Hi everyone! I am so excited to have a long weekend since the weekdays seem longer these days.
This weekend check out the 9th Annual Kings County Fiber Festival at Old Stone House, Reopening Day & Indigenous Peoples Day at Brooklyn Children’s Museum, Columbus Day at Brooklyn Botanic Garden, The Yard on Governors Island, Making Leaf Rubbing with Foliage Friends at Greenbelt Nature Center, Show Up, Kids! Interactive Family Comedy Online, Events for Youth and Family: Sofi’s Magical Adventure, Rebel Girls Virtual United Rally, Hopalong Andrew Live Concert in Fort Greene Park, Virtual Storytime with Miss Emily, Adventure Players Live!, Family Nature Walk in Freshkills Park and a Pumpkin Patch at Queens County Farm Museum.
Don’t forget to check out the long running events like Boo at the Zoo at Prospect Park Zoo, Pumpkin Picking at Decker Farm, Great Pumpkin Path at New York Botanical Garden, Boo at the Zoo at the Bronx Zoo, The Amazing Maize Maze® at Queens County Farm Museum, Jack & the Beanstalk at Puppetworks, Biking & Boating and Rollerskating at Lakeside in Prospect Park, the Spineless Exhibit at The New York Aquarium and The Nature of Color Exhibit at American Museum of Natural History.
These are just some of the events this weekend so check the calendar to see everything going on. Also like us on Facebook for last minute events and updates.
Enjoy the long weekend and please wear masks!
~ Deirdre (mom to O & C)
Friday October 9th
Virtual Storytime with Miss Emily
Fridays 1030-11a in October. Free. Stories, songs, fingerplays, feltboard games, puppets, and more! A short video storytime for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers will be available on the Red Hook Library’s facebook page beginning Friday morning at 10:30. Grab a cloth for peek-a-boo and join in!
Hopalong Andrew Live Concert in Fort Greene Park
Friday October 9th 11a. Location: Top of hill, south of monument in “concert grove.” LIVE CONCERTS. Outdoors. Social distance enforced by me & my lasso. Adults please wear a mask. To drop-in simply email hopalongandrew@gmail.com and he’ll email you link and payment info. To view concerts on demand become a Patreon supporter! Patreon members have access to all classes and replays for one low price. There might be a concert also Sunday in Fort Greene Park or Prospect Park. Check FB for updates here.
Adventure Players Live!
Fridays at 4p in October. Tickets $20 per Household. Best for Ages 5-9. Running Time of 45-60 minutes. Welcome to The Great Great Forest… an interactive world filled with whimsical characters and wild places where each child is a vital part of how the journey unfolds! Our adventures take us from The Great Great Forest to The Deep Deep Ocean to Outer Outer Space without ever leaving the comfort of your home.Are you ready to be an Adventurer… to explore The Great Great Forest and other exciting locations? to meet new friends and characters? to play games, learn new skills, and exercise your creativity and imagination? If the answer is YES, it’s time to get your ticket for a performance!
See all the Friday events here.
Saturday October 10th
Brooklyn Children’s Museum Reopens (Crown Heights)
Saturday October 10th 10a-7p. Play Session admission to the Museum is $13 per person. ColorLab admission to the Museum is $10 per person. A combo ticket for both experiences is $20 per person. Brooklyn Children’s Museum can’t wait to welcome our families back on Saturdays, Sundays and school holidays (10a-7p) starting on October 10. For the health and safety of our visitors, we’ve made a few changes to our schedule and policies. Read about the new guidelines here. Note: Pay-what-you-wish hours on Saturdays and Sundays during the final Play Session timeslot, from 4:45 p.m.-6:15 p.m.
9th Annual Kings County Fiber Festival at Old Stone House (Park Slope)
Saturday October 10a-5p. Free admission. Join us for a colorful Fall day in the Park at the 9th annual Kings County Fiber Festival! Shop a wide range of products from our talented vendors, you’re guaranteed to find great gifts and inspiration for your next project. Our vendors include crocheters, dyers, felters, knitters, quilters, spinners, and weavers, as well as artists creating design works that incorporate fiber as an integral material. See the current list of participating vendors here. Our goal is to raise awareness of both historic and contemporary approaches to the fiber arts, we’re planning skill demonstrations and artist talks throughout the day that are fun for all ages. See the full lineup of planned events here.
