Things for Kids & Families To Do in New York City - October 16 - 17: Festivals, Pumpkins, Pickles, Art & Dogs and Cats

10/14/10 - By Stephanie Ogozalek

NYC’s favorite holiday is already at a fever pitch.  In Staten Island watch or participate in a costume parade -- for the dogs. Visit huge Halloween festivals in Brooklyn and Queens or buy a pumpkin for painting at the South Street Seaport.  Head over to Central Park for an early evening encounter with the mammal of the hour: BatsBoo at the Zoo is in full swing at The Bronx Zoo and guaranteed to be a good time. Hope you have your costumes ready!

This post has the scoop on lots of other events for families and kids, like the not-to-miss Meet the Breeds, a huge dog and cat extravaganza, or The Drawn in Brooklyn Exhibit Family Day.  Plus, there are writing and art programs, school fairs, craft, harvest and pickle festivals, storytimes and a lot more. If you haven’t gotten your fill of apple or pumpkin picking yet check out our U Pick Guide and don’t miss our brand new Fall Fun Guide, chock full our best bets going on around town this autumn.

Read on to plan your weekend and have a great one.

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All Weekend:

Meet the Breeds-Midtown West
Animal lovers won’t want to miss this fun two day event where every single breed of dog and cat are on display (over 200 in total) for you and the kids to interact with.  Learn what makes each breed special.  Watch dogs and cats display agility, get some grooming tips or watch the cat fashion show. Bingo and other fun games will be going on throughout the weekend for the kids.  And while you are there pick up a treat for Rover or Fluffy at the 100 vendors selling everything imaginable for cats and dogs.  $15 for adults and $10 for kids.



 

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Drawn in Brooklyn – Family Day: Illustrators Festival – Park Slope
The Brooklyn Library is showing off its own.  The Drawn in Brooklyn Festival and Exhibition proudly displays and celebrates all the children’s literature created in the borough.  Family Day is a great time to visit the inspiring exhibit while author and illustrator led story times, art workshops and book signings are planned. FREE

PS 11 Fall Festival/Crafts in Chelsea—Chelsea
Shop to support art for the fine kids of PS11 at this huge festival and crafts market; inside is great fun for the kids – bouncy castles, face painting, arts and crafts and more. The outside craft fair will have hundreds of Etsy vendors selling their wares. $10 for all day child admission the festival, adults free. Craft fair is free.

The Magic Schoolbus Comes to Town – SoHo
Ms. Frizzle will be stopping by to read some Magic School Bus stories to the kids and pose for photo ops.  Afterwards kids can check out some cool science demos too and even try to win some prizes. FREE.

Red Hook Community Farm Harvest Festival—Red Hook
A farmers harvest right in Brooklyn! Learn all about sustainable living in NYC while having a great time.  A pumpkin patch, petting zoo and face painting for the kiddies. Great food, a farmers market and cooking demos for the parents. FREE

First Birthday of the Greenlight Bookstore – Fort Greene
Come for the story time and stay for cake and other festivities.  Authors and illustrators will be partying along with you to celebrate the first of many birthdays at the Greenlight.  FREE

Creative Sketching Workshop
– Chelsea

Kids can use flora and fauna and the highline itself to create some inspired drawings.  Artist Emily Gibson will help the kids create masterpieces. FREE

 

Sunday, October 17, 2010

International Pickle Day—Lower East Side
Fans of pickled produce will crowd the streets of the Lower East Side to snag a sample of a spicy dill or the many other varieties of pickles.  Performances, art and tons of great food from places like Sahadi, Kalyustans, Russ and Daughters and lots more pickle purveyors. FREE

Nature Writing Workshop – Central Park

Working with Jane Kelley older kids can let the beauty of the park inspire them to write and share at Writopia Labs. FREE

Henry Street Settlement Community Day—Lower East Side
A little bit of everything at this fun family event, highlighted by the fantastic performance of Dance: Think Punk.  A BBQ with live music and raffles follows the performance.  This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the settlement. FREE

Make a Haunted House – Upper East Side

Bring your own shoe box and use the huge collection of arts supplies at Scribble Press to turn it into a spooky Haunted House.  $15



Outside of NYC:


If you are heading out to pick a pumpkin or some apples on Long Island, stop by the Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery for their fall festival.  Environmental groups will be on hand to teach about conservation and kid under 12 can drop a line. $6 for adults and $4 for children.

Over in the Garden State, Mail trucks, garbage trucks, fire engines and bulldozers will be displayed and ready for touching at the Seventh Annual “Touch-A-Truck” event in Trenton, New Jersey. FREE

 

Lots more to see in do in the Mommy Poppins Calendar of Events.

 

If you are planning an event, don’t forget to let us know.  Enter it into our calendar.
 

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