Who has two thumbs and just realized that you need to register for all of these fun activities for Halloween? THIS MOM 👍👍 I have been scrolling community centre pages and seeing "Full" on every Halloween event, let’s take a deep breath.

Yes, some of the most popular ones booked up early. But there is still SO much fun to be had this year, and plenty of it is cheap, free, or drop-in.

I checked booking pages across Metro Vancouver on Friday, October 23, and every event on this list still had openings or is drop-in. All of them work for babies, toddlers or preschoolers. Grab a coffee, pick a costume, and let's find your spooky plans.

BEFORE YOU BOOK

- Spots move fast. Counts are from the morning of Oct 23, so book soon if you see something you love.

- Search by the course or activity number listed. City search boxes can be finicky, so you can also call the community centre and read them the number.

- Drop-in events need no registration. Just show up (costume optional, snacks recommended).

- Double-check the age range before you pay. I've flagged the ones that need it.

VANCOUVER

Register ahead

- A Big Boo Bash, Mount Pleasant CC (activity #621914). Sat Oct 31, 11am to noon. Under 7. $5 for ages 3+ (confirm the under-3 fee at checkout). 51 openings.

- Halloween Carnival: Spooktacular Zoo, West Point Grey CC (Aberthau) (#626456). Sat Oct 31, 11am to 1pm. Ages 1 to 8. $10. 15 openings.

- Halloween Indoor Trick or Treat, Dunbar CC (#635315). Sat Oct 31, 1 to 3pm. Under 10. $6. 70 openings. Perfect if the forecast says rain.

- SPOOKtacular Halloween Party, Renfrew Park CC (search by name). Sat Oct 31, noon to 3pm. Under 13. $7. 64 openings.

- Halloween Howlers Carnival, Marpole-Oakridge CC (#636738). Fri Oct 30, 5:30 to 7pm. Ages 1 to 12. $8. 42 openings.

- Sunset Pumpkin Carving Pop-Up, Sunset CC (#643373). Sun Oct 25, 12:45 to 3:15pm. All ages. $8. Only 4 openings, so move quickly.

Free and drop-in

- Main Street Safe Trick or Treat. Sat Oct 31, 3 to 6pm. Main St from E 5th to E 30th. Free.

- Halloweenie at Granville Island Kids Market. Sat Oct 31, 11am to 4pm, with trick or treating 11am to 1pm. Free.

- Kingsgate Mall Haunted House and Trick or Treat. Haunted house runs until Oct 31, trick or treating Sat Oct 31, 3 to 6pm. Free and indoors, which every toddler parent appreciates in late October.

RICHMOND

Register ahead

- Halloween Monster Mash Dance Party: Adult and Tot, South Arm CC (course 00567248). Thu Oct 29, 1:45 to 2:30pm. Up to 2 years, one adult per child. $7. 8 spots left. Register on MyRichmond or call 604-276-4300.

- Halloween Cookie Decorating, South Arm CC (course 568085). Sun Oct 25, 3 to 4pm. Adult and child. $5. 1 spot left. Check the age range before booking.

- South Arm Spooky Skele-bration, South Arm CC. Sat Oct 31, 2:30 to 4pm. All ages. Free tickets on Eventbrite (optional). Crafts, games, face painting and goodie bags while they last.

Free and drop-in

- Halloween Hoot, Richmond Nature Park. Oct 24 to Nov 1, 10am to 4pm. By donation. 35 inflatables, an art trail and a tickle tunnel. Rain or shine. Parking is limited, so go early.

- Halloween Scavenger Hunt, Steveston Tram. Tuesday to Sunday until Oct 31, 10am to 4pm. Free.

- Halloween Family Skates, Minoru Arenas. Fri Oct 30, 6:45 to 8pm; Sat Oct 31 and Sun Nov 1, 2 to 5pm. Regular admission, free skate rentals, costumes welcome.

- Minoru Halloween Fireworks Festival. Sat Oct 31, 6:30 to 9:15pm, fireworks at 9pm. Free. Late for little ones, but fun if you've got a night owl.

