Weekend Events for NJ Kids, October 17-18: Indoor Fun and Fall Festivals

Don’t let the bad weather put a damper on your Fall festivities and plans! This weekend you can attend a Rock and Mineral Show, a Latino Heritage Festival at the Newark Museum, “pick” a pumpkin at the Liberty Science Center, or try out your Halloween costume and trick or treating skills at the NJ Children’s Museum Halloween Spooktacular. And if the weather holds up, you may want to check out the annual Pumpkin Flying Festival in Pittstown or the Lumberjack and Hot Air Balloon Festival at Shawnee Mountain.

Rock and Mineral Show at Trailside Nature Center (Mountainside)
This free event takes place at Trailside Nature and Science Center on Saturday from 9am to 5pm. See and buy minerals, rocks, jems and fossils from around the world or bring your own rocks from your collection for expert geologists to identify. There will also be an interpretive hike where you can learn more about the native geology. Especially for kids, at 3:30pm Dr. Magic will present “the Magic of Geology”, a show that combines rock science and magic ($4 admission).

Latino Heritage Festival at the Newark Museum (Newark)
On Sunday the entire family will enjoy a fiesta of music, mural making and hands-on activities in celebration of Latino cultures. In addition to bilingual gallery tours, the museum will have it’s usual array of special children’s programs including “costume party” where kids can create their own wax fabric artwork and creepy critter science activities.

Pumpkins at the Liberty Science Center (Jersey City)
Looking to get out of the rain this weekend? The Liberty Science Center is full of fun stuff to do including IMAX movies (showing this weekend: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince), 3D movies, and live science performances. On Saturday they will also be giving away mini pumpkins to all visitors (while supplies last).

Halloween Spooktacular at The New Jersey Children’s Museum (Paramus)
Get a head start on Halloween at the NJ Children’s Museum with their Halloween Spooktacular which starts this weekend. Put on your costumes, trick or treat in the museum, take advantage of unlimited play time, decorate your own pumpkin to take home, and enjoy crafts, stories, and face painting. Admission is from 10am to 7pm and $14 per child, $10 per adult.

Flying Pumpkin Festival (Pittstown)
Add a little extra excitement to your pick your own pumpkin adventure with some flying pumpkins on Saturday! This pick your own farm has the usual hay rides and maze in addition to a trebuchet that launches pumpkins 500 feet into the air!

Lumberjacks, Hot Air Balloons and Fall Foliage at Shawnee Mountain (Shawnee on Delaware, PA)
The title says it all: there will be a Friday Night Balloon Glow, and on Saturday and Sunday log rolling, pole climbing, ax and chain saw competitions, buck sawing, music, pig races food, craft vendors, skydiving exhibitions and lots more!