As a parent of three energetic children — all younger than eight — I’ve come to accept that our household practically revolves around Lego. Their fascination with these brightly colored bricks knows no bounds, so when an opportunity arises to merge their love for building with an adventurous outing, we’re the first to pack the car. Most recently, this took us to Legoland New York for the annual Brick-or-Treat Halloween celebration — an experience that captivated all of us and felt like discovering a parallel universe made entirely of Lego magic.
What made the trip especially enjoyable was the quietness of the park. Unlike many theme parks that teem with massive crowds on weekends, this visit felt tranquil, almost leisurely. We could hop on every attraction without the usual long lines, giving our kids the exhilarating sense that the park had been reserved just for them. The addition of Halloween candy — distributed through cheerful trick-or-treat stations — infused every moment with extra sweetness and delight.
Before becoming a mother, I had no idea such parks even existed. The realization that there’s an entire network of amusement parks devoted solely to the Lego world, scattered across the United States, came only after I had children. Now, years later, and after countless road trips, I can proudly say we’ve visited each of the three Legoland parks in the U.S. — and not just once, but on multiple occasions. It has become something of a family tradition, merging play, travel, and nostalgia into one shared adventure.
Having always been drawn to amusement parks myself, I’d long dreamt of experiencing a special holiday-themed event. Though Disney World’s Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party had been at the top of my wish list, the costs of airfare, lodging, and premium park tickets quickly exceeded our family budget. Thus, we looked toward a more reasonable yet equally whimsical option: Legoland’s Brick-or-Treat. The event, which runs annually through October into early November, offered the perfect festive atmosphere to immerse the kids in Halloween spirit without draining our finances.
We chose a Saturday for our trip — a decision that proved wise. Having visited the same park the year before on a Friday when Maine schools were closed, we had encountered overwhelming crowds, since New York happened to have a holiday as well. This time, however, by avoiding any regional school breaks, we arrived around 10:30 a.m. to find the park refreshingly calm. We started exploring from the lower end and gradually made our way uphill toward the exit, a strategy that kept us ahead of the afternoon wave of visitors.
The transformation of the park for Halloween was remarkable. Legoland’s familiar landscape had been reimagined with towering Lego pumpkins perfect for photographs, haunted Lego figurines adorning corners of Miniland, and elaborately designed ghost-hunting games that turned sightseeing into a miniature scavenger hunt. Everywhere we wandered, spooky soundtracks chimed in, harmonizing laughter and eerie fun. Even the food reflected the season — we couldn’t resist ordering the Frightful Mini Figure Feast, a family combo featuring crispy chicken tenders, golden fries, and a collectible zombie Lego head as a keepsake. At $58, it felt like a perfect combination of value, theme, and creativity.
One of the most thoughtful aspects of the event was the inclusion of scattered building stations throughout the park. Legoland recognizes that younger children, even the most enthusiastic ones, can eventually succumb to sensory overload from the constant motion of rides and music. These quiet, shaded corners offered a restorative break, allowing kids to channel their imagination into new creations. My children were particularly enchanted by two of these setups — one where visitors constructed their own unique versions of pumpkins, and another called the “magical potion station,” where everyone’s little builds were dropped into a bubbling Lego cauldron to symbolize collective creativity.
In the afternoon, the much-anticipated trick-or-treating stations opened between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Patience was key, especially when managing young children eagerly awaiting candy. Fortunately, even though modest lines formed at each booth, they moved efficiently. Each child received allergy-friendly treats — a small detail that parents like me deeply appreciate — and we managed to visit several stations before moving on. Because most of them were concentrated in the lower section of the park and we had aimed to explore in reverse order, we didn’t cover them all. Next time, I would plan our route differently to maximize the trick-or-treating adventure.
Compared to larger, high-intensity theme parks such as Disney or Universal Studios, Legoland felt refreshingly manageable. Wait times were consistently minimal, meaning far less standing around in the sun and far more actual fun. The only exceptions were the Lego Factory Adventure Ride, unique to the New York park, and The Dragon, Legoland’s signature roller coaster — both hovering around a 45-minute wait. For families wanting to bypass lines entirely, a Reserve & Ride pass was available, though its additional cost of $99 per person seemed excessive for just a few popular attractions, especially for a family of five. Thankfully, the general admission prices are quite accessible — $49 when purchased in advance or $94 at the gate.
Character meet-and-greet opportunities were part of the event’s afternoon lineup as well, according to the themed park map handed out at the entrance. Unfortunately, the locations were concentrated in the same lower areas we reached later in the day, so we missed the chance to take those coveted photos with Halloween-costumed Lego characters. It was a minor disappointment — more for me than my children, who seemed wholly absorbed in spotting the monumental, permanently installed Lego sculptures scattered throughout the park. A highlight for them came when they unexpectedly encountered actual Lego master builders busy preparing decorations for the upcoming Christmas celebration. The kids were thrilled, convinced they’d stumbled upon an insider’s secret glimpse behind the scenes.
This visit also marked an emotional realization for me as a parent. For the first time, we could all enjoy virtually every experience together. Previously, my twins had been too short or hesitant for certain rides, while my oldest occasionally grew restless in the toddler-oriented zones like the Duplo Express. On this trip, however, everyone participated equally. Yet, that joyous milestone also reminded me that we may be approaching the final chapter of our Legoland years. The park is thoughtfully designed for younger audiences, and I can sense my eldest beginning to outgrow its gentler thrills. Still, the echoes of laughter, the shared excitement, and the miles traveled from Maine to New York made every moment worthwhile. It was, simply put, another beautiful family adventure — one that stitched together creativity, imagination, and togetherness into a day none of us will forget.
Sourse: https://www.businessinsider.com/legoland-halloween-brick-or-treat-event-kids-loved-it-2025-10
