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LEGOLAND California With a 3 & 4 Year Old: Best Rides + What We Learned
Is LEGOLAND California worth it with preschoolers? After visiting when our kids were 1 and 2 and returning at ages 3 and 4, the park felt completely different. Here are the rides they loved, what we’d skip, our favorite LEGO Galaxy attractions and the tips that helped us make the most of one full day.
Aliens in LEGO Galaxy bigger than my 3 and 4 year olds
We first visited LEGOLAND California when our boys were 1 and 2 years old. There was plenty for them to see and do, but returning when they were 3 and 4 felt like visiting an entirely different theme park.
This time, they could do so much.
They drove their own LEGO cars, rode roller coasters, searched for underwater treasure, bounced high into the air and immediately asked to ride some of their favorites again.
After this trip, I think the preschool years may be the sweet spot for LEGOLAND California — especially once your child hits some of the key ride-height requirements.
Our boys were 40 inches and 43 inches tall on this visit, which turned out to be a really interesting combination. Our 40-inch 3-year-old could ride quite a bit, while our 43-inch 4-year-old suddenly qualified for several additional thrill rides.
One important thing we learned: age matters too. Some attractions have both a minimum height and a minimum age, and LEGOLAND staff were careful about enforcing both. Being tall enough didn’t automatically mean our 3-year-old could ride something intended for ages 4 and up.
We also happen to have two kids who are VERY into LEGO right now. We still have a giant collection of DUPLO bricks and love them, but we’ve definitely entered the “big kid LEGO” stage and already have more sets than I care to count.
That made this visit even more fun. They recognized LEGO characters, wanted to inspect the models and were genuinely interested in all the building details instead of just seeing them as colorful decorations.
And because we visited in September 2026, we also got to experience the new LEGO Galaxy, see Halloween decorations going up for Brick-or-Treat and ride almost everything we wanted in a full 10 a.m.–6 p.m. park day.
Here’s what was actually worth it.
Our quick take: LEGOLAND was fun when our kids were 1 and 2. At 3 and 4, it was SO much better. If you’re wondering whether LEGOLAND California is worth it with preschoolers, for us the answer was absolutely yes.
September 2026
3 and 4
40" and 43"
10 a.m.–6 p.m.
LEGO Galaxy
Galacticoaster, The Dragon, Technic Coaster + Deep Sea Adventure
The LEGO Galaxy playground at LEGOLAND California featuring large space-themed LEGO play structures, including a white rocket-style vehicle and colorful interactive play areas for kids.
What Is the Best Age for LEGOLAND California?
LEGOLAND California is geared toward younger kids, and the park officially positions many of its attractions around children ages 2–12. It even separates some attractions into a “Little Builders” range aimed around the preschool years.
Based on our two visits, though, I personally think LEGOLAND really starts to shine around ages 4–6.
That’s not to say I wouldn’t bring a 1-, 2- or 3-year-old. We did, and there are plenty of gentle rides and play areas.
But there was a huge difference between bringing toddlers and bringing kids who could say, “I want to ride THAT again!”
At 3 and 4, they weren’t just along for the day. They were participating in it.
They chose rides, drove their own cars, played interactive games, designed a spaceship and discovered roller coasters they loved.
And once a child reaches around the 40–43 inch range, a lot begins to open up.
| Ride | Our Rating | Who Could Ride? | Our Take |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galacticoaster | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Both | Our favorite; darker and more intense than expected |
| The Dragon | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Both | Great preschool coaster; worth our ~25-minute wait |
| LEGO Technic Coaster | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 4-year-old | Fantastic if your child meets the age and height requirements |
| Deep Sea Adventure | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Both | Sharks + rays + an interactive treasure hunt |
| Junior Driving School | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Both | One of the best rides for ages 3–5 |
| Beetle Bounce | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Both | Surprise favorite; they immediately rode it twice |
| NINJAGO The Ride | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Both | Fun, but the game is easier for older preschoolers and adults |
| G-Force | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 4-year-old | Fun but very spinny |
| Coastersaurus | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Both | Fun if the line is short |
| Cargo Ace | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Both | Good little-kid ride near Technic Coaster |
| Explorer River Quest | ⭐⭐⭐ | Both | Better for younger toddlers or dinosaur lovers |
| Skipper School | ⭐⭐⭐ | Both | Fine, but we wouldn't prioritize it |
| Emmet's Flying Adventure | ⭐⭐⭐ | Both | Okay, but not worth a very long wait to us |
| Coast Cruise | ⭐⭐⭐ | Both | Nice, relaxing end-of-day break |
| Royal Joust | ⭐⭐ | 4-year-old | Didn't hold his interest |
| BIONICLE Blaster | ⭐⭐⭐ | 4-year-old | Lots of spinning; we'd choose G-Force instead |
Our Favorite LEGOLAND California Rides for Preschoolers
If you’re visiting with young kids and only have one day, these are the rides I would prioritize based on what our actual 3- and 4-year-olds enjoyed.
Both our 3- and 4-year-olds rode Galacticoaster — and despite it being a little intense for our 3-year-old, both wanted to ride again!
1. Galacticoaster
Our rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Galacticoaster was AWESOME.
This is the centerpiece of the new LEGO Galaxy land, which opened in March 2026, and it’s LEGOLAND California’s first new coaster in more than 20 years.
The fun starts before you even board.
During the queue, you get to design your own digital spacecraft by choosing its nose, tail, wings and special features. Your design then becomes part of your ride experience. LEGOLAND says there are more than 625 possible customization combinations.
Because we visited just before Brick-or-Treat, there were even Halloween pieces available.
Of course we used them.
Galacticoaster Halloween-themed spaceship design
The actual coaster is indoors and in the dark, and it was more intense than I expected for a ride with such a low height requirement.
Our 3-year-old looked a little unsure when we got off.
Then, later in the day, he asked to ride it again.
So apparently it wasn’t too scary.
Galacticoaster currently allows riders starting at 36 inches with an accompanying adult.
If your child is newly 36–40 inches and cautious about dark rides, I would still prepare them for the fact that this feels like a real roller coaster — not a toddler ride.
For us, though, this was easily one of the best rides of the day.
A green dragon-themed roller coaster train carrying riders through the indoor castle section of The Dragon at LEGOLAND California.
2. The Dragon
Our rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Both kids LOVED The Dragon and wanted to go straight back on as soon as we got off.
The ride starts inside the castle, taking you past LEGO scenes including the royal dining room and wizard’s quarters before heading outside onto the coaster.
Because we visited during the Halloween season, the indoor castle scenes also had spooky decorations mixed in.
It gave us the perfect preschool-level Halloween combination: a little dark, a little spooky, but mostly just fun.
The Dragon currently requires riders to be at least 40 inches tall.
We waited about 25 minutes, and I thought that was worth it.
Would I wait 45–60 minutes?
Probably not.
But around 20–30 minutes? Yes.
3. LEGO Technic Coaster
Our 4-year-old’s rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Our 4-year-old LOVED LEGO Technic Coaster and rode it twice.
Our 3-year-old was tall enough to hit 40 inches but not old/tall enough for Technic, which requires riders to be at least 42 inches AND 4 years old.
This was one of those attractions where we really saw how dramatically one year — and three inches — can change your LEGOLAND day.
The wait was only about 10 minutes when we went, which made it an easy yes.
If your preschooler qualifies and likes roller coasters, I’d absolutely prioritize it.
Our LEGOLAND coaster ranking
If we could only choose a few coasters, I’d personally go:
1. Galacticoaster
2. The Dragon
3. LEGO Technic Coaster
4. Coastersaurus
A shark swims through the aquarium beside colorful LEGO coral and underwater structures on the LEGO City Deep Sea Adventure ride at LEGOLAND California.
4. LEGO City: Deep Sea Adventure
Our rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The submarine continues to be one of our favorite rides at LEGOLAND.
You ride through an underwater environment looking at real sharks, rays and other marine life, while searching for LEGO treasures on an interactive screen.
And our family loves a scavenger hunt.
The combination of real animals + LEGO + something to actively search for keeps young kids engaged in a way a normal slow-moving ride sometimes doesn’t.
This is also a great ride for families with children of different heights because younger children can experience it with an adult.
If we returned tomorrow, this would absolutely be on our list again.
5. Junior Driving School
Our rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Driving their own LEGO cars was another huge hit.
The Junior Driving School is specifically for ages 3–5, so our boys were right in its target age range.
We’d done a version of the driving attraction on a previous trip, but the Driving Schools were completely rebuilt and relocated in 2025 with new tracks.
And it felt better this time.
Some of that may have simply been their ages. Preschoolers getting control of their own cars is a lot more exciting than watching from the sidelines as toddlers.
Either way, this is one of the rides I’d consider a must-do for ages 3–5. Watching your kid drive, or crash into walls, is hilarious!
A large LEGO sculpture stands outside the NINJAGO attraction area at LEGOLAND California, with the themed temple entrance in the background.
6. LEGO NINJAGO The Ride
Our rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
LEGO NINJAGO The Ride reminded us a lot of WEB SLINGERS at Disney California Adventure.
You use your hands to fire elements and battle enemies as you move through the ride.
Our 4-year-old attempted to figure out what he was doing.
Our 3-year-old…not so much.
I suspect my husband and I may have been more invested in the actual game than they were.
Still, everyone had fun.
We actually had to choose between waiting for NINJAGO or doing another dinosaur ride, and the kids picked NINJAGO.
I think they made the right choice.
7. Beetle Bounce
Preschooler rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This was one of the surprise hits of the day.
Beetle Bounce lifts kids about 15 feet into the air and bounces them back down. It’s meant for smaller riders, with a current height range of 36–55 inches.
Both boys rode.
Then they stayed on and rode it AGAIN.
That’s basically all the review you need.
This was also a perfect attraction to pair with LEGO Technic Coaster when one child was too small for Technic.
Is LEGO Galaxy Worth It With Young Kids?
Because LEGO Galaxy is brand new for 2026, we made this our first stop of the day.
That was absolutely the right decision.
We arrived at LEGOLAND around 9:40 a.m. Tickets were already being scanned before the official 10 a.m. opening, and then guests waited behind a rope until the lands and rides opened.
When the rope dropped, we went straight to Galaxy. I kept accidentally calling it “Galaxy Land” all day, but LEGO Galaxy is the official name!
LEGO Galaxy officially opened March 6, 2026 and includes Galacticoaster, G-Force Test Facility, interactive building experiences, characters, food and other space-themed areas.
Our kids were especially fascinated by all the huge LEGO aliens and space builds.
G-Force Test Facility
G-Force Test Facility
Our rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
G-Force was fun — but it spins.
A lot.
The ride tilts, swings and rotates to simulate astronaut training. Riders currently need to be at least 40 inches and 4 years old with an adult.
That meant only our 4-year-old could ride even though our 3-year-old met the 40-inch height requirement.
This is worth emphasizing: LEGOLAND was much more particular than I expected about rides with a stated minimum age.
Personally, if I had to choose between this and BIONICLE Blaster, I’d pick G-Force.
It’s still spinny, but more interesting.
Launch & Land Was Closed During Our Visit
This is where my memory from our previous trip started kicking in.
Launch & Land looked VERY familiar.
On our September 2026 visit it wasn’t operating and still had work being done around it, so we weren’t able to ride.
We had ridden the attraction during an earlier trip when it looked different.
And sure enough, LEGOLAND currently lists the old Sky Patrol as “now Launch & Land.”
So this appears to be more of a space-themed transformation of an existing ride than an entirely new attraction.
The basic idea remains aimed at younger kids, with spacecraft that lift up and down. The current minimum is 34 inches with an adult.
Since it was closed during our visit, I wouldn’t personally count it as one of the new Galaxy rides we reviewed.
What We Ate at LEGOLAND California
I was actually pretty impressed with the food.
We ate at U.F.O. — Ultimate Food Outlet, LEGO Galaxy’s large food hall with several different stations.
I ordered chips and guacamole and somehow ended up with more guacamole than chips.
At a theme park.
I don’t think that’s ever happened to me before.
The kids’ meal was also adorable: a chicken quesadilla made with a bright green UFO-shaped tortilla. It also came with an Honest juice box, chips and Astronaut Strawberries.
A kids meal from U.F.O. in LEGO Galaxy at LEGOLAND California featuring a bright green UFO-shaped quesadilla with chips and themed space packaging.
The boys also got burgers from Satellite Bites across the way and both liked them. LEGOLAND describes it as Galaxy’s retro space-themed burger stand.
Then, because it was HOT and the ice cream shop wasn’t open that day, we tried the new brick-shaped popsicles from Brick Ice Lolly. The stand is located in the LEGO MOVIE area.
There were two flavors:
Mango
Strawberry
Naturally, we bought both.
They were surprisingly big and really refreshing.
They were also $8.49 EACH.
So…theme park pricing definitely applies. 😂
But on a hot afternoon when the ice cream shop is closed?
I regret nothing.
Strawberry and mango Brick Ice Lolly popsicles shaped like LEGO bricks, photographed during a visit to LEGOLAND California.
Other LEGOLAND Rides We Liked
These weren’t our absolute top-tier attractions, but I’d happily work several of them into another visit.
Coastersaurus
Our rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Coastersaurus was fun.
The problem was the ratio of waiting time to actual ride time.
We waited quite a while for what felt like a very short coaster.
By mid-afternoon, though, Dino Valley waits had dropped dramatically, so timing matters here.
In the morning, we saw Dino Valley attractions listed around 40–60 minutes.
When we came back around 3 p.m., waits were more like 10–20 minutes.
At 10–20 minutes, I’d absolutely do Coastersaurus.
At 45 minutes?
I’d ride Galacticoaster or The Dragon instead.
Cargo Ace
Our rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Cargo Ace is a little airplane ride near LEGO Technic Coaster.
It’s simple, but the kids enjoyed it.
It also worked perfectly while one parent took our older child on Technic. Our younger child could go ride the airplanes instead of just standing around waiting.
Then our older child finished Technic quickly enough to join us.
Not a “run across the park for it” ride, but definitely worth doing if you’re nearby.
Explorer River Quest
Our rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Explorer River Quest is the slow Dino Valley boat ride where you float past LEGO dinosaurs.
They liked looking at the dinosaurs.
But overall?
Meh.
What’s funny is that I think this ride would have been MUCH more exciting to them on our earlier visit.
At age 2, slow-moving LEGO dinosaurs were a major event.
At ages 3 and 4, after discovering roller coasters?
The dinosaurs suddenly had competition.
This is one of the clearest examples of how quickly the “best” LEGOLAND attractions change with age.
Preschooler driving the boat in Skipper School
Skipper School
Our rating: ⭐⭐⭐
This is the boat ride where kids can help steer their own boat.
On paper, this should have been a huge hit.
They thought it was…fine.
We wouldn’t avoid it, but it wouldn’t be a priority unless the wait were short.
Royal Joust
Our 4-year-old’s rating: ⭐⭐
Only our 4-year-old could ride Royal Joust.
The ride requires children to be at least 36 inches tall and ages 4–12.
He rode around on his LEGO horse.
He came back looking completely unimpressed.
Maybe roller coasters ruined jousting for him.
If your child LOVES knights and castles, you may get a totally different reaction.
For us?
The Dragon wins Castle Hill by a mile.
BIONICLE Blaster
Parent rating: ⭐⭐⭐
BIONICLE Blaster is essentially LEGO teacups.
Our 4-year-old enjoyed figuring out how much he could make our vehicle spin.
I enjoyed…surviving it.
The attraction requires riders to be at least 42 inches and 4 years old.
If your family loves spinning rides, you’ll probably enjoy it.
I’d personally choose G-Force instead.
Emmet’s Flying Adventure Ride
Our rating: ⭐⭐⭐
The kids said they liked Emmet’s Flying Adventure.
I wasn’t particularly impressed.
We waited a long time and the screen looked blurry during our ride, which really took away from the experience.
The biggest clue came after we got off.
The boys immediately asked to go to the playground.
That’s usually a pretty good indication of how memorable a ride was.
If the wait is short or your child is obsessed with The LEGO Movie, sure.
If there’s a huge line?
I’d keep walking.
A brightly colored rainbow LEGO elephant stands beside the water along the Coast Cruise route at LEGOLAND California.
Coast Cruise
Our rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Coast Cruise was a nice way to end the day.
After eight hours of preschoolers running from ride to ride, sitting down on a boat and looking at LEGO animals and landmarks sounded wonderful.
The ride passes large LEGO recreations of famous landmarks along with animals and other builds.
On a previous visit, our skipper told jokes throughout the cruise and gave it a little bit of a Jungle Cruise feel.
This time?
Our skipper was literally counting down until he could go home.
So the entertainment level may depend on your captain. 😂
Still, it’s relaxing and makes a good late-afternoon ride when everyone needs a break.
Rides We Skipped This Time
We didn’t attempt every ride in the park.
We skipped LEGOLAND Express, the little train, because we’d ridden it on our previous trip and it feels better suited to babies and young toddlers.
It’s exactly the sort of ride I would have prioritized at ages 1 and 2.
At 3 and 4?
They had discovered roller coasters.
We also skipped DUPLO Little Dino Trail because the line was long and we had to make a choice between that and NINJAGO.
They picked NINJAGO.
And at this age, I think that was the better choice.
A Halloween-themed tree made from LEGO bricks on display at LEGOLAND California, part of the park’s seasonal Halloween decorations ahead of Brick-or-Treat.
LEGOLAND California Halloween Decorations + Brick-or-Treat Sneak Peek
We visited just before the official start of Brick-or-Treat, but Halloween decorations were already appearing throughout the park.
