​Creepy Crafts, Spooky Spots, And Haunted History

There’s more to Halloween than blood and guts and screaming your way through a haunted house. From painting monsters and crafting wizarding wands to investigating the paranormal, outsmarting zombies and diving into virtual reality (plus some not-so-creepy Halloween experiences for the whole family), these regional attractions go beyond the scare for a range of Halloween experiences.

Creepy Crafts

Whimsy Hollow Wand Workshop

October 26

1 – 4 p.m.

Spirit Room

Fargo

spiritroom.com

Channel your inner wizard or witch when you crate your own custom wand. The $15 fee includes all materials. All ages welcome. Cash and credit card accepted on the day of the workshop.

Paint a Pumpkin

October 26

10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Fargo Air Museum

Fargo

fargoairmuseum.com

Wear your costume, do a little trick-or-treating and decorate your pumpkin, then check out the exhibits. One free pumpkin per family with discounted event admission of $5 per person, while supplies last.

Adult Metalsmithing Workshop: Halloween Pendants

October 27

1-4 p.m.

North Dakota Museum of Art

Grand Forks

ndmoa.com

Adults 18+ will create autumn-themed pendants out of nickel, brass and copper. No experience is necessary and all materials are provided. The cost is $50 for members, $65 for non-members. Pre-registration is required.

Bad Art Night – Monsters

October 28

5:30-7 p.m.

Grand Forks Public Library

Grand Forks

gflibrary.com

Add monsters to forgotten artwork! No, seriously – this class includes everything you need to insert creepy creatures into previously uninspired scenes. All skill levels are welcome, ages 13+. The class is free, but limited to 20 participants.

Magic School Painting

October 29

7-9 p.m.

Creatively Uncorked

West Fargo

creativelyuncorked.com

Paint your own ominous building silhouetted against an orange sky. No artistic talent is required and the class is open to ages 6+. Beer, wine and snacks are available for purchase. The $36 ticket includes supplies and an apron.

Mad Scientist Terrariums

October 31

5:30-6:30 p.m. or 7-8 p.m.

Baker Garden & Gift

Fargo

bakernursery.com

Let your inner mad scientist run wild when you create and decorate a terrarium inside a beaker. Pay only for the moss, plants, crystals, rocks and fairy garden accents that you think your creation needs.

Spooky Spots and Haunted History

Paranormal Investigations

October 25

8 - 11:30 p.m.

Bonanzaville Cass County Historical Society

West Fargo

bonanzavilleusa.org

See if you can detect paranormal activity in the historic buildings during a 90-minute team investigation. EMF detectors and voice boxes will be provided. Investigators can also bring in their own approved equipment.

Zombie Escape Room

October 26

9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Grand Forks Public Library

Grand Forks

gflibrary.com

Your group of up to 8 people has just 60 minutes to solve a series of puzzles before the zombies attack. The event is free, but advance registration is required. It’s recommended for ages 16+, based on the difficulty of the puzzles.

1883 Haunted Courthouse

October 31

5-8 p.m.

1883 Stutsman County Courthouse

Jamestown

701-252-1170

Stop by for Halloween treats, hot cocoa, cookies and self-guided tours of the historic courthouse, including the spooky haunted cellar. Kids under 16 must bring a parent. A donation of $5 per family is suggested, but not required

Haunted Manor Walk-Through

October 31

1 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Grand Forks Virtual Reality Arcade LLC

Grand Forks

facebook.com/GFVRArcade/

Explore a haunted house in super creepy virtual reality. There are two routes and four possible endings. Try it for 15 minutes for $5.

Fun for the little ones

Pumpkin Decorating

October 23-24

4-5 p.m.

Fargo Public Library locations

Fargo

fargond.gov/city-government/departments/library

Kids 3 and up and their parents can stop by the Northport Fargo Public Library branch on October 23 or the Dr. James Carlson Library on October 24 to paint a pumpkin and drink apple cider. The event is free. No pre-registration is required.

Boo at the Zoo

October 26

10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Red River Zoo

Fargo

redriverzoo.org

Bring the kiddos in costume for trick-or-treating and fall-themed craft and zoo activities. Admission is free for members. Regular admission rates apply for non-members.

Halloween Pop-Up Play

October 26

10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

West Acres

Fargo

westacres.com

Interactive, Halloween-themed stations are scattered all over the mall, so kids can attend story time, touch and play musical instruments, play games, do a mall scavenger hunt and leave with balloon animals. Costumes are encouraged.

Spooktacular Halloween Party

October 27

2 – 4 p.m.

Veterans Memorial Arena

West Fargo

wfparks.org

Kids of all ages can check out the haunted maze, decorate cookies and meet the friendly witches. Costumes are encouraged. The event is free for all.

Boo at NDSU

October 29

5:30 – 8 p.m.

North Dakota State University

Fargo

ndsu.edu/reslife/rha/boo_at_ndsu/

This free, public event features a children’s carnival in Cater Hall and trick-or-treating in residence halls. Families can purchase dinner at NDSU dining centers for $10 for adults, $4 for kids 4-10 and free for little ones.

Haunted Mall

October 31

5 – 7 p.m.

Moorhead Center Mall

Moorhead

moorheadcentermall.com

Get the family dressed up for indoor trick-or-treating, haunted (but not so scary spaces) and kid-friendly games and activities.

BOO-tiful Night: Trick-or-treating event

October 31

5:30-7:30 p.m.

West Acres

Fargo

westacres.com

Kids of all ages line the mall corridors for trick-or-treating, balloon animals and free family photos. Donate a non-perishable food item for a shot at a $50 mall gift card.

[Editor’s note: Alicia Underlee Nelson is a freelance writer and photographer who covers craft beer, travel, art, entertainment, history and breaking news for Thomson Reuters, Food Network, USA Today,Delta Sky Magazine, AAA Living, Midwest Living, Beer Advocate, trivago magazine, Matador Network, KFGO-AM, craftbeer.com and numerous other publications.]