When August rolls around, I start decorating for Halloween (Yes, I’m that girl.). While it may start as a small decoration here and there, once October comes my home has already been fully decorated for a month. Why, you ask? One, in my opinion, Halloween is the best holiday of the year. Two, my decorating earlier, gives me time to really delve into the holiday and all of the fun surrounding it - including haunted houses.
If you’ve never been to the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis annual Haunted House, please put it on your Halloween bucket list for Indiana. This season, I was able to go behind the scenes for a peek at the fun and what goes into the highly ornate, fun-for-all event.
First, Let’s Talk Decorating.
Before the kiddos don their Halloween costumes and families line up for room after room of trick or treating, the fun begins five weeks in advance. That’s right, the team from The Children’s Museum Guild gets to work painting and decorating a giant, empty space. This short span includes making the rooms, adding the large and small decorations, and giving just the right light to each area.
Additionally, every new season brings a new theme; this year it’s paying homage to 60 years of frights with a Witch Way Road Trip along Route 60. Beginning in the garage, families wander along a path that takes them to the convenience store for snacks, into a dinner, and to a carnival - all with spooky touches.
How Many People Work at the Children’s Museum Guild Haunted House?
There are roughly forty folks who put countless hours of work and effort into the Haunted House each year. Along with that number, their families, including teens over the age of 13, work the spooky space to add to the fun frights.
If you love numbers, here’s an amazing one: over 35,000 pieces of candy and goodies are passed out each Halloween season to families going through the themed space for trick or treating. They receive so much love from sponsors that, many times, there’s more than one treat in each room.
Indianapolis Children’s Museum Guild Haunted House: Where the Magic Is Made
As a lover of behind-the-scenes fun, I was honored to visit the fourth floor of the museum and the giant area where, once the fun is over for the season, all of the decorations get put back on the shelves for next year. There are rows upon rows of decorations and props and it was a delight to look at the previous themes. I saw hints of Ancient Egypt, spooky masks, and even a few gargoyles.
There’s box upon box of candy and treats stored here as well, which will be completely given out by the end of the season. As it was the first weekend during my visit, the area was jam-packed with them, but it’s nice to know there’s plenty to go around even for the final night.
This is also the area where the Guild Witches and scare actors get made up each day and night. Just like a finely oiled machine, volunteers queue up for their costumes and face makeup if that’s what the character requires. If you’re one of the witches, the costume is a frilly skirt, Halloween shirt, and witch hat!
I was elated to talk to the Guild members during my visit to the storage area. Each is so passionate about the haunt and it truly does show. There’s a camaraderie between the families and volunteers knowing that those countless days spent preparing are 100% worth it.
Know Before You Go
The Children’s Museum Guild Haunted House runs Tuesday through Sundays and is the biggest fundraiser of the year. There’s a per-person ticket fee and museum members receive a discount on tickets. Additionally, there’s free parking in the covered garage across the street from the museum. You don’t have to purchase regular admission in addition to the haunted house, either.
If you’re unsure if the kiddos may be frightened, there is a “lights on” option that offers friendly music and some of the scarier pieces are covered up.
