Spookfest Activity Schedule

All activities are subject to change. Supplies limited. All activities run from 12:00 – 5:30 unless otherwise noted.

Ink Blot Monsters | Location: Creative Corner
Create your very own spooky monster using ink blots as inspiration and spontaneity! Use different tools to give your monster unique textures such as furry, rocky, spiny, smooth and bumpy! Plus you can take your creation home with you!

Graveyard Golf | Location: Science City Cave
Earn prizes put a few rounds of subterranean mini-golf around the Science City cave!

Make an Insect Ring | Location: Maker Studio
Construct your very own creepy-crawly insect specimen. Select a die-cut insect and decorate it with metallic markers, wax paper wings and gemstones. Then attach it an adjustable ring base and wear it on your finger all day long!

Catapulting Candy Pumpkins | Location: Engineerium
Use the supplies provided to see how far you can chuck a candy pumpkin in this fun activity centered around physics and engineering.

Creepy Critters | Location: Nature Works 12:30 & 2:00 PM
Get up close and learn more about some of the spookiest animals that call Nature Works home, such as snakes, toads, and spiders!

Pump(kin) It Up | Location: PNC Learning Lab
How many seeds are inside a pumpkin? What’s all the goopy stuff? Can you use the stem to paint? Come find out during this fall-fun activity for the youngest of scientists. Make your own pumpkin stem stamp and sensory bags.

Act Natural: The Scab Lab | Location: Tapped Out Classroom 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Explorers will get hands-on experience with stage makeup effects by creating a realistic-looking, pickable scab they can actually wear around! Be sure to gross out your friends with your bloodiest scab – all while gaining an understanding of what scabs really are and why our bodies make them!

The Great Pumpkin Drop sponsored by HERC Rentals | Simple Machines at Play 1:00, 2:00, 3:00 and 5:00 PM
What happens when pumpkins get dropped from a great height? Vote for which pumpkin will make the biggest “splat” when dropped out of a cherry picker. One lucky guest that votes for the winning pumpkin will be selected to win a prize!
*Guests will NOT need to be present to win the prize.

Spooky Stage Show | Location: Maze Park 4:15 PM
Learn about the spooky side of science as Educator Jordan shows some of his favorite Halloween themed science experiments!

Costume Contest | Location: Maze Park 5:00 PM
Show off your costume and compete for prizes! Prizes will be given to the best costume in each category.
Categories: Ages 0 – 4, Ages 5 – 9, Ages 10+ and Family.

Laser Spooktacular | Location: Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium 12:00, 1:00, & 2:00 PM
Enjoy some of your favorite family-friendly Halloween classics spiced up with spectacular 3D lasers and smoke effects at the Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium!
*Additional ticket required, click here for more information

Plus, there will be candy and treats for guests with various allergens available as you explore Science City!

PLEASE NOTE: For the safety of our younger guests, Union Station does not allow costumes or cosplay that include a mask or face covering for guests 13 and older.

Roasting Pumpkins & Seeds with Sherry in Science City’s Test Kitchen

Ingredients:

• 1 2-3lb. sugar pumpkin (also known as pie or baking pumpkin)
• 1 Tbsp cooking oil of your choice 1 pinch of salt

Procedure:

1. 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. 2. Cut the pumpkin in half from stem to bottom.
3. 3. Scrape out the seeds and strings with a scooper or sharp spoon. Save the seeds for roasting!
4. 4. Brush the pumpkin flesh with oil and salt.
5. 5. Place the pumpkin flesh down on a baking sheet and pierce the skin to let steam escape.
6. 6. Bake for 50 minutes
7. 7. Remove from the oven and let the pumpkin cool for 10 minutes before handling.
8. 8. Remove outer skin and use the flesh for recipes that require pumpkin.
9. 9. You could makes soup or a pie! Fresh pumpkin in recipes taste great!

Don’t forget the seeds!

1. 1. Clean the seeds from the pulp and let them air dry completely on a paper towel.
2. 2. Arrange the dried seeds on a baking sheet and drizzle with cooking oil. Add salt and toss.
3. 3. Bake for 20-30 minutes or until crisp and light golden brown.
4. 4. Cool completely
5. 5. They are ready to eat, or you can store them in a sealed container for about a week.