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Indianapolis, IN (October 5, 2022) – Game night goblins will be there to give you a scare at the nation’s longest continually-operating haunted house—so beware. Prepare to play your best hand against the giant Witch who may not play fair at The Children’s Museum Guild’s 58th Annual Haunted House—Game Night Fright!
Get ready to meet the Witch in her Decayed Arcade where she will shrink unsuspecting visitors down to be pawns in her creepy games. Families will make their way through haunted spoofs of classic board games in each room where they will challenge the Witch herself.
“Brace yourself to become part of the game as the Witch casts her magical spell,” said Sally Akers, co-head witch, Children’s Museum Guild. “You will notice a giant green witch playing pinball when you first enter the house,” added Molly Winkler, co-head witch, Children’s Museum Guild. “It’s really fun watching families become part of the game—ringing up points as they bounce around from one scoring pilon to another inside the pinball machine,” added Molly Winkler, co-head witch, Children’s Museum Guild.
Visitors quickly discover that nothing is as it seems as they make their way through ginormous game pieces that block their route to properties in Monster-opolis. They will navigate through Delusional Dominoes to battle the Wretched Rooks in a game of chess. But children and their gro
wnups will need to watch their step - the game boards are wacky and warped. If, after all of that, families start to feel a little hungry, they may enjoy a visit to Corrupt Confections. Beware of every bite—no one knows who could become the next meal for the Hungry Hippos lurking around the Psychedelic Swamp. The next challenge is a crazy maze in the Twisted Turnaround. Visitors definitely will not want to veer off the path in the Clueless Corridor or it’s sure to be GAME OVER!
"It has been an exciting challenge to take an idea like game night that isn't traditionally ‘creepy’ and re-imagine it to showcase classic games in an eerie and haunted way,” said Winkler. “We think the idea will really resonate across age-groups. Kids can relate to the games and hopefully adults will find it nostalgic."
Game Night Fright opens October 12, 2022 and runs through October 30, 2022 at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. It is closed on Mondays. Fear not, there is something for all ages (and scare levels). The haunted house offers AES Indiana’s Lights-on Hours (for children who may scare easily) and AAA’s Frightening Hours (with lights off, for those who dare to be scared). Tickets are $9 and available by calling 317-334-4000 or online at childrensmuseum.org/haunted-house. High resolution photos are available upon request. Click on https://vimeo.com/childrensmuseum/review/756914174/9556eee317 for high resolution video.
Game Night Fright may be the main event but there are several creepy opportunities to play for bragging rights during October. "I'm so excited about our Twilight Fright party - specifically geared to 4th - 8th graders,” said Akers. “We have so many awesome activities planned this year - in addition to a trip through the frightening hours of the haunted house, we have a DJ, glow mini-golf, tons of awesome prizes and giveaways - and, of course, all the food tweens love! We are also super excited to welcome USA Track and Field athletes who are ready to challenge these tweens to a race or two."
Member Opening Party
Presented by Tobias Family Foundation
Saturday, Oct. 8
6:30−9:30 p.m.
Not to be missed, it’s the city’s biggest and best family-friendly Halloween party, and it’s for museum members only! Get exclusive access to the Game Night Fright! Haunted House and enjoy Halloween-themed games, activities, crafts, time in the indoor portion of the Riley Children’s Health Sports Legends Experience®, Take Me There®: Greece, American Pop, SCTHE OOBY-DOO! ™ Mansion Mayhem, Dinosphere Art Lab and Haunted House with a free treat, and a HUGE costume contest. Food and drinks, including a cash bar, will be available to purchase.
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- $20 per person, youth and adult
- Children under 2 free
- childrensmuseum.org/haunted-events
Twilight Fright
Presented by the Indianapolis Colts and Donatos Pizza
Saturday, Oct. 15
6:30–9 p.m.
For tweens (ages 8-14) who look forward to going through the Haunted House during AAA’s Frightening Hours, Twilight Fright is perfect! This fun, energetic event takes place outdoors in the Riley Children’s Health Sports Legends Experience® with a DJ, outdoor games, sports challenges, an arcade, and LOTS of amazing prizes! Pizza, Kona Ice, and soft drinks included. All children leave with a swag bag!
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- Member price is $20, non-members is $25 per person, youth and adult
- childrensmuseum.org/haunted-events
Feast with the Witches
Presented by Dentons
Enjoy a delicious “BOO-fet” meal with the friendliest of witches! In addition to the meal, this event includes fab-BOO-lous entertainment, fun Halloween-themed games, crafts, and activities, and of course—a tour of Game Night Fright during AES Indiana’s Lights-on hours. All children leave with a goody bag.
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- Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, 9 a.m.
Breakfast provided by Lincoln Square Pancake House - Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022, 5−7 p.m.
Dinner provided by Chuy’s Tex Mex - Member price is $20, non-member is $25, youth and adult (does not include museum admission)
- childrensmuseum.org/feast
- Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, 9 a.m.
Halloween After Dark
Exclusively for adults 21+
Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, 7–11 p.m.
Exclusively for “big kids”, this event includes admission to Game Night Fright during AAA’s Frightening Hours, along with Scooby-Doo!(TM) Mansion Mayhem. New this year, guests can attend The Verdict, an interactive mock trial, and be part of the jury that determines whether our beloved dinosaur mascot Rex is guilty of a crime. Wear a costume, view haunted artifacts from our Collections area, and enjoy bites and brews for purchase—but the first drink is on us!
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- Tickets: $45 per person
- childrensmuseum.org/after-dark
The Children’s Museum Guild’s 58th annual Haunted House Game Night Fright is presented by Old National Bank. The Member Opening Party is presented by the Tobias Family Foundation. Twilight Fright is presented by the Indianapolis Colts and Donatos Pizza. Feast with the Witches is presented by Dentons. The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is proud to partner with Riley Children’s at Indiana University Health, Old National Bank, Ice Miller LLP and The Heritage Group.
About the Children’s Museum Guild
The Children’s Museum Guild, founded in 1933, is a non-profit volunteer organization committed to promoting and supporting The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. It’s biggest fundraiser of the year is the annual Haunted House. Proceeds support several museum programs including (but not limited to) infoZone, free admission days, and out-of-school programming for local youth. The Guild’s haunted house is the longest continually-operating haunted house in the nation and celebrates 58 years in 2022.
