Looking for things to do with kids and teens in Southwest Florida this week? The week of October 17-23 is heavy on Halloween season fun: Boo at the Zoo returns to the Naples Zoo, CMON hosts its Halloween Spooktacular, Estero's Spooktacular brings trunk-or-treating and a movie to Estero Park, W.O.N.D.E.R. runs at Naples Botanical Garden, the libraries hold their regular storytimes, and the Florida Everblades play at Hertz Arena on Friday night. Here are seven picks for the week, each with the age range, date, time, cost, and the official page so you can confirm before you go.
Key Takeaways
- Boo at the Zoo runs Saturday through Monday, October 17-19, from 9 AM to 4:30 PM at the Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens, with trick-or-treating for kids 12 and under included with admission.
- CMON's Halloween Spooktacular fills Saturday, October 17 in three timed sessions (10 AM to noon, 1 to 3 PM, 4 to 6 PM) at the Golisano Children's Museum of Naples, open to members and ticketholders that day.
- Estero's Spooktacular is free on Saturday evening, October 17 from 5 to 9 PM at Estero Park: trunk-or-treating car to car, then a free outdoor movie.
- Free storytimes this week: Toddler Storytime at the Naples Headquarters library Tuesday and Wednesday, and Family Storytime at the Bonita Springs Public Library Thursday.
- The Florida Everblades host the Atlanta Gladiators Friday, October 23 at 7:30 PM at Hertz Arena in Estero on Blackout Night, a good one for school-age kids and teens.
The Week's Picks
Boo at the Zoo at the Naples Zoo
The zoo's family Halloween event is back for its second weekend of the season. Kids can trick-or-treat along the garden paths, meet costumed characters, and catch the regular keeper talks and animal presentations while they are there. It is a mostly outdoor morning, so bring sunscreen and water. The zoo sits on Goodlette-Frank Road near the Gordon River, a few minutes from downtown; our Naples area guide covers the surrounding neighborhoods.
Ages: All ages; trick-or-treating geared to kids 12 and under
Dates: Saturday through Monday, October 17-19 (it also runs October 24-26)
Time: 9 AM to 4:30 PM
Cost: Included with admission: $26.95 adults 13-64, $17.95 ages 3-12, free 2 and under
Official page: napleszoo.org/boo
Halloween Spooktacular at the Golisano Children's Museum of Naples
CMON turns the whole museum into a costumed celebration for the day, with trick-or-treating through the exhibits, crafts, and play for the youngest visitors. The museum is open only to members and reserved-ticket holders that day, and visitors pick one of three timed sessions, so plan ahead if this is your pick. CMON sits inside North Collier Regional Park on Livingston Road; our Naples area guide covers the neighborhoods around it.
Ages: Families with kids; the museum's exhibits suit babies through age 12
Date: Saturday, October 17
Time: Three timed sessions: 10 AM to noon, 1 to 3 PM, 4 to 6 PM
Cost: Timed-session tickets; 2025 pricing was $10 adults and $20 per child for non-members ($5 and $15 for members). Confirm 2026 pricing on the official page.
Official page: cmon.org/events/halloween/
W.O.N.D.E.R. at Naples Botanical Garden
W.O.N.D.E.R. is the garden's family program where kids walk, observe, draw, and explore together through educator-led activities. In October it runs outdoors in the Wonder Circle on the Hoffmann Lawn, so it pairs well with a stroll through the rest of the garden. Admission covers the program, and the garden is a pleasant place to spend a fall morning. Our Naples area guide introduces the neighborhoods around it.
Ages: Families with children; $12 ages 4-17, free ages 3 and under, adults $27
Dates: Saturday through Monday, October 17-19
Time: 10 AM to noon
Cost: Included with garden admission
Official page: naplesgarden.org/series/w-o-n-d-e-r/
Toddler Storytime at the Headquarters Regional Library
The Collier County library system runs this twice-weekly storytime for the youngest readers: songs, stories, fingerplays, and puppets at the Headquarters Regional branch on Orange Blossom Drive in Naples. Library programs are free and open to everyone. Storytime start times can shift, so the events calendar is the best place to confirm the week's schedule.
