All Weekend

OpenHouseNY and the Historic House Festival – Citywide
Two awesome annual events join forces this year to offer tours of iconic, historic and even some private buildings and institutions, and cool related programming. We've got the scoop on all of the kid-friendly highlights, including a family festival at the Center for Architecture, a free marionette show at the Swedish Cottage, open hearth cooking demos at the King Manor Museum and a fun parade through Midtown's privately owned public spaces. Most offerings are FREE, a handful require a $5 reservation fee.

The New York Aquarium's Ascarium – Coney Island
Families can enjoy a haunted Sea-Fari, an aquatic-themed magic show, bewitching stories, crafts, treats and scarily good concerts by kid rocker Alastair Moock on Saturday, and songstress Sweet Beatz on Sunday. Free with admission: $14.95 for adults, $10.95 for children ages 3-12, free for kids under 3. Dress up the kids: For every full-priced general admission adult ticket purchased, one child in costume gets in free.

Boo at the Zoo – the Bronx
Families can go on a not-too-scary haunted safari or spooky hay ride through Creepy Hollow. Tamer activities include dancing to Gigi’s Boosical Adventures, animal-themed theater performances by the Lehman College Players, a costume parade, a hay maze and trick-or-treating. Expect crowds. Free with admission: $16 for adults, $12 for children ages 3-12, free for kids under 3. Just like the Ascarium, for every full-priced general admission adult ticket purchased, one child in costume gets in free.

Haunted Pumpkin Garden – the Bronx
The New York Botanical Garden has transformed its Children’s Adventure Garden in honor of Halloween. Marvel at more than 500 jack-o'-lanterns elaborately carved and sculpted into spiders, scarecrows, bats, snakes and other scary sights. Michael Natiello, creative director for Hudson Valley’s famous Jack O' Lantern Blaze, oversaw the installation, and it is fabulous. Free with all-garden pass of $20 for adults, $8 for children 2-12, free for kids under 2.

New Parents Expo – Midtown West
New to parenting? Learn everything you need to know at this gathering. Guests include parenting experts Rosie Pope, Liz Lange and Dr. Bob Sears, plus there will be giveaways and tons of exhibitors. And bring the kids: They'll love the play area, face painters and Big Apple Circus performers. $25 per person or $40 per couple, but you can save 20% with the discount code FONPE.

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow – Park Slope
The Puppet People’s comical rendition of Washington Irving’s haunting tale features life-size marionettes, spooky sound effects and traditional folk music. $10

The Little Prince – Midtown West
It's your last chance to catch the wonderful stage adaptation of the classic children's book at the New Victory Theater. My family and I really loved it. $14-$38

The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs – Union Square
Atlantic for Kids mounts a hilarious musical based on Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith's children's book about a very misunderstood Big Bag Wolf. $20 for adults, $10 for kids.

Treasured Stories by Eric Carle – Greenwich Village
And one last show to recommend, and it's playing this weekend only. The Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia brings a triple bill of beloved Eric Carle books, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? and Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me to the Skirball Center. The tales are told through beautiful, black-light puppetry and look really spectacular. $15-$25.

Saturday, October 15

The Return of... Star Wars – Soho
The Scholastic Store celebrates the release of Darth Vader: A 3-D Reconstruction Log with photo ops and trivia games about the Star Wars villain. Kids who come in Jedi or Sith garb will snag a special prize. FREE

Children’s Harvest Festival – Greenwich Village
Kids can decorate tiny pumpkins or do seasonal crafts. Afterward, they can help clean up Jefferson Market Park by raking leaves. FREE

Super Sabado – East Harlem
The Day of the Dead is the theme for this edition of El Museo del Barrio's free monthly family fest. Enjoy face painting, arts and crafts, live music and a spooky procession from Central Park's Dana Discovery Center to the museum. FREE

Harvest Festival – Harlem
Swindler Cove Park celebrates the season with live music, family photos, gardening workshops, arts and crafts, raffles, giveaways and a jack-o'-lantern carving contest. FREE

Desert Island Comic Zine Party – Upper East Side
The Whitney's exhibit Lyonel Feininger: At the Edge of the World features the expressionist artist's famous paintings as well as his lesser-known Chicago Sunday Times comic strips. Today, indie comic book shop Desert Island hosts a small comics fair at the museum. Families can also study Feininger’s strips and participate in drawing sessions in the galleries. Free with museum admission: $18 for adults, free for children under age 19.

Scandinavian Sing-along – Murray Hill
Kids can croon to English versions of classic Scandinavian children's songs. A fun afternoon of games, music and play at Scandinavia House. $7

Annual Wee Worship Children's Street Fair – Upper West Side
The Trinity Lutheran Church of Manhattan hosts an outdoor fest with pony rides, a bouncy castle, arts and crafts, food and a rummage sale. Free admission but there are fees for certain activities.

Tour de Parc – Battery Park City
Cyclists of all ages can hop on their bikes, scooters or trikes for this family-friendly ride. Stop at various stations along the way and enjoy helmet and bike decorating, safety lessons and an obstacle course. Advance registration required. FREE

Galumpha – Upper West Side
This three-person troupe hits Symphony Space for a stunning show full of acrobatics and artistry, as they create human statues and physical art. $25 for adults, $15 for children.

