My 4-year-old son is getting excited about Halloween. I thought he was going to be Bob the Builder this year, but one day said to me out of the blue “I want to be a superhero. My Bob costume is too boring.” Colour me surprised! I showed him a few pictures of costumes on my favourite online shopping site Amazon.com and we ordered a batman costume that apparently was superhero worthy and super affordable for this mama. We picked it up from our parcel service in Blaine the other day (which saves a ton on shipping) and he loves it!

I’ve also been checking out local Halloween events so he’ll have a chance to dress up like a superhero more than once. We are very fortunate in that there is a great selection of scary and spooky events for kids in the Tri-Cities

Heritage Hallowe’en – pumpkin carving and harvest baking paired with heritage decorating and crafts make this Halloween event a traditional treat. Come in costume and win a prize. Admission by donation. Saturday, Oct 27, 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm, Mackin House Museum; www.coquitlamheritage.ca

Halloween Spookatular – a spooktacular time for the whole family. Scary stories, puppet theater, ooey gooey table, crafts, games ideal for children 2 – 8 years old. Be sure to dress in costume. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Register early, limited space, no drop-ins. Admission: $7 (children). Saturday, Oct. 27, 1 – 3 pm, Place Maillardville. www.placemaillardville.ca

Laity Pumpkin Patch – Pick out a pumpkin in the pumpkin patch, walk the corn maze, visit the farm animals, go for a tractor wagon ride and much more. Admission $4 per person. M-F, 1:30 – 5:00 pm; Sat/Sun/Holidays, 9:30 – 5 pm. www.laitypumpkinpatch.com

Spooky Boo-tique – a section of Lougheed Town Center has transformed into a Halloween fantasy of horrors, full of spook and fright guaranteed to entertain guests of every age. There is something for everyone, from scares for the young ghosts and goblins to frights for the young at heart. A minimum $2 donation to the Burnaby Firefighters’ Charitable Society is requested or show a same-day receipt from a Lougheed retailer.  Oct 6-31, 2012. Lower level, next to Bentley.

Art Knapps Funland – Rides, entertainment, photo-ops, Haunted tunnel ride, and many free activities for kids including a new Jungle Gym all undercover. Tickets required for some rides and may be purchased there. Funland is open 7 days a week thru Oct. 31. www.artknapps.ca

Spookapalooza Swim & Skate – bring your family for an afternoon of Halloween games, contests, face painting and spooky surprises! Haunted House, Chilling Skate and Spooky Swim. Free skate rentals with Food Bank donation. $2.95 per person. Sunday, October 28, 1:30 – 3:30 pm, Poirier Sport & Leisure Complex.

Family Halloween Swim – Bring your family for an afternoon of Halloween games, contests and spooky surprises! Admission: $2. Sunday, Oct 28, 1 pm – 5:00 pm. City Center Aquatic Complex.

Halloween Howl at Swamp Creek – Family fun for children 10 years and under including a swim (1 – 3 pm), carnival and haunted house (3 – 5 pm) and scarier haunted house (5 – 6 pm). $1 – $3 per activity. Saturday, October 27, 1 pm – 6 pm at the Hyde Creek Recreation Center. www.portcoquitlam.ca

4 Cats Art Studio Halloween Spooktacular – Free drop in family event. Wear your costumes.  Join us for spooky creations, fun costumes, and delicious snacks! Drop in anytime between 3:00 – 5:00 pm, Saturday, October 27. 4 Cats Port Moody, 2619 St. Johns Street, Port Moody.

There are also a few events in the Metro Vancouver area that I am planning to check out:

Halloween Ghost Train in Stanley Park – the train has left the station and there’s no turning back! You’re in the deep dark woods now! Might as well just bite the apple, hang on to your beanstalk and spot as many golden eggs as you can. Come see what’s crawling up Rapunzel’s hair and much more! For the price of a train ticket, riders can also enjoy crafts, pumpkin carving, a costume contest, and the Haunted Castle. Face painting is also available by donation. Tickets are available at ticketmaster; $9.82 per adult, $6.25 children and seniors. Age 2 and under are free. Matinee trains for $5 per person. On until October 31. Stanley Park. www.vancouver.ca

Haunted Village at Burnaby Village Museum – Come have fun with monsters, vampires and mummies. There’s trick-or-treating for the children and unlimited carousel rides for all. Witches welcome everyone to their main street dance. Costumes are encouraged! Adults, youth & seniors: $14; Children: $9. Tickets available at the door. October 26-28, 6-9 pm, Burnaby Village Museum. www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca

The Great Big Boo – Follow Justin, Zoe and their zany character friends from Boo Alley as they sing and dance their way through a maze of wacky adventures to save Halloween! Dress up in you favourite Halloween costume and go trick-or-treating with the stars of the show after the curtain closes. $19.50 plus service charges. Saturday, October 20 at 11:00am, 2:00pm and 5:00pm or Sunday, October 21 at 2:00pm and 5:00pm at the PNE. To buy tickets, visit www.ticketleader.ca.