Things To Do | SoCal Savvy Mom

Oct 17
2015

ABC Family 13 Nights of Halloween Full Lineup

ABC Family has a full lineup of spooky fun for our little ones this Halloween season, and 13 Nights of Halloween is here! Nothing would be scarier than to miss out on these movies and shows, so check out the full schedule below:

Monday Oct. 19

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 1:30 p.m. ET | 12:30 p.m. CT
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 5 p.m. ET | 4 p.m. CT
Hocus Pocus 9 p.m. ET | 8 p.m. CT
Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride 12 a.m. ET | 11 p.m. CT

Tuesday Oct. 20

Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride 4 p.m. ET | 3 p.m. CT
Hocus Pocus 6 p.m. ET | 5 p.m. CT
Stitchers 9 p.m. ET | 8 p.m. CT (All new Halloween special)
Casper 12 a.m. ET | 11 p.m. CT

Wednesday Oct. 21

Casper 5 p.m. ET | 4 p.m. CT
The Addams Family 7 p.m. ET | 6 p.m. CT
Addams Family Values 9 p.m. ET | 8 p.m. CT
I Know What You Did Last Summer 12 a.m. ET | 11 p.m. CT

Thursday Oct. 22

The Addams Family 4 p.m. ET | 3 p.m. CT
Addams Family Values 6 p.m. ET | 5 p.m. CT
The Hunger Games 8 p.m. ET | 7 p.m. CT
I Still Know What You Did Last Summer 12 a.m. ET | 11 p.m. CT

Friday Oct. 23

The Hunger Games 5:30 p.m. ET | 4:30 p.m. CT

Sleepy Hollow 8:30 p.m. ET | 7:30 p.m. CT (ABC Family premiere)
Matilda 12 a.m. ET |11 p.m. CT

Saturday Oct. 24t

Matilda 7 a.m. ET | 6 a.m. CT
ParaNorman 9 a.m. ET | 8 a.m. CT
Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride 11 a.m. ET | 10 a.m. CT
Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas 1 p.m. ET | 12 p.m. CT
Casper 2:30 p.m. ET | 1:30 p.m. CT
The Addams Family 4:30 p.m. ET | 3:30 p.m. CT
Addams Family Values 6:30 p.m. ET | 5:30 p.m. CT
Disney/Pixar’s Monsters University 8:30 p.m. ET | 7:30 p.m. CT
Disney/Pixar’s Toy Story OF TERROR! 11 p.m. ET |10 p.m. CT
Hocus Pocus 11:30 p.m. ET | 10:30 p.m. CT

Sunday Oct. 25

ParaNorman 7 a.m. ET | 6 a.m. CT
Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride 9 a.m. ET | 8 a.m. CT
Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas 11 a.m. ET | 10 a.m. CT
Casper 12:30 p.m. ET | 11:30 a.m. CT
The Addams Family 2:30 p.m. ET | 1:30 p.m. CT
Addams Family Values 4:30 p.m. ET | 3:30 p.m. CT
Disney/Pixar’s Toy Story OF TERROR! 6:30 p.m. ET | 5:30 p.m. CT
Disney/Pixar’s Monsters University 7 p.m. ET | 6 p.m. CT
Hocus Pocus 9:45 p.m. ET | 8:45 p.m. CT

Monday Oct. 26

Tuesday Oct. 27

Tim Burton’s Frankenweenie 4 p.m. ET | 3 p.m. CT
Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas 6 p.m. ET | 5 p.m. CT
Disney/Pixar’s Toy Story OF TERROR! 7:30 p.m. ET | 6:30 p.m. CT
Hocus Pocus 9 p.m. ET | 8 p.m. CT
ParaNorman 12 a.m. ET | 11 p.m. CT

Wednesday Oct. 28

ParaNorman 4 p.m. ET | 3 p.m. CT
Hocus Pocus 6 p.m. ET | 5 p.m. CT
Dark Shadows 8:15 p.m. ET | 7:15 CT
Casper 12 a.m. ET | 11 p.m. CT

