Due to the predicted rain, please check with venues directly for updated schedules for weekend events.

As the first weekend of October arrives, Philly families look forward to celebrating the season of autumn with apple picking, corn mazes and pumpkin decorating. This weekend certainly doesn't disappoint as our Events Calendar is filled with festivals, festivals and more festivals where families can find these fall activities.

In addition to traditional fall fun, embrace the outdoors by watching the birds at Tyler Arboretum or building a fairy home at Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve. Or, get an up close view of trucks at Wells Fargo Center's Monster Jam or Winterthur's Truck and Tractor Day. Those looking for indoor activities can consider attending a children's theater production such as Hedgerow Theatre School's The Little Mermaid Jr. or Walnut Street Theatre's Shrek the Musical Jr.

Continue reading for the top picks for the weekend. Be sure to sign up to have our weekly newsletter sent directly to your inbox every Thursday morning. And, don't forget to check out our Halloween Activities Guide to plan out lots of seasonal fun.

UPDATE as of 10/3/15: 

Due to anticipated poor weather conditions, please check with outdoor venues ahead of visitation. Some closures have already been announced below.

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Hay rides, apple picking and all things fall are in store this weekend if you're looking for an autumn adventure. Be sure to check out our complete roundup of Fall Fairs and Festivals. This weekend, there's also a free storytime, nature walk and the chance to create your very own ship in a bottle.

And since it's October already, check out our Halloween Guide for plenty of spooky (and not so spooky) fun with the kids.

Don't see your event listed here? Add it to our events calendar. And if you don't receive this post in your inbox, subscribe to our newsletter. 

With October comes the beginning of the Halloween season, and all the associated festivals, spectacles, parades and haunted houses throughout Westchester and the Hudson Valley. We’ve populated our Event Calendar with a ton of these festivities (as well as a variety of non-Halloween events for when you crave diversity), so take a peek and plan ahead. Stay tuned, because much more is coming!

The Rivertowns, strongly associated with Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” go all out for Halloween, with month-long events that start this weekend like The Great Jack O Lantern Blaze (which is already sold out for this weekend) and The Legend Behind the 'Legend', as well as haunted happenings for older kids like Scared by the Sound.

For some non-Halloween happenings, catch Warwick Applefest, the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival or the Annual Horse Show and Country Fair, to name a few. Also consult our guide for scenic autumn drives to savor the splendor of the season.

Read on for our top weekend picks, but be sure to also check our Event Calendar and October GoList for more family fun this weekend and beyond!

It’s time to get in the autumn spirit! New Jersey is welcoming the beautiful month of October in a big way with dozens of family-friendly activities to help you make the most of the season. Get your fill of all things pumpkin during Pumpkin Palooza 2015 at the Garden State Discovery Museum, the Holmdel Harvest Festival at Bayonet Farm or the 15th Annual Pumpkin Festival at Whippany Railway Museum. For more fun to round out your fall weekend, get tickets to the Harvest Moon Hayride at Alstede Farms or bring your little reader to the Morristown Festival of Books. Whatever you decide to do this weekend, we hope you enjoy it with family and friends. For even more activity options, check out our Event Calendar .

Attention feline lovers, Brooklyn now has its very own pop-up cat cafe. Earlier this year we told you all about Meow Parlour, NYC's first cat cafe. Now, Brooklynites can head to The Cat's Meow in Fort Greene to meet, play with—and possibly adopt—some very adorable cats and kittens. Naturally, a cat cafe is a huge hit for kids and families, so we decided to check it out. Read on to find out what to expect, when to visit and other useful tips.

UPDATE: This cat cafe moved into permanent digs in spring 2016 at 149 Atlantic Avenue (between Clinton and Henry Streets). It's now known as Brooklyn Cat Cafe.

In a simpler time, sending our kids to school was easy; people mostly sent their children to the local public school. But as test scores drop and class sizes increase, parents are increasingly interested in looking at alternatives. Here in Los Angeles, there seems to be a new private or charter school opening every day, including science magnets, language immersion and arts focused schools. Joining the options this week is the STEM3 Academy, a high school specializing in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math for children with social or learning differences; the school's open house on Tuesday includes a special screening of Most Likely to Succeed, a lauded documentary about the state of education in America. Get educated about education and then discuss your findings over a free coffee and donut at Krispy Kreme's National Coffee Day.

October kicks off mid-week, and hints of Halloween are in the air. Stop by Barnes & Noble for Spooky Story Halloween. Rejoice in the season at the Great Pumpkin Festival, and Trailside’s Hayride & Campfire. Plus, get your thrills and chills at Six Flag’s renowned Fright Fest. And don’t forget to check out our Event Calendar for even more options!

As we welcome in October this week, there is so much fall fun for kids of all ages. From fairs and festivals to the launch of the Rise of the Jack O'Lanterns, families can start to celebrate the season in a variety of ways.

Looking to get a jump on Halloween activities? Check out our Halloween Guide. Also, be sure to visit our Long Island Events Calendar often. And if you want events sent directly to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter