We are gearing up for Halloween and are releasing our massive Halloween event guide in just minutes! We discovered some Halloween preview events going on this week too. To kick-off the festivities you and your kids can paint pumpkins at Moomah and create some festive arts and crafts. You can also check out one of our favorite pre-Halloween events at the Bronx Zoo. This event focuses on animals, all while enjoying the Hess Hayride (a blast), Bug Carousel, a Haunted Safari, pumpkins and craft workshops. There is also a cool costume parade where you and your little one can march throughout the zoo, alongside a 10-foot-tall grasshopper, an 8-foot-tall butterfly, and other cool characters on stilts. The Haunted Pumpkin Garden at The New York Botanical Garden is another excellent event to check out this weekend where you and your kids can find incredible sculptures of spooky scarecrows, spiders, and snakes or view a scary show at the Pumpkin Puppet theater. Also, check out our events calendar for even more activities this weekend.
Friday, October 7th from 9:00am – 5:00pm
Inked Up: Printmakers and the Parks
This exciting exhibition highlights 30 artists from the Art Students League. On display will be interesting prints like bridges, skylines and creatures that have been designed using linoleum blocks, metal plates, and stone slabs. Details: Arsenal Gallery, Arsenal Building, 830 Fifth Avenue, Third Floor, Central Park at 64th Street, Manhattan. For additional information, please click here.
Friday, October 7th at 10:30am
Parenting Workshop: Coping with Stress
Are there any parents that don’t have stress? Well, now you can learn how to cope like a pro by learning tips from this free parent workshop. Details: Henry Street Settlement Parent Center 281 East Broadway, New York NY. For additional information, please click here.
Friday, October 7th, Saturday, October 8th and Sunday, October 9th from 11:30am-7:00pm
HIP play
Still Hip has daily playgroups in their fun playspace. Participants are simply asked to help set up and clean up the space, but there will always be someone in the store to help. Drop-ins for $3 (or 10 for $25) will always be welcome as long as there is space. Cost for 20 week session: Details: 283 Grand Avenue, Clinton Hill, Brooklyn. For additional information, please click here.
Friday, October 7th at 4:00pm
Niko Singalongs
Families love Niko and every Friday he will be playing NikosKids originals as well as a few folk standards. There is also a suggested donation of $10 for this performance. Details: Couleur Café, 435 7th Avenue, between 14th & 15th Street, Brooklyn. For additional information, please click here.
Saturday, October 8th from 8:00am-3:00pm
Textile Recycling at Greenmarkets
Do you have any old clothes that you have been meaning to donate or giveaway? GrowNYC has the perfect way for you to get ride of your old stuff by donating your old clothing, shoes, towels, sheets, scarves, hats, bags and belts for reuse or recycling. Details: You can recycle at Prospect Park Greenmarket (in Grand Army Plaza) Northwest corner of Prospect Park, Brooklyn or Fort Greene Park or McCarren Park. For additional information, please click here.
Saturday, October 8th and Sunday, October 9th from 8:00am- 10:00pm
The DeKalb Market
Housed in a collection of salvaged shipping containers, the DeKalb Market opened last week bringing together Brooklyn’s creative entrepreneurs. Located on a old containers and barren land, they are creating a new green space for downtown Brooklyn by housing vendors in 22 re-purposed shipping containers. Expect to find food vendors that range from soul food to vegan, boutique vendors like our favorites Rasany and Hank & JoJo, along with artists and makers of all kinds. The space will also be used for events and performances, making this market a potential hub day and night. Details: The Dekalb Market at 332 Flatbush Avenue- at Willoughby. The market is open 7 days a week. The Flatbush frontage has the Dekalb Avenue subway entrance to the W and Q trains and the Fulton Mall has the Hoyt Street entrance to the 2 and 3 trains. For additional information, please click here.
Saturday, October 8th and Sunday, October 9th from 9:00am – 5:00am
Paint-A-Pumpkin at Moomah
All month long the creative art space, Moomah is hosting pumpkin painting party for kids. There will also be crafts like creating your own Monster-Mash Placemat, Paint-Your-Own Haunted House, Make-Your-Own Monster Hands & Feet, and much more! This event is $15 per child. Details: Moomah, 161 Hudson Street, between Hubert and Laight Streets. For additional information, please click here.
Saturday, October 8th from 9:00am – 5:00pm
Smorgasburg
Newcomer to the Brooklyn Flea group- this outdoor market has 100 + food vendors- packaged, cooked, raw and more as well as farmers, kitchenwares, a kids activities area by Moomah, chef demos and more. This outdoor market is open rain or shine. Details: 27 N 6th Street, Brooklyn. For additional information, please click here.