Thursday Oct. 29

Casper 5 p.m. ET | 4 p.m. CT
The Addams Family 7 p.m. ET | 6 p.m. CT
Addams Family Values 9 p.m. ET | 8 p.m. CT
Hocus Pocus 12 a.m. ET | 11 p.m. CT

Friday Oct. 30

The Addams Family 2:30 p.m. ET |
1:30 p.m. CT
Addams Family Values 4:30 p.m. ET | 3:30 p.m. CT
Hocus Pocus 6:30 p.m. ET | 5:30 p.m. CT

Poltergeist 8:30 p.m. ET | 7:30 p.m. CT
Poltergeist II: The Other Side 12 a.m. ET | 11 p.m. CT

It all comes to a spooky end on Saturday Oct. 31

Oct 15
2015

Halloween Family Day at Balboa Park

by Nicole Connerley

San Diego has beautiful parks but none are quite as special as Balboa Park. This Halloween bring your families for a fun filled day of activities beginning at 11 am on Saturday, October 31st.

Since it is the last day of Kids FREE month, all children 17 and under are free to many museums with a paid adult. There are over two dozen participating museums with free hands on arts and craft projects for children. There will be events happening throughout the day, costume parades and contests, spooky tours, treasure hunts and tons of fun surprises until 4 p.m.

Children can also participate in the mini-carnival games with prizes hosted by the San Diego Park and Rec. One of our favorites not to miss is the San Diego Air & Space Museums annual rooftop Pumpkin Drop! The park will also host food trucks, zoo animals from our very own San Diego Zoo, and free activity and prize-drawing booths.

TIP: Adults can also receive best-value museum admission when purchasing the Balboa Park Explorer One-Day, Multi-Day, or Annual Pass. Children are FREE to all museums with a paid adult.

There are special family day activities and offers throughout the park, for the full list see below:

Balboa Park Visitors Center: Free gift to kids in costume who are accompanied by an adult (while supplies last). Enter a drawing to win:

Old Town Trolley/Seal Tour tickets
Live in Concert CD and 4 free tickets to a San Diego Youth Symphony and Conservatory concert in 2015-16
San Diego Junior Theatre Family 4-Pack of tickets to an upcoming show
4 tickets to San Diego Civic Youth Ballet’s The Nutcracker

House of Pacific Relations International Cottages:Open houses and trick-or-treating at select cottages from noon to 4pm.

Japanese Friendship Garden: Build your own bee house using traditional basketry techniques with Spanish Village artist Margaret Black Bear. A variety of materials to build with are available for children of all ages and skill levels.

Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater: Free puppet-making activity for children accompanied by an adult from 11:45am until 1pm show; show ticket required for performance but not for this activity.

Mingei International Museum: Go on a spooky treasure hunt to find snakes, horns, spells, alligators, and dolls. Makeyour own Halloween mask using a variety of materials.

Reuben H. Fleet Science Center: All ages can tinker with sugar skulls in the Tinkering Studio and take your creation home with you (fee applies). Kids 12 and under free with paid adult for gallery admission only. Add an IMAX^® film for the special price of $9.95.

San Diego Air & Space Museum: Ghost rotor making activity (paper helicopters with a Halloween twist) at 11:30am, 12:30pm, and 1:30pm; rooftop pumpkin-dropping experiment at 2:30pm; kid-friendly short films in 3D/4D movie theater; and Kid’s Aviation Action Hangar all day (simulators not included). Discounted admission price of $5 to see Da Vinci Machines special exhibition.

San Diego Automotive Museum: Gearhead hat-making activity for kids.

San Diego History Center: “Scent-sing San Diego” activity to learn how much your nose doesn’t know about San Diego’s past.

San Diego Junior Theatre: Buy 1 ticket (adult or child) to Mary Poppins and receive the second ticket free thru November 8 (subject to availability).

San Diego Model Railroad Museum: Halloween-themed games, crafts, and trains aboard the Haunted Express.

