Taking the Kids -- Happy Halloween -- all month long!

At California's Cambria Scarecrow Festival, hundreds of creative scarecrows designed by townies are on display through the end of October. There will be papier mache scarecrow bikers mounting their wheels, among others.

And in Oklahoma City, until the end of October, visit Pumpkinville at the Myriad Botanical Gardens where over 16,000 pumpkins will be on display and where kids can decorate pumpkins, drive on a mini train through the pumpkin fields, go on a hayride and more.

Theme parks, of course, vie for the scariest attractions at night and the most kid-friendly attractions by day. Howl-O-Scream transforms two Busch Gardens theme parks -- in Tampa Bay through October 28 and Williamsburg, Virginia, even longer -- into the ultimate fright adult zone (not suitable for children under 13). There are spooky haunted houses, terrifying scare zones and elaborate themed shows. During the day, the parks host an array of costumed events and family-friendly fare for younger kids.

The 18 Six Flags parks promise "Family by Day, Fright by Night!" with daytime events like the Spooky Kooky Magic Show and the Monster Maze. After dark there are haunted mazes and ghoulish creatures during FrightFest.

For teens (and their parents) who dare, Universal Studios' Halloween Horror Nights in Orlando and Hollywood last until November 3, serving up blood-thirsty beasts and haunted souls in a variety of themed mazes and super-scary haunted houses. You can see why this isn't recommended for anyone under 13.

The younger theme park lovers can attend Disney World's immensely popular Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party on select nights through October 31. See how guests' costumes change color this year on the Mad Tea Party, complete with new lights and effects. Major rides such as Pirates of the Caribbean and Space Mountain will also be transformed for the holiday. Also new this year, Storybook Circus welcomes the Storybook Circus Disney Junior Jam, a dance party featuring some of your favorite Disney Junior characters, including Doc McStuffins.

On the West Coast, Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort promises fiendish fun with encounters of Disney's favorite villains, and Mickey’s Halloween Party features special fireworks, trick or treats, holiday-themed foods and more. And don't miss -- new this year -- the popular character Vampirina from the Disney Channel and Disney Junior hit series.

SeaWorld’s Spooktacular, in Orlando, San Diego and San Antonio, provides special Halloween shows and the chance for younger kids to strut their stuff, showing off their costumes while dancing with life-sized, but not-too-scary, sea creatures. And unlike other theme parks, it's all part of the regular admission price.

LEGOLAND in California and Florida also has Halloween festivities aimed at the younger crowd with Brick-or-Treat Party nights every weekend in October with fireworks and more. Treat your LEGO aficionados to a stay in one of the themed hotels.

Happy Hauntings!

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(For more Taking the Kids, visit www.takingthekids.com and also follow "taking the kids" on www.twitter.com, Facebook and Instagram where Eileen Ogintz welcomes your questions and comments.)