Saturday, October 1st and Sunday, October 2nd at 10:00am
The Haunted Pumpkin Garden at The New York Botanical Garden
To kick-off this festive month go check out cool sculptures of spooky scarecrows, spiders, snakes, and more designed at Everett Children’s Adventure Garden. Kids can also play inside a Pumpkin House, put on a scary show in the Pumpkin Puppet theater, and look for wiggly worms under a log. This week is also Creepy Creatures Weekend with Ugh! Bugs! on Saturday where kids can get up close to insects such as Madagascar hissing cockroaches, the emperor scorpion, the pink-toe tarantula, crickets, millipedes, and more. On Sunday, its Gone Batty where kids can come face-to-face with a variety of bats, including the largest bat in the world. Details: New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd, the Bronx. For additional information, please click here.
Saturday, October 8th from 10:00am – 4:00pm
Harlem Harvest Festival
Harlem is kicking off fall with this packed festival that includes activities for kids and adults. Some highlights include: face painting, a Farmers Market, Wine Tastings, a music and dance class, a yoga class, Tai Chi, Capoiera, Samba Dance Instruction, Dance Theatre of Harlem and much more! Details: St. Nicholas Avenue between 116th and 117th Streets. For additional information, please click here.
Saturday, October 8th from 10:00am-5:30pm
Boo at the Zoo
This New York tradition is back and we can’t say enough good things about “Boo at the Zoo.” Held at the Bronx Zoo this event focuses on animals, being outside and the zoo’s landscape all while enjoying the Hess Hayride and the Haunted Safari. Some traditional favorites include the hay maze at the Butterfly Patio, Children’s Theater by the Children’s Theatre Company, music by the Gigi and the Lend Me a Hand Band, pumpkins and craft workshops at the Dancing Crane Pavilion. The costume parade is another exciting event where you and your little one can march throughout the zoo, alongside a 10-foot-tall grasshopper, an 8-foot-tall butterfly, and other cool characters on stilts. Additionally, there will be treat stations located throughout the zoo like at the Bug Carousel and a Monorail. Details: The Bronx Zoo is located off the Bronx River Parkway at Exit 6; by train via the #2 or #5 or by bus via the #9, #12, #19, #22, MetroNorth, or BxM11 Express Bus service (from Manhattan that stops just outside the gate.) To plan your trip, visit www.bronxzoo.com or call 718-367-1010.
Saturday, October 8th from 10:00 am–1:00 pm
It’s My Park Day: Fort Greene Park
The Urban Park Rangers and MillionTreesNYC have partnered up to encourage communities to take care of their parks. This event will focus on cleaning up the gorgeous Fort Greene Park to improve its diverse ecosystems and natural areas. To volunteer, please call (718) 722-3218. Details: Fort Greene Park Visitor Center (in Fort Greene Park), Myrtle Avenue, Cumberland Street, DeKalb Avenue, Brooklyn. For additional information, please click here.
Saturday, October 8th and Sunday, October 9th from 10:00am – 5:00pm
Fort Greene (Saturday) and Williamsburg (Sunday)
The Brooklyn Flea
One of our favorite marketplaces, the Brooklyn Flea is a great place to check out hundreds of unique and handmade vendors featuring vintage clothing, collectibles, antiques, jewelry, art, crafts and food. This outdoor market is open rain or shine.
Fort Greene
Saturday
176 Lafayette Ave. (btw. Clermont + Vanderbilt Ave.)
Williamsburg
Sunday
East River Waterfront (btw. North 6 + 7 St.)
Saturday, October 8th and Sunday, October 9th from 10:00am – 6:00pm
Northside Market
Check out the latest market to hit Williamsburg. Featuring artisanal and handmade goods, crafts, local musical acts and a DJ, Northside Market is an innovative new space to check out local and international goods. The pop-up market also features a cool artist gallery and even has such 25-30 food vendors such as Cantina Royal, Dub Pies, Robicelli’s (Cupcakes), Lots O’ Lobstah, and Cookie Road. We really love that this 4,100 square foot indoor space is air-conditioned and that every week throughout the summer you can expect to find something new like candy walls or mini golf. Check their twitter account (@NorthsideMkt) for up-to-the minute details! There is also a ramp for easy stroller access. Details: Northside Market, 135 Kent (corner of Kent Avenue and North 6th Street). To learn more, please click here.
Saturday, October 8th from 11:00am-1:00pm –
Annual Pumpkin Day (Rescheduled from last week)
Pumpkin season is back and this week kids can come and pick their own pumpkin, decorate it and them take home. This event also includes arts/crafts and live music. Details: McCarren Park, Lawn between Lorimer/Bedford/Driggs. For additional information, please click here.