There were giant LEGO spiders, witches, skeletons, cobwebs and Halloween touches everywhere.
The Dragon starts inside the castle, and during our September visit the indoor scenes had already been decorated for Halloween.
The Dragon’s indoor castle scenes were already decorated, and Galaxy even had Halloween pieces available when we designed our Galacticoaster spacecraft.
We also caught a sneak peek at the new Brick-or-Treat Street being set up before the event began.
A sneak peek at the new Brick-or-Treat Street at LEGOLAND California, with life-size LEGO Monster houses being set up ahead of the park’s 2026 Brick-or-Treat Halloween event.
We attended Brick-or-Treat on an earlier trip and had a lot of fun, but we did not attend the actual event during this visit.
So I wouldn’t call this a 2026 Brick-or-Treat review.
It was just a really fun bonus to watch LEGOLAND transform for Halloween while we were there.
Monster Scientist is one of the Halloween characters featured during Brick-or-Treat at LEGOLAND California.
One of the Halloween characters we spotted around the park was Monster Scientist, complete with goggles, colorful lab equipment and a giant LEGO lab coat. For Brick-or-Treat, the character is tied into a themed scavenger hunt, which fits perfectly with the kind of interactive activities our kids love. Even before the official event started, the Halloween decorations made LEGOLAND feel extra fun and festive.
We did attend Brick-or-Treat on an earlier visit in 2024 and had a blast. Everyone dressed up, and I still remember the enormous handfuls of candy they handed out in the LEGOLAND treat bags! Just keep in mind that our photos and observations above are from the park setup in September 2026 — we did not attend the actual 2026 event.
A LEGO skeleton holding a jack-o’-lantern stands in front of the colorful LEGOLAND California entrance sign during the park’s Halloween season.
🎃 More Halloween Fun for Little Builders
If your little builder loves trucks and Halloween as much as ours do, you may also like our children’s book, The Trucks That Saved Halloween, a not-too-spooky Halloween story filled with construction trucks, costumes and a fall carnival.
Tips for Visiting LEGOLAND California With Preschoolers
Here are some tips you should know before you go!
Arrive Before Opening
We arrived around 9:40 a.m. for a 10 a.m. opening.
That worked really well.
We got a decent parking spot and were able to have our tickets scanned before 10. Guests were then held behind a rope until the attractions officially opened.
That meant we were already inside and ready to go when the day began instead of still dealing with parking and tickets.
Our strategy: go straight to LEGO Galaxy
We headed directly to Galaxy at rope drop because Galacticoaster was our biggest priority.
I would do exactly the same thing again.
Don’t Trust the App Wait Times Too Much
We used the LEGOLAND app throughout the day, and it’s useful for the map, ride information and checking what’s operating.
LEGOLAND also recommends it for ride wait times.
But during our visit, the posted waits were almost never accurate.
I’d still download it.
I just wouldn’t make every decision based solely on the number displayed on your phone.
Instead, we started paying attention to the actual physical lines as we passed rides.
Entrance to Dino Valley with giant LEGO pumpkin
Don’t Assume Morning Is Best for Every Ride
This was one of the most interesting things we noticed.
In the morning, some of the Dino Valley rides were showing 40–60 minute waits.
We skipped them.
When we returned around 3 p.m., several were down to roughly 10–20 minutes.
That worked perfectly.
If you have a full park day, you don’t necessarily need to panic and ride everything you see first thing.
Hit your biggest priority first, then circle back.
How Long Would I Wait for LEGOLAND Rides?
This is obviously personal, but based on our day:
Galacticoaster: I’d tolerate the longest wait.
The Dragon: Our 25-minute wait was worth it. Much longer than 30 minutes and I’d probably circle back.
LEGO Technic Coaster: We waited about 10 minutes. Fantastic at that wait.
Coastersaurus: Fun, but I would absolutely wait until the line dropped.
In general, with two preschoolers, I personally wouldn’t wait more than about 30 minutes for almost anything other than Galacticoaster.
There are simply too many other things to do.
Look for LEGO Building Stations in Ride Lines
One of my FAVORITE things about LEGOLAND with preschoolers was finding LEGO building stations inside some of the queues. While the adults waited in line, the kids could actually stop and build instead of standing around getting restless.
Not every attraction had one, but we noticed them at Emmet's Flying Adventure and LEGO City: Deep Sea Adventure in particular. With a 3- and 4-year-old, this was such a smart little detail.
Measure Your Kids Before You Go — and Check AGE Requirements
Our kids were:
3 years old — 40 inches
4 years old — 43 inches
Those three inches made a surprising difference.
But height wasn’t the only factor.
Several LEGOLAND rides also have minimum ages.
For example, LEGO Technic Coaster and BIONICLE Blaster require riders to be at least 42 inches and age 4, while G-Force requires at least 40 inches and age 4.
Staff were careful about those age limits during our visit.
So don’t look at a height chart and assume that because your tall 3-year-old reaches the line, they’re automatically eligible.
Bring a Stroller — Even for Kids Who Can Walk
We brought our UPPAbaby stroller with one seat and a standing board piggyback.
At ages 3 and 4, neither kid needs to spend an entire day sitting in a stroller.
But I would still bring it again in a heartbeat.
The storage underneath was probably even more useful than the seat.
We threw in our diaper bag, snacks, hats and everything else we didn’t want to carry all day.
It also gave someone a place to sit or hop on when tired.
For an eight-hour theme park day, that’s worth a lot.
We Packed Tons of Snacks…and Barely Ate Them
Normally I pack enough snacks to survive a minor apocalypse when we take the kids somewhere.
We did that here too.
And then they barely ate them.
They were so busy running from ride to ride that they mostly ate their actual meals, a couple of snacks from our bag and the brick popsicles.
I was honestly impressed.
I’d still bring snacks — preschool hunger can strike with absolutely no warning — but we didn’t need nearly as much food as I expected.
Galacticoaster Has Lockers
There were lockers near Galacticoaster that were free for the first two hours during our visit.
Unsurprisingly, people moved very quickly when one became available.
If you’re carrying a larger bag or backpack, this is helpful to know before you walk up to the ride.
No Nap Made This Trip Completely Different
This was also our first LEGOLAND trip where naps weren’t part of the equation.
Our kids don’t nap anymore, which meant we could actually stay for essentially the entire park day.
We made it from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Then both kids passed out in the car not long after we started our roughly two-hour drive home.
They had nothing left.
Mission accomplished.
How We'd Spend One Day at LEGOLAND California With Young Kids
If I were planning our exact day again, I’d prioritize:
Go straight to Galacticoaster at opening.
Ride the other LEGO Galaxy attraction your child qualifies for.
Hit The Dragon before its line gets too long.
Do LEGO City: Deep Sea Adventure.
Let ages 3–5 drive at Junior Driving School.
Ride NINJAGO.
Fit Technic Coaster in for kids who meet the 42-inch/age-4 requirement.
Save Dino Valley for later if its morning lines are long.
Add Beetle Bounce whenever you’re nearby.
Finish with something calmer like Coast Cruise.
I wouldn’t try to follow that exact order around the entire park — you’ll do unnecessary backtracking — but those would be my priorities.
Planning a Longer Southern California Trip?
We visited LEGOLAND as part of a Southern California getaway, and Carlsbad also makes an easy stop on a longer family road trip. If you’re planning more stops along the coast, see our California Coast road trip with kids for family-friendly places to stop from Santa Cruz to San Diego.
FAQ
Is LEGOLAND worth it for a 3-year-old?
Yes, based on our experience. Our 40-inch 3-year-old could ride a surprising number of attractions, including Galacticoaster and The Dragon, although several rides also had minimum-age requirements.
Is LEGOLAND good for a 4-year-old?
Absolutely. Our 43-inch 4-year-old could ride almost everything he wanted, including several of the bigger coasters. For us, age 4 felt particularly well suited to LEGOLAND.
What is the best age for LEGOLAND California?
Based on our visits at ages 1–2 and again at 3–4, I'd personally put the sweet spot around ages 4–6, although height and interest in LEGO matter just as much as age.
Can preschoolers ride roller coasters at LEGOLAND California?
Yes. Both of our preschoolers rode multiple coasters during our visit, although individual height and age requirements vary by attraction.
Is LEGOLAND Worth It With a 3- or 4-Year-Old?
For our family, absolutely.
In fact, this trip completely changed my opinion of what age is best for LEGOLAND.
Our first visit with a 1- and 2-year-old was fun.
Our visit with a 3- and 4-year-old was an adventure.
They weren’t simply looking at LEGO displays or riding whatever gentle attraction we could put them on.
They were choosing what they wanted to do.
They were driving cars.
They were hunting for treasure.
They were riding roller coasters.
They were building spaceships.
And because they’re already big LEGO fans, the park itself felt exciting in a way it couldn’t have when they were babies.
I still think around ages 4–5 may be the true LEGOLAND sweet spot, particularly once kids start clearing some of the 40- and 42-inch ride requirements.
But at 3 and 4, this was easily our best LEGOLAND California visit yet.
And judging by how quickly they fell asleep on the drive home, I’d say they agreed.
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Best Fall Ice Cream Flavors to Try in 2026
From pumpkin cheesecake and apple cider to maple ice cream sandwiches and Thanksgiving turkey cakes, here are the best fall ice cream flavors to try in 2026—from scoop shops and grocery stores to a few favorite Los Angeles finds.
Best Fall ice cream selections from Trader Joe's and Target, Jet-puffed candy corn marshmallows
Pumpkin spice gets most of the attention once September arrives, but personally, I think fall ice cream flavors are a lot more fun.
Pumpkin, apple cider, caramel, maple, cinnamon, brown sugar, pecan—ice cream shops and grocery-store freezer aisles start filling up with flavors that taste like fall even when it's still 80 degrees outside.
Which, living in Southern California, is pretty much my ideal way to celebrate the season.
I originally wrote this post way back in 2019 as a hunt for the best fall ice cream flavors around Los Angeles. A lot has changed since then, so I'm giving it a major update for 2026 with seasonal ice cream you can find around the country, grocery-store finds we've actually taste-tested, some of my favorite Los Angeles ice cream shops, plus Halloween and Thanksgiving ice cream ideas.
What Are the Best Fall Ice Cream Flavors?
Pumpkin is the obvious answer, but there are so many more autumn ice cream flavors than pumpkin spice.
Apple and apple cider are especially big this year, along with caramel, maple, cinnamon, brown sugar, hazelnut, pecan, butterscotch and pie-inspired flavors.
You'll even find fall gelato and sorbet flavors, so I wanted this guide to go beyond a simple list of pumpkin ice creams.
And after doing our own fall ice cream taste test this year, I have to say: apple might actually be giving pumpkin some serious competition.
Fall Ice Cream Flavors at Scoop Shops
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
Jeni's is always one of the first places I look when seasonal ice cream flavors start appearing.
For fall 2026, Pumpkin with Brown Sugar Blondies combines heirloom pumpkin ice cream with warm spices, caramel and brown sugar blondie pieces. The current lineup also includes Miso Butterscotch Brownie and Hazelnut Stracciatella. Jeni's also ships its ice cream, so you don't necessarily need a scoop shop nearby to try the seasonal collection.
Pumpkin, caramel and blondies all in the same pint sounds exactly like what I want from fall ice cream.
My pick:Hazelnut Stracciatella
Salt & Straw
Salt & Straw apparently decided apple deserved its own pumpkin-spice moment this year, and I'm here for it.
Its September Apple Series includes Apple Cider Donuts, Apple and Cheddar Cinnamon Rolls, Salted Caramel Apple Pie, Vanilla Apple Custard Tart and Hoppy Apple Cider Sorbet.
Apple Cider Donuts combines cider-donut flavor with everything I want from fall, while Salted Caramel Apple Pie takes the apple-pie route.
And then there's Apple and Cheddar Cinnamon Rolls.
That's weird enough that I obviously want to try it.
If you're specifically searching for fall sorbet flavors, the apple cider sorbet also makes this lineup particularly fun.
My pick:Apple Cider Donuts, although Salted Caramel Apple Pie is a very close second
Baskin-Robbins Pumpkin Cheesecake
If you want a true fall flavor that's easy to find around the country, Baskin-Robbins Pumpkin Cheesecake is back.
It combines pumpkin and cheesecake-flavored ice creams with cinnamon cream cheese swirls and gingersnap cookie pieces and is available nationwide for a limited time beginning September 1.
This might be one of the easiest pumpkin ice creams on the whole list to actually go out and get.
My pick:Pumpkin Cheesecake
Dairy Queen Fall Blizzards
Dairy Queen is leaning hard into fall too.
The Pumpkin Pie Blizzard is back with real pumpkin pie pieces, and the 2026 fall collection also includes the new Brown Sugar Cookie Dough Blizzard. DQ started the season even earlier with a Caramel Apple Cheesecake Blizzard.
Pumpkin Pie is the classic, but brown sugar cookie dough sounds dangerously good.
My pick:Brown Sugar Cookie Dough Blizzard
Fall Ice Cream Sandwiches from Target and Trader Joe's
Fall Ice Cream Flavors at the Grocery Store
You definitely don't need to track down a specialty scoop shop anymore to find interesting fall ice cream.
In fact, some of the things we liked most this year came straight from regular grocery-store freezer aisles.
Target Favorite Day Fall Ice Cream
Target Favorite Day Fall Ice Cream
Target has a surprisingly good fall freezer section.
Its current fall assortment includes Pumpkin Cheesecake Ice Cream, Caramel Apple Pie Ice Cream, Caramel Maple Bourbon Pecan Pie Ice Cream, Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream Bites and the adorable Pumpkin Jack-o'-Lantern Ice Cream Sandwiches. Target is also currently selling Caramel Apple Ice Cream Sandwiches.
At my local Target, I found even more to try, including Apple Cider Ice Cream and Caramel Cinnamon Ice Cream, so definitely check the actual freezer case because the assortment can vary.
And we did not just look at them.
We brought a whole pile home.
The Caramel Apple Ice Cream Sandwich ended up being much better than I expected. The cookie had an almost graham-cracker-like flavor that gave it a really familiar, cozy taste and worked surprisingly well with the apple ice cream.
The Pumpkin Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich wins on looks alone. The little jack-o'-lantern face is ridiculously cute.
My pick: Apple Cider Ice Cream for the pint; Caramel Apple for the sandwich
Pumpkin, apple, maple leaf ice cream sandwiches
Trader Joe's Fall Ice Cream
Trader Joe's in fall is basically its own seasonal activity.
Their Maple Leaf Ice Cream Sandwiches are made with maple-flavored ice cream containing real maple syrup between maple leaf-shaped cookies. Trader Joe's even calls them an ideal size to share with kids.
And they are easily the prettiest ice cream sandwiches we tried.
The maple leaf cookie has a beautiful embossed design, and the maple flavor is subtle rather than overwhelming.
Trader Joe's also has a current Apple Pie à la Mode Ice Cream in its new-product lineup, so apparently apple really is having a moment this fall.
My pick: Maple Leaf Ice Cream Sandwiches
Also Spotted at Trader Joe’s
Two more fall flavors I somehow left behind: Pumpkin Ice Cream and Salted Maple Ice Cream.
I haven’t tried either one yet, so consider these my honorable mentions / next-trip picks.
The Salted Maple is especially tempting after trying the Maple Leaf Ice Cream Sandwiches. We really liked the maple ice cream in those, so if the Salted Maple Ice Cream has that same maple flavor with a little salty contrast, it could be a game changer.
And of course, Pumpkin Ice Cream is about as classic as a fall freezer find gets.
To try next: Salted Maple Ice Cream
Kroger Private Selection Fall Ice Cream
Private Selection is one of my favorite grocery-store ice cream brands, and Kroger currently has two flavors that fit this list perfectly.
New York Style Pumpkin Cheesecake is currently available alongside limited-edition Amaretto Cookie and Apple, which combines apple with an amaretto-cookie swirl and cinnamon-spiced elements.
I especially like that the apple flavor is something a little different from the endless variations of pumpkin cheesecake.
My pick: Amaretto Cookie and Apple
Talenti Fall Gelato
If you're searching specifically for fall gelato flavors, Talenti is worth checking.
Talenti lists Pumpkin Pie Layers and Caramel Apple Pie among its seasonal flavors.
My pick: Pumpkin Pie Layers
Ben & Jerry's Pumpkin Cheesecake Ice Cream
Ben & Jerry's Pumpkin Cheesecake
Ben & Jerry's also makes a Pumpkin Cheesecake Ice Cream with a graham cracker swirl.
So if pumpkin cheesecake is your fall flavor of choice, there are plenty of ways to get it without having a specialty scoop shop nearby. I found this one at Target!
My pick: Pumpkin Cheesecake
Fall Ice cream sandwiches - pumpkin, apple and maple flavored
Our Fall Ice Cream Taste Test
We brought home a mix of fall ice cream pints and sandwiches to figure out which ones were actually worth buying again. We subjected our besties to help with this assignment!
And the biggest surprise?
We really liked the apple flavors.
Pumpkin seems like the automatic winner when you think about fall ice cream, but apple kept beating our expectations.
Among the pints, Apple Pie à la Mode and Apple Cider were the clear winners. I also really liked the Pumpkin Cheesecake, while the caramel ice cream was just okay compared with everything else we tried.
The sandwiches were fun for completely different reasons.
The Caramel Apple Ice Cream Sandwich surprised us with that graham-cracker-like cookie, which gave it a familiar fall-dessert flavor.