Show Up, Kids! Interactive Family Comedy Online
Saturdays 1130a until October 24th & Saturday October 31st 1230p. Tickets: $10. Purchase tickets here. The international hit comedy is back! This unique, online, live, interactive family show for kids 3-10 years old puts a wildly comedic, theatrical twist on the traditional kids’ show. When the main attraction doesn’t show up, Pete enlists the help of the kids at home to help tell a story and control everything from plot to props, characters to costumes, and settings to sound in a one-of-a-kind, 50-minute laughfest.
Events for Youth and Family: Sofi’s Magical Adventure
Saturday October 10th 1-2p. Free. “Sofi’s Magical Adventure” is a musical puppet performance based on Raquel M. Ortiz’s bilingual children’s picture book Sofi and the Magic, Musical Mural. Join Sofi exploring public art, imagination, and the Puerto Rican cultural tradition of Carnival as Sofi visits beautiful places on the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico and gets to know the carnival character, a vejigante. And, sing along, in Spanish and English, (and maybe even dance) to bouncy plena music created by four-time Grammy nominated composer William Cepeda. View the broadcast at 1 pm on Raquel Ortiz’s Facebook page.
See all the Saturday events here.
Sunday October 11th
Family Nature Walk in Freshkills Park (Staten Island)
Sunday October 11th 10a-12n. There is a $10 suggested donation per participant. Your donation supports education, programming, and research at the Freshkills Park Alliance and makes programs like this possible. Register here. Lace up your shoes for a nature walk at Freshkills Park! Freshkills Park staff will take you behind the scenes to visit areas that are currently closed to the public. On this one-mile walk, you’ll use a nature journal (provided) to learn about the different plants and animals found in the woods, wetlands, and grasslands at Freshkills Park. See the website for all the event details. Note: Location Details: We will meet in the LA Fitness parking lot
Making Leaf Rubbing with Foliage Friends at Greenbelt Nature Center (Staten Island)
Sunday October 11th 10-11a & 2-3p. Free. Registration required. Register here. Celebrate the season’s colorful changes with the Greenbelt Educators, and join us for a short and safe nature walk to gather some of autumn’s beautiful fallen leaves. We’ll learn some basics about how to identify our local tree friends, especially from the leaves and seeds that fall to the ground. We will return to the Nature Center with our bounties, and create beautiful designs in open air on the back patio by learning the simple art of leaf-rubbings. Nature’s art can be so inspiring! When we return home with our creations, it’ll always remind us of this day, this season, and the names of some of our tallest tree friends. This program is geared towards Early Childhood Education, but all are welcome! There is so much for all of us to learn, and the creative possibilities of leaf-rubbing art are actually endless! Come create with us! See the website for all the event details.
The Yard on Governors Island
Sundays October 11th & 25th 12n-4p & Saturday October 17th 12n-4p. The Yard is free. Ferry tickets need to be reserved in advance and there are fees. See the website for the details. The Yard, NYC’s only adventure playground located on Governors Island will open to the public. Safety protocols will be different this year due to the current conditions. Timed slots will be available on a first-come first-served basis at the gate. Masks will be required. No more than 30 kids in the Yard and no children under 5. Waivers: Each child will need a separate waiver to participate in either adventure play or family play area. We recommend you fill out the waiver ONLINE HERE prior to your visit. Waivers are also available at the entrance of play:groundNYC and closed-toe shoes are required. See website for all the details.
Rebel Girls Virtual United Rally
Sunday October 11th 12n EST (9a PST). Free. Register here. Join us and let’s celebrate International Day of the Girl. The Rebel Girls United Rally brings our best-selling books to life with dynamic musical and dance performances, interactive activities, and surprise guests to inspire girls of all ages. The virtual event includes original performances by Rebel Girls, dancing singing, cooking & much more! The event is to celeberate Rebel Girls universe’s newest book, Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls: 100 Immigrant Women Who Changed the World.
