We finish up our series of posts about Red Hook, Brooklyn with a roundup of our 12 favorite family restaurants in the waterfront nabe. While many folks I know appreciate the value of Ikea's .99-cent breakfasts and kids-eat-free Tuesdays, there are more eclectic options to fit all budgets.

Since Red Hook was originally populated by Italian and Irish dock workers, some newer restaurants pay tribute to that colorful history while others, like DeFonte's Sandwich Shop, actually date back that far. Meanwhile famous foodie "secret," the Red Hook Food Vendors, are celebrating their 40th anniversary this year. From homemade marshmallows to piping-hot pupusas to meat-and-cheese-filled heroes, these are my family's go-to restaurants when eating in 'da Hook.

Celebrate Halloween with these spooktacular events throughout Long Island this weekend. From pumpkin farms to trick or treating, fall festivals and more, these family friendly activities won't be receiving any boos from your crowd.

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Start your November by celebrating the Day of the Dead in Arlington or Cambridge. If you aren't quite ready to say good-bye to Halloween, this weekend gives you one last chance to see the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular and the Marini Farm Corn Maze. Or, if you'd like to say a very dramatic good-bye to Halloween, check out the Smolak Farms Pumpkin Smash.

In performances this weekend, don't miss the Billy Jones Band making music from everyday objects. TIm of Tim and the Space Cadets performs at the Coolidge Corner Theater. And the music of Woodie Guthrie comes to life in a puppet show. 

Also on Mommy Poppins this week:

• Have more Halloween candy than your family can (or should) eat? Tara has tips for making most of it disappear.
• We wrap up our focus on Providence with a must-read before taking your kids to WaterFire and highlights for families at the Culinary Arts Museum.
• Ally shows us how to make Cheesecloth Ghosts and a pumpkin bowling game as part of our Wee Work series.
• Mommy Poppins writers share their '70s nostalgia: Adorably Awkward Halloween photos from our childhood.

Enjoy your weekend and don't forget to check out the full events calendar!

Halloween may be on Friday, but the spooky fun continues this weekend around Westchester! Extend the All Hallow’s Eve fun with The Legend Behind The 'Legend', Scared By The Sound, Horseman’s Hollow and Jay Ghoul's House of Curiosities.

On the heels of Halloween comes Dia de los Muertos, a Mexican tradition and two local celebrations: Day of the Dead in Yonkers and Day of the Dead Performance & Reception.

Though Skull-tastic and Eerie Expo might sound Halloween-y, the first is a study of animals from the inside out, and the latter is a great opportunity to meet best-selling authors.

Other weekend highlights are an eclectic assortment of fun. Check out Antics Dance: Illuminated Manuscript, a storytelling and multimedia hip-hop performance or Watch Mr. Wizard, an interactive science event. If fairies are more your thing, drop in for tea at the Fairy Tea Party--a must for those who love to wear wings.

Be sure to visit our Event Calendar for other great events happening every day in Westchester and the Hudson Valley!

Due to rain on Saturday, some outdoor events may be canceled or rescheduled. Before heading out to an activity, be sure to check on its official website to make sure it's still on. After eating all that candy on Friday night, your kids are going to have quite the sugar rush to burn off this weekend. And there are lots of great ways to do it, including two FREE Day of the Dead festivals and a few late Halloween celebrations, like Greenpoint's annual costume parade and party. (Meanwhile, if you're desperate to get all that excess candy out of the house, consider donating it to a good cause.)

Non-Halloween fun includes concerts by Dan Zanes at Symphony Space and Suzi Shelton at the central branch of the Brooklyn Public Library, a multimedia take on Sleeping Beauty at Lincoln Center and the opening weekend of the American Museum of Natural History's seasonal Butterfly Conservatory.

All of our best bets for the weekend are below. As always, you can find additional options in our Event Calendar. And if you're looking to plan our your entire month, check out the new edition of our NYC Go List highlighting the absolute best things to do with kids throughout November.

Halloween inevitably ends with way too much candy, which is why we're big fans of donating or repurposing excess treats. But you know what else we have too much of on the holiday? Decorative pumpkins and gourds. Often they sit and rot on windowsills and stoops until they cave in, at which point parents can finally convince their kids to chuck 'em in the trash. But there's a more fun and environmentally friendly way to get rid of your jack-o'-lanterns: Recycle them at Pumpkin Smash, a series of FREE composting events being held throughout the five boroughs this Saturday, November 1.

One of the biggest advantages to living on Long Island is having access to some of the best beaches on the entire East Coast. While those beaches are typically packed with sun-worshippers during the summer, they’re virtually empty in the fall—making them the perfect spot to enjoy the sights and sounds of the shore, as well as snap a few photos of the entire family.

Perhaps best of all, the above locations are free to visit (small fee at Bayard Cutting Arboretum) so there’s no strain on tight budgets and all are among the most relaxing places Long Island has to offer.

For more family-friendly events and activities, be sure to check out our Long Island Events Calendar.