The Trader Joe's Maple Leaf Ice Cream Sandwich was easily the prettiest.
And the Pumpkin Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich was definitely the cutest.
We also grabbed the Jet-Puffed Candy Corn Marshmallows for our tasting board. Despite the name, they’re not candy-corn flavored—they’re just marshmallows shaped and colored like candy corn. They tasted like regular marshmallows, but the little orange, yellow and white pieces made the whole fall ice cream board look so much cuter.
Our 2026 Fall Ice Cream Awards
Favorite pint: Apple Pie à la Mode + Apple Cider — basically a tie
Biggest surprise: Apple Cider
Favorite unexpected sandwich flavor: Caramel Apple Ice Cream Sandwich
Prettiest: Trader Joe's Maple Leaf Ice Cream Sandwich
Cutest: Pumpkin Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich
Best pumpkin: Pumpkin Cheesecake
Just okay compared with the others: Caramel Commotion
Apparently the moral of this taste test is that we should stop automatically assuming pumpkin wins fall.
Apple showed up.
Fall ice cream in Los Angeles
Where to Find Fall Ice Cream in Los Angeles
This post originally started as my guide to fall ice cream flavors in Los Angeles, and I didn't want to completely lose that part of it.
Plus, there are a few California ice cream shops I still genuinely love.
Ginger’s Divine Ice Creams
Ginger's is one of the shops from my original fall ice cream hunt that I still love.
The menu rotates, which is actually part of the fun.
This is the kind of place where I'd rather walk in, look at what's in the case and pick whatever sounds most interesting that day than show up for one specific mass-produced seasonal flavor.
Previous Fall Flavors included:
Butterscotch Pumpkin Brulee
Ginger Cinnamon
Browned Butter Apple Spice Cake
Vegan Pickled Strawberry & Boysenberry Pie
Sweet Corn Blueberry & Thyme
My pick:Whatever sounds weirdest that day.
Butterscotch Pumpkin Brulee and Browned Butter Apple Spice Cake at Ginger’s
McConnell's Fine Ice Creams
McConnell's is another California favorite I wanted in the updated guide.
Its current lineup includes Miso Sticky Toffee, made with white miso in milk and cream with ribbons of butterscotch, and McConnell's also has a Cozy Fall Flavors collection featuring Salted Caramel Chip.
The Miso Sticky Toffee is exactly the sort of slightly unusual flavor that makes me want to order a scoop just to see if it works.
My pick: Salted Caramel Chip
Minnie Witch Shake at Schmoozies - Disneyland California Adventure
Halloween Ice Cream Treats
Fall ice cream gets even more fun once October arrives.
September tends to be about pumpkin, apple, caramel and maple. By October, candy, chocolate, cookies, Halloween colors and novelty desserts start taking over.
And after seeing the actual Pumpkin Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich outside its box, I can confirm that it is every bit as cute as it looks.
I'll keep updating this section as more 2026 Halloween ice cream flavors are released.
More Not-So-Spooky Halloween Fun With Kids
And if you're looking for something to do between ice cream runs, I have plenty of Halloween ideas around here too.
🎃 10 Easy Not-So-Spooky Halloween Activities for Toddlers & Preschoolers
If your kids are into Cars, we also turned an old Radiator Springs playset into a tiny Halloween town for less than $10.
🏎️ Halloween Radiator Springs: An Easy Cars Halloween Activity for Kids
For something edible:
👻 Chocolate Haunted Cookie House: How to Make a Cute Halloween Cookie House
And if you're headed to Disneyland:
🏰 Disneyland Halloween Time: Decorations, Rides, Food & Tips
A Halloween Book for Kids Who Love Trucks
If your kids happen to love trucks as much as mine do, The Trucks That Saved Halloween is my not-too-spooky Halloween picture book about a group of trucks working together to transform an old farm into a Halloween carnival, complete with pumpkins, costumes, carnival rides and truck-or-treating.
🚚 See more about THE TRUCKS THAT SAVED HALLOWEEN
And if you need more Halloween read-aloud ideas:
📚 15 Halloween Books for Kids Who Love Trucks, Cars & Things That Go
Mozart Chocolate Pumpkin Spice Liqueur - Boozy Milkshake Recipe
For the Adults: A Throwback Pumpkin Spice Milkshake
There's one piece of the original 2019 post I'm keeping as a little throwback.
I originally created this boozy Pumpkin Spice Milkshake as part of a past sponsored partnership with Mozart Chocolate Liqueur.
And surprisingly, the Mozart Pumpkin Spice Chocolate Liqueur is still an active product, made with chocolate, caramel, pumpkin, cinnamon, clove and vanilla.
My original recipe used:
1 graham cracker
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 shots Kahlúa
2 shots Mozart Pumpkin Spice Chocolate Liqueur
3–4 scoops ice cream
This portion of the original post was created as part of a past brand partnership with Mozart Chocolate Liqueur.
I wouldn't make a special trip for this section anymore, but if you still have a bottle—or happen to spot one—it is a fun adults-only way to turn fall ice cream into a cocktail.
What I'd Bring to Thanksgiving: Ice Cream Edition
Ice cream doesn't have to disappear once Halloween is over.
In fact, I think Thanksgiving might be one of the best excuses to turn ice cream into something ridiculous.
Everyone laughed at my Turkey Ice Cream Pie - but it was delicious and I didn’t have to bake it!
Easy 3-Ingredient Turkey Ice Cream Pie
Years ago, I made this little turkey ice cream pie, and it might be one of the easiest Thanksgiving desserts I've ever made.
You only need three things:
One prepared graham cracker pie crust
About 1 quart of your favorite ice cream
M&M's
Let the ice cream soften just enough that you can spread it, then spoon it into the pie crust and smooth out the top.
Next comes the important part: the turkey.
Arrange brown M&M's in the center for the turkey's body, then fan colorful M&M's out around it to make the tail feathers. Add two candies for eyes and a few more for the legs and feet.
Once your turkey is finished, put the pie back into the freezer until the ice cream is completely firm. I would give it at least a few hours, or just make it the night before Thanksgiving.
When you're ready to serve it, let the pie sit out for about 5–10 minutes so it's easier to slice.
I used a light-colored ice cream when I made mine, but this would be really fun with pumpkin, caramel, maple or even apple pie ice cream too.
And since it's basically decorating with M&M's, this would also be an easy Thanksgiving dessert to let kids help make.
The Baskin-Robbins Turkey Cake we brought to Thanksgiving.
Baskin-Robbins Turkey Cake
Or, if arranging M&M's into a turkey sounds like too much work, there's the considerably more dramatic option.
The famous Baskin-Robbins Turkey Cake looks like a roasted Thanksgiving turkey but is actually an ice cream cake with sugar-cone drumsticks, caramel praline glaze and a customizable ice cream center. Baskin-Robbins brought it back again for Thanksgiving 2025.
As of this September 2026 update, the 2026 Thanksgiving version hasn't been announced yet, so I'll update this section when the November menu comes out.
I've had one before, and honestly, putting something on the Thanksgiving table that looks like a roasted turkey but turns out to be ice cream is very hard to beat.
My pick: If I'm hosting? The ridiculous turkey. Obviously.
What About Fall Sorbet and Gelato Flavors?
Ice cream isn't the only frozen dessert that works for fall.
Some of the best fall gelato flavors use pumpkin, hazelnut, caramel, apple and maple.
Fall sorbet can be harder to find because we tend to associate sorbet with summer fruit, but Salt & Straw's apple cider sorbet is a perfect example of how apple can turn sorbet into an autumn dessert.
And Talenti makes it easy to find fall gelato in the grocery-store freezer.
When Do Fall Ice Cream Flavors Come Out?
Most fall ice cream flavors start appearing sometime between late August and September.
September is usually heavy on pumpkin, apple, apple cider, maple, caramel and cinnamon.
October brings more Halloween-themed desserts, while November shifts into Thanksgiving flavors, pies and seasonal ice cream cakes.
The only downside?
If there's one you really want to try, don't wait too long. Some of these disappear almost as quickly as they arrive.
What Is the Best Fall Ice Cream Flavor?
Going into our taste test, I probably would have said pumpkin.
Now?
Apple.
Apple Pie à la Mode and Apple Cider were the clear winners among our pints, and even the Caramel Apple Ice Cream Sandwich surprised us with that graham-cracker-like cookie.
I still really liked Pumpkin Cheesecake, and I'll never say no to pumpkin when September rolls around.
But in 2026, apple officially gave pumpkin a run for its money in our house.
And I'll keep updating this guide as more fall, Halloween and Thanksgiving ice cream flavors are announced throughout the season.
Have you found a fall ice cream flavor I need to try? Let me know—especially if it's something weird!
Seasonal flavors and availability change frequently and can vary by location. This guide was updated in September 2026, so check directly with individual stores or ice cream shops before making a special trip for one particular flavor.
If you liked this post please share it on your favorite social media site using the Share button below because we’d love to get the word out! Feel free to pin this to your favorite Pinterest board:
More Ice Cream Adventures:
Halloween Radiator Springs: An Easy Cars Halloween Activity for Kids
Inspired by Cars Land at Disneyland Halloween Time, we turned our Radiator Springs playset into a mini Halloween town with pumpkins, lights, trees and spiderwebs — for less than $10. This easy Halloween activity took about 10 minutes to set up and gave an old favorite toy new life.
Our Halloween Radiator Springs complete with a pumpkin tree, fall leaves and a few decorations we already had at home.
After looking through all of my old Halloween photos while updating my Disneyland Halloween Time guide and Disneyland Paris guide, I apparently had Radiator Springs on the brain.
One of my favorite things about Halloween at Disneyland is how completely Cars Land transforms for Haul-O-Ween. Radiator Springs gets covered in Halloween decorations, the Cars get into the spirit, and the entire town feels different without losing what makes it so fun in the first place.
And then I looked at the Radiator Springs playset sitting in our house and thought…
Why couldn’t we give our Radiator Springs a little Halloween makeover too?
Halloween Lightning McQueen and Mater die cast
The best part? I didn’t want this to become another complicated craft project.
I have a three-year-old and a four-year-old, so whatever we added needed to be inexpensive, easy to move around and, most importantly, something they could actually play with.
In the end, I spent less than $10 on a few Halloween decorations from Dollar Tree and reused things we already had around the house.
It took us about 5–10 minutes to set up, and then my son happily played with his newly decorated Radiator Springs for at least another half hour.
I would absolutely call that a Halloween win.
A few pumpkins, fall leaves and Halloween decorations gave our Radiator Springs playset a whole new look. 🎃
Our Disneyland Cars Land Halloween Inspiration
This whole idea really started with Disney.
While I was updating my Disneyland Halloween Time post, I kept coming back to my photos of Radiator Springs decorated for Halloween.
Disney doesn’t completely change Cars Land for Halloween. Instead, they add Halloween details to the town that’s already there — lights, decorations, seasonal touches and funny little surprises.
That became my goal for our playset too.
I wasn’t trying to recreate Disneyland’s Cars Land Halloween decorations exactly.
I just wanted to take a toy my kids already loved and add enough Halloween details that it suddenly felt new again.
If your kids love Cars, make sure to check out my Disneyland Halloween Time guide, where you can see the real Radiator Springs during Haul-O-Ween along with the other Halloween decorations, rides and kid-friendly Halloween experiences around Disneyland.
And if you love Disney Halloween decorations in general, I also have photos from Disneyland Paris at Halloween, which has its own completely different Halloween style.
A little spiderweb and a few lights were enough to make the Cars playset feel completely different for Halloween.
What We Used to Decorate Our Radiator Springs Playset
I purposely kept this simple.
Most of the decorations were things we already owned, which is also why I love this idea so much. You really don’t need to buy a dedicated “Halloween playset.” You can raid your Halloween bins, craft supplies and even old birthday party decorations.
Here's our Halloween Makeover shopping list:
Two inexpensive strands of Halloween lights from Dollar Tree $1.25
One small bottle-brush tree from Dollar Tree $1.25
Spiderweb material from Dollar Tree $1.25
Light up pumpkin figurine from Dollar Tree $1.25
A few miniature trees from Michael’s
A fall leaf table runner from Michael’s
Extra orange traffic cones from a Cars-themed birthday party
Glow-in-the-dark spiders left over from a Spidey-themed birthday party
Our existing Cars and Radiator Springs toys
We were gifted this Cars Halloween Die Cast Set from my parents: https://www.disneystore.com/cars-halloween-die-cast-set-417150741484.html
The only new things I bought were the Dollar Tree lights, tree and spiderwebs, bringing my total to less than $10 with tax.
You absolutely don’t need everything on this list.
A few pumpkins, a strand of lights and some Halloween spiderwebs would already make a big difference.
The best part was letting him move everything around and decorate Radiator Springs his own way.
How We Made Our Halloween Radiator Springs
There was really no “right” way to decorate it, which ended up being one of the best parts.
We spread our fall leaf runner underneath the playset first. It isn’t necessary, but the orange leaves instantly made the whole setup feel more like fall.
Then we started adding little Halloween details throughout Radiator Springs.
We tucked miniature trees around the buildings, wrapped a little spiderweb material around different areas, added pumpkins and gems, and scattered our orange cones and glow-in-the-dark spiders throughout the town.
The little strands of lights made the biggest difference.
As soon as we turned them on, our regular Radiator Springs suddenly looked like it was ready for its own tiny Halloween party.
But I intentionally didn’t glue or permanently attach most of the decorations.
My son could move the pumpkins.
He could move the spiders.
He could rearrange the trees.
And, naturally, the Cars could drive through all of it.
I initially had ideas about where everything should go, but watching him decide where the Halloween decorations belonged was much more fun.
Lightning McQueen and Mater cruising through our very own Halloween Radiator Springs.
A Halloween Activity They Can Actually Play With
One thing I’ve learned about doing activities with toddlers and preschoolers is that sometimes the simpler activity ends up being the bigger hit.
This wasn’t a craft where I spent 45 minutes preparing something they finished in three minutes.
We decorated together for about 5–10 minutes, and then he played.
And played.
And continued rearranging his little Halloween town.
That’s exactly what I wanted.
The decorations gave new life to a toy he already loves without changing how he normally plays with it.
If you have a Cars playset, train table, dollhouse, toy farm, construction site or even just a collection of toy vehicles, you could use the same idea.
Add some mini pumpkins.
Put out a few Halloween trees.
Add battery-operated lights.
Scatter some kid-safe Halloween decorations around.
Suddenly, it’s a Halloween small world.
Sally in our home made Cozy Cone Motel out of an orange traffic cone!
Use the Same Idea With Any Playset Your Kids Love
One thing I really liked about this idea is that it doesn’t only work for Radiator Springs. You could use the same basic concept with almost any playset your child already loves. A dollhouse, train table, farm set, construction site, parking garage or small toy town could all get a simple Halloween makeover with a few pumpkins, lights, trees or spiderwebs.
The fun part isn’t making it perfect — it’s giving an old favorite toy a fresh seasonal feel.
Our pumpkin tree may be my favorite addition to Halloween Radiator Springs. 🎃
Keep Halloween Play Simple for Toddlers and Preschoolers
Because my boys are three and four, I knew I didn’t want to use anything fragile or anything I’d be devastated to see accidentally broken.
That’s another reason I skipped elaborate decorations.
Everything needed to survive little hands, Cars driving through it and the inevitable “creative decisions” that happen when preschoolers start decorating.
You’ll obviously want to choose decorations that are appropriate for your own child’s age and supervise small pieces, especially things like mini gems, pumpkins and spiders.
For us, keeping everything movable made the activity more fun.
This wasn’t supposed to be a perfect Halloween display.
It was supposed to be something they could touch.
Tiny pumpkins and trees were an easy way to add Halloween to buildings already in the playset.
Halloween Red the firetruck - Cars Radiator Springs makeover
Reusing Our Halloween Activity Supplies
The pumpkins and colorful Halloween gems might look familiar if you’ve seen my other Halloween ideas.
That’s intentional!
I used many of these same inexpensive supplies while putting together my 10 Easy Halloween Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers.
I love finding things we can use for several different activities instead of buying a pile of supplies for one craft and never touching them again.
The little pumpkins and gems can become sensory-bin pieces, carnival decorations, counting activities, playset decorations and whatever else the kids decide they are that day.
If you’re looking for more simple ideas like this one, head over to my easy Halloween activities for toddlers and preschoolers. They’re designed to be fun without requiring hours of preparation.
We used inexpensive Halloween decorations throughout the whole town instead of trying to make anything permanent.
More Halloween Fun for Kids Who Love Trucks and Cars
Apparently vehicles and Halloween are becoming a theme around our house.
If your child loves Cars, construction trucks or anything with wheels, they might also like my children’s picture book, The Trucks That Saved Halloween.
In the story, Dump Truck, Excavator and Crane Truck help transform an old farm into a cheerful Halloween carnival filled with pumpkins, costumes, games and a little Halloween magic.
It was written specifically with little truck-loving kids in mind, so it fits perfectly with the same not-too-spooky Halloween fun we love at home.
And if you’re looking for even more books, I also put together my favorite Halloween books for kids who love trucks, including plenty of fun, not-too-scary choices for toddlers and preschoolers.
Cars Radiator Springs Flo’s Cafe playset lit up for Halloween with orange lights, spiderwebs, mini pumpkins, Lightning McQueen and Sally.
Adding Lights for a Disneyland-at-Night Feel
One of the things I love most about Halloween at Disneyland is how magical everything feels once the lights come on at night. Since parts of the Radiator Springs playset already light up, I thought it would be fun to lean into that and add a few extra Halloween lights too.
