10 Things To Do With Your Kids This Fall In New York City

NEW YORK CITY — Busy back-to-school schedules in the fall make it harder for New York City parents to spend meaningful time with their children.

It’s a matter of intentionally scheduling time. From seasonal harvest festivals to arts and crafts workshops, several upcoming events in New York City are perfect for creating fall traditions and lasting memories with the kiddos.

Are you planning an event this fall? Feature it, so nearby readers see it all across Patch — including in roundups like this!

Here are 10 upcoming kid-friendly events you shouldn’t miss:

Queens County Farm Museum's Amazing Maize Maze

• What: Get lost in adventure at New York City’s only corn maze! Your journey starts with a “Stalk Talk” before you set out to hunt for clues, solve puzzles, and navigate your way to Victory Bridge—where a sweeping view of the 3-acre maze awaits. The question is: how long will it take you to conquer the towering corn?
• Where: Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Floral Park, NY 11004
• When: Saturdays and Sundays, Sept. 6-Oct. 26

Harvest Glow at the Bronx Zoo

• What: Harvest Glow is the Bronx Zoo’s reimagined, family-friendly Halloween spectacular. This fall, experience the magic of an illuminated animal-themed Jack O’ Lantern trail, journey through Dinosaur Safari after dark, and enjoy live pumpkin carving, Wildlife Theater, brand-new games, and more.
• Where: The Bronx Zoo, 2300 Southern Blvd., Bronx, NY 10460
• When: Thursdays through Sundays, Sept. 25-Oct. 31

Disney Tim Burton’s "The Nightmare Before Christmas" Light Trail

• What: Step into a moonlit wonderland as Disney Tim Burton’s "The Nightmare Before Christmas" Light Trail returns to the New York Botanical Garden. Fans can wander through illuminated scenes from the beloved film, featuring Jack Skellington, Sally, Zero, and more — with expanded displays, themed treats, and spooky-fun merchandise.
• Where: 2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx, NY 10458
• When: Wednesdays through Sundays, Sept. 25 through Nov. 30

Fall Fest at Atlantic Terminal

• What: The plaza transforms into an autumn wonderland with a pumpkin patch, face painting, Pokémon card trading, and hands-on art from the Brooklyn Museum Art Van. Enjoy a costume dance party with live music, step into a spooky haunted truck, and soak up all the festive fun.
• Where: 139 Flatbush Ave., Brooklyn, NY, 11217
• When: Oct. 11

Indigenous Peoples Day at the Brooklyn Children's Museum

• What: Experience two days of art, dance, and tradition as Native artists share their living cultures. Join Haudenosaunee social dances, try beadwork and pottery, learn mush making, and explore a Native artisan marketplace. Workshops include storytelling with Claudia Haddad, screenprinting with Fishbear Studios, and seedball making.
• Where: Brooklyn Children's Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11213
• When: Oct. 12-13

Citywide "Trick-Or-Streets"

• What: Trick-or-Streets will return to Open Streets, pedestrian plazas, and other corridors throughout the city and feature a record high 137 car-free events beginning Oct. 17 through Oct. 31. This year, Trick-or-Streets will feature Halloween and harvest-themed events. Programming will include live music, fun activities, interactive performances, and more, officials said.
• Where: Various locations citywide. Click here for more information on locations.
• When: Oct. 17-31

The Great Community Bake Sale

• What: Acclaimed chef Natasha Pickowicz teams up with Care of Chan and Lindsey Peckham for her biggest bake sale yet, bringing together more than 100 of NYC’s top bakers and pastry chefs. Expect sweet creations from stars like Sophia Roe, Carla Lalli Music, Camari Mick, Pierce Abernathy, Milk Bar, and more — all in the spirit of food, creativity, and community.
• Where: 180 Maiden Lane New York, NY 10038
• When: Oct. 18

Harvest Festival at Brooklyn Bridge Park

• What: Enjoy a lively kick-off procession, hands-on arts and crafts, storytelling, lawn games, live music, and a signature pumpkin patch where visitors can pick and decorate mini pumpkins. Free mini-pumpkins, face painting, instrument “petting zoo,” obstacle course, giant bubbles, and more community fun await.
• Where: Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 6, 334 Furman St., Brooklyn, NY 11201
• When: Oct. 18

Governors Island Pumpkin Point

• What: This year’s Governors Island fall festival goes beyond the pumpkin patch with trick-or-treating, live folk music, crafts, puppet shows, a Fall Foliage Tree Tour, performances by Hopalong Andrew, and plenty of seasonal food and drink from local vendors—all free and family-friendly.
• Where: Nolan Park, Governors Island, New York, NY 10004
• When: Oct. 25-26

Halloween Parade

• What: Every year, the New York City Department of Transportation closes several roads in lower Manhattan so that more than 50,000 costumed parade-goers can march in the annual Halloween Parade. The parade, now in its 52nd year, will send ghouls, witches, monsters and other spooky night creatures up Sixth Avenue from Canal Street to 15th Street, according to its organizers.
• Where: Sixth Avenue, from King Street to 15th Street.
• When: Oct. 31

For questions and tips, email Miranda.Levingston@Patch.com.