-style parachute. Also see the special exhibition To the Moon: Snoopy Soars with NASA.

San Diego Automotive Museum–Scavenger hunt with a prize

San Diego Hall of Champions– one pair of free navy blue flip flops to the first 100 museum visitors. Size availability will vary.

San Diego Model Railroad Museum–Thomas the Tank Engine Astro Jump & Engineer Trick or Treat bags (11am-3pm)

San Diego Museum of Art–“New Village Art Theatre” performs scenes from upcoming production (1-1:30pm); Search & Find Tour and art making activities (1-3pm).

San Diego Museum of Man– Day of the Dead activities include: make your own Day of the Dead altar, a special docent-led Spooky Tour in the Ancient Egypt Gallery, and light refreshments

San Diego Natural History Museum–Howl-O-Ween Family Day. Inspect arthropods, raptors, and reptiles—spooky specimens alive and dead! Make a bat craft, and march in a costume parade after each Ms. Frizzle™ Bats are Beautiful performances at 12 and 2pm (parades are at 12:30 & 2:50pm). Children 12 and younger can enter a costume contest to win a free Family Membership to the museum.

San Diego Youth Symphony - Watch open rehearsals as San Diego's finest young musicians prepare for the Celebration of Music Concert. In Casa del Prado from 8:30am-6:45pm

San Diego Zoo–Come visit the special booth on El Prado near the Balboa Park Visitors Center with creepy, crawly bugs, 11:30-12:30pm and 1:30-2:30pm. Also at the Zoo, children under 12 free with paid adult admission.

SDAI: Museum of the Living Artist–“Art Box 2” for children to discover elements found in art.

Spanish Village Art Center–Artists turn pumpkins into magical Jack O’Lanterns on the patio. Free drawings for the Jack O’Lanterns throughout the day. Tin can painting and wooden ornament craft-making. "Fish" for free treasures at the "Fishin' Place".

Veterans Museum–Massing of the Colors in Organ Pavilion (10:30am-noon) with Marine Corps Band and color guard march.

WorldBeat Center – Staff & artists in colorful traditional dress; watch Cultural Drumming and Dance Workshops throughout the day

Balboa Park Visitors Center (BPVC)–One free gift to each child in costume accompanied by an adult. While supplies last

Cirque du Soleil - drawing at BPVC for a Family Four Pack for the new show "Kooza"

Junior Theatre – tickets for upcoming show raffled at BPVC

Old Globe Theatre–drawing  for family 4-pack of tickets for “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” at Balboa Park Visitors Center

San Diego Automotive Museum - drawing for gift bag at BPVC

SDMA Sculpture Court by Giuseppe - self serve hot apple cider station and candy (while supplies last) - a complimentary Italian pumpkin cookie with meal purchase

Village Grill – Free ice cream with proof of museum admission

Time Out Café– Free ice cream with proof of museum admission

UNA International Gift Shop–one free flag from the nation of your choice (while supplies last); and UNICEF trick or treat boxes

Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theatre: The Polka Dot Ghost performed at 11am, 1 & 2:30pm. Kids in costume can parade to the front of the stage and will receive a candy treat following the show. Regular admission prices in effect. 

San Diego Family Magazine - Visit the booth on El Prado near the BP Visitors Center for free San Diego Family Magazines.

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