The little pumpkin lights helped the playset feel even more festive and made the whole setup look a little more like a miniature version of Radiator Springs at Halloween. During the day, the decorations were bright and playful, but at night the lights gave it that extra glow that made it feel special.
We still kept everything simple, but the lights added a lot without much effort.
A few inexpensive lights made the whole playset feel completely different once it got dark — and the kids loved seeing everything glow
An Easy Way to Make an Old Toy Feel New Again
This might be one of my favorite Halloween activities we’ve done simply because it was so easy.
I spent less than $10.
It took us about 10 minutes.
My son got to help decorate.
And afterward, he immediately wanted to play with a toy we’ve already owned for a while.
There wasn’t a complicated craft, a perfect finished product or a long supply list.
We just brought a little bit of Halloween into something he already loves.
And now I’m looking at our Radiator Springs playset wondering what happens if I add snow, miniature Christmas trees and Christmas lights in December…
I may have created a problem. 🎄😂
If you like this post, pin this to your favorite Pinterest board or share with a friend!
More Halloween Posts:
15 Halloween Books for Kids Who Love Trucks, Cars & Things That Go
Looking for Halloween books for kids who love trucks? These 15 fun, not-too-spooky books feature construction trucks, diggers, cars, tractors, trains and more for toddlers and preschoolers.
Our favorite Halloween Truck books!
If you have a kid who can spot an excavator from three blocks away, gets excited every time a garbage truck drives past, or would happily choose a construction vehicle over just about anything else, Halloween books are even more fun when there are trucks involved.
We pull out a big stack of Halloween books every fall, but with two truck-loving kids in our house, the books with dump trucks, diggers, tractors, trains and other things that go always seem to get extra attention.
The best part? There are actually quite a few Halloween books for kids who love trucks now, including lift-the-flap board books for toddlers, construction-site Halloween stories, trick-or-treating vehicles and even a few brand-new books for 2026.
And because we like our Halloween fun much more cute than creepy, I focused mostly on cheerful, silly and not-too-spooky stories that work well for toddlers and preschoolers.
You can find all of these in my Halloween Books for Kids Who Love Trucks Amazon Idea List.
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
Best Halloween Books for Kids Who Love Trucks
The Trucks That Saved Halloween — Book 3 in The Trucks That Saved series
1. The Trucks That Saved Halloween
By Kathleen Cregg
Best for: Ages 2–6
NEW FOR 2026!
Okay, I’m admittedly a little biased about this one because I wrote it!
In The Trucks That Saved Halloween, Dump Truck, Excavator and Crane Truck discover that Halloween is far too quiet, so the Truck Team gets to work transforming an old farm into a cheerful Halloween carnival. There are pumpkins, carnival rides, a corn maze, costumes, a tractor hayride, truck-or-treating and even a Witch Ice Cream Truck who adds a little Halloween magic.
I specifically wanted this story to feel colorful, silly and festive rather than scary, especially for younger kids who love all the fun parts of Halloween but aren’t necessarily ready for anything creepy. It was created for little truck lovers ages 2–6, with the whole visual world designed around a bright, welcoming, not-frightening Halloween.
📚 You can also read the story behind the book in my The Trucks That Saved Halloween: A Not-So-Spooky Halloween Book for Kids Who Love Trucks post.
2. Little Blue Truck’s Halloween
By Alice Schertle, illustrated by Jill McElmurry
Best for: Babies, toddlers and preschoolers
If your kids already love Little Blue Truck (I know we do!), this one is an easy addition to the Halloween shelf.
Little Blue Truck picks up his animal friends for a Halloween costume party, and kids can lift the flaps to figure out who is hiding underneath each costume. It’s simple, interactive and very toddler-friendly — exactly the kind of Halloween book that works when you want pumpkins and costumes without anything actually scary.
This one stays out year-round in our house!
Construction Site Gets a Fright! - One of our favorite series!
3. Construction Site Gets a Fright!
By Sherri Duskey Rinker, illustrated by AG Ford
Best for: Ages 2–4
WE LOVE THIS SERIES! Fans of Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site get to celebrate Halloween with the construction crew in this lift-the-flap board book.
A dark and windy Halloween night makes familiar things around the construction site suddenly look a little spooky — until the trucks look closer and discover silly surprises instead. I especially like the reassuring idea behind this one: sometimes something that looks scary at first really isn’t.
4. Where Do Diggers Trick-or-Treat?
By Brianna Caplan Sayres, illustrated by Christian Slade
Best for: Toddlers through early elementary
Another AMAZING series - we have them all!
This may be one of the most perfectly targeted books on the entire list.
Instead of asking what kids do on Halloween, it imagines how diggers, tractors, road rollers, cranes, flatbed trucks and monster trucks would trick-or-treat. There are costumes, candy and jack-o’-lanterns mixed right in with all the vehicles little truck lovers already know.
There’s a sturdy board-book edition for the youngest readers as well as a larger paperback version for ages 3–7.
5. Truck or Treat
By Hannah Eliot, illustrated by Jen Taylor
Best for: Ages 2–5
This is another one I’d put near the top of the list for construction-truck kids.
The trucks at a construction site dress up for Halloween, and readers lift the flaps to discover the real truck hiding beneath each costume. There’s a dump truck dressed as a dinosaur, a recycling truck dressed as a robot and even more silly truck disguises.
It’s basically construction trucks + costumes + lift-the-flaps (our favorite combo), which is a pretty solid toddler Halloween combination.
6. Trick-or-Treat with Tow Truck Joe
By June Sobel, illustrated by Patrick Corrigan
Best for: Preschoolers and young truck lovers
Tow Truck Joe and the other cars and trucks of Motor City get dressed up and head out for Halloween in this rhyming lift-the-flap book.
This one has lots for vehicle-obsessed kids to look at, and the oversized flaps make it especially fun for younger readers. The publisher describes it as a Halloween story that is more “beep than boo,” which pretty much sums up the kind of Halloween book I’m looking for.
7. Richard Scarry’s Halloween Cars and Trucks
By Richard Scarry
Best for: Ages 0–3
Busytown at Halloween? Yes, please.
This little chunky board book follows Lowly Worm, Huckle Cat and their friends through a Halloween version of Busytown filled with candy racers, a scarecrow car and other wonderfully silly vehicles. The book itself is even shaped like a jack-o’-lantern.
It’s small enough for toddler hands and would also be really cute tucked into a Halloween boo basket.
8. Beep, Beep, Beep, Trunk-or-Treat!
By Tracie Schneider, illustrated by Sarah Rebar
Best for: Ages 0–3
This is a brand-new 2026 Halloween book, and it fits this list almost too perfectly.
Kids follow a family to a trunk-or-treat celebration where decorated cars become spiders, dinosaurs and monsters. Lift the flaps to see the Halloween treats hiding inside the trunks, from candy apples to cider doughnuts.
It was released August 25, 2026, so this is also a nice opportunity to include something genuinely new rather than recycling the same Halloween-book recommendations everyone has been sharing for years.
9. Trunk-or-Treat
By Chris Ayala-Kronos, illustrated by Rea Zhai
Best for: Ages 4–8
This picture book takes the increasingly popular trunk-or-treat tradition and turns it into a colorful Halloween story.
Families visit creatively decorated cars and trucks, with each trunk offering something different to discover. It’s less specifically about construction vehicles than some of the books above, but I think kids who love cars will especially enjoy seeing how each vehicle gets transformed for Halloween.
This is one of our FAVORITE pop-up books! My 3-year-old reads it all year long!
10. Hot Wheels Let’s Race: Trunk or Treat?
By Steve Behling, illustrated by Kirk Parrish
Best for: Ages 3–7
If your truck-loving kid also has a Hot Wheels collection taking over your house, this brand-new 2026 book is worth adding.
The Hot Wheels Racers create a spooky “Frankencar” after hearing a Halloween story — only for the monster vehicle to mysteriously come to life and race through Hot Wheels City.
This one has more action and a little more Halloween suspense than the toddler board books on the list, so I’d especially look at it for preschoolers and younger elementary kids who think a runaway monster car sounds hilarious rather than scary.
11. Little Tractor’s Halloween
By Natalie Quintart, illustrated by Philippe Goossens
Best for: Ages 4–6
Here’s another completely new one for 2026 — and technically one you can put on your fall wish list because it releases September 8, 2026.
Little Tractor and his friends dress up and head out trick-or-treating, planning to scare their forest friends. Instead, they encounter something that scares them and eventually discover that things aren’t always as frightening as they first appear.
The cheerful ending and farm setting make this a natural fit for kids who love tractors but prefer their Halloween stories on the gentler side.
More Halloween Books for Kids Who Love Things That Go
Trucks definitely dominate our vehicle obsession, but trains and buses still count as far as I’m concerned. If your little one loves basically anything with wheels, I’d add these too.
12. The Spooky Wheels on the Bus
By J. Elizabeth Mills, illustrated by Ben Mantle
Best for: Ages 3–5
This Halloween spin on The Wheels on the Bus turns the familiar song into a goofy ride filled with cats, witches, monsters and ghosts.
It also counts from one to ten along the way, so toddlers and preschoolers can sing, count and enjoy the Halloween pictures at the same time. Despite the word “spooky” in the title, Scholastic describes the passengers and ride as friendly and not-so-spooky.
The Goodnight Train Halloween - love the illustrations
13. The Goodnight Train Halloween
By June Sobel, illustrated by Laura Huliska-Beith
Best for: Babies through preschoolers
For train-loving kids, this is a particularly cute Halloween bedtime book.
The Goodnight Train rolls through Halloween scenery filled with costumed characters, glowing jack-o’-lanterns and candy before eventually making its way back to the station for bedtime. The sturdy pages also include little peek-through holes for kids to explore.
It manages to feel festive while still winding everything down for sleep — useful when Halloween excitement is already at approximately 400 percent.
I LOVE the illustrations for this book (and all in the series).
14. Happy Halloween, Little Engine!
By Matt Mitter, illustrated by Jannie Ho
Best for: Ages 1–3
The Little Engine That Could gets her own Halloween story in this short rhyming board book.
She’s ready to trick-or-treat with her friends, and the bright illustrations and simple story make this an easy choice for very young readers who love trains but don’t need a complicated Halloween plot.
15. The Halloween Train
By Mike Lucas, illustrated by Sofya Karmazina
Best for: Ages 2–6
Another new release for 2026, The Halloween Train takes kids on a magical ride through the Halloween season.
There are costumes, witches, skeletons, zombies and plenty of traditional Halloween fun, so this one is a little more “spooky Halloween” than something like Little Blue Truck. But the publisher specifically describes it as a story with gentle spookiness and heart, and the journey eventually winds down toward bedtime.
For kids who love trains and are ready for a little more Halloween atmosphere, it looks like a really fun addition.
Excited to add this to our collection this year!
Which Halloween Truck Book Is Best for Your Child?
For the youngest truck lovers, I’d start with Little Blue Truck’s Halloween, Truck or Treat, Richard Scarry’s Halloween Cars and Trucks or Beep, Beep, Beep, Trunk-or-Treat! because the sturdy board-book formats and interactive elements are especially toddler-friendly.
For kids who specifically love construction trucks, try The Trucks That Saved Halloween, Construction Site Gets a Fright! or Where Do Diggers Trick-or-Treat?
And for kids who like all things that go, there are plenty of trains, buses, race cars and tractors here too.
The good news is that none of these require Halloween to be genuinely scary. You can have costumes, pumpkins, ghosts, monsters and plenty of trick-or-treating while still keeping Halloween fun and approachable for little kids.
Shop All of Our Favorite Halloween Books for Truck-Loving Kids
I put these books together in one place to make them easier to find:
🛍️ SHOP MY HALLOWEEN BOOKS FOR KIDS WHO LOVE TRUCKS AMAZON IDEA LIST
And I’ll keep adding new truck, construction and vehicle Halloween books as I find them.
More Not-So-Spooky Halloween Fun for Kids
If your kids are excited about Halloween but you’re looking for activities and stories that skew more fun than frightening, you might also like:
Happy Halloween — and happy truck-or-treating! 🎃🚜
10 Easy Not-So-Spooky Halloween Activities for Toddlers & Preschoolers
Looking for easy Halloween activities for toddlers and preschoolers? These not-so-spooky ideas are perfect for active little kids, with pumpkin hunts, construction truck games, sensory play, sidewalk chalk activities, Halloween baking and more. Best of all, many of the activities reuse the same simple supplies!
Perfect Halloween Activity - Sidewalk Chalk Obstacle Course!
Halloween is one of my favorite holidays (besides Christmas), but with little kids I prefer the cute, colorful, not-too-scary side of Halloween—pumpkins, costumes, treats and getting outside to play.
My active boys are much happier when an activity involves running, digging, building or trucks, so I've been testing out some easy Halloween activities with them this fall. And honestly, we've been having so much fun with them! Most of these work just as well with one or two kids as they would with a preschool class, playdate or a whole park full of kids.
And these aren't complicated Halloween crafts that require an hour of prep...only to discover that YOU are the one who actually has to hot glue and assemble everything.
Look, there will be some setup. But hopefully you can set up the activity, send the kids off to play and have a minute to take a sip of apple cider—or buy a new Halloween book on Amazon. 😉
Even better, most of these activities use the same handful of inexpensive supplies over and over again.
I don't know about you, but I love finding new ways to repurpose toys and supplies we already have. I have fewer things to store, and the kids get to use their imaginations and discover completely different ways to play with the same things.
Halloween Activity Supplies for kids - Pumpkin Easter Eggs and Halloween gems
The Halloween Activity Supplies We Reuse
You definitely don't need everything on this list, and you may already have quite a bit of it at home.
The idea isn't to buy supplies for ten different activities. Instead, grab a few basics and reuse them throughout Halloween.
Here's our basic Halloween activity shopping list:
Small orange traffic cones
Plastic spiders or bugs
Halloween stickers
Orange or pumpkin-shaped trick-or-treat buckets
Painter's tape
Blocks or Magnetic Tiles
You'll see the same mini pumpkins, trucks, chalk and cones pop up again and again below.
This post may contain Amazon affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of my links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Halloween Carnival with toy trucks and ferris wheel magnetic tiles
1. Build a Halloween Carnival With Toy Trucks 🎡
We love Halloween carnivals, so why not build one at home?
The Setup: About 5 minutes—or make building the carnival part of the activity!
What You Need
Blocks or Magnetic Tiles
Mini pumpkins
Use roads from any playsets you already own—Hot Wheels tracks, magnetic-tile roads or even roads made from painter's tape—to create a path around the playroom floor. Then use blocks, Magnetic Tiles and toys to create different destinations along the road.
You could make:
Pumpkin Patch → Carnival → Haunted Barn → Truck-or-Treat Stop
Then hand over the construction trucks and let the kids take over.
Dump Truck can deliver pumpkins to the pumpkin patch.
Excavator can move supplies.
Crane Truck can help build the carnival rides.
Kids can add booths, rides, houses, parking lots or whatever else they imagine. There really isn't a wrong way to build it.
This activity was inspired by my children's book, The Trucks That Saved Halloween, where Dump Truck, Excavator and Crane Truck work together to transform an old farm into a cheerful Halloween carnival.
We decided our carnival needed a Ferris wheel! I didn't even realize some of our magnetic-tile pieces had holes in them until I started looking for a way to build one. I happened to have a little wooden dowel saved in my craft box (craft hoarding for the win!), and it worked perfectly. I followed this Instagram video to figure out the basic construction.
2. Have a Pumpkin Truck Race or Pumpkin Delivery 🚜🎃
Here's an EASY one—and you can play it inside or outside.
The basic idea is simple: use construction trucks to transport pumpkins from one place to another.
The Setup: About 3 minutes
What You Need
Construction trucks
Mini pumpkins
Sidewalk chalk and/or cones
Outside, use sidewalk chalk to draw a start line and finish line. You could also draw a large box and write PUMPKIN PATCH above it.
Place your mini pumpkins at the starting line or scatter them around the driveway.
Now give the kids their construction trucks.
The challenge is to get the pumpkins to the Pumpkin Patch without touching them with their hands.
Push one with a bulldozer.
Carry one in a Dump Truck.
Try to scoop one up with an Excavator.
If you have several kids, turn it into a race. You could also skip the competition and have everyone work together to get all the pumpkins safely into the patch.
Try It Inside
Scatter the mini pumpkins around a room and put a trick-or-treat bucket or container in the middle to become your Pumpkin Patch.
The kids have to use their trucks to collect and deliver all the pumpkins.
Make a Halloween Sidewalk Chalk Obstacle Course
3. Make a Halloween Sidewalk Chalk Obstacle Course
This one is perfect when the kids need to MOVE.
And you don't need to build an actual obstacle course. Your driveway and a box of sidewalk chalk are enough.
The Setup: About 5 mins
What You Need:
Sidewalk Chalk Set
Orange Cones
Draw a course that winds its way across the driveway or sidewalk.
For example:
🎃 START
➡️ Follow the winding road
🕷️ Jump over 3 spiders
🎃 Hop from pumpkin to pumpkin
👻 Tiptoe past the ghosts
🌀 Run around the cauldron 3 times
🧙🏻♀️Balance on the Witch Broom
🦇 Run to the bats
🏁 TRUCK-OR-TREAT!
Once you've drawn it, the kids can run through it again...and again...and again.
