Pumpkin trails, a garden scavenger hunt and downtown trick-or-treating give families several ways to celebrate this October.
The costume is ready. The candy bucket is waiting. Now comes the part where somebody has to figure out where to go.
Kitsap County has several family outings on the calendar this Halloween season, from daytime pumpkin walks on Bainbridge Island to shop-to-shop trick-or-treating in Poulsbo and Bremerton.
With Halloween falling on Saturday, October 31, families can make an afternoon or evening of it. But there’s no need to save everything for the big day: two of these activities are already underway.
Here are five options, with the details that help turn “we should do something” into an actual plan.
1. Follow the pumpkins at Bainbridge Gardens
Through October 31
Monday–Saturday, 9 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
9415 Miller Road, Bainbridge Island
Free; donations benefit the Bainbridge Island Boys & Girls Club
For a Halloween outing that works on your schedule, Bainbridge Gardens’ Pumpkin Walk runs throughout October during the garden center’s posted hours.
The nature trail features hand-decorated pumpkins and themed displays, with contributions from staff, children and community members. There are also photo areas geared toward younger children, a miniature straw maze and candy.
It’s an inviting option for a grandparent outing or a family afternoon when nobody particularly wants to negotiate a fixed start time.
Children can contribute to the display, too. The garden center welcomes whole pumpkins decorated with acrylic paint or permanent markers.
One practical detail: the trail is unpaved. The garden center says most customers manage it with strollers, but wheelchair users may encounter difficulties and should assess conditions beforehand.
2. Turn a garden walk into a squash hunt at Bloedel Reserve
Through November 1, during open hours
Tuesday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; suggested last entry at 3:30 p.m.
7571 NE Dolphin Drive, Bainbridge Island
Included with admission; timed tickets recommended
A walk through a garden becomes a different proposition when children have something to find.
At Bloedel Reserve’s annual Squash Hunt, families pick up a map and search for decorative squash placed throughout the gardens. Young visitors can also collect a passport in the Arrival Garden and make rubbings at destination signs along the way.
The Sheep Sheds add hay bales, photo opportunities and pumpkin tic-tac-toe or checkers. At the Residence, visitors can guess the weight of a giant pumpkin.
This is a seasonal garden adventure rather than a candy-collecting event, making it a useful choice for families who want some October fun before Halloween itself.
Bloedel’s published October admission prices are $22 for adults, $15 for seniors 65 and older and military visitors with identification, $10 for students ages 13–18 or with valid student identification, and $5 for children ages 5–12. Children 4 and younger enter free.
Buy timed tickets ahead when possible. The Reserve recommends advance booking, and an on-site purchase carries a small surcharge when space is available.
3. Collect treats in “Ghoulsbo”
Saturday, October 31, 4–6 p.m.
Front Street, historic downtown Poulsbo
Free
Poulsbo has already done the Halloween wordplay for you.
During Ghoulsbo’s downtown trick-or-treating celebration, merchants hand out candy along Front Street, which closes to traffic for the event.
The appeal is straightforward: costumes, storefronts and a route through the heart of town. Families can take in the decorations, admire other children’s outfits and decide how many stops suit their group.
The event runs for two hours, but nobody needs to spend the entire time collecting candy. Choose a meeting point before splitting into smaller groups, and keep younger children with an adult as you move between shops.
4. Join Hometown Halloween on Bainbridge Island
Saturday, October 31, 4–6 p.m.
Winslow Way, downtown Bainbridge Island
Free
Downtown Winslow offers another shop-to-shop option with Hometown Halloween, listed by Love Kitsap for October 31 from 4 to 6 p.m.
Winslow Way between Ericksen and Madison avenues is scheduled to close to vehicle traffic from 3 to 7 p.m., giving the celebration room to spread along the downtown street.
The Bainbridge Island Downtown Association describes the event as a family celebration in which local businesses welcome costumed trick-or-treaters.
This is a good fit for families who enjoy the social side of Halloween: seeing friends, comparing costumes and turning a familiar shopping street into part of the evening’s adventure.
5. Add music and a fire truck in downtown Bremerton
Saturday, October 31, 5–7:30 p.m.
Pacific Avenue, Fourth Street and Quincy Square
Free
For families who want their Halloween outing to include a livelier downtown atmosphere, Bremerton’s Trick-or-Treat Street combines participating businesses, candy stops and music.
The Downtown Bremerton Association lists trick-or-treating from 5 to 7:30 p.m., along with a live DJ in Quincy Square. A local fire truck is also scheduled for a touch-a-truck stop near Pacific Avenue and Burwell Street.
That gives children something to investigate between candy stops—and gives the child dressed as a firefighter an unusually appropriate photo opportunity.
Choose your Halloween pace
For daytime exploring, consider the Pumpkin Walk or Squash Hunt. For October 31 candy collecting, choose Poulsbo, Winslow or Bremerton.
There’s no prize for completing the most stops. A manageable outing, comfortable shoes and enough room in the costume for a warm layer can make the evening easier for everyone.