See all the Sunday events here.
Monday October 12th
Indigenous Peoples’ Day at Brooklyn Children’s Museum (Crown Heights)
Monday October 12th 10-1130a, 1-230p, 330-5p. $5/per person, BCM members free. Purchase tickets here. Join us on Brooklyn Children’s Museum’s rooftop to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day through storytelling, performance, games and art-making! Participate in an interactive storytelling and Hoop dance experience by Ty Defoe (Giizhig), Oneida and Ojibwe Nations; hear stories from Taino storyteller, Bobby Gonzalez; play Loteria, family-style bingo and learn about indigenous crops in Spanish and English; create a clay animal inspired by the National Museum of the American Indian’s collection of ceramics, and explore objects from BCM’s own collection! Celebrate the Indigenous histories, cultures, and heritages on Indigenous Peoples’ Day!
Columbus Day at Brooklyn Botanic Garden
BBG is open Monday October 12th and tickets are available 1040a until 440p. Admission by advance ticket only. Tickets: $18 adults, $12 students/seniors, child under 12 free. Community tickets could also be available for free (look at the bottom of the reserve ticket list). Purchase tickets here. Note: Lily Pool Terrace is closed for repairs. Food services are closed and picnicking is not permitted. Indoor spaces, interactive exhibits, and some outdoor areas are closed for your safety. Face coverings are required. Maintain social distance. Bring your own water. See what is blooming this time of year here.
Pumpkin Patch at Queens County Farm Museum
Monday October 12th 11a-430p (and also weekends in October). No fee/ticket to enter pumpkin patch — you only pay if you purchase a pumpkin. October is pumpkin month at Queens Farm. Enjoy wandering through the patch to find your perfect pumpkin. A great farm adventure for the whole family! Price based on circumference of pumpkin. Also check out Harvest Weekend activities on 10/12. See website for all the details. Note: Staggered entry times and limited capacity due to Covid. Face masks required to be worn.
See all the Monday events here.
All Weekend
Boo at the Zoo at Prospect Park Zoo
Daily until October 31st. Zoo hours are: Monday-Friday 10a-5p, weekends & holidays 10a-530p. Included in Zoo admission. Timed entry tickets can be purchased here. Prospect Park Zoo is going batty every day in October with Halloween-themed educational (and fun) decorations. Download a spooky scavenger hunt and see if you can answer the clues as you wander through the zoo. Visit the tombstones of extinct animals in sea lion court and learn why extinction isn’t inevitable with your help! Our Spooky Trail will show you some of our “spooky” neighbors who come out at night. Get creative with your masks and take a photo at one of our beautiful harvest decoration areas.
Boo at the Zoo at the Bronx Zoo
Thursdays-Sundays until November 1st and Monday October 12th. Zoo hours are 10a-5p. Tickets are required and must be reserved in advance. Reserve tickets here. Included with zoo admission. Our annual Halloween tradition is back at the Bronx Zoo. We have family-friendly activities and have taken all safety precautions for you to have a great experience. Come dressed in your Halloween best and enjoy! See the website for all the event details.
Great Pumpkin Path at New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
On display 10a-6p until November 1st (Tuesday to Sunday, and Monday federal holidays). Free with Garden admission. All visitors, including Members, must purchase or reserve timed-entry tickets in advance. Purchase tickets here. Discover plentiful pumpkins and hordes of gourds along the twists and turns of our Great Pumpkin Path on the Conservatory Lawn, culminating with some of the largest pumpkins in the world with the arrival of giant pumpkins on October 24. Keep an eye out for a display of whimsical scarecrows throughout the Garden as well. Note: Everyone is required to wear face coverings throughout the Garden grounds.