Which is sort of the point. 😂
We made ours Halloween-themed with spiders to jump over, pumpkins to hop between, ghosts to tiptoe past and bats to run toward. I also drew a winding road for the boys to follow with their construction trucks, which ended up being one of their favorite parts.
Don't worry about making the drawings perfect—mine definitely aren't! The kids knew what everything was supposed to be, and that's all that mattered. 😂
It’s also cute to have if you have a busy neighborhood for trick-or-treating.
4. Go on a Halloween Scavenger Hunt 🎃
This might be the easiest activity on the entire list.
Take a walk around the neighborhood and see how many Halloween and fall things you can spot.
The Setup: 1 min
What You Need:
Halloween Scavenger Hunt List
Clipboard
Pencil or Crayon
Print or write down a list, grab a clipboard and head outside.
See if you can find:
🎃 Pumpkin
👻 Ghost
🕷️ Spider
🦇 Bat
🚜 Construction truck
🍂 Red leaf
🍁 Orange leaf
🚚 Delivery truck
🧙 Witch
💀 Skeleton
For younger kids, you can simply read the list aloud instead of worrying about checking everything off.
You could also bring a trick-or-treat bucket and collect fallen leaves or other safe little nature finds along the way.
Use kinetic sand and trucks to dig for Halloween treasure
5. Dig for Halloween Treasure 💎
If your kids like digging, this one is ridiculously easy.
You can do it outside in a sandbox or make an indoor sensory bin with kinetic sand or another sensory-bin filler you already use.
The Setup: About 2 minutes
What You Need
Mini pumpkins
Plastic spiders or Halloween acrylic gems
Construction trucks
Sandbox, kinetic sand or sensory bin
Need the supplies? You can find everything I'm using on my Amazon Halloween Activity List.
Then bring out the construction trucks.
Have Excavator dig up the Halloween treasure while Dump Truck hauls everything back to the trick-or-treat bucket.
You can make this one even simpler, too. When I first brought out the mini pumpkins and Halloween gems, my boys immediately started playing with them before I even finished setting up the sensory bin! They put the mini pumpkins together and took them apart, then sorted and counted the gems by color, shape and size.
Sometimes the easiest activity is just putting out a few interesting supplies and seeing what the kids decide to do with them.
You can also turn it into a counting game:
Can you find 5 pumpkins?
Can you dig up 5 spiders?
How many gems did Dump Truck collect?
Just make sure anything small is age-appropriate for your child and supervise little ones closely.
This ties in with the next activity…
6. Go on a Pumpkin Hunt 🎃
Think Easter egg hunt...but make it Halloween. We called it Pumpkin Hide and Seek for the little ones!
The Setup: About 2 minutes
What You Need
Mini pumpkins
Construction trucks or trick-or-treat buckets
Hide mini pumpkins around the house or yard.
But instead of handing the kids an Easter basket...
Give them a Dump Truck.
😂
Every time they find a pumpkin, it goes into the back of the truck.
If you're outside, use your sidewalk chalk to draw a big PUMPKIN PATCH on the driveway.
Now the kids have two jobs:
Find all the pumpkins.
Use the trucks to deliver them to the Pumpkin Patch.
For a larger group, hide lots of pumpkins and have the kids work together to fill the patch.
Halloween Radiator Springs play set makeover with Lightning McQueen
7. Halloween-ify a Favorite Playset
You don’t need a brand-new Halloween toy to make playtime feel seasonal! We gave our Radiator Springs playset a quick Halloween makeover with mini pumpkins, lights, spiderwebs, fall leaves and decorations we already had around the house. It took about 10 minutes to set up, cost less than $10 in new supplies, and made an old favorite feel completely new again.
The same idea would work with almost any playset your child already loves — a dollhouse, train set, toy farm, construction site or little town.
Chocolate Halloween Cookie Haunted house is a fun activity to do with kids
8. Make a Chocolate Halloween Cookie House 🍪🎃
Okay, this activity takes a little more effort than the others.
But it's also delicious.
I LOVE making sugar cookie houses, but for Halloween I wanted something darker than my usual sugar cookie dough. That's how my Chocolate Halloween Cookie House was born.
Instead of making it genuinely scary, I decorated it with bright orange, purple and green frosting and lots of colorful Halloween details.
The Setup: About 1 hour
What You Need
See my full Chocolate Halloween Cookie House recipe for the ingredients, decorating supplies and step-by-step instructions.
You can make the chocolate cookie-house pieces ahead of time, so you don't have to bake and decorate everything in one day. Make the cookies the day before, then make—or buy!—your frosting when you're ready to decorate.
Want the Easier Version?
Skip the house!
Use the same chocolate cookie dough to make regular Halloween cookies.
Put out orange, purple and green frosting, sprinkles, candy eyes and other Halloween decorations and let the kids decorate their own.
You still get the fun—and the chocolate—without having to construct an entire house.
The Trucks that Saved Halloween Children’s Book
9. Read a Not-So-Spooky Halloween Book 📚
After all that running, digging, pumpkin hauling and cookie decorating, this is the point where I'm ready for everyone to SIT DOWN. 😂
The Setup: 0 minutes
Grab a cozy spot and read a favorite Halloween picture book together.
If your kids love construction trucks, The Trucks That Saved Halloween combines trucks with all of my favorite not-so-spooky parts of Halloween.
Dump Truck, Excavator and Crane Truck are ready to truck-or-treat, but the streets are far too quiet. So the Truck Team gets to work transforming an old farm into a cheerful Halloween carnival.
There are pumpkins, carnival rides, costumes, a little Halloween magic and, of course, truck-or-treating!
It's a cheerful Halloween story about friendship and teamwork created especially for little truck lovers ages 2–6.
And if you're always looking for another Halloween book to add to your shelf, I'm also putting together a list of our favorite not-so-spooky Halloween books for toddlers and preschoolers.
Toddlers Painting Pumpkins for Halloween
10. Paint Pumpkins Instead of Carving Them 🎨🎃
Pumpkin carving is fun, but with toddlers and preschoolers, sometimes it's easier to skip the knives and hand them some paint instead.
This one can get a little messy, but it's something I've enjoyed doing both on my own and with my littles.
The Setup: About 5 minutes
What You Need
Washable paint
Real or craft pumpkins
Paintbrushes
Halloween stickers
Water cups
Paper towels—lots of paper towels!
Set out washable paint, paintbrushes and pumpkins.
Real pumpkins work, or use craft pumpkins if you'd like to keep your creations for another year.
Kids can paint anything they want, but truck-loving kids can turn their pumpkins into construction-truck pumpkins.
Try:
💛 Yellow Crane Truck pumpkin
💚 Green Excavator pumpkin
🧡 Orange Dump Truck pumpkin
Add Halloween stickers when the paint dries, or just let the kids cover their pumpkins in whatever colors they want.
They do not need to look remotely Pinterest-perfect. Mine definitely did not! 😂
Put down something to protect your table, have water cups nearby and keep plenty of paper towels within reach.
Trust me on that last one.
I painted this donut pumpkin a few years ago, and it's still one of my favorite Halloween decorations to pull out every fall!
My painted pink pumpkin donut WITH sprinkles, of course!
More Halloween Fun / Resources
Looking for a few more ways to keep the Halloween fun going?
Make a Chocolate Halloween Cookie House: If you’re in the mood for a hands-on Halloween baking project, try my Chocolate Halloween Cookie House. You can build the full house or use the same dough and decorating ideas for easy Halloween cookies.
Read The Trucks That Saved Halloween: If your little one loves construction trucks, pumpkins and not-too-spooky Halloween fun, learn more about The Trucks That Saved Halloween.
Shop the Activity Supplies: You can find the mini pumpkins, chalk, trucks, gems and other supplies we reused throughout these activities on my Amazon Halloween Activity List
Easy Halloween Fun Doesn't Have to Be Complicated
You don't need a brand-new craft kit or elaborate setup every day to make Halloween feel special.
A bag of mini pumpkins, some sidewalk chalk and a few toys your kids already love can turn into a pumpkin race one afternoon, a treasure hunt the next and an entire Halloween carnival after that.
Whether you went on a neighborhood scavenger hunt, raced Dump Trucks full of pumpkins or tackled an entire Chocolate Cookie Haunted House, I hope you found something here that helps you make some sweet—and maybe slightly messy—Halloween memories together.
Happy Halloween! 🎃
Like these ideas? Share or save them for next year on your favorite Pinterest board!
More Halloween Posts:
Disneyland Halloween Time: Decorations, Rides, Food & Tips
Planning a Disneyland trip during Halloween Time? See the best Halloween decorations, seasonal rides, Cars Land Haul-O-Ween, treats, Oogie Boogie Bash and our tips for experiencing Disneyland Halloween with kids.
Main Entrance Mickey and Friends Pumpkins
Updated August 2026
Halloween might be one of my favorite times of year to visit Disneyland!
Disneyland completely transforms for fall with pumpkins lining Main Street, Halloween costumes, seasonal rides, spooky treats and some of the BEST decorations of the year. And then you walk over to Disney California Adventure and the Halloween decorations get even better — especially in Cars Land!
I originally wrote this guide after one of my Halloween visits to Disneyland years ago, but Disneyland Halloween Time has grown so much since then. I've visited Disneyland California hundreds of times over the years, and now that I'm visiting with my own kids, I wanted to turn this into a complete guide to Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort — including what comes back year after year, what you shouldn't miss and what to know before visiting.
Updated August 2026: Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort runs August 21 through October 31, 2026. Seasonal offerings can change from year to year, so I always recommend checking Disneyland's current schedule before your visit.
🏰 Planning your trip? If you're visiting with little ones, start with my Disneyland With Toddlers guide for our favorite rides, Rider Switch tips and things we've learned visiting Disneyland with our two boys.
Disneyland Halloween Time at a Glance
When: Usually late August through October 31
Where: Disneyland Park + Disney California Adventure
Best for: Families, Disney fans and anyone who loves Halloween without it being TOO scary
Don't miss: Main Street pumpkins, Haunted Mansion Holiday and Cars Land at night
Separate ticket required? Not for regular Halloween Time. Oogie Boogie Bash is a separately ticketed event.
Most of the Halloween decorations, seasonal attractions and entertainment you'll see during the day are included with your regular park admission.
PRO TIP: If you're visiting Disney California Adventure during Halloween season, check the Oogie Boogie Bash calendar before choosing your park days. California Adventure closes early to regular guests on party nights.
🎃 Related Post: Don't forget to check out the Halloween decor at Disneyland Paris.
Where to Stay Near Disneyland for Halloween Time
If you're coming from out of town — or just don't want to drive home after a VERY long Disney day — staying within walking distance of Disneyland makes a huge difference.
We've stayed at Hyatt House at Anaheim Resort/Convention Center multiple times with our kids. I especially like having the extra space, kitchen setup and breakfast when we're doing Disneyland with little ones.
You can read my full Hyatt House Anaheim review to see the rooms, breakfast, walk to Disneyland and why we keep going back.
Affiliate disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you book through one of my links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
Is Disneyland Halloween Time Worth It?
YES!
I already love Disneyland, but there's something about seeing the entire resort decorated for fall that makes it feel completely different.
Disneyland Park has more of a classic fall feeling with pumpkins, orange and yellow decorations and The Nightmare Before Christmas taking over Haunted Mansion.
California Adventure gets a little spookier with purple lights, bats, Oogie Boogie and the Headless Horseman.
And then there's Cars Land.
If you're only going to see one area decorated for Halloween, Cars Land would be my pick.
It's fun during the day, but make sure you come back after dark because Radiator Springs — or should I say Radiator Screams — looks AMAZING lit up in green, orange and purple.
Halloween at Disney California Adventure
Disney California Adventure really goes all out for Halloween.
Even before you enter the park, you'll usually see Oogie Boogie welcoming you from above the entrance.
Once you're inside, Buena Vista Street has a completely different feeling from Disneyland's Main Street. Instead of the classic orange harvest decorations, you'll find darker Halloween touches, bats and lots of purple.
After entering the gates, Buena Vista Street had lots of bats and purple banners and lights, which I liked because it differentiated from Main Street at Disneyland that is filled with pumpkins and orange harvest decor.
One of my favorite decorations has always been the Headless Horseman near Carthay Circle.
He's definitely creepier than the pumpkins across the esplanade at Disneyland, but that's part of what I love about California Adventure at Halloween. It feels just spooky enough without turning the entire park into a haunted house.
🎢 If you have extra time in California Adventure, you can also check out my Pixar Pier guide for a look at the rides, attractions and the huge transformation from Paradise Pier to Pixar Pier.
Headless Horseman near Carthay Circle
Halloween Characters at California Adventure
Mickey Mouse in his Halloween Costume
Keep an eye out for Disney characters dressed for Halloween, too!
The exact costumes change over the years — Mickey and friends even debuted new Halloween outfits in 2026 — which makes the character photos especially fun if you visit Disneyland regularly.
Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark
Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark
If you want something a little scarier, head over to Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark.
The Halloween version takes place after the regular Mission: BREAKOUT! storyline. The Collector's creatures have escaped, Groot is still inside and Rocket needs your help getting him out.
One of the things I loved when we rode was that the Halloween theme wasn't limited to the ride itself. Cast Members were looking for the escaped creatures while we waited in line, which made the whole experience even more fun.
NOTE FOR FAMILIES: This is definitely one of the more intense Halloween experiences at Disneyland Resort. If you're visiting with toddlers or younger kids, there is plenty of Halloween fun elsewhere that isn't scary.
Cars Land at Halloween: Welcome to Radiator Screams!
Cars Land Haul-o-ween sign at Halloween time
This is my FAVORITE.
Cars Land becomes Radiator Screams during Halloween Time, and Disney puts Halloween details practically everywhere you look.
Seriously, slow down when you're walking through here.
There are spooky traffic signs, giant spiders made from car parts, Halloween-themed tire displays and all kinds of car-themed Halloween puns.
I LOVE the posters throughout Cars Land. Hocus Spokus still makes me laugh because Hocus Pocus is one of the best Halloween movies out there.
Halloween Posters in Cars Land
Even the Cars characters get into the Halloween spirit with their own "car-stumes."
And some of the regular Cars Land attractions get Halloween makeovers too.
Fun Halloween Radiator Springs Makeover activity for kids
🎃 Bring Radiator Springs Halloween Home
Love Cars Land at Halloween? We were so inspired by Radiator Screams that we gave our own Radiator Springs play set a Halloween makeover! Using a few inexpensive pumpkins, lights, trees and spiderwebs, we turned it into a mini Halloween town for less than $10.
→ See our easy Halloween Radiator Springs activity for kids
DIA DE LOS MUERTOS CARS LAND
Radiator Springs Stanley at Halloween Town Hall
Mater's Graveyard JamBOOree
Mater's Junkyard Jamboree becomes Mater's Graveyard JamBOOree, complete with Halloween music and spooky decorations.
This is a great Halloween ride for younger kids because it's festive without being particularly scary.
Halloween time Flo’s V8 Cafe
Luigi's Honkin' Haul-O-Ween
Luigi's Rollickin' Roadsters also gets a Halloween transformation and becomes Luigi's Honkin' Haul-O-Ween with Halloween-themed songs and decorations.
Both of these seasonal overlays have returned year after year, although Disney can always change its Halloween offerings.
Don't Miss Cars Land at Night
Even if you've already explored Cars Land during the day, GO BACK AT NIGHT.
I loved how everything was lit up in green and purple when we visited. Looking back at my pictures, I realized there were details on the buildings I hadn't even noticed while we were standing there.
This is probably my favorite place in either Disneyland park to walk around during Halloween Time.
Cars Land lit up at night for Halloween
Trunk or Treat… Get it?
We had to try the Slow Burnin’ Mac & Cheese Cone and got lemonades with pomegranate limeade on top! Review: Mac & Cheese = good, edible cone = bad. It definitely had a nice spice to it but I was expecting more both palate wise and by size. The crushed chile-cheese puffs were a nice touch. As for the lemonade, you had the option to add vodka to it!
Cute Halloween Decorations
Mickey's Trick and Treat
If you're visiting with younger kids, this is much more their speed!
Mickey's Trick and Treat is a family-friendly interactive show at Disney California Adventure with Mickey, Minnie and friends, dancing, Halloween fun and treats.
Disney's seasonal entertainment changes, so check the entertainment schedule for your dates before planning your day around a particular show.
If you're bringing toddlers or preschoolers, I have a LOT more about planning a Disney day with little kids in my Disneyland With Toddlers guide.
Plaza de la Familia
Halloween season at California Adventure also overlaps with Plaza de la Familia, a celebration inspired by Día de los Muertos and the bonds of family.
You'll find colorful decorations, entertainment and touches inspired by Coco.
Plaza de la Familia typically extends a little beyond Halloween into early November. In 2026, it runs from August 21 through November 2.
Halloween at Disneyland Park
Walk across to Disneyland Park and the entire feeling changes.
Disneyland's Halloween decorations are much more pumpkins + fall + classic Halloween, and I LOVE it.
Main Street, U.S.A. is covered in fall foliage, orange bunting and pumpkins.
And there are SO MANY PUMPKINS!
As we were walking around before the fireworks started, we walked right by the Walt and Mickey statue that had carved pumpkins that were carved from the front and back (they weren't real, but they looked like they were)!
The Giant Mickey Pumpkin
The Giant Mickey Pumpkin
You can't really say you've done Halloween at Disneyland until you've taken a picture with the giant Mickey jack-o'-lantern at the entrance to Main Street.
It's one of the most recognizable Disneyland Halloween decorations and an easy family photo stop.
