Halloween Weekend phillyfun Picks

It’s Halloween weekend and the roundup of spooky happenings and fiendish fun is frightfully long! If you need some help deciding which Halloween fun would be best for you and your family, let our Halloween Weekend phillyfun picks be your guide!! And of course, given the weather forecast of snow for us on Saturday, we've included plenty of indoor events for you and the kiddies to get your Halloween trick or treating fun on as well! (Note: Please be sure to check each event website before you go to make sure it's still happening before you go!)

Happy Halloween, everyone!!

PumpkinLand
Saturday Oct. 29th
10am - 1pm
SouthStreet Headhouse District
Headhouse Square
Philadelphia, PA

Historic Headhouse Square in the South Street District turns into the city’s very own pumpkin patch on Saturday Oct. 29th from 10am – 1pm with pumpkins, fun, food and more. Kids can take part in make and take pumpkin decorating, face painting, pony rides, a petting zoo, live entertainment, a costume parade and more.

Great Pumpkin Carve
Saturday Oct. 29th
5-9pm
Chaddsford Historical Society
Chaddsford, