✦ October 2026 · Free family fun

GHOSTS IN THE GALLERIES!

This Halloween, the Ghost Army has taken over the museum. Two hands-on adventures. Ten hidden clues. One colorful mission. Bring the whole family!

SCAVENGER HUNT · OCT 16–31COLORING CONTEST · OCT 1–31
✓ Free museum admission
★ Two family activities
✦ Prizes to win
Your mission starts here

Choose your adventure

Whether you’re searching for secret clues or creating colorful masterpieces, there’s something for every little history explorer.

👻 Starts October 16

THE GHOST
SCAVENGER HUNT

Find 10 hidden Ghost Army patches throughout the galleries. Solve the questions and earn a glow-in-the-dark skeleton prize!

Get the hunt sheet ↓
✎ All October long

GHOST ARMY
COLORING CONTEST

Color your own Ghost Army patch, enter your masterpiece, and compete for a special gift from the Museum Store!

Enter the contest

WHO WERE THE GHOST ARMY?

During World War II, a top-secret U.S. Army unit used clever illusions to mislead enemy forces about the location and strength of American troops. Their secret weapons weren’t what you’d expect.

Read the real Ghost Army story ↗

World War II Ghost Army Soldier alongside an inflatable armored vehicle
A Ghost Army Soldier with an inflatable armored vehicle during World War II.
Mission 01 · The search is on

The Ghost Army Scavenger Hunt

OCT 16–31 · FREE
TOP SECRET · YOUR MISSION

10 HIDDEN PATCHES.
ONE SPOOKY ADVENTURE.

Ghost Army patches are hiding throughout the Museum! Download your hunt sheet, find all 10 patches in the galleries, and answer the question at each stop. The adventure takes you from World War II to today.

↓ Download & Print the Hunt Sheet
The printable PDF is included in this page. Or pick up a copy at the Museum’s coloring table.
Your scavenger hunt reward

A GLOW-IN-THE-DARK SKELETON!

Complete the hunt to earn a glow-in-the-dark skeleton. Ask Museum staff where to collect your prize.

Mission 02 · Calling all young artists

The Ghost Army Coloring Contest

Give a WWII Ghost Army patch a Halloween makeover! Children ages 1–12 can enter for free. Winning artists in each age group will receive a gift from the Museum Store.

How to enter

  1. Get your coloring sheet. Download the PDF with the contest flyer, entry form, and coloring page.
  2. Make it your own. Color the Ghost Army patch and fill out the entry form with the child’s name and age group, plus a parent or guardian’s name, phone, and email.
  3. Send in your masterpiece. Mail your artwork and entry form or drop them off at the Museum Front Desk by October 31, 2026.
IMPORTANT! Keep names off the front of the artwork. Entries with a child’s name on the front will be disqualified.

Four age groups

Boo Recruits

Ages 1–3

Privates

Ages 4–6

Sergeants

Ages 7–9

Generals

Ages 10–12
Prizes from the Museum StoreWinners in each age group will be contacted by phone or email.
Download coloring sheet & entry form ↗

Includes the official contest instructions, entry form, and printable coloring page.

THE GHOST ARMY
WAS REAL.

They fought with inflatable tanks, sound effects, and fake radio traffic. During World War II, these remarkable Soldiers helped deceive German forces and protect American lives. Their extraordinary service was later recognized with the Congressional Gold Medal.

Read the Ghost Army history
Come explore

JOIN THE HALLOWEEN FUN!

Where to find us

U.S. Army Airborne & Special Operations Museum
100 Bragg Blvd
Fayetteville, NC 28301
Admission is free.

Plan your visit

Tuesday–Saturday: 10 AM–4 PM
Sunday: 12 PM–4 PM
Coloring deadline: October 31
Scavenger hunt: October 16–31

Download the scavenger hunt sheet before you visit or pick one up at the coloring table. Don’t forget to enter the coloring contest before Halloween!

Get the coloring contest PDF ↗