But don't just take the picture and rush toward the rides.
Look around Main Street!
One of my favorite parts of Disneyland Halloween is seeing all the different carved pumpkin faces decorating the buildings. Disney puts so much detail into the decorations that it's easy to miss half of it if you're racing to your first ride.
Haunted Mansion Nightmare Before Christmas Haunted Holiday
Haunted Mansion Holiday
This is one of the biggest reasons to visit Disneyland during Halloween Time.
Every year, Haunted Mansion gets taken over by Jack Skellington, Sally, Oogie Boogie and the residents of Halloween Town for Haunted Mansion Holiday, inspired by Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas.
I LOVED The Nightmare Before Christmas as a kid, so this is always one of my favorite seasonal Disneyland attractions.
The transformation isn't just a few pumpkins outside, either. The attraction gets an extensive holiday makeover inside and out.
And because Haunted Mansion Holiday continues into the Christmas season, it's one of those funny Disneyland attractions that manages to be perfect for Halloween AND Christmas.
Sing it with me: THIS IS HALLOWEEN, THIS IS HALLOWEEN.....
Don't Forget Galaxy's Edge
Halloween decorations aren't the reason to head into Galaxy's Edge, but if you haven't explored this part of Disneyland yet, definitely leave some time for it while you're in the park.
I have a complete Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge guide with our favorite things to see, do and eat in the land.
Halloween Screams
If it's showing during your visit, stay for Halloween Screams!
The nighttime spectacular features Jack Skellington, Zero, Disney villains, projections and Halloween music.
Fireworks are included on select nights, but the schedule can vary, so this is another one I would check in the Disneyland app on the day of your visit rather than relying on an old showtime you found online.
FRONTIERLAND Halloween Time
Dias de los Muertros took over Frontierland!
Last Year’s BAT WING RASPBERRY SUNDAE at Clarabelle’s Hand Scooped Ice Cream
Halloween Food at Disneyland
Okay, now we need to talk about one of my favorite parts of ANY Disneyland event:
THE FOOD.
Disney goes crazy with seasonal Halloween treats.
Over the years I've tried everything from Halloween churros and spooky ice cream creations to a spicy mac and cheese cone in Cars Land.
Disneyland Halloween Food - Minnie Witch Shake at Schmoozies (Minnie Witch Shake - Mint Chocolate Chip Shake with Whipped Cream and Chocolate Cream-filled Cookie ears)
One year I found a Minnie Witch Shake at Schmoozies made with mint chocolate chip ice cream, whipped cream and cookie ears, and obviously I had to get it.
We've also tried the Haul-O-Ween Churro in Cars Land, which was covered in cookie crumbs, green icing, gummy worms and candy.
And then there was the Slow Burnin' Mac & Cheese Cone.
My review at the time?
Mac & cheese = good. Edible cone = not so good.
Disneyland's Halloween menus change every year, which is actually part of the fun. Instead of planning around a treat you saw from several years ago, check the current seasonal food guide or Disneyland app before your trip.
And if you're like me and Disneyland snacks are a major part of your itinerary, I have an entire guide to Disneyland food and sweet treats you can't miss.
My strategy is usually to pick a few things that sound REALLY good rather than trying to eat everything Halloween-themed in one day.
Although I am always willing to make room for Halloween ice cream.
Haul-O-Ween Churro - rolled in Crumbled Chocolate Creme-filled Cookies, Green Icing, Gummy Worms and Candies
Schmoozies Caramel Apple Smoothie - Apples, Ice Cream, Caramel Sauce and a Caramel Apple Lollipop
What Is Oogie Boogie Bash?
This is an important distinction if you're planning a Disneyland Halloween trip.
Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party is NOT the same thing as regular Halloween Time at Disneyland.
Halloween Time happens throughout both parks during regular operating hours and most of those seasonal decorations and attractions are included with regular admission.
Oogie Boogie Bash is a separately ticketed after-hours Halloween party held on select nights at Disney California Adventure.
The party includes trick-or-treat trails, special characters, entertainment, costumes and other exclusive experiences.
CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE Halloween Time Oogie Boogie MAIN ENTRANCE DAYTIME
Oogie Boogie Bash 2026
For 2026, Oogie Boogie Bash is being held on select nights from August 18 through October 31.
The event officially runs from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM, and party tickets allow guests to enter Disney California Adventure beginning at 3:00 PM.
Ticket prices and dates change every year, and popular nights can sell out, so I wouldn't build your plans around pricing or dates from a previous year. Check Disney's current Oogie Boogie Bash information when you're planning your trip.
IMPORTANT: Even if you're NOT going to Oogie Boogie Bash, you need to know when it's happening. California Adventure has adjusted operating hours on party nights.
CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE Halloween Time MAIN ENTRANCE NIGHTTIME
Do You Need Oogie Boogie Bash Tickets to Enjoy Disneyland at Halloween?
Absolutely not.
This is probably one of the biggest misconceptions about Disneyland Halloween.
You can see the Main Street pumpkins, explore Cars Land's Haul-O-Ween decorations, ride seasonal attractions and enjoy lots of Halloween entertainment without attending Oogie Boogie Bash.
If you're taking a Disneyland vacation anyway, Halloween Time is still worth experiencing without buying another event ticket.
Oogie Boogie Bash is more of an extra Halloween experience.
Electrical Parade Alice in Wonderland - 2019
Disneyland Halloween With Toddlers and Young Kids
For the most part, Disneyland Halloween is very family-friendly.
This isn't the kind of Halloween event where actors are jumping out and trying to scare you.
There are definitely darker decorations and villains — especially around California Adventure — but there's also a TON for little kids.
If you're visiting Disneyland Halloween with toddlers, I'd prioritize:
Main Street's pumpkins
Cars Land during the day
Mater's Graveyard JamBOOree
Luigi's Honkin' Haul-O-Ween
Halloween character photos
Mickey's Trick and Treat
Seasonal snacks
Then you can decide how your child feels about things like Haunted Mansion Holiday and the nighttime decorations.
Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark is in an entirely different category and is intended to be thrilling!
For everything else — toddler rides, Rider Switch, naps, stroller tips and what we've learned taking two little boys — head over to my complete Disneyland With Toddlers: 10 Tips We Learned Visiting With Two Little Boys.
Make a Disneyland Halloween Weekend Out of It
If you're traveling to Anaheim rather than just coming for the day, you can easily turn Halloween Time into a Southern California weekend.
I'd give Disneyland at least one full day — and preferably more if you want to explore both parks without rushing — and then add another family-friendly Southern California activity before or after your Disney days.
Affiliate disclosure: I may earn a commission if you book an experience through one of these links, at no additional cost to you.
My Tips for Visiting Disneyland During Halloween Time
Go to Cars Land twice. See it during the day and come back after dark.
Check Oogie Boogie Bash dates BEFORE buying your park tickets. This is especially important if you're planning a California Adventure day.
Don't assume an old Halloween food guide is current. Disney changes the specialty food every year.
Check entertainment times in the Disneyland app. Seasonal shows and fireworks aren't necessarily offered every night.
Look up! Some of the best Halloween decorations are on buildings, light fixtures and signs rather than at eye level.
Take your Halloween photos early. You'll inevitably say, "We'll get that picture later!" and then discover that everyone is exhausted and it's dark.
Give yourself time to wander. Halloween at Disneyland is one of those times when getting from attraction A to attraction B as quickly as possible means missing half the fun.
Is Disneyland Better at Halloween or Christmas?
Don't make me choose!
Disneyland at Christmas has MORE decorations overall, but I think Halloween Time has some of the most creative transformations — especially Cars Land.
If you love pumpkins, fall colors, The Nightmare Before Christmas and Halloween without anything TOO scary, I'd choose Halloween.
And Southern California doesn't exactly give us a lot of changing leaves and crisp fall weather, so I'll take my fall wherever I can get it!
Disneyland Halloween Time FAQ
When does Halloween Time start at Disneyland?
Disneyland Halloween Time typically begins in late August or early September and continues through October 31.
For 2026, Halloween Time runs August 21 through October 31.
When does Disneyland decorate for Halloween?
Disney begins its Halloween transformation around the start of Halloween Time. Exact dates can change each year, so check the current year's Disneyland Halloween schedule before your trip.
Is Disneyland Halloween included with regular admission?
Most Halloween Time decorations, seasonal attractions and regular entertainment are available with standard theme park admission.
Oogie Boogie Bash is a separately ticketed event.
Is Cars Land decorated for Halloween?
YES! And it's one of my favorite parts of Disneyland Halloween.
Cars Land becomes "Radiator Screams," complete with Halloween decorations, costumed Cars characters and seasonal versions of Mater's and Luigi's attractions.
Is Haunted Mansion different during Halloween?
Yes. Haunted Mansion transforms into Haunted Mansion Holiday, inspired by Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas.
Does Disneyland have Halloween fireworks?
Disneyland presents Halloween Screams on select nights during Halloween Time. Fireworks are included on select nights, so check the entertainment calendar for your visit.
Is Disneyland Halloween good for toddlers?
Yes! Most of Halloween Time is designed to be family-friendly rather than truly scary. Cars Land, Main Street pumpkins, characters and Mickey's Trick and Treat are especially fun with younger kids.
Do you need Oogie Boogie Bash tickets?
Only if you want to attend Oogie Boogie Bash itself. You do not need a party ticket to experience regular Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort.
Final Thoughts: Is Disneyland Halloween Worth It?
If you already love Disneyland, Halloween Time gives you a completely different reason to visit.
For me, the best part isn't one particular ride or treat. It's walking through Main Street surrounded by pumpkins, discovering all the ridiculous Halloween details in Cars Land and then seeing everything light up after dark.
Disney changes the food, costumes and entertainment from year to year, but that's why I wanted to make this guide more evergreen. The details may change, but the things that make Disneyland Halloween so much fun come back year after year.
And if I had to give you just ONE piece of advice?
Don't leave Cars Land before seeing it at night.
Happy Halloween! I can't wait to go back! Hurry baaacccckkkk, hurrry baaaaaaaaaccccckkkk!
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More Disneyland Tips & Guides
Planning more of your Disneyland trip? Here are some of my other Disneyland guides:
Disneyland Paris Guide: Best Things to Do, Rides & Must-See Attractions
Planning a trip to Disneyland Paris? Discover the best things to do, must-ride attractions, Halloween highlights and what’s different from Disneyland California. I couldn’t stop taking photos along the way—there were so many unique Disney details to see!
Disneyland Paris entrance and Disneyland Hotel with fountains and Mickey Mouse flower display
Originally published after our 2012 visit. Updated August 2026 with current Disneyland Paris planning information
Everything you need to know about DISNEYLAND PARIS GUIDE - best things to do and must see from a Disneyland expert!
If you’re planning a trip to Paris and LOVE Disney, you may be wondering: Is Disneyland Paris worth visiting?
For me, the answer was YES!
I’ve been to Disneyland in California literally hundreds of times, so naturally, when I went to Paris, I had to see how the two parks compared.
There are so many fun things to do at Disneyland Paris, especially if you love spotting the differences between Disney parks. From unique versions of classic rides to Sleeping Beauty Castle (and the dragon hiding underneath!), these are some of the best things to do in Disneyland Paris—plus a few newer experiences I’d add to my list today.
I seriously couldn’t stop taking photos while we were there! From the details of the castle to the Halloween decorations throughout the park, there was something different around every corner.
We visited in 2012 during the Halloween season, so the photos and my firsthand experiences in this guide are from that trip. A LOT has changed since then—including a major transformation of the second park! I’ve updated this guide with current 2026 planning information while keeping all of those original experiences, comparisons and photos.
I couldn't stop taking photos of Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Paris—especially with all the Halloween decorations!
Disneyland Paris at a Glance
Disneyland Paris has two theme parks:
Disneyland Park — This is the classic castle park and the one that feels most like Disneyland in California or Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World.
Disney Adventure World — Formerly Walt Disney Studios Park, the second park has undergone a HUGE transformation and officially became Disney Adventure World in March 2026.
If you only have one day and you’re choosing one park, I’d prioritize Disneyland Park, especially if this is your first visit.
That’s where you’ll find Sleeping Beauty Castle, Big Thunder Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, Phantom Manor and many of the things that make Disneyland Paris unique.
What’s New at Disneyland Paris in 2026?
Okay, this is where my original 2012 Disneyland Paris guide needed a BIG update!
When we visited, the second park was called Walt Disney Studios Park.
As of March 29, 2026, it is officially Disney Adventure World.
The park has undergone a huge expansion that includes World of Frozen, Adventure Way, Adventure Bay, a Tangled-themed attraction and new restaurants and experiences.
There’s also Marvel Avengers Campus, which opened long after my visit. The old Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster that I remember has been transformed into Avengers Assemble: Flight Force.
So if you’re looking at my older photos and wondering why parts of Disney Adventure World look completely different today — that’s why!
How to Get to Disneyland Paris From Paris
One of the things that surprised me about Disneyland Paris was how EASY it was to get there from Paris.
We were staying in Paris and took the RER A train to Marne-la-Vallée/Chessy.
The ride from central Paris takes about 40 minutes, and the station is right by the entrance to Disneyland Paris.
For us, it made Disneyland Paris completely doable as a day trip without changing hotels.
TIP: I wouldn’t rely on old blog posts for train prices (including the original version of this post!). Check current transportation information before your trip since fares can change.
Walt Disney Studios Paris, now Disney Adventure World
Disneyland Park vs. Disney Adventure World
If you’ve been to the Disney parks in the United States, the easiest way to understand Disneyland Paris is to think of it as two separate experiences.
Disneyland Park
This is the classic Disney park.
You’ll find:
Sleeping Beauty Castle
Big Thunder Mountain
Pirates of the Caribbean
Phantom Manor
Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain
“it’s a small world”
Fantasyland
Adventureland
Discoveryland
Frontierland
Main Street, U.S.A.
But don’t assume you’ve seen everything just because you’ve been to Disneyland in California.
Some of the Paris versions are VERY different.
Disney Adventure World
Disney Adventure World is the dramatically expanded second park, formerly known as Walt Disney Studios Park.
Today you’ll find experiences including:
World of Frozen
Marvel Avengers Campus
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Crush’s Coaster
Toy Story Playland
Avengers Assemble: Flight Force
Ratatouille: The Adventure
Adventure Way
Adventure Bay
This park is probably the biggest difference between the Disneyland Paris I visited and the Disneyland Paris you’ll experience today.
WALT AND MICKEY STATUE - Hollywood Tower of Terror PARIS - Disney Adventure World
Best Things to Do at Disneyland Paris
Wondering what you absolutely shouldn't miss at Disneyland Paris? From exploring Sleeping Beauty Castle and its dragon to riding Big Thunder Mountain, Phantom Manor and Hyperspace Mountain, there are plenty of attractions that feel surprisingly different from their California counterparts. These are some of my favorite Disneyland Paris must-dos, plus a few newer experiences I'd add to my list today.
Big Thunder Mountain
If you love Big Thunder Mountain in California, you HAVE to ride the Disneyland Paris version.
It’s one of those rides that’s familiar but different enough to make it exciting.
The biggest difference?
The attraction is located on an island in the middle of the Rivers of the Far West!
That alone makes it worth riding even if you’ve been on Big Thunder Mountain dozens of times in the United States.
Phantom Manor AKA Haunted Mansion in Disneyland Paris
Phantom Manor
Disneyland Paris has its own take on the Haunted Mansion called Phantom Manor.
And I LOVE seeing how Disney reimagines attractions for different parks.
Phantom Manor fits perfectly into Frontierland and has a darker Western feel than the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland in California.
If Haunted Mansion is one of your favorites, don’t skip this one.
SPACE MOUNTAIN MISSION 2, now Hyperspace Mountain at DISNEYLAND PARIS
Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain
When we visited, this attraction was called Space Mountain: Mission 2, and it was one of my favorite rides at Disneyland Paris!
Today, it’s Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain.
Unlike Space Mountain in California, the Disneyland Paris coaster is much more intense. It has a loop and inversions which none of the other parks do.
And here’s another reason my old photos are kind of fun now: Disney has announced that the current Hyperspace Mountain version will eventually give way to a newly reimagined version inspired by the attraction’s original Jules Verne concept.
Skull rock and Peter Pan’s Pirate Ship at DISNEYLAND PARIS
Pirates of the Caribbean
Pirates is another attraction that feels familiar but isn’t exactly the same as its California counterpart.
I always recommend riding Disney attractions that exist at multiple parks because comparing them is half the fun!
Crush’s Coaster
Over in Disney Adventure World, Crush’s Coaster is one of the attractions I’d have on my list.
This spinning coaster is themed to Finding Nemo and is unique to Disneyland Paris.
I wish they had this in California Adventure! You ride with Crush from Finding Nemo in a turtle shell along the EAC. It's fast, it spins, it's fun! We waited about an hour for it, but it was worth it (and dry).
DRAGON UNDER SLEEPING BEAUTY'S CASTLE
Don’t Miss the Dragon Under Sleeping Beauty Castle!
THIS was one of my favorite discoveries at Disneyland Paris.
Sleeping Beauty Castle — Le Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant — is beautiful on its own.
But underneath it?
There’s a DRAGON.
Head underneath the castle into La Tanière du Dragon, where you’ll find a huge Audio-Animatronic dragon lurking in the cave.
I remember thinking this was SO COOL because there isn’t anything like it underneath Sleeping Beauty Castle in California.
It’s exactly the kind of detail that makes Disneyland Paris worth exploring instead of just running from ride to ride.