San Diego Museum of Art: “Mask and Costume”Search and Find handout to guide families on a hunt for artworks in the galleries that feature masks and costumes.

San Diego Museum of Man: “Monsters” exhibit, exploring forests, caves, and deep dark seas in search of fantastical creatures;hands-on monster creating activity.

San Diego Natural History Museum: Celebrate bats and other nocturnal creatures that lurk in the night — grab a flashlight, visit the Critter Cave, get a tattoo, and make a bat craft to take home. Children 12 and under receive free general admission* to theNAT with a paid adult or can pay a discounted rate of $11 to see the special exhibition Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed, which includes access to unlimited 2D and 3D films in the Giant Screen Theater. To redeem this offer, download the coupon from the San Diego Museum Council’s website and present in person at the admissions desk.

*Free general admission does not include 3D films or special exhibitions. Coupon must be presented at time of visit. No retroactive discounts. Limit two free child admissions per paid adult. Cannot be combined with other offers.

San Diego Youth Symphony and Conservatory: Free, open orchestra rehearsals (classical melodies) on the 2nd floor of the Casa del Prado building, rooms 207 & 205, 8:30am–7:15pm.

San Diego Zoo: Free admission to all children through 11 years of age, regardless of adult ticket purchase. Part of “Kids Free Month” (October) promotion.

Spanish Village Art Center: Doggie costume contest (1pm),trick-or-treat bag decorating (all day), studio trick-or-treating (with accompanying adult).

Spreckels Organ Society: Silent Film Night at 7:30pm. Organist Christian Elliott plays the musical soundtrack on the Spreckels Organ for Phantom of the Opera (1925) starring Lon Chaney. The evening’s film and performance are free of charge.

Timken Museum of Art: Family Activity Flyerto guide families on a fun-filled gallery tour. Free admission for the entire family!

UNA International Gift Shop: Free Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF box to take along whiletrick-or-treating to benefitchildren around the world who need clean water, food, school supplies, etc.; one free U.N. pen to take home(while supplies last).

Booths along the Prado and in the Plazas

Fab Trailers Photo Booth: Come in costume and take fun photos of yourself and your kids to share on Facebook,Twitter, andInstagram, and to email to friends.

Fiesta de Reyes/Old Town State Historic Park: Spin the ornate 1800s replica “Wheel of Fortune” prize-wheel to win coupons and prizes from the Fiesta de Reyes shops and restaurants located in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park.

Food Trucks(Plaza de Panama): Enjoy special selections from popular local food trucks Tacos la Mezcla and Simply Fresh. Tacos la Mezcla serves classic street tacos, and Simply Fresh makes fresh sandwiches, wraps, and salads, using 100% natural ingredients.

Japanese Friendship Garden: Halloween origami craft and a cardboard roll bat.

House of Pacific Relations International Cottages: Meet the HPR Queens who provide festive fun as well as information about HPR, the national cultures it represents, youth programs, and year-round events.

Metropolitan Transit System (MTS): — Pick up punch-out cardboard Rapid and Trolley banks, coloring books, and other fun items for kids, in addition to MTS Rapid, Bus and Trolley route and schedule information.

Museum of Photographic Arts: Create spooky images using otherworldly photographic techniques.

Russell the Giraffe: Chat and interact with the 17-foot tall electrical giraffe in front the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center.

San Diego Park and Rec (Plaza de Panama): Test your skills at various mini-carnival games to win prizes; Halloween costume contests in multiple age categories throughout the day starting at 11:30am; prizes for first, second, and third place.

Reuben H. Fleet Science Center: Explore the world of polymers and transform two liquids into slippery slime!

San Diego Civic Dance Arts: Dance performances and lessons for kids and adults guaranteed to give a real “thrill,” at Noon and 1:15 pm.

San Diego Civic Youth Ballet: Crown-making craft, see-and-touch props display, and costumed characters from The Nutcracker.

SDG&E: Information about energy-saving solutions to help families get rid of “energy vampires”; activities for kids.

