Thursday, September 29 and Friday, September 30

Although there aren't any specific kids' events for us to recommend on these two days, we do have a few ideas. Head out of town to pick your own apples and pumpkins. You don't have to travel far; we rounded up a bunch of places within an hour of midtown Manhattan by car, and a few are even accessible by public transportation. Check out our Pick Your Own Guide for all of your options.

Friday is your last chance to see the awesome Lego animal sculptures at the Bronx Zoo. 

Take a spin on the recently opened Jane’s Carousel in Brooklyn Bridge Park. We went to look at it last weekend and although we didn't get a chance to ride (it was swarmed due to the Dumbo Arts Festival), the merry-go-round and its glass pavilion are truly breathtaking.

Talk a walk on Section 2 of the High Line.

Head to Coney Island where the Wonder Wheel is spinning and Luna Park is still open.

Visit the Brooklyn Children’s Museum to see its brand-new interactive installation The Secret of Circles. 

Take a trip to Astoria's Museum of the Moving Image to check out the great Jim Henson’s Fantastic World exhibit. You can visit for free on Friday evening.

And if you're celebrating Rosh Hashanah, Happy New Year!

See all Thursday and Friday events.

All Weekend

Boo at the Zoo – the Bronx
The Bronx Zoo kicks off its Halloween season. Families can go on a not-too-scary haunted safari or haunted hay ride through Creepy Hollow. Tamer activities include dancing to Gigi and the Lend Me A Hand Band, animal-themed theater performances by the Lehman College Players, a costume parade, a hay maze and trick-or-treating. Boo at the Zoo is wildly popular so expect crowds. Free with zoo admission: $16 for adults, $12 for children 3-12, free for kids under 3. Don't forget to dress up the kids: For every full-priced general admission adult ticket purchased, one child in costume gets in free.

Haunted Pumpkin Garden – the Bronx
For the month of October, the New York Botanical Garden is transforming its Children’s Adventure Garden into a Haunted Pumpkin Garden with more than 500 jack-o'-lanterns elaborately carved into spiders, scarecrows, bats, snakes and other scary sights. Michael Natiello, creative director for Hudson Valley’s famous Jack O' Lantern Blaze (which also starts this weekend) is overseeing this installation, so we know it's going to be fabulous. There will also be themed activities on Saturdays and Sundays. This weekend, kids can hang out with creepy creatures like bats and cockroaches. Free with all-garden pass: $20 for adults, $8 for children 2-12, free for kids under 2.

Honey Weekend – the Bronx
Celebrate the sweet stuff at Wave Hill with honey projects and presentations, and a real beehive. Kids can collect pollen and buzz on kazoos. Free with garden admission: $8 for adults, $2 for children 6-12, free for kids under 6 and to all Saturday before noon.

Saturday October, 1

Children’s Museum of the Arts Block Party – Hudson Square
CMA welcomes families to its wonderful new home this weekend. In addition to checking out the new digs (we absolutely adore the space), you can attend a big block party today with face painting, chalk drawing, art projects and live music. The block party is FREE, museum admission is $10.

Chile Pepper Fiesta – Prospect Lefferts Gardens
While this fiery festival isn’t aimed specifically at kids, there are plenty of family attractions. Mix your own chile-spiked hot chocolate, or marvel at hot performances like pepper juggling and fire swallowing. There will also be live music on three stages, and lots of spicy grub. $15 for adults, free for children under 12.

Live Bat Encounter – Upper West Side
Everyone’s favorite nocturnal night flyer will be the subject of this special live animal presentation with bat expert Rob Mies at the American Museum of Natural History. $12.

The Story Pirates – Upper West Side
This wacky sketch troupe performs original mini-musicals based on kids' stories. Today, the Story Pirates take over the Symphony Space stage. While every show is different, these guys are consistently hilarious. $20 for adults, $13 for children.

Czech Street Festival – Upper East Side
Celebrate Czech Independence Day with marionette shows, live music, dancing and lots of food. FREE

Moona Luna – Prospect Heights
Hit the central branch of the Brooklyn Public Library for a live concert by this children's band featuring an accordion, guitars, a stand-up bass and a bilingual lead singer, who croons upbeat tunes in Spanish and English. FREE

Target First Saturday: Latino Influence – Prospect Heights
While this is a nighttime fete at the Brooklyn Museum, if you arrive on the early side, your gang can enjoy collage-making workshops, salsa lessons and live Afro-Latin Funk. FREE

Family Day: Fantastic Journey –Chelsea
Adventure awaits at the Rubin Museum of Art. Families can go on a scavenger hunt in the galleries, work on a collaborative map of the city, listen to world music, and experiment with incense, spices and fabrics. $10 per adult-child pair. Additional participants are $5 each.

See all Saturday events.

Sunday, October 2

Atlantic Antic –Brooklyn
The biggest street fair in Brooklyn boasts ten stages of live music (R&B, jazz, rock, country, kids' bands, you name it) and hundreds of vendors. Kids will dig the pony rides, inflatable rides, face painting and balloon sculptures, while parents will appreciate the eclectic selection of eats, like grilled sardines, pulled pork, baklava and more. Plus, the New York Transit Museum is holding its annual Bus Festival in conjunction with the Antic. FREE

Medieval Festival – Upper West Side
Take a trip back in time along the Hudson River. Watch knights joust and other pageantry of the era, enjoy live strolling musicians, dramatic minstrels and juggling jesters, and browse the old-school wares at many vendors. FREE

Blessing of the Animals – Upper West Side
The Feast of St. Francis of Assisi is for animal lovers of all faiths. Families can bring their pets to be blessed (you need advance tickets for the 9am service, but in the afternoon, clergy will be bestowing blessings on the grounds on a first-come, first-serve basis); watch a procession of exotic creatures including a hawk, a camel and bees; and hit a festival for live performances, face painting, a petting zoo and more. FREE

Dan Zanes – Greenwich Village
The father of kid rock celebrates the release of his brand-new family album Little Nut Tree with a concert at the Skirball Center. $25

Stories for All Ages: Enchanted Fairies & Elves – Battery Park
Kids can create magical fairy houses from twigs, moss, leaves, flowers and other natural materials, and glittery tulle fairy wings. FREE

Sneak Peak at Freshkills Park – Staten Island
The 2,200-acre landfill is shaping up to be one of NYC’s best green spaces. While it's not finished, you can get a preview of what's to come at this event. Take a kayak or walking tour of the property, bird-watch, make and fly kites, craft puppets, and check out the latest in sustainable weed management: goats! FREE

Raptor Fest –Park Slope
Get up close and personal with owls, hawks, falcons and other birds of prey with the Urban Park Rangers. FREE

Apple Festival – Floral Park
Our city's namesake fruit is celebrated at the Queens County Farm Museum. Learn about apples, try different varieties and watch as bakers make country’s largest apple cobbler. FREE

See all Sunday events.

Outside NYC

Head to Roseland, New Jersey for the Essex County Octoberfest Fall Family Celebration featuring a live animal show, a pumpkin patch maze, a petting zoo and a beehive.

Heckscher Park hosts the largest fall festival on Long Island! Expect old-time carnival rides, games, vendors, live music and a food court.

In Connecticut, you can hit one of the many corn mazes scattered across the state.

Don't forget: We have additional activity options in our Event Calendar.

Planning an event? Submit it to our calendar.

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