If you’re a Disneyland regular visiting Paris for the first time, DO NOT MISS THIS!
BONJOUR BUZZ! Toy Story Playland
Toy Story Playland
Elements of Disneyland Paris felt familiar from the Disney parks back home, but when we walked into Toy Story Playland and were greeted by a GIANT Buzz Lightyear saying “Bonjour,” Disneyland Paris definitely had its own unique charm!
The entire area makes you feel like you’ve been shrunk down to the size of a toy in Andy’s backyard, with oversized toys and larger-than-life details everywhere.
When we visited, we were kid-free, so we didn’t spend as much time on the rides here. Today, Toy Story Playland is part of Worlds of Pixar in Disney Adventure World, and you’ll still find Slinky Dog Zigzag Spin, Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop and RC Racer.
Funny enough, now that I’ve visited different Toy Story-themed lands around the world, I still love comparing them. Disneyland Paris was my first experience with Toy Story Playland, although I personally liked Hong Kong Disneyland’s version the best!
CAR'S LAND CORNER in Worlds of Pixar
What About the Cars Area?
Near Toy Story Playland, we also came across a little taste of Cars. It wasn’t anything like the full Cars Land at Disney California Adventure, but seeing familiar Cars theming in Paris was another fun Disney-parks-around-the-world moment.
This area has changed quite a bit since our visit. Today, the larger Worlds of Pixar area includes several Pixar-themed attractions, including Cars Quatre Roues Rallye and Cars ROAD TRIP, along with Toy Story Playland, Crush’s Coaster and Ratatouille: The Adventure.
If you’re used to Cars Land in California, don’t expect a Paris version of Radiator Springs. Instead, think of it as several Cars-inspired experiences within the much larger Worlds of Pixar area.
Radiator Spring Halloween Makeover Kids Activity
Cars fans at home: After going back through all of my Disney Cars photos while updating this guide, I ended up giving our own Radiator Springs playset a Halloween makeover! We used a few inexpensive pumpkins, lights, trees and spiderwebs to turn it into a mini Halloween town for less than $10.
Indiana Jones et le Temple du Péril - Outdoor roller coaster
Indiana Jones et le Temple du Péril
As a HUGE fan of the Indiana Jones Adventure at Disneyland in California, I was surprised when we came across Indiana Jones et le Temple du Péril at Disneyland Paris.
Despite the name, this is a completely different ride!
Instead of the dark indoor adventure you’ll find in California, Disneyland Paris’ Indiana Jones attraction is an outdoor roller coaster through ancient temple ruins. It actually reminded me more of the coaster-style thrills of Expedition Everest at Disney’s Animal Kingdom than California’s Indiana Jones ride.
It was definitely fun, but when we visited, Space Mountain: Mission 2 was my favorite of the two. Today, that attraction is called Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain, but if you’re trying to prioritize thrill rides, I’d put Hyperspace Mountain ahead of Indiana Jones.
California Disneyland fans: Don’t go into this one expecting the Indiana Jones Adventure you know from Anaheim. They’re VERY different attractions — which is also part of the fun of visiting Disneyland Paris!
Don't Miss the Disneyland Paris Drone Show!
One thing I REALLY wish had existed when we visited Disneyland Paris is the incredible nighttime drone technology they have today!
The newest show is Disney Cascade of Lights at Disney Adventure World. It takes place over Adventure Bay and combines more than 380 aerial and aquatic drones with fountains, water screens, projections, flames and other special effects.
I've seen videos of Disneyland Paris' drone shows all over social media, and they look AMAZING. This is definitely something I'd put on my list for a future trip!
Disney Cascade of Lights takes place in the evening and is included with valid admission to Disney Adventure World. Check the Disneyland Paris app for the showtime on the day of your visit, since schedules can change and the show may be affected by weather or technical conditions.
TIP: Disneyland Paris currently has TWO nighttime spectaculars — and you can't see both on the same night! Disney Cascade of Lights at Disney Adventure World takes place at the same time as Disney Tales of Magic over at Disneyland Park. If seeing both nighttime shows is important to you, Disney recommends planning at least two days.
What’s Different About Disneyland Paris vs. Disneyland California?
This was honestly one of my favorite parts of visiting.
Because I knew Disneyland California so well, I loved spotting all of the differences.
Disneyland Paris isn’t simply Disneyland transplanted to France.
The castle is different.
Big Thunder Mountain is different.
Space Mountain is VERY different. It has a loop!
Phantom Manor has its own story.
And then there are completely unique details like the dragon underneath the castle.
My advice?
Don’t skip an attraction simply because you’ve ridden the “same” ride in California or Florida.
Sometimes comparing the different versions is the most fun part!
🏰 Related Post: Guide to Hong Kong Disneyland
Halloween at Disneyland Paris
We happened to visit during the Halloween season, and I LOVED seeing Disneyland Paris decorated for fall!
There were pumpkins, ghosts, orange decorations and Halloween touches throughout the park. Looking back at these photos is actually one of my favorite parts of our trip.
And Halloween is still a BIG deal at Disneyland Paris.
For 2026, the Disney Halloween Festival runs September 26 through November 1 at Disneyland Park.
Disneyland Park gets covered in colorful pumpkins, lanterns and autumn decorations, particularly around Main Street, U.S.A. and Frontierland.
There are also special seasonal experiences, including:
Mickey’s Halloween Celebration
Disney Characters dressed for Halloween
Disney Villains
Jack Skellington and Sally on select dates
Halloween-inspired food and treats
Seasonal merchandise
Special Halloween decorations throughout Disneyland Park
And I especially love that Disneyland Paris describes its Halloween celebration as family-friendly rather than super scary.
If you already love fall and Halloween, I think this would be an especially fun time to plan a Disneyland Paris trip.
Our photos in this post show the Halloween decorations from our 2012 visit, so the exact decorations and entertainment you’ll see today will be different.
🎃 Related Post: Halloweentime at the Disneyland Resort
Can You Visit Disneyland Paris in One Day?
YES — that’s exactly what we did.
If you’re visiting Paris and mostly want a taste of Disneyland Paris, I think a day trip can absolutely work.
But there’s one big difference between our trip and visiting today:
Disneyland Paris has MUCH more to do now.
With the massive expansion of Disney Adventure World, trying to thoroughly experience both parks in a single day would be a lot.
If I were planning a first trip today, I’d think about it this way:
One day: Focus primarily on Disneyland Park and choose a few priorities at Disney Adventure World if you have a park-hopper ticket.
Two days: Much better if you really want to experience both parks.
Three days: Gives you time to slow down, repeat favorites and enjoy shows and entertainment without feeling like you’re racing through everything.
What Replaced FastPass at Disneyland Paris?
Here’s another major change from our visit.
When we went to Disneyland Paris, we used Disney’s old FastPass system.
That system is gone.
Disneyland Paris now uses Disney Premier Access, a paid service that allows you to access a faster queue at participating attractions.
There are different options, including Premier Access One for individual attractions and Premier Access Ultimate for access to multiple eligible attractions.
Because pricing and participating attractions can change, I’d check the Disneyland Paris app shortly before your trip rather than planning around an old list.
Food at Disneyland Paris
One of the places we ate during our visit was Restaurant Hakuna Matata in Adventureland.
We mainly ended up there because we were hungry, it was raining and we wanted something quick!
Funny enough, Restaurant Hakuna Matata is STILL THERE.
The menu has changed since our 2012 trip, so definitely don’t use my old meal as your current menu guide. Check the Disneyland Paris app for current restaurant menus and opening hours.
If I were planning another trip today, I’d also make dining reservations for any must-do table-service restaurants rather than waiting until we were hungry to figure out where to eat.
Paris Disneyland Hotel and mickey statue with floral arrangement
Disneyland Paris Tips for First-Time Visitors
Here are the biggest things I’d keep in mind when planning:
Download the Disneyland Paris app before your trip.
You’ll be able to see attraction wait times, show schedules, restaurant information and other current park details.
Don’t assume the rides are identical to Disneyland or Walt Disney World.
That’s part of the fun!
Give yourself time to explore the castle.
Don’t just take a picture in front and walk away. Go underneath it and FIND THE DRAGON.
Check attraction closures before your trip.
Disneyland Paris attractions can close for refurbishment, and you don’t want to discover that one of your must-do rides is unavailable after you arrive.
Prepare for weather.
We experienced plenty of rain during our trip. Paris weather can be unpredictable, so pack accordingly.
Consider two days if you want to see both parks.
Disneyland Paris has expanded considerably since our one-day trip.
If you love Halloween, consider visiting in the fall.
Disneyland Paris really embraces the season!
Is Disneyland Paris Worth It?
For a Disney fan?
I think so!
I wouldn’t necessarily sacrifice a huge chunk of a first-ever trip to Paris just to visit Disney. Paris has SO MUCH to see.
But if you have an extra day, you’re traveling with kids, or you’re a Disney fan who loves experiencing the different parks around the world, Disneyland Paris is an incredibly fun addition to a Paris itinerary.
For me, one of the best parts wasn’t simply riding Disney attractions.
It was discovering how DIFFERENT everything could be.
From Big Thunder Mountain’s island location to Phantom Manor and the dragon hiding underneath Sleeping Beauty Castle, Disneyland Paris has its own personality.
And now that Disney Adventure World has completely transformed the second park, there’s even more to experience than when we visited!
ENTRANCE TO WALT DISNEY STUDIOS
Disneyland Paris FAQ
Is Disneyland Paris close to Paris?
Disneyland Paris is outside central Paris in Marne-la-Vallée. The RER A train ride from central Paris takes about 40 minutes and arrives at Marne-la-Vallée/Chessy, right by Disneyland Paris.
How many parks are at Disneyland Paris?
There are two: Disneyland Park and Disney Adventure World, formerly Walt Disney Studios Park.
Is one day enough for Disneyland Paris?
You can absolutely visit Disneyland Paris as a day trip, especially if you focus on Disneyland Park. If you want to thoroughly experience both parks, I’d plan at least two days.
Is Disneyland Paris worth visiting if you’ve already been to Disneyland?
YES! That’s actually what made the experience so fun for me. Attractions like Big Thunder Mountain, Phantom Manor and Hyperspace Mountain are different from their U.S. counterparts, and Disneyland Paris has unique experiences like the dragon underneath Sleeping Beauty Castle.
When is Halloween at Disneyland Paris in 2026?
Disney Halloween Festival runs from September 26 through November 1, 2026 in Disneyland Park. The park features Halloween decorations, seasonal entertainment, Disney Characters and Villains, special treats and other Halloween experiences.
Is Disneyland Paris Halloween scary for kids?
Disneyland Paris describes its Halloween Festival as suitable for the whole family. Expect colorful pumpkins, cute ghosts, Disney Villains and playful Halloween decorations rather than a traditional haunted theme park experience.
What is Walt Disney Studios Park called now?
Walt Disney Studios Park officially became Disney Adventure World on March 29, 2026 as part of a major transformation and expansion of Disneyland Paris’s second park.
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DISNEYLAND PARIS GUIDE
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Chocolate Haunted Cookie House: How to Make a Cute Halloween Cookie House
Make a cute, not-too-spooky Halloween cookie house with chocolate cookie walls, colorful buttercream, 3-D frosting pumpkins and a friendly ghost! This kid-friendly haunted cookie house includes the full chocolate cookie recipe, decorating tips and step-by-step assembly instructions.
Halloween is one of our favorite holidays around here—besides Christmas, of course!
If you’ve been here before, you probably know that I have a thing for cookie houses. It all started because I don’t really like gingerbread, but I LOVE decorating gingerbread houses. So I made my own version using a sugar cookie house and buttercream frosting instead.
Since then, I’ve turned that same basic idea into houses for Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter and more.
So naturally, we needed a Halloween house!
Because I have little guys, though, I didn’t want our haunted house to be too haunted. I wanted something cute, colorful and just spooky enough to feel like Halloween without actually being scary.
And for the first time, I decided to make the house itself chocolate.
Chocolate Halloween Cookie House
If you’d like to see all of the different houses I’ve made, start with my Sugar Cookie House Guide, where I’ve collected my favorite ideas, tips and designs.
Why I Made a Chocolate Haunted Cookie House
I LOVE chocolate, but somehow I had never thought about making a chocolate cookie house before.
Which is funny, because the entire reason I started making sugar cookie houses in the first place is that I don’t like gingerbread!
When I started planning the Halloween version, I knew exactly what colors I wanted:
💜 Purple
🧡 Orange
💚 Green
I pictured those bright Halloween colors against a dark house.
At first, I thought I’d make my regular sugar cookie house and use black frosting.
But black frosting and I aren’t always friends.
I’m not a professional baker, and even when I use black gel food coloring, I’ve found that sometimes I get black…and sometimes I get a really dark gray.
I also LOVE buttercream frosting and knew I wanted to use it for this house. I didn’t want to add so much black food coloring that I was fighting with the frosting when the whole point of these houses is to make something that’s fun to decorate and tastes good enough to eat.
Then it hit me:
Why not make the HOUSE dark instead?
A chocolate cookie house would give me that dark Halloween backdrop while letting the purple, orange and green buttercream really pop.
Plus…chocolate.
Decision made.
A Cute Haunted House for Little Kids
Since I’m making this with my kids in mind, I wasn’t going for a creepy abandoned haunted mansion.
We’re going for cute haunted house.
Think bright frosting, colorful pumpkins, candy and a friendly ghost rather than anything genuinely frightening.
That’s generally how we like to do Halloween around here—festive and silly with just enough spooky thrown in.
I actually wanted the ghost on the house to have the same happy, friendly feeling as the ghosts in my newest children’s book, The Trucks That Saved Halloween. I wanted the book to make Halloween feel magical and fun for little kids without being scary, and that seemed perfect for our cookie house too.
Frosting Friendly Ghost on Chocolate cookie house
Use My Cookie House Template
You don’t have to figure out how to engineer a cookie house from scratch!
I use the same basic house template for my different holiday cookie houses and change the dough, colors and decorations depending on what I’m making.
Chocolate Cookie House Ingredients - easy to make with kids!
You can also read my Printable Gingerbread House Kit Guide for more tips on working with the template and putting your house together.
For Halloween, we’re using that familiar house shape but giving it a completely different look with chocolate cookie walls, bright Halloween buttercream and spooky-cute decorations.
Making My First Chocolate Cookie House
I’ve experimented with this little house quite a bit now—from my Valentine’s Day Sugar Cookie House to my Leprechaun Trap Sugar Cookie House and Easter Sugar Cookie House—but this was my first time turning the actual cookie dough chocolate.
So yes, there was some trial and error involved!
That’s part of the fun of these houses for me.
I’m not trying to create a professional bakery showpiece. I want something I can make in my own kitchen, decorate with my kids and—most importantly—actually eat afterward.
The basic process is:
Make → Chill → Roll → Cut → Bake → Decorate → Chill → Build → Eat!
And I have one little trick that makes cutting out the house pieces much easier.
Chocolate cookie house pieces
Cut Your Cookie House With a Pizza Slicer
Once my chocolate cookie dough is rolled out, I place my house templates directly on top of the dough and cut around them.
My favorite tool for this is actually a pizza slicer!
It’s such a simple thing, but I find it much easier to get those long, straight edges with a pizza slicer than trying to work around the template with a knife.
I try to keep the dough an even thickness so all of the pieces bake consistently.
Once the pieces are baked, check your edges. If any have spread or become uneven, carefully trim them so they’ll fit together more easily when it’s time to assemble the house.
Then let everything cool completely before decorating.
Decorate frosting on house pieces before assembly
Decorate the House BEFORE You Build It
This is probably my biggest cookie-house tip:
I decorate the pieces while they’re still flat.
I find it SO much easier.
Instead of assembling a blank house and then trying to pipe a straight line sideways onto a vertical wall, I can lay everything out on the counter and decorate comfortably.
This is when I pipe the windows, doors, roof and most of my Halloween details.
For my haunted house, I used my purple, orange and green buttercream against the chocolate cookie.
This was exactly what I had pictured when I decided to try chocolate dough. The colors really stand out against the darker cookie without me needing to make black frosting.
Buttercream frosting ingredients for Halloween Chocolate Cookie House
Why I Use Buttercream Frosting
There are other frostings you can use for cookie-house construction, but I’m sticking with my favorite:
Buttercream!
My intention is to eat this house.
I don’t want it to sit on my counter until December as a Halloween decoration. I want everyone to break pieces off and enjoy it.
So taste matters to me.
Buttercream is what I love to eat, which is why I continue using it for my cookie houses.
Chill the Decorated Pieces Before Building
Once I’ve decorated all of my pieces, I put them in the refrigerator so the buttercream can set a little before I start handling everything.
This also gives me the perfect built-in break.
I usually use this time to clean my kitchen.
By this point, there are mixing bowls, piping bags, frosting and cookie crumbs everywhere, so I clean everything up while the frosting firms.
Then it’s construction time!
How I Assemble My Cookie House
Once the decorated pieces have chilled and the frosting has firmed up a bit, I take everything out and start assembling.
I put the walls together first. You can use cans from your pantry to help support the walls while you’re working if you need an extra set of hands.
Once the walls are stable, I add the roof.
Since I’ve already done most of my decorating while the pieces were flat, I don’t have nearly as much detailed piping to do at this point.
Instead, I use additional buttercream to help cover seams and add the finishing touches that make the whole house come together.
Then comes the really fun part.
How to make 3-D Frosting Pumpkins
How Do You Make 3-D Frosting Pumpkins?
