Boston families are treated to a host of family-friendly festivals this weekend, from the Boston Book Festival in Copley Square to the Great Pumpkin Fest at the EcoTarium; from Applefest at Wachusett Mountain to the Rockport Harvest Fest in Rockport Center. These, plus the Ringling Bros., Barnum & Bailey Circus, a celebration of National Archaeology Day at the Museum of Science, the Head of the Charles Regatta, and Boo at the Zoo are just some of the many weekend options available. And be sure to check our Events Calendar for more things to do.

Also on Mommy Poppins Boston this week:

• We’ve added some seasonally appropriate haunts to visit, alternatives to trick or treating, and some cool things to hand out on Halloween besides candy to our ever expanding Halloween Guide.
• Celeste has found a wealth of online forums and email lists that can be a good way of finding other parents in your neighborhood, or parents who share interests with you - if there’s an interest, there’s a forum!
• Next up in Tara’s Poppins Parents series: Pam Hess, Appalachian Mountain Club’s Director of Youth Engagement and one of the primary architects of Outdoors Rx, a program that encourages regular outdoor physical activity.

Enjoy!

The first full weekend of fall, and there are plenty of things for families to do in and around Boston, from festivals (Fluff Fest, New England Americana Festival, Boston Seafood Festival) to free admissions (Smithsonian Museum Day, National Public Land Day), and everything in between. Read on for details, and be sure to check our Events Calendar as we continually update and add to it.

Also this week week on Mommy Poppins Boston:

• Tara writes about her ideal fall day with kids in Beantown;
• Our friends at Appalachian Mountain Club have some great spots to take the kiddos to play Old MacDonald and befriend a few farm animals;
• We've found places where families can not only pick their own pumpkins but also enjoy petting farms, hayrides and corn mazes;
• Kristin reviews Aura Restaurant’s fine dining family style - an experience that takes family dining to a new level;
• Celeste offers tips for taking an international flight with your little one - a must-read for anyone planning a family trip that involves air travel.

Enjoy!

Each year, two of our favorite local theaters - the Coolidge Corner Theatre in Brookline and the Regent Theatre in Arlington - host special Saturday and Sunday morning shows just for families. The series, geared primarily to kids ages three to 10, run most weekends from October through April.

Many of the offerings are concerts, but there are also films, children's entertainers and dance performances. While there are a lot of well-known, local names on the rosters this season, there’s enough variety to keep families entertained throughout the season. Both theaters recommend purchasing tickets in advance, although you can try your luck at the door. Read on for details.