San Diego History Center: “Scent-sing San Diego” activity to learn how much your nose doesn’t know about San Diego’s past.

San Diego Model Railroad Museum: Halloween-themed games, crafts, and trains aboard the Haunted Express.

San Diego Natural History Museum: Learn about our eight-legged friend, the spider.

San Diego Public Library: FHalloween crafts, library card applications, and info on the many free educational and cultural resources at 36 library locations throughout San Diego.

San Diego Zoo: Live zoo animals and free pins, decals, magazines, and Halloween candy for everyone.

Spanish Village Art Center: Pick up a free bag to take back to Spanish Village to decorate for trick-or-treating in all participating Spanish Village studios.

Think Blue San Diego: Pick up a coloring book and learn about watersheds and what can been done to prevent pollution at our beaches and bays

Timken Museum of Art: Create a spooky ghost to take home and hang in your window!

Whole Foods Hillcrest: Build your own food necklace station, with candy, pretzels, and other snacks that can be strung on a necklace; pick up literature about our Whole Planet Foundation and Whole Kids Foundation.

Worldview Project: Free exotic snacks from faraway places (while they last), culture quiz to see how much you know about world cultures; and a “Been There, Want to Go There Next” activity for the whole family.

Oct 8
2015

See’s Candies Carlsbad Grand Opening 10/9/15

by Nicole Connerley

See’s Candies will celebrate the opening of a new shop in Carlsbad on Friday, October 9th. The Carlsbad shop will serve as a fundraising and gifts center. There will also be the full product line of over 100 varieties of candies that we all know and love. It will also offer discounts on select items to qualified customers who are placing large orders or buying in bulk for their fundraising and corporate gifting needs.

The official opening and ribbon cutting will take place at 9:30 a.m. on October 9 at the new shop located at 1830 Marron Road in Carlsbad, next to Marshalls. On opening day See’s will offer customers volume discounts on select products throughout the shop with no minimum purchase requirements. Kids will also receive free lollypops and hats!

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any sweeter, fundraising customers can also enter to win a See’s Flash Fundraiser. The prize is enough See’s Fundraising candy to earn $1K in profit to support the winning organization. The sweeps runs October 8 – 16 and entries can be submitted online at sees.com/CarlsbadSweeps.

In honor of the grand opening of the new QD shop, See’s wants to celebrate with the residents of the Carlsbad community. See’s values its customers and always believes in providing a warm, welcoming environment for shop visitors. For over ninety years, See’s has remained true to the heritage and values founded by Mary See.

About See’s Candies:

Delivering deliciousness since 1921, we happily continue to make candy Mary See’s way, using only the finest ingredients — with no added preservatives. Our chocolates and treats are American-made in our own candy kitchens, from our decadent truffles and chocolate-covered nuts to gourmet lollypops and our crunchy Peanut Brittle, its quality you can taste in every piece.

Step inside one of our shops, and you’ll see a crisp, clean black-and-white checkered motif inspired by Mary’s original kitchen. Each day, visitors are welcomed with the friendliest service and can choose a delicious piece of candy to try.

Headquartered in sunny California, we have over 200 retail shops across the country and an online shop that serves See’s fans around the world. We continue to uphold our commitment to delivering the highest level of taste, quality, tradition and service. Mary would be proud.

Oct 5
2015

Disneyland during Halloween Time

by Nicole Connerley

Halloween time at Disneyland is one of our favorite times of year. The huge Pumpkin Festival down Main Street U.S.A….and I do mean HUGE, think life-size. The pumpkins at the Pumpkin Festival are perfect for pictures with your loved ones.

From now until November 1st 2015 you can enjoy special treats and surprises at the Disneyland Resort. We love the Disney’s Happiest Haunts Tour that takes you on a fun adventure through the park.

