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Best Kid-Friendly Haunted Houses In The Chicago Area

America Celebrates Halloween
(Credit: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

By Jessica Cage

Halloween is here. It's time to break out the pumpkins and fake spiders. While decorating your house in webs and skeletons, ask yourself a question. Where are you going to take your children to get their spooky fill? If you have young kids, you will want to avoid places that are too gruesome because it would still be nice for them to get some sleep at the end of the night. Here is a list of kid-friendly haunted houses that offer a lot of fun and just the right amount of fright.

Related: Chicago's Best Halloween Costume Shops

barn4
(Credit: pumpkinfarm.com)

Bengston's Haunted & Fun Barn
13341 W. 151st St.
Homer Glen, IL 60491
(708) 301-3276
www.pumpkinfarm.com

Dates: Now through October 30, 2012

Up and running through October 30, Bengston's Haunted Barn & Fun Barn are designed to provide Halloween greatness for children of all ages. Perfect for a family with kids of various ages, everyone will enjoy a trip out to Homer Glen. Send the older kids to the Haunted Barn for a fright while the younger kids find their Halloween thrills in the Fun Barn. Both barn visits are included with general admission.

13 Terrors Haunted House
Theater on the Lake
2401 N. Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60614
www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/13-terrors-haunted-house

Dates: October 19-21 and 26-28, 2012

At the Theater on the Lake, you can always expect a visual treat. When it's time for Halloween, this spot offers a bit more. The 13 Terrors Haunted House is suggested for kids ages eight and up as there will be evil clowns, ghouls and even a spinning vortex to keep all youngsters entertained. Small children may not care too much for this event, but an older kid who likes a good spook would have an amazing time.

Foster Park Haunted House
1440 W. 84th St.
Chicago , IL 60620
(312) 747-6135
www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/haunted-house

Date: October 31, 2012

The Foster Park Haunted House, provided by the Chicago Park District, is suitable for all ages. This haunted house is family friendly, especially for those families with really young ones. Enjoy a few light-hearted spooks along with refreshments as you experience a more relaxed haunted environment. Running from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., you can come out for the fun and still get the kids to bed early. After all, school is in session the following day.

goul
(Credit: screamscene.org)

Scream Scene
Oakton Park
4701 Oakton St.
Skokie, IL 60076
(847) 674-1500
www.screamscene.org

Dates: October 12-13, 19-20 and 25-28, 2012

Provided by the Skokie Park District is a haunted attraction recommended for children a bit more mature. Guests are led into a maze filled with creepy rooms that are equipped with crazy butchers, monsters and a maniac with a chainsaw. This maze will provide the exact Halloween fright daredevils are looking for. Scream Scene also offers a "lights on" trip through the maze for those who would rather not be crept up on.

Santa's Village
(Credit: santasvillagedundee.com)

Nightmare on North
Santa's Village Azoosment Park 

601 Dundee Ave.
East Dundee, IL 60118
(847) 426-6751
www.santasvillagedundee.com

Dates: Fridays and Saturdays now through October 28, 2012

True Halloween lovers will want to plan a trip to Nightmare on North. This haunted house gives thought to the question of what happened all those years when Santa's Village was closed? Apparently the brains behind this fright say that some pretty gruesome things went down during the closure. If you think you are brave enough, step on up and face zombies, monsters and ghouls as you travel through the dark tunnels of the site.

Related: Chicago's Top Five Most Haunted Spots

Jessica Cage is a freelance writer from Chicago. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

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