Pumpkin Picking at Decker Farm
Saturdays-Sundays 11a-5p until October 25th. Tickets online – $6/person (adults and kids of all ages) at the gate – $8/person (availability NOT guaranteed). Admission will be by timed entry ONLY, with a reduced number of tickets sold every hour starting at 11:00am and ending at 4:00pm. Any tickets remaining for each time slot can be purchased on-site on the day-of for an additional $2. Ticket availability is NOT guaranteed for any walk-up sales. Pumpkin Picking at Historic Richmond Town’s Decker Farm returns Saturday, October 3, with all of your favorite autumnal activities! Search the patch for the perfect pumpkin, learn about 19th century farm life, and indulge in delicious fall food favorites, all without leaving Staten Island! See the website for all the event details and to purchase tickets.
The Amazing Maize Maze® at Queens County Farm Museum
Fridays-Sundays 11a-430p (last ticket sold at 430p) in October. Advance Tickets: $12; $8 (ages 4-11) (plus fees). Free for ages 3 & under. Purchase tickets here. Get lost in NYC’s only corn maze! The Amazing Maize Maze adventure begins with a Stalk Talk to prepare you for the 3-acre challenge of finding clues on your way to Victory Bridge where the full vista of Van Gogh’s ‘Sunflowers’ masterpiece is revealed. Maze entry will be staggered in order to maintain event capacity.
Jack & the Beanstalk at Puppetworks (Park Slope)
Ongoing Wednesdays-Fridays at 4p and Saturdays-Sundays at 1230p & 230p until December 23rd. Tickets: Children $10 each, Adults $11 each (suggested for ages 3 and up). Jack & the Beanstalk with an original song score adapted for Marionettes by Nicolas Coppola. Call for Reservations: 718-965-3391 or e-mail to: puppetworksinfo@gmail.com NO Same Day e-mail reservations please. Performances are @ 25% Capacity, Masks Required.
Brooklyn Public Library Vitural Storytimes
Daily usually at 11a & 2p. Free. Sometimes the storytimes are on the Brooklyn Public Library Family facebook page and other times they are on a specific branch facebook page. See the website for all the details.
Biking & Boating in Prospect Park
Open daily. Hours: Boating + Biking: daily, 10a- 8p until October 12 (note: biking + boating continues on weekends only, October 13- November 1 ) See website for biking & boating rates. LeFrak Center at Lakeside will be open daily for biking, boating, with food and drink available for takeaway from the Bluestone Cafe.
Rollerskating at Lakeside in Prospect Park
Daily 12n-6p until October 12th. Pricing: $6 admission & $7 skate rentals on weekdays and $10 admission, $7 skate rentals on weekends (weekend pricing begins 4p Fridays). Roller Skating is BACK! COVID-19 safety guidelines will be followed, including mask-wearing and social distancing protocols. Skating will operate at reduced capacity. Come get moving with us at Lakeside! Lakeside’s outdoor roller skating rink provides fun for kids, tweens, and adults alike. Skate to a mix of pop hits while taking in views of Prospect Park Lake. Skate rentals are available in children and adult sizes. See website for all the details.
Spineless Exhibit at The New York Aquarium (Coney Island)
Daily 10a-4p (park closes 5p) until October 31st. Admission included with ticket. All visitors must reserve a date-specific ticket in advance. Please check Know Before You Go for details. We have great news: The New York Aquarium is reopening on August 27! Buy tickets to see all of your favorite marine animals today and enjoy summer on Coney Island! Explore Spineless, our latest exhibit, and marvel and the jellies, octopus, and more. Come wave hello to Erie the sea lion and Murphy the Harbor Seal. Relax in Ocean Wonders: Sharks! and watch the rays, sharks, and turtles.
The Nature of Color Exhibit at American Museum of Natural History (UWS)
Museum is open Wednesdays-Sundays with timed entry tickets are available 10a-4p (museum closes 530p). Exhibit is open until March 8, 2021. Select a General Admission + One or General Admission + All ticket, choose date and time of entry to the Museum, then select The Nature of Color. Reserve tickets here. Our world is awash in color. Color makes the world feel vibrant and alive. But that’s not all. Color helps us make sense of the world. It contains vast amounts of information—about the natural world, and the human world. Come and explore the world of color in this immersive exhibition.