The absolute best part of Disneyland during Halloween is the Haunted Mansion, it is literally like The Nightmare Before Christmas and the Haunted Mansion become one! Not to worry if you have little ones, nothing at Disneyland is too scary. Another favorite not to miss over at California Adventure is the The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, which is a little frightening even when it is not Halloween time. My son has no fear, he has been going on it since he was 4 years old.

Mikey has a Halloween Party and you are all invited! Thrill to chilling Halloween festivities at the most bewitching event of the year—select nights throughout September and October! Each ticket includes: Admission to Disneyland Park up to 3 hours prior to the event’s start time. Complimentary parking for one standard-size vehicle. Larger vehicles may require an additional fee. For more information on Mikey’s Halloween Party click here.

Oct 3
2015

Knott’s Spooky Farm…Perfect for little ones

by Nicole Connerley

Today was the first day of Knott’s Spooky Farm, unlike the nighttime Knott’s Scary Farm it was perfect for younger kids. Think cheer instead of fear. There is no additional cost to participate in Knott’s Spooky Farm, which will run every weekend through October 31st. One of the reason we love Knott’s is because they offer great incentives to visit, if you purchase a ticket online at least 3 days prior the visit you can save almost $30 per ticket. That is huge savings!

Kids are encouraged to dress up in their Halloween costumes, which I love because kids can wear it more than just Halloween night. Children ages 3-11 are invited to cruise down Ghost Town for some fun trick or treating. Children may also have their picture taken with some friendly ghosts and ghouls. My son loved the spooky forest with gigantic jack-o-lanterns, keep an eye out for the Headless Horseman, he may be riding along side you without your knowledge. Not to worry though he isn’t there to frighten your little ones. After Spooky Hallow Maze stop to decorate a pumpkin and give it your own personal touch.

We stopped by Camp Snoopy Theatre to enter the Halloween costume contest, my son was Darth Vader and his friend was a DJ. The costume contest is Saturday and Sunday during October at 3:45 p.m. There were a lot of super heroes and surprisingly not a lot of Elsa’s (shocking I know) After the contest, the rest of the Peanuts Gang join the cast to participate in a Peanuts Dance Party.

All of our favorites at Knott’s Berry Farm that we know and love are open during Knott’s Spooky Farm. From my son’s favorite roller coasters, thrill rides, family rides, children’s rides, water rides, to games and arcades and the live entertainment shows. Knott’s Spooky Farm is now on our list of MUST VISIT during the month of October. My son wanted to stay late and experience Knott’s Scary Farm, I told him maybe next year since he is only 9. To be completely truthful I am a huge wimp and do not like to be scared, but next year I will give it a try for him. Until then I’m going to stay in my comfort zone which is Knott’s Spooky Farm.

The opinions in this article are my own. I do not work for, or with, any brand mentioned in this article, nor do I have any official relationship with them. I have a relationship with GigaSavvy, for whom I create original editorial content.

Oct 1
2015

Brick-or-Treat at Legoland – Halloween Fun!

by Nicole Connerley

Early bird tickets to Brick-or-Treat at Legoland may be found here for 2016.

Brick-or-Treat Party Nights is back and better than ever at Legoland this year. Brick-or-Treat is a family tradition in our house, Legoland AND trick-or-treating? We are so there! The park is open for five spooky-kooky nights – October 3, 10, 17, 24, and 30, starting at 5 p.m. There are costume contests, dancing, live entertainment, treats, dancing, rides, giant Lego Halloween models and the night comes to an end with fireworks.

Awesome fun awaits at Legoland for Halloween…after dark during Brick-Or-Treat Party Nights, and you will not want to miss out. The home of Halloween fun is filled with music, candy, surprises and snacks!

Highlights include:

Expanded Brick-or-Treat Trail, including 2 stations in SEA LIFE Aquarium
Coast Cruise transformation into the Ghost Cruise
Hubble Bubble’s Dance Party
Wanda’s Jelly Fish Disco in SEA LIFE Aquarium
Costume Contests with categories of LEGO, Creative, and a NEW Group category that
you can enter with family or friends
More Halloween adventures at Heartlake City and Fun Town!