Ages: Birth to 3½ with a caregiver
Dates: Tuesday and Wednesday, October 20-21
Time: 10 to 10:30 AM (confirm on the calendar)
Cost: Free
Official page: library.collier.gov/Events-directory
Family Storytime at the Bonita Springs Public Library
The Bonita Springs Public Library on Reynolds Street holds Family Storytime every Thursday with books, rhymes, songs, and activities for little ones and their grown-ups. It is a free, drop-in friendly way to spend a fall morning, and the Lee County library calendar lists the full week of children's programs.
Ages: Birth to 5 with a caregiver
Dates: Thursday, October 22
Time: 10:30 to 11:30 AM
Cost: Free
Official page: leelibrary.librarymarket.com
Estero Spooktacular: Trunk-or-Treat and Movie in the Park
The Town of Estero's annual family Halloween night fills Estero Park with decorated cars for trunk-or-treating from 5 to 7 PM, followed by a free outdoor movie on the lawn once the sun is down. Kids are encouraged to come in costume and trick-or-treat car to car, and food trucks are on site. Bring chairs or blankets for the movie. Estero Park sits off Corkscrew Palms Boulevard; our Estero area guide covers the communities around it.
Ages: All ages; costumes encouraged
Date: Saturday, October 17
Time: 5 to 9 PM (trunk-or-treat 5 to 7 PM, then the movie)
Cost: Free; food trucks on site
Official page: estero-fl.gov/spooktacular2026/
Florida Everblades vs. Atlanta Gladiators at Hertz Arena
The Everblades host the Atlanta Gladiators on Friday night on Blackout Night, with a specialty jersey giveaway tied to the theme. Hockey is a fun first live-sport experience for school-age kids: fast, loud, and family friendly, with the action close to the ice. Hertz Arena sits just off Corkscrew Road in Estero near Miromar Outlets; our Estero area guide covers the surrounding communities.
Ages: All ages; a good fit for school-age kids and teens
Date: Friday, October 23
Time: 7:30 PM puck drop
Cost: Tickets via Ticketmaster; resale listings start around $17 to $21
Official page: floridaeverblades.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boo at the Zoo happening this week?
Yes. Boo at the Zoo runs Saturday through Monday, October 17-19, from 9 AM to 4:30 PM at the Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens, and it returns for its final weekend October 24-26.
Are the library storytimes free?
Yes. The storytimes listed here are free and open to everyone. Check the library calendars for any registration notes or schedule changes before you go.
What is there to do with teens this week?
The Florida Everblades host the Atlanta Gladiators Friday, October 23 at 7:30 PM at Hertz Arena, and Boo at the Zoo works for older kids too. The Collier County library calendar also lists teen and tween programs through the month.
Do I need tickets in advance for Boo at the Zoo or the CMON Spooktacular?
Boo at the Zoo is included with regular zoo admission and tickets can be bought online or at the door. CMON's Halloween Spooktacular uses timed-session tickets and the museum is open only to members and ticketholders that day, so book ahead through the museum's event page.
Two dates to save for the days right after this week: Marco Island's Halloween Spooktacular runs Saturday, October 24 from 4 to 6 PM at Mackle Park with games, crafts, inflatables, a costume contest, and a pumpkin patch, free and open to everyone. And in Fort Myers, the Edison and Ford Winter Estates hosts its free Fall Festival on Halloween, Saturday, October 31 from 9 AM to 4 PM, with a pumpkin patch, face painting, and family activities. Both are on the respective official calendars.
A note from the author: I'm Catalina Quintero, a bilingual REALTOR with The Miranda Group at Premiere Plus Realty, Co., serving Naples, Bonita Springs, Estero, Fort Myers, and Marco Island. Every week I put this guide together from dated, published event listings, so things can shift and it always pays to confirm the official pages before you head out. If you're exploring Southwest Florida with a move in mind, email or text me any time.
Thinking About a Move to Naples? Start With a Conversation.
Contact Catalina Quintero at (239) 206-6909 or visit catalinaquintero.com/contact/ to schedule a consultation.