BURNABY

- Haunted Village, Burnaby Village Museum. Oct 24 to 25 and Oct 30 to 31, entries every 30 minutes from 4 to 7:30pm. Under 2 free, kids 2 to 12 $7, adults $12 in advance. Every entry window was still bookable, including Halloween night. Book the 4pm slot for an early bedtime.

- Central Spark, Central Park. Fri Oct 30, 6 to 8pm, fireworks at 7:30pm. Free.

SURREY

- Family Halloween Event, Newton Seniors Centre. Sat Oct 24, 9:30 to 11am. Free drop-in, with bouncy castles for ages 1 to 5. A great morning outing before nap.

- Spooktacular Newton. Sat Oct 24, 11am to 4pm. Free.

- BOO-seum, Museum of Surrey (course 522690). Sat Oct 24, 1 to 4pm. All ages. Free. 500 spots left.

- Sensory Trick or Treat, Museum of Surrey (course 523068). Fri Oct 30, 4 to 8pm. All ages. Free. 500 spots left. A calmer option if crowds and noise are a lot for your kiddo.

- Halloween Dance: Family, Fleetwood CC (course 528119). Fri Oct 30, 6 to 8:30pm. $10. 47 spots left. The course page says ages 2+, so check before bringing a baby.

NORTH SHORE

- Halloween at The Shipyards, Shipyard Commons. Sat Oct 31, noon to 4pm. Free drop-in with a magic show and storytelling.

- Pumpkin Drop with North Vancouver City Fire Department, City Fire Hall (165 E 13th St). Sun Nov 1, 10am to 4pm. By donation. Fire trucks plus pumpkins is basically a toddler dream.

- Lower Lonsdale Trick or Treat. Sat Oct 31, 3 to 5pm. Free.

- Lynn Valley Village Spooktacular. Sat Oct 31, 3 to 5pm.

- Canyon Frights, Capilano Suspension Bridge. Through Nov 1, included with park admission.

COQUITLAM

- Maillardville Halloween Family Fun Night (course 234562). Fri Oct 30, 4 to 6:30pm. 18 and under. $5. 21 spots left.

- Poirier Family Halloween Event, Poirier CC (course 234389). Sat Oct 31, 1:30 to 3:30pm. Ages 0 to 16. $5. Only 4 spots left.

- Heritage Halloween at Mackin House. Sat Oct 31, noon to 3pm. Free, RSVP needed.

- Halloween Costume Swap, Poirier CC. Daily through Oct 31. Free. Trade in the costume your kid outgrew in a month.

LANGLEY

- Trick-or-Treat and Spooky Swim (Township of Langley, search by name). $5. Sun Oct 25, 11am to 1pm at Walnut Grove (7 spots) and Sat Oct 31, 1 to 3pm at Aldergrove (3 spots).

- Halloween Skate, George Preston Arena. Fri Oct 30, 6 to 7pm. Up to $7.14. 53 spots left.

- Willowbrook Halloween Parade. Sat Oct 31, 2 to 4pm. Free.

- Boo at the Zoo, Greater Vancouver Zoo (Aldergrove). Sat Oct 31. Regular admission, with a costume deal for ages 3 to 17.

DELTA

- Great Pumpkin Carve, Paterson Park and McKitrick Park. Oct 24 to 25. Free drop-in. Check local listings for times.

- Emma Lea Farms Pumpkin Patch, Westham Island. Thursday to Sunday until Oct 31, 9am to 5pm. Farm hours change with the weather, so check before you drive out.

SEE YOU ON THE CANDY TRAIL

Sold-out events don't mean a sold-out Halloween. Whether your little one is a pumpkin, a dinosaur or a very sleepy bumblebee, there's something on this list for every neighbourhood and every nap schedule. If you go, tag me so I can see the costumes!

Christmas is next. Breakfasts with Santa, gingerbread houses and tree lightings are already filling up, so watch for my holiday guide coming soon.