4th Annual Maplewood Green Day Fair (Maplewood)

The leaves may be turning colors, but Maplewood is celebrating being Green!  Enjoy a day of live bands and entertainment, live animal demonstrations and a petting zoo, kids fitness and yoga classes, worm composting, hands on nature programs, and a celebration of everything that is earth-friendly. Bring your bike for an eco-bike tour and your paperwork for the shred-a-thon! Saturday, October 9 from 11 am – 4 pm. Free.
 

The Beavers of Lake McCormak (Cranbury)

There is a real family of beavers that live in a lodge on Lake McCormack at Plainsboro Preserve! Learn all about North America's largest rodent and hike and explore some of the areas visited by the beavers. Wear comfortable walking shoes.  Saturday from 3pm to 5pm.
 

Family Fun at the Museum of Early Trades & Crafts (Madison)

Celebrate Columbus Day with a special theme craft activity and check out this family-friendly museum. Advance registration recommended; call 973-377-2982 x12.  Saturday from 1pm to 3pm. Free with admission which is $5 for adults, $3 for kids.
 

Fall Festival 2010 at VanThun Farms (Monmouth Junction)

This farm festival has it all: pumpkin picking, apple picking, hayrides, clowns, juggling, magic, puppet shows, balloon animals for the kids, live country music, crafts, vendors, food, pony rides, farm animals, corn maze, straw maze, pedal kart and trike courses, face painting, moon jump, and lots more… Saturday & Sunday from 10am to 5pm.  $5 per person.  Kids 3 and under free.
 

All Hallow's Eve at the Historical Village of Allaire (Farmingdale)

What was Halloween like more than 100 years ago?  Kids can take part in 19th century games, traditional Halloween storytelling, a costume parade and contest with prizes for all, and pumpkin painting. Sunday from noon to 4pm.  $5 per person. Kids under 6 free.
 

Fall Foliage Festival (New Brunswick)

Celebrate both Fall and the Lenape Indians!  Afternoon activities include a haunted scavenger hunt, apple tasting, pumpkin painting, a photo contest, and more. Learn about the Lenape Native Americans including how they dressed, built shelters, grew crops, fished, hunted, cooked, made tools, and grew up.  Sunday, noon to 4pm. Admission is $5 per person.
 

 NJ Devils Kids Opening Day Silly Bandz Giveaway (Newark)

The Devils are having a kids opening day. All kids in attendance receive a pack of silly bandz. Monday at 4pm. Tickets start at $13.
 

A Touch of Nature at Trailside Nature Center (Mountainside)

This live animal show includes birds, tarantulas, lizards, snakes and alligators. Recommended for ages 4 and up. Monday at 1:30. $5 per person. Tickets go on sale ½ hour before the show.  Before or after the show, check out all the rest to see at this three-story, kid-friendly nature center or head outside for the huge, fabulous playground right by the nature center.
 

For pumpkin picking and apple picking, don’t forget to call ahead to check for availability. Alstede farms for example has full weekend events on Columbus Day, but some farms may have limited weekday hours and events.