On the evening of Oct. 18, the Boston Common Frog Pond transformed into a lively hub of activity for the Fall-o-Ween Children’s Festival, bringing friends and families together for a night of festive fun. From 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., the free event, hosted by  Boston Parks and Recreation Department in partnership with the Skating Club of Boston, offered a night for superheroes, princesses and animals to gather and experience the autumnal Halloween spirit.

The festival featured a “monster mash” of activities to entertain children and adults alike with a wide variety of organizations tabling throughout the common ranging from the Boston Children’s Hospital to the Boston Parks and Recreation Department.

”I love the kids,” said Sophia Roeloffs, a member of the research, recruitment and outreach team at Boston Children’s Hospital with the Laboratories of Cognitive Neuroscience. “They have such great personalities and you get to see them kind of learn and get excited about things and you also get to see the parents get really interested in the studies that we have.” 

On the hospital’s table lay an EEG net for kids to put on while completing simple tasks. This both gets the laboratory more studies while also educating youth.

Attendee Suzanne Santamaria said, “[My son] really liked the Boston Children’s table talking about the brain and the optical illusions.” To beat the lines, Santamaria says she showed up right at 5 p.m. when the event began.

Meanwhile, the Boston Parks and Recreation Department showed off its barred owl, brown bats and different taxidermies. 

“We’re just hanging out, putting smiles on kids’ faces, just trying to have fun and teach what we can,” said park ranger Shamari Strothers. “I like being out here and seeing all the fun faces, the costumes are real[ly] nice and everybody out here [is] just real kind, so it’s a good night.”  

Sponsored by HP Hood and Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, with additional support from LEGO Discovery Center Boston, New England Dairy & Food Council, Polar Beverages, The Gardner School and Cirkul, attendees found out about the event through various ways.

Meriel Marmanillo attended with her son, who dressed as Wolverine. “I looked online and I try to keep active, making sure he has things to do,” she said. 

Other attendees shared similar sentiments of trying to get their kids involved with the community and enjoying all the city has to offer.

“I found it on Boston Central,” attendee Jessica Dixon said. “I get their newsletters and I was trying to find something fun and festive for the kids tonight and this seemed the most exciting.”

Festivalgoers enjoyed a range of entertainment, including music, arts and crafts and a variety of tasty treats. The highlight for many was the trackless train ride, while others engaged in field games facilitated by Knucklebones and explored sensory play with PLAY Boston. 

For thrill seekers, attractions such as Ultimate Gaming Truck, Haunted Zombie Maze, Jumpin’ Pumpkin, a large pumpkin trampoline, Scarecrow Slide and Pumpkin Bowling provided plenty of entertainment. As darkness fell, families reveled in the Glow in the Dark Park, which featured LED swings and see-saws.

“The kids have had a great time,” said father and attendee Dave Dixon. “They’re all over the place right now.”

As excitement continued to build, the various activities and food throughout the festival drew in many families. By the music stage, the Boston Police Department gave out free ice cream from a truck to all passersby.  

“They always love all of the free things, so they always come back and tell us like they got ice cream  and milk and all the little things,” Jessica Dixon said.

The entire Dixon family shared the excitement.

“When they discovered the milk truck, they kind of freaked out,” Dave Dixon said. “We love milk, and they’re like strawberry milk and caramel milk, so we all took a pilgrimage to the milk truck.” 

As the night wrapped up, the Fall-o-Ween Children’s Festival not only showcased the spirit of Halloween but also highlighted the importance of community engagement and educational opportunities for children. 

Dorothy Levine, field educator at Boston Nature Center, a part of Mass Audubon, tabled at the festival. The center conducted scavenger hunts and crafts to help engage the kids with the organization.

“I think it has been a really awesome event to table at. I love that we’re getting to see so many families and so many kids and pups and everyone in costumes,” Levine said. “It just seems like [the kids] are in a really great mood with all of the different activities and freebie resources going around.”