All Weekend

Pumpkin Picking & Family Fun on the Farm (Hackettstown, NJ)
Still haven't done the whole fall farm thing? Not to worry - head to Donaldson Farm for their last weekend of autumn fun. Start your day off with a romp through the corn maze, a pony ride for the little guys or just have a laugh as you watch the duck races. Be sure and pick your own corn, gourds & pumpkin just in time to carve for Halloween. FREE admission. Pick-your-own and farm activities priced individually. Saturday & Sunday 10am-4pm. 908-852-9122.

Stagefright - A Halloween Musical (Glen Rock, NJ)
For a change of pace from the usual corn mazes and costume contests, head to the theater this weekend for some Halloween song & dance. Stage Fright, nominated in 2010 for Best Original Musical by the New Jersey Association of Community Theatres, is a charming comedy about a naive group of trick-or-treaters that come upon the house of a witch and her gang of monsters on Halloween night. Recommended for ages 7 and up. $15/Adult $12/Students & Seniors. Show times: Saturday at 1:30 & 7:30pm, Sunday at 1:30 & 6pm.

Saturday October 27

Popcorn Harvest (Lambertville, NJ)
Popcorn lovers rejoice! Visit the 130 acre Howell Living History Farm and hand pick your very own ears of popping corn. Farmers will be present to show visitors how to husk and shell the corn, and how to pop it over an open fire. Kids can take part in a tasty craft session and make their own caramel popcorn balls. FREE admission. $2 for craft. 10am-4pm. 609-737-3299.

Zoo Boo (Paramus, NJ)
Bergen County's quaint zoo celebrates Halloween in a big way. In addition to visiting the zoo's North American animals such as Buffalo, Spider Monkeys and Tamarins, costumed kids can trick-or-treat, see a magic show and listen to spooky ghost stories. And for a spine-tingling treat, hop on the Eerie Express Train Ride (not recommended for younger kids). Zoo admission plus $5/Person for train tickets. Kids 2 and under free. 11am-2pm & 6-9pm. 201-262-3771.

Liberty Science Center Costume Contest (Jersey City, NJ)
As if the kids needed another excuse to dress up, the Liberty Science Center is hosting a huge Halloween costume contest this Saturday at noon. Children ages 12 and under will parade down the grand staircase as judges decide who's wearing the most creative garb. The grand prize? A free birthday party package at the LSC - not too shabby! And be sure to check out the center's awesome new Cartoon Network animation exhibit before you leave. FREE entry to costume contest with museum admission. 201-200-1000.

New Jersey Ballet's "Ghosts of the Ballet" (Hackettstown, NJ)
Set the tone for a frightfully good Halloween weekend with New Jersey Ballet’s newest edition of Ghosts of the Ballet  which contains a variety of spooky classical and contemporary pieces. The Centenary Stage Company will host the New Jersey Ballet at the David and Carol Lackland Center’s Sitnik Theatre. Recommended for ages 6 and up. $27.50/Adult $25/Students & Seniors $15/Children 12 & under. 8pm. 908-979-0900.

WBGO Kids Jazz Concert (South Orange, NJ)
Discover America's original musical art form at the WBGO Kids Jazz Concert Series. The interactive, hour-long concert will give kids the opportunity to learn about the distinct qualities of jazz, and how the music reflects our culture. Hang around after the concert for Q&A sessions with the artists, small gifts, and a chance to win a door prize. FREE admission. Concert begins at 12:30pm (arrive 30 minutes prior to ensure a seat).

Sunday October 28

Apple Cidering (Chatham, NJ)
We've all grown up stuffing our faces with apples and cider each autumn - now the Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center in Chatham is giving NJ kids (and grownups!) a chance to go behind the scenes. Visitors will help make fresh apple cider by hand with a cider press. And of course, everyone will get a chance to taste the fruits of their labor before heading home. $3/Person. Presentations at 2 & 3pm. 973-635-6629.

3rd Annual Pumpkin Illumination (Morristown, NJ)
Add some serious spook to your weekend at the 3rd Annual Pumpkin Illumination in Morristown. Bring a carved pumpkin from home to the reflecting pond at Vail Mansion - as darkness falls, watch as hundreds of pumpkins cast an eerie glow over the water. Come early for Halloween story time and a carving competition with professional artists. Event is FREE. 5pm.

Nature Detectives: Whose Toes are Those? (Howell, NJ)
Need a break from pumpkins and costumes? Head to the Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center for the 'Whose Toes are Those' program. Kids age 7-11 will become detectives as they identify animal tracks and make a cast to take home. Advance registration required. $12.50/Child. Programs at 2 & 3:30pm. 732-842-4000 ext 1.

Don't forget: We have additional activity listings in our Event Calendar.  And if you are heading into NYC for the weekend make sure you visit the New York City Mommy Poppins events calendar  to get the latest on all the fun to be had NYC-style.

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