No tricks here, just lots of treats. Hallo-ween can be frightfully expensive, so here are some ways for frugal families to scare up savings.
Pumpkin patch kids
Get the kids even more excited for the big day with a pre-Halloween visit to any Famous Dave’s Colorado location. The barbecue restaurant gives kids 12 and younger a real pumpkin and a free meal on Oct. 28 between 11 a.m. and 10 p.m. famousdavesbbqco.com/locations
Peanuts party
Little ghosts and goblins can enjoy Halloween with the Peanuts gang at Bass Pro Shops. Through Oct. 30, the sporting-goods store hosts an “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” celebration daily from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Kids can make crafts and get a free photo of themselves with life-size Peanuts character cutouts. (The first 100 each weeknight at the photo station get a free pair of glow-in-the-dark glasses, too.) On Halloween, the fun starts at 4 p.m. and includes a costume parade and trick-or-treating throughout the store. Parents get the best treat, because it’s all free. Bass Pro Shops is in Northfield at Stapleton, north of I-70 at the Quebec/Northfield exit. basspro.com/halloween
Bargain “boo”-ritos
Even ghosts don’t like an empty belly. Don a costume and stop by Chipotle on Oct. 31 for a burrito, bowl, salad or order of tacos for $3. The not-so-scary deal is from 5 p.m. to closing, leaving plenty of time to haunt the town. boorito.com
Petrifying pancakes
Kids will flip over this sweet treat. On Halloween, IHOP serves a free “Scary Face” pancake to kids (12 and younger) from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. at participating locations. The “face” includes an oversize buttermilk pancake, with a whipped-topping mouth and strawberry nose. ihop.com
Get corny
Sonic Drive-In offers corn dogs for 50 cents each all day on Halloween. There’s no limit, so your entire brood can get corny and each enjoy a dog or two for just a few bucks. The scary good deal is available at participating locations. sonicdrivein.com
Trick-or-doughnut
Bite into this sweet Halloween freebie. Krispy Kreme gives costumed customers a free doughnut on Oct. 31. There are two locations: Lone Tree (7514 Parkway Drive) and Thornton (1051 E. 120th Ave.) krispykreme.com/Halloween
Monstrous freebie
Whether they’re a superhero or bejeweled princess, costumed kids can pick up a free Halloween treat at the Lego Store, while supplies last. (Last year, it was a Lego Monster Fighters keychain.) There are two locations: Colorado Mills (14500 W. Colfax Ave. in Lakewood) and Park Meadows (8401 Park Meadows Center Drive in Lone Tree) stores.lego.com/en-us/
Too many spirits?
The Sawaya Law Firm sponsors free cab rides from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2. It’s simple — just take a cab ride home and get a receipt. For reimbursement (up to $35), send your receipt, along with a copy of your valid Colorado driver’s license to: Holiday Free Cab Ride Program, The Sawaya Law Firm, 1600 Ogden St., Denver, CO 80218. You must be 21 or older. The deal is good only for a one-way ride home, and your trip must be within the metro Denver. sawayalaw.com
Laura Daily and Bryan K. Chavez
Free days this week
Oct. 27: Denver Museum of Nature & Science, dmns.org
Nov. 1: Denver Art Museum, denverartmuseum.org
Nov. 2: Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls & Toys, dmmdt.org
Author: Mile High Mamas
