Zoo, wildlife park hosting family Halloween events

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium and Northwest Trek Wildlife Park are hosting Halloween events for all ages this fall.

Haunted Hike

When: Fri.-Sun., Oct. 16-Oct. 31, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. 

Where: Northwest Trek Wildlife Park

What: Let’s get wild! We’re decorating the wildlife park! Guests are encouraged to wear their favorite costume and wander past magical lights, eerie spider webs and pumpkins everywhere. Even the animals will be given pumpkins to play with and chomp on at various times (these won’t be scheduled, to prevent congestion). There will also be a scavenger hunt for guests to solve the mystery of the forest. Guests who listen closely may even hear the howling of wolves or the haunting noises of elk rut. An added bonus: Kids’ Trek is now reopen! Let children slide, climb, jump, explore or scream their way through the nature-inspired playground.

“We understand that Halloween looks a little different for everyone this year, and we know safety is a big concern for many families,” Education Curator Jessica Moore said. “We are excited to offer Haunted Hike as a fun, interactive way to help our guests enjoy Halloween and still feel safe.”  

Guests are encouraged to wear family-friendly costumes (but face coverings are still required!)

Cost: Free with paid admission or membership.

Learn more at: https://www.nwtrek.org/event/haunted-hike/

Pumpkin Days

When: Thurs.-Mon., Oct. 24-Oct. 31, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. 

Where: Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium 

What:

The animals at the zoo love pumpkins. Keepers will give them unscheduled enrichments all week long. Staff will compete to see who can decorate the best pumpkin-themed exhibit, so be sure to vote on your favorite area. Come solve the Mystery of the Trees. Use a phone to follow the online scavenger hunt clues to discover which animal cutouts are “hiding” in the trees. Guests are encouraged to wear family-friendly costumes, but remember, face coverings are still required.

Cost: Free with paid admission or membership to the Zoo. 

Learn more at: https://www.pdza.org/event/pumpkin-days/

“We hope our guests will enjoy the festive fall and Halloween decorations as they safely explore our animal habitats, solving mysteries and learning about how we can protect the world’s wildlife,” Conservation Engagement Curator Wendy Spaulding said.

Creatures of the Night — A Live Virtual Halloween Celebration 

When: Oct. 31 at 3:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Where: Virtual- Zoom 

What: Meet spooky-cool animals, live with their caretakers! Discover how bats, snakes and owls thrive in darkness with all of the features that make these creatures of the night so super special. Guests are encouraged to wear costumes and ask zoo staff questions.

Cost: This is a free event, but there is limited space so guests are required to register in advance, one registration per device.

Learn more at: https://www.pdza.org/event/creatures-of-the-night/

October Animal Shoutouts 

When: All month long!

What: Book an Animal Shoutout from one of Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium’s fall-inspired species! Shoutouts featuring these animals are only available in October, so book them while you can! Send a friend, family member, coworker or special loved one a message of your choice from a keeper with the help of either an Indian fruit bat, Eurasian eagle-owl, Chilean rose tarantula, green tree python, sand boa or Herald the dog in costume!

Cost: $50 per shoutout 

Learn more at: https://www.pdza.org/discover/animal-shoutouts/