This was one of the decorating problems I really wanted to solve for the Halloween house.
I didn’t just want pumpkins piped onto the walls.
I wanted actual little 3-D pumpkins standing around the house.
I wanted them to make the cookie house feel like its own little Halloween scene, almost like a miniature pumpkin patch.
Once I figured these out, they became one of my favorite details on the entire house.
How to Make 3-D Buttercream Pumpkins
I wanted little pumpkins that could sit around the cookie house instead of simply piping flat pumpkins onto the walls. I found this cute buttercream pumpkin technique from Kaotic Krunch and adapted it for my haunted cookie house.
You'll need:
Orange buttercream frosting
A piping bag
An 8B open star piping tip or similar
A small amount of green buttercream frosting
A second piping bag with a small opening or small round piping tip
Step 1 — Fill Your Piping Bag
Fit a piping bag with an 8B open star tip and fill it with orange buttercream.
The open-star tip is what creates all of those little ridges around the pumpkin, so you don't have to pipe each pumpkin line individually.
Step 2 — Hold the Piping Bag Straight Up
Position the piping tip directly over the spot where you want your pumpkin.
Hold the bag straight up and down at about a 90-degree angle, rather than holding it sideways.
Keep the tip close to the surface without pressing it against it.
Step 3 — Pipe the Pumpkin
Squeeze the piping bag with steady pressure and keep the tip in the same place.
Don't swirl it around like you're frosting a cupcake.
Let the buttercream build upward and outward into a little round pumpkin shape.
Once the pumpkin is the size you want, stop squeezing first, then gently lift the piping tip straight up.
You should now have a little 3-D orange pumpkin with ridges already built into it!
Step 4 — Add the Green Stem
Using your green buttercream, pipe a tiny stem directly onto the center of the pumpkin.
Start with just a little bit—you can always add more.
If you want to get fancy, add a tiny green curl or leaf beside the stem. But I'm keeping mine simple!
Step 5 — Make a Little Pumpkin Patch
Repeat with pumpkins in slightly different sizes.
I actually like them better if they aren't all identical. A few tiny pumpkins mixed with slightly larger ones will make the area around the haunted house look more like a little pumpkin patch.
Tip: Practice your first pumpkin or two on a piece of parchment paper before piping them around your finished house. If they look terrible, you can scrape the frosting back into the bowl and try again. No one ever has to know!
Don’t Forget the Friendly Ghost!
Every haunted house needs a ghost.
Ours just isn’t particularly good at being scary.
I wanted a cute, happy little ghost instead, which is also a fun nod to The Trucks That Saved Halloween.
The ghosts in the book are meant to be friendly and whimsical rather than frightening, and I wanted this little guy to have the same personality.
[PHOTO: Friendly ghost on haunted cookie house]
Add Your Finishing Touches
Once the house is standing, anything goes!
This is when I add the little decorations around the base of the house, cover any seams that need some extra frosting and make the whole scene feel finished.
You could decorate your Halloween cookie house with:
Candy corn
Halloween sprinkles
Candy pumpkins
Chocolate candies
Gummy worms
Mini marshmallow ghosts
Pretzel fences
Bats
Black cats
Colorful windows and doors
Fall leaves
A candy path
More pumpkins!
There really aren’t rules here.
Make it spooky. Make it silly. Let the kids take over.
Or—in our case—make it cute and colorful.
Can You Actually Eat a Cookie House?
YES!
In fact, that’s the point of mine.
This isn’t one of those cookie houses that’s going to sit untouched as a decoration for three months.
My intention is absolutely to eat it.
That’s one of the reasons I care about making a cookie I actually like and using buttercream frosting that tastes good.
We’ll leave the finished house out for a little while so everyone can enjoy looking at it—and inevitably start sneaking pieces—but then I move it to the refrigerator.
Partly because I’m trying to keep it fresh.
And partly because I do not need to invite every ant in the neighborhood into my kitchen.
I try to have us eat the house within about one week.
If there are still pieces left after that, I break them up and put them in the freezer.
Then we can pull out a piece of chocolate Halloween house whenever we want a treat!
Chocolate Cookie House Recipe - Haunted Halloween House
Chocolate Cookie House Recipe
This recipe is based on the sturdy sugar cookie dough I use for my other cookie houses, adapted into a chocolate version for Halloween.
Chocolate Cookie House Ingredients
2 cups butter, softened
1 1/4 cups sugar
2 tablespoons milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
½ cup cocoa
4 cups all-purpose flour
Plus:
Buttercream frosting
Purple, orange and green food coloring
Halloween candy and sprinkles for decorating
Step 1 — Make the Chocolate Cookie Dough
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for about 30 seconds.
Add the sugar and beat until combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Add the milk and vanilla.
Gradually beat in the cocoa and as much of the flour as you can with the mixer. Stir in any remaining flour by hand until everything is combined.
Step 2 — Chill the Dough
Divide the dough in half and cover tightly.
Chill for about 1 hour, or until the dough is firm enough to handle and roll easily.
Can I Make the Cookie House Dough Ahead of Time?
Yes!
I actually love this option if you’re making the house with kids because you don’t have to make, chill, bake AND decorate everything in one day.
You can make the cookie dough a day ahead and keep it tightly covered in the refrigerator.
The dough can be refrigerated for up to 2 days. If it’s too firm to roll when you take it out, just let it sit at room temperature briefly until it’s workable.
Step 3 — Preheat and Prep
Once your dough is chilled and you’re ready to bake, preheat the oven to 325°F.
There’s no reason to have your oven preheating for the entire hour while your dough chills!
Line your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
Get your cookie house templates and pizza slicer ready too.
Step 4 — Roll and Cut the House Pieces
Working with one portion of dough at a time, roll it on parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to approximately 1/8- to 1/4-inch thick.
For a cookie house, I like to keep the pieces toward the thicker side so they’re sturdy enough to build with.
Lightly flour the top of the dough as necessary to keep it from sticking to your rolling pin.
Place your cookie house templates directly onto the rolled dough.
Use a pizza slicer to cut around the template and create your walls and roof pieces.
Step 5 — Bake
Bake the cookie house pieces at 325°F for approximately 12–15 minutes.
Larger or thicker pieces may need a little more time, so watch the cookies rather than relying entirely on the timer.
The cookies should be set and the edges firm.
Once they’re out of the oven, check the edges of your house pieces. If needed, carefully trim any uneven areas so the pieces fit together cleanly.
Allow all of the pieces to cool completely before decorating.
Step 6 — Decorate the Pieces Flat
Lay your cooled walls and roof pieces flat on your work surface.
Decorate them with buttercream frosting, adding your doors, windows, roof details and other Halloween decorations.
It’s much easier to do the detailed decorating now than after the house is standing!
Step 7 — Refrigerate
Carefully place the decorated pieces in the refrigerator to allow the buttercream to firm.
This is when I clean the kitchen!
Once the frosting has set enough that you can comfortably handle the pieces without destroying your decorations, you’re ready to build.
Step 8 — Assemble the House
Use buttercream to attach your walls.
If necessary, place soup cans or other sturdy cans next to the walls to help hold everything upright while you work.
Once the walls are stable, carefully attach the roof pieces.
Step 9 — Add the Finishing Touches
Now cover any visible seams with additional frosting and add your pumpkins, friendly ghost, candy, sprinkles and other Halloween decorations.
Then stand back and admire your chocolate haunted house…
…before everyone starts asking when they can eat it.
More Sugar Cookie House Ideas
Apparently I can’t stop turning this little cookie house into something new for every holiday!
If you had fun making the Halloween version, try another one throughout the year:
🎄 The Original Sugar Cookie Gingerbread House
The house that started it all! My gingerbread-house alternative made with sugar cookies and buttercream frosting.
💘 Valentine’s Day Sugar Cookie House
A sweet Valentine’s version—no gingerbread required.
☘️ Leprechaun Trap Sugar Cookie House
Turn your cookie house into a colorful leprechaun trap with a rainbow path and gold coins.
🐰 Easter Sugar Cookie House
My spring bunny cottage with buttercream grass, jelly bean eggs and Easter details.
Or visit my Sugar Cookie House Guide to see all of my cookie-house tips, designs and ideas in one place.
The Trucks that Saved Halloween
More Not-So-Spooky Halloween Fun
And apparently cookie houses aren’t the only thing getting the cute Halloween treatment around here!
My newest children’s book, The Trucks That Saved Halloween, was also inspired by my love of colorful, kid-friendly Halloween fun.
Dump Truck, Excavator and Crane Truck discover that Halloween is a little too quiet, so the Truck Team gets to work transforming an old farm into a cheerful Halloween carnival filled with pumpkins, rides, games, costumes, treats and a little silly Halloween magic.
It’s a not-too-spooky Halloween adventure made especially for little truck lovers.
And yes, there are friendly ghosts there too!
READ THE STORY BEHIND THE TRUCKS THAT SAVED HALLOWEEN
Between our chocolate haunted house and the Truck Team’s Halloween carnival, I think we’re officially ready for Halloween around here.
Happy haunting! 🎃👻🍫
See the Cookie House Guide or similar blog posts:
The Trucks That Saved Halloween: A Not-So-Spooky Halloween Book for Kids Who Love Trucks
Go behind the scenes of The Trucks That Saved Halloween, a colorful new Halloween book for little truck lovers! See how pumpkin patches, costumes, carnival memories, family jokes and a very special Witch Ice Cream Truck inspired the Truck Team’s newest not-too-spooky adventure.
The Trucks that Saved Halloween artwork from start to finish
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I have officially published THREE children’s books!
The Trucks That Saved Halloween is the newest adventure in The Trucks That Saved series, and I wrote it for the same reason I started this whole adventure in the first place: my boys.
I wanted to create books they would be excited to pull off the shelf again and again—full of the trucks they love, bright colors, silly little details, and stories about friendship and helping others.
And while I absolutely love how The Trucks That Saved Halloween turned out, I have to admit something:
This one was hard to write!
Get your copy - The trucks that Saved Halloween is AVAILABLE SEPTEMBER 1st!
Coming Up With The Trucks That Saved Halloween
The idea for this book didn’t come together quite as easily as my previous stories.
I knew I wanted to write a Halloween book. We have a TON of Halloween books in our house, and I was so excited about the idea of adding one of my own to our Halloween library.
I also knew one thing from the very beginning:
I wanted to dress the trucks up in costumes.
I could picture Dump Truck, Excavator, Crane Truck and their friends dressed up for Halloween, and the idea made me so happy.
But…what were they actually going to do?
Some of my favorite fall memories are going to the pumpkin patch and attending the carnival at my best friend’s school. I love everything about that classic fall festival feeling—the pumpkins, games, treats, decorations and especially the tractor ride.
My mom was actually the one who suggested that the trucks could build a carnival.
And I thought…why not build one for Halloween?!
Suddenly, I had my setting.
There was just one problem.
Were the Carnival and Costumes Two Different Books?
For a while, it really felt that way!
I had one story about the Truck Team building this amazing Halloween carnival, and another story in my head about all of the trucks choosing silly Halloween costumes.
I loved both ideas and didn’t want to give either one up.
But getting them to feel like one story instead of two stories smashed together was surprisingly difficult.
I tinkered. And rewrote. And moved things around. And tinkered some more.
Eventually, everything clicked.
The trucks could work together to transform an old farm into a cheerful Halloween carnival—and then, before it was time to truck-or-treat, there was one more problem to solve.
Crane Truck couldn’t decide what to be for Halloween!
That finally gave me a way to bring the carnival, the costumes, the friendship story and the Halloween fun together.
And I got to dress up my trucks after all.
Sketch of Dump Truck dressed as a Vampire for Halloween
Creating a Bright, Colorful Halloween
Once I had the story figured out, I couldn’t wait to start working on the illustrations.
Fall is SO much fun to draw.
I knew I wanted this book to have tons of beautiful fall colors—bright orange pumpkins, golden leaves, reds and yellows—but I also wanted it to feel different from the other books in the series.
So I brought in more pinks and purples.
The story starts in a bright autumn afternoon and gradually moves toward a colorful Halloween evening filled with pink, lavender, purple and blue instead of becoming dark or scary.
That was really important to me.
I wanted Halloween to look magical, colorful and fun.
My sketches and colors needed to make me happy—and hopefully make little kids happy when they turn the pages too!
Of Course There Had to Be a Tractor Ride
One of my absolute favorite things to do at the pumpkin patch is the tractor ride, so there was no way I was making a Halloween carnival without one.
The farm became such a fun backdrop for the story.
There are pumpkins, hay bales, fall trees, a red barn, a corn maze and all those little things that remind me of going to the pumpkin patch in the fall.
It was so much fun getting to create my version of the perfect kid-friendly Halloween carnival.
Colorful cauldron element from The Trucks that Saved Halloween
The Little Details Are My Favorite Part
Some of my favorite parts of the book probably aren’t the things most people will notice first.
They’re the tiny details I added for my boys.
At one point, a leaf lands right on Crane Truck’s nose.
It makes my little one laugh, so of course it stayed.
There’s also some silly witch’s brew involved—including stinky socks.
Why stinky socks?
Because taking off our shoes and joking about everyone’s stinky feet is apparently hilarious in our house.
And the potion colors?
Blue and green, because those are my boys’ favorite colors.
Those are the kinds of details I love sneaking into these books. They may seem completely random to everyone else, but I know exactly why they’re there.
Princess Monster Truck sketch for The Trucks that Saved Halloween
Adding a Princess Monster Truck
One of my son’s friends had a very important request when she heard about the book:
It needed a princess!
And she was right.
So I added a Princess Monster Truck.
I loved getting to bring another girl character into the Truck Team world while still keeping everything silly, colorful and truck-filled.
Because princesses and monster trucks absolutely belong in the same book.
“Truck-or-Treat!”
Another idea I knew I wanted to use was truck-or-treating.
It’s such a simple little play on “trick-or-treat,” but it felt perfect for the world of the Truck Team.
It also helped me make the Halloween celebration feel especially fun and approachable for toddlers and preschoolers.
Instead of making Halloween about things being frightening, I wanted the story to focus on the parts little kids tend to love: costumes, pumpkins, candy, friends, silly surprises and getting to celebrate together.
Ice Cream Truck sketch as a witch for Halloween
My Favorite New Character: Witch Ice Cream Truck
Okay, I might have saved my favorite part for last.
I turned Ice Cream Truck into a witch.
And I LOVE her.
I knew immediately that I wanted her Halloween colors to include pink and green, which is a color combination I’ve loved forever.
There’s actually a very random childhood reason for that.
My bedroom growing up was pink, and I had a pink-and-green Laura Ashley comforter with a matching border around the room. Apparently that color combination stuck with me because all these years later, here I am putting it on a witch ice cream truck!
She has a giant floppy witch hat, pink details, a broom, Halloween treats and a candy-filled cauldron.
But there was one more thing she absolutely needed:
A black cat.
I LOVE cats, and I had a couple of black cats growing up, so there was really no question about whether my Halloween book needed one.
Of course it did.
Witch Ice Cream Truck ended up becoming one of my favorite characters I’ve created. She’s colorful and sweet and just the right amount of witchy without being scary.
Ice Cream Truck as a witch from The Trucks that Saved Halloween
A Halloween Book for Little Truck Lovers
At its heart, The Trucks That Saved Halloween is about the same things I want all of my Truck Team stories to celebrate: friendship, teamwork, helping others and having fun together.
Dump Truck, Excavator and Crane Truck realize that Halloween needs a little help, so they do what the Truck Team does best:
They get to work.
Together they transform an old farm into a cheerful Halloween carnival filled with rides, games, pumpkins, a corn maze and plenty of treats.
And when Crane Truck needs a little help of his own, his friends are there for him too.
It’s a Halloween story filled with construction trucks, costumes and plenty of silly Halloween magic—without making Halloween too scary for little readers.
The Trucks That Saved Halloween
is especially fun for kids who love:
Construction trucks
Dump trucks, excavators and cranes
Halloween and costumes
Pumpkin patches
Tractors and hayrides
Carnivals and fall festivals
Candy and Halloween treats
Bright, colorful picture books
Silly, not-too-spooky Halloween stories
Friendship and teamwork
It’s written especially with young truck lovers and preschool-age kids in mind.
Three Books!
It still feels a little surreal to say that.
What started with me wanting to make something special for my boys has turned into three books, and seeing these characters continue to have new adventures has been so much fun.
And this book may have been the hardest one for me to figure out, but that almost makes me love it even more.
There were so many moments when I couldn’t quite figure out how the carnival and costume stories belonged together.
Now I can’t imagine the book without either one.
And after all that tinkering, I’m thrilled that The Trucks That Saved Halloween finally gets to join the very large stack of Halloween books we pull out every fall.
Only now, one of them is ours. 📚🎃🚜
Where to Buy The Trucks That Saved Halloween
The Trucks That Saved Halloween is part of The Trucks That Saved children’s book series and is perfect for little readers who love trucks, Halloween and colorful adventures.
Get your copy - The trucks that Saved Halloween is AVAILABLE SEPTEMBER 1st!
And if this is your first adventure with the Truck Team, you can also meet Dump Truck, Excavator, Crane Truck and their friends in The Trucks That Saved the Park.
Happy truck-or-treating! 🎃
The Trucks that Saved Series and Activity Books
Is LEGOLAND California worth it with preschoolers? After visiting when our kids were 1 and 2 and returning at ages 3 and 4, the park felt completely different. Here are the rides they loved, what we’d skip, our favorite LEGO Galaxy attractions and the tips that helped us make the most of one full day.