P.S. 11 Fall Festival/Crafts in Chelsea – Chelsea
This outdoor fair is great fun for the kids, with bouncy castles, face painting, arts and crafts, and more. The crafts section will feature hundreds of Etsy vendors. $10 for all-day child admission to the festival. The crafts fair is FREE.

Pooch Parade and Howl-Ween – Staten Island
Dress Fido in his Halloween finery, and then compete in fun contests like best costume, pointiest ears and longest tail. FREE

Fall for Arts Festival – Roosevelt Island
This giant cultural fete offers something for everyone. Adults can explore the alfresco art gallery, or try hands-on crafts or cooking activities. Kids can hit the Imagination Station for storytelling and bilingual musical performances. FREE

Kids Fall Fest – Flatiron
Madison Square Park's beloved annual fete features live performances by Princess Katie & Racer Steve and the circus show Traces, free treats, games, arts and crafts, face painting and pumpkin decorating. Be sure to put the kiddos in their Halloween outfits for the costume parade. FREE

The Big Draw – Financial District
The National Museum of the American Indian hosts this annual celebration of creativity. Participate in a variety of art activities and catch the Thunderbird Native American Dancers and Heyna Second Son Singers. FREE

Italian Harvest Festival – Staten Island
We love Snug Harbor year-round, but this weekend should be a particularly lovely time to visit. Kids can carve pumpkins, compost, get their faces painted like a Venetian carnival mask, or catch a marionette show. Adults can indulge in culinary demos. $8 for adults, $6 for children ages 5 and up, free for kids under 5.

Gustafer Yellowgold in Concert – Brooklyn
The little yellow alien's human alter ego, dad Morgan Taylor, performs at the Brooklyn Children's Museum. We saw Gustafer's concert/show earlier this year and really enjoyed it. FREE with museum admission: $7.50.

Sylvester and The Magic Pebble – Tribeca
The Tribeca Performing Arts Center presents this charming family show based on William Steig’s beloved children’s book about a donkey who finds a shiny red pebble and learns about friendship. $25.

Go Fish! Featuring Galli’s Fairy Tale Theater – Battery Park
Wagner Park hosts a day of catch-and-release fishing, birding, arts and crafts, and a performance of The Little Mermaid by Galli’s Fairy Tale Theater. FREE

See all Saturday events.


Sunday, October 16

Let’s Read – Upper West Side
Columbia University presents its second annual Let’s Read! kid-lit fest, with readings and activities for children ages 4 to 12. FREE

Harvest Fest and Pumpkin Patch – Flushing
The Queen’s Botanical Garden throws its annual pumpkin party with birding walks and gardening workshops, Native American storytelling, live bluegrass music and a pumpkin patch for children. Free with admission: $4 for adults, $2 for children, pumpkins cost $3 each.

Old Home Day – Staten Island
Historic Richmond Town hosts a day of old-school activities like beekeeping, chair making, tin-smithing and candle making. Free with admission: $8 for adults, $5 for children ages 4-11, free for kids under 4.

Meet the Music: Drumming the Dream – Upper West Side
This Chamber Music Society’s performance at Merkin Concert Hall is a rhythmic musical adaptation of an Indian folktale about a young girl who longs for her own drum. $15-$25

Rockaway Fall Festival – Rockaway
This annual waterfront shindig features a pumpkin patch, costume-making workshops, pony and hay rides, live entertainment, refreshments and other autumnal attractions. FREE

Gustafer Yellowgold in Concert – Upper East Side
This is your second chance this weekend to catch Morgan Taylor and his yellow extraterrestrial pal in a multimedia performance. $16 for adults, $11 for children.

Rocktober Concert Series: Princess Katie & Racer Steve – Upper West Side
The popular power-pop duo performs two sets at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan. Be sure to arrive early so you can get your name on the list as space is limited. Free with admission: $11.

Kids' Day at New York Comic Con – Midtown West
The Javits Center plays host to all of your favorite heroes and villains all weekend long, but today is the gathering's official Kids' Day. Kids can participate in wand duels, hang with Ms. Frizzle from The Magic School Bus, draw Star Wars comics, compete in a costume contest and meet iconic comic book artists. $45 for adults, free for kids under 13.

See all Sunday events.

Outside of NYC

Pumpkin and apple picking season continues. In fact, you'll find my family at Masker Orchard this weekend. See our complete pick-your-own apples and pumpkins guide.

Over in New Jersey, families can climb aboard the Great Pumpkin Train and ride to the patch to pick the perfect gourd. Or head to the Liberty Science Center where kids can explore the interactive Math Midway.

White Post Farms in Melville, Long Island is a fun place for kids. In addition to its petting zoo and pony rides, the spot features wooden play structures.

Celebrate autumn's splendor in Connecticut by taking a family hike or canoe trip at Huntington State Park in Reading.

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

Planning an event? Submit it to our calendar.

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