Saturday, October 8th at 11:00am
Storytime for Babies and Toddlers
Storyteller Fiona Bloom
Every Saturday, Greenlight Bookstore is hosting a fun story time with popular authors. This week, Fiona Bloom will be reading Dinosaur vs. The Library, Read To Your Bunny and Dr. Seuss’s I Can Read With My Eyes Shut! Details: Greenlight Bookstore 686 Fulton Street, Brooklyn. For additional information, please click here.
Saturday, October 8th from 11:00am-4:00pm
Pumpkin Patch at Queens County Farm Museum
We love this time of year – pumpkins, Halloween, apples and cooler weather! To celebrate, spend your Saturday at the Queens County Farm where you and your kids can pet some animals, take a hayride, munch on apples and check out their corn maze. Details: Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Pkwy Floral Park, NY 11004, Queens. For additional information, please click here.
Saturday, October 8th from 12:00pm-1:30pm
Introduction to Birdwatching
Birdwatching is an art and you will learn how to identify all different types of aviaries at this event in Prospect Park. Details: Audubon Center at the Boathouse (in Prospect Park). For additional information, please click here
Saturday, October 8th and Sunday, October 9th from 12:00pm to 2:00pm, or from 12:00pm to 6:00 pm
Weekend Family Programs with the Brooklyn Bridge Park Playground Associates
The Brooklyn Bridge Park is hosting a fun series with educational based activities. Themes vary from week-to-week but may include recycling, rocks, weather, park collages, boats, and more. Details: Brooklyn Bridge Park: Main Street. For additional information, please click here.
Saturday, October 8th from 1:00pm-4:00pm
Greencycle Swap
After Pumpkin Day at McCarren Park swing to the Greencycle Swap where you can bring old items you have been meaning to get rid of. You can also score new items like clothes, toys, books, bikes, phones, and much more for free! Details: New Beginnings, 199 N 5th St., Brooklyn (Driggs Ave / Roebling St).
Saturday, October 8th from 1:00pm-4:00pm
Lefferts Historic House 2nd Floor Tours
This guided tour will have you viewing artifacts from the 19th century including a fully furnished 1820s bedroom. Details: Lefferts Historic House (in Prospect Park), Brooklyn. For additional information, For additional information, please click here.
Saturday, October 1st from 3:00 pm–5:00 pm
Nora Jane at 3:00pm and Jean Rohe at 4:00pm
Mad. Sq. Music: Studio Series
One of our favorite concert series is back this back. This free series, set against Madison Square Park, features singer-songwriter Nora Jane Struthers with her mixture of folk and bluegrass and Jean Rohe Trio, a band that explores the intersections of jazz, North American folk music, Brazilian and Afro-Peruvian dance traditions. Details: Madison Square Park Southern End (in Madison Square Park), Manhattan. For additional information, please click here.
Saturday, October 8th, 4:00pm – 7:00pm
Halloween Costume Swap
Looking for a Halloween costume but you don’t want to spend the big bucks? Well, swapping is the way to go where you can trade in your kids old costumes and leave with a brand spankin’ new one. This fun swap, held at Launchpad, is also open to adults. There will also be crafts on-hand. Details: Launchpad, 721 Franklin Avenue, Brooklyn, NewYork. For additional information, please click here.
Sunday, October 9th from 1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Arts and Recreation at the Audubon Center
Nature lovers will enjoy this creative workshop at the Audubon Center. This free workshop will include fun arts and crafts activities combined with outdoor nature play. Details: Audubon Center at the Boathouse (in Prospect Park). Near the Lincoln Road/Ocean Avenue entrance, Brooklyn. For additional information, please click here.
Sunday, October 9th from 1:00pm-4:00pm
Pet Parade
Friends of Hudson River Park are presenting their annual pet parade where the family dog, cat, fish, hamster or whatever else you call a pet is invited. All pets will participate for prizes in various categories such as best dressed pet, most exotic pet and best pet trick. Registration is FREE. To pre-register your pet, email Details: 44th Street and West Street, Manhattan. For additional information, please click here.
Sunday, October 9th at 1:30pm
Mario the Magician at WORD
Mario the Magician is performing his fun and lively show at WORD this weekend. for an uplifting, inventive, and highly interactive magical performance for the young and young-at-heart! This show is recommended for kids 3-11 and it is free. Inspired by Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin and Vaudeville-style theatre, this fun event will include a variety of magic tricks. Details: WORD, 126 Franklin Street (at Milton Street), Brooklyn NY. For additional information, please click here.