Weekend Fun for Philly Kids October 18-19: Pumpkins, Hayrides, Halloween Parades and more
Cooler temperatures, falling leaves and front lawns spotted with pumpkins are all indications of this delightful time of year known as autumn. Another sure sign of the season is the Mommy Poppins calendar jam packed with festivals, hayrides and pumpkin patches. Just this weekend, None Such Farm in Buckingham, Linvilla Orchards in Media and Shady Brook Farms in Yardley all host their fall festivals and events.
If your kids want to try out their Halloween costumes before the "Big Day," Saturday's Skippack's Halloween Parade could be the perfect venue. Or put on those costumes and head to Philadelphia Zoo's Boo at the Zoo.
On the other hand, if you have had enough of the pumpkins, scarecrows, apples and hayrides to fill your entire treat bucket to the top, escape to one of the consignment sales going on this weekend.
We have some weekend highlights below, but be sure to browse our complete event calendar for even more family fun ideas. Sign up for our newsletter as well and have our weekly roundup delivered right to your inbox.
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Philadelphia Shell Show- Philadelphia
Visit the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University to see thousands of sea shells on display.
Harry Potter Festival- Chestnut Hill
Fans of the book are sure to be amused by the variety of activities at the Harry Potter festival. Quidditch matches, Sorting Hat demonstrations and Defense Against the Dark Arts classes await every wizard and muggle.
Monster Mayhem Dine- Langhorne
The Sesame Place crew is ready to party at this special dining event. Kids can dance and sing with their favorite Sesame Street characters.
Spooky Mini Golf- Philadelphia
Grab a golf club and play a round of mini golf spooky style. Franklin Square's special golf experience features eerie music, creepy fog and spooky lights.
Pumpkin Days Celebration- Media
Tyler Arboretum provides fall fun for the whole family like building a scarecrow, picking a pumpkin or making a craft.
Happy Hauntings- Lancaster
At this time of year, guests to Dutch Wonderland enjoy Halloween themed rides, a Trick or Treat trail, costume contest and more.
Saturday
Girl Scout Workshop- Wilmington, DE
Girl Scouts at the Junior level earn most of their Animal Habitat badge steps 1-4 at this Brandywine Zoo experience.
Kitchen Science- Philadelphia
Executive chefs visit the Franklin Institute to share the science behind the art of cooking.
Animals in Costume: A Spooky Creature Feature- Philadelphia
Wagner Free Institute of Science offers this unique opportunity for children to discover how animals 'dress up' to brave the elements of their habitat. Visitors are introduced to camouflaged animals at the animal show.
Night Out- Kennett Square
The Chester County Astronomical Society brings their telescopes to Anson B. Nixon Park to help participants find their way around the heavens.
Ghost Tours of USS Olympia- Philadelphia
The Independence Seaport Museum hosts a spooky tour of the USS Olympia sure to send shivers down your spine. This historic ship is known for its paranormal activity so be prepared to be scared.
Sunday
World's Greatest Farmer Showdown- Collegeville
Visit Longview Farm and watch as local farms compete in pumpkin shots, wheelbarrow races and more.
Fall Fest- Abington
Children delight in the fun of a fall festival and Abington Art Center does not disappoint in the variety of activities offered. Art projects, moon bounce, scavenger hunt and face painting await visitors at this autumn celebration.
Grist Mill Demo Day- Philadelphia
Journey back to a time before iPods and Kindles to learn about the "Olden Days." Visitors to Bloomfield Farm in Chestnut Hill learn how a grist mill turns corn into meal and flour and what life was like in the 18th century.
Get Up and Go Healthy Running Series- Avondale
Don't miss the last race for the healthy running series. Depending on what grade children are in determines the length of the race. Races range from 50 yard dash to one mile and everyone receives a medal.
photo credit: George Widman for Historic Philadelphia, Inc.