Ghost tours and haunted houses are staples of the Halloween season, offering a great way to enjoy that special time of year when we celebrate all things that creep us out and leave us with nightmares for months.

Most places offer a fearsome experience that’s perfect for adults, but when it comes to finding a terrifyingly good time for the family, how scary is too scary?

We got in touch with several local fright-fests to gauge the fear factor of each spot, then created a super-scientific rating system to help you decide whether to bring the kids along or call a baby-sitter.

We've sorted them ranging from child-appropriate to pretty spooky to downright bloodcurdling.

CHILD-APPROPRIATE

Ghost Tours of Lexington

A candlelit walk through Lexington featuring ghost stories about local buildings and magic tricks. Reservations necessary. Tour groups meet outside the Lexington Visitor Center. 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through October. An additional 8:30 p.m. tour will be available Oct. 26-27 and Oct. 31. $10, adults; $6, ages 4-12; free, ages 3 and under. (540) 464-2250.

The ghost stories are light on blood and gore, and the magic tricks will keep younger children entertained.

11th Annual Abingdon Spirit Tour

Tours with “Haint Mistress” Donna Marie Emmert. Walking tours: 7:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday and Oct. 24-27. $10, adults; $8, ages 12 and under. 2 1/2 hours long. Meet on the East Lawn of the Martha Washington Inn. Trolley tours: 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday. $15. Two hours. Meet in the Town Depot Square. (276) 676-2282.

Tame enough for children of all ages, and the trolley tour option is ideal for kids who might get fussy on a long walk.

Salem Museum Ghost Walk

Featuring costumed re-enactors portraying actual figures from Salem’s past, telling about their lives and memories. Tours leave every 15 minutes. Reservations encouraged. $6 suggested donation. 6:30 to 9 p.m. Oct. 27 and 30. Salem Museum. 389-6760.

The cemetery location might frighten some youngsters, but otherwise very kid-friendly.

PRETTY SPOOKY

Strange Tales of Floyd

A ghost tour that reveals strange phenomena in the history of Floyd County. $6. 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through October. Black Water Loft, 117 S. Locust St., Floyd. 745-LOFT.

While there aren’t any unexpected scares like folks waiting behind bushes to jump out at unsuspecting tourists, the subject matter might be too intense for younger kids.

Eighth Annual Fall Scare

A haunted house for children ages 12 and under. $3. 2 to 9 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Through Oct. 28. Putt-Putt Fun Center, 6801 Peters Creek Road, Roanoke. 366-3660.

Mostly harmless fun — actors in the house hand out candy and toys — but with some scary parts that could upset small children.

Haunted Hayride

The Randolph College horseback riding team hosts this first annual fundraiser with ghost storytelling and concessions. All activities are family-friendly. Proceeds benefit the riding center. $5, adults; $3, children ages 12 and under. 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and Oct. 26-27. Randolph College Riding Center, Lynchburg. (434) 947-8773.

With hidden, costumed actors waiting to pounce on hay-riders and a horseback rider circling the wagons to spook the passengers, this tour could be frightening for some children.

Rocky Mount Wal-Mart Haunted House

Proceeds benefit the Children’s Miracle Network and the Boones Mill Volunteer Fire Department. $5. 7 to 10 p.m. Oct. 26-27 and Oct. 29-31. 100 Easy St., Boones Mill. 484-1400.

Best for children ages 10 and up.

Haunted Cave at Dixie Caverns

7 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday , Oct. 26-27 and Oct. 31; 7 to 10 p.m. Sunday and Oct. 28. Dixie Caverns. $10, adults; $5, children. 380-2085.

The Web site for the cave encourages parents to bring children at their own discretion, as all tickets are nonrefundable.

DOWNRIGHT BLOODCURDLING

The Twisted Carnival

Dr. Pain’s crew is back with a new haunted house theme. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Roanoke Valley Therapeutic Riding Program. $10. 8 p.m. today through Saturday, Oct. 25-27, Oct. 30-31; Nov. 2-3. Dr. Pain’s Haunted Asylum, 17 Seventh St., Salem. 387-0524, drpainshauntedasylum.com.

Very scary on regular days, but the Daylight Scare taking place from 1 to 4 p.m. Oct. 27 — with half-price admission — is perfect for children ages 14 and under. The more frightening props in the house will be covered, and the actors will be interacting with the kids rather than trying to scare them.

HallowScream at Natural Bridge

Special after-dark tours of Professor Cline’s Haunted Monster Museum. $10, adults; $8, children. 7 to 10 p.m. Oct. 26-28. 15 Appledore Lane, Natural Bridge. (800) 533-1410, naturalbridgeva.com/monster.

Unlike the museum’s regular hours, during which parties with children can request “no-scare” tours, nothing is toned down at any time for HallowScream.

Terror at the Station

A haunted tour hosted by the Roanoke Jaycees. $9 ($1 discount with canned food donation). 7 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday , Oct. 26-27 and Oct. 29-31. Virginia Museum of Transportation, downtown Roanoke. roanokejaycees.com.

The Web site explains the premise of the tour: A train full of zombies infected with an alien virus has crashed in Roanoke, and the tour guides must lead their groups out of the station before the virus spreads. Sounds scary to us.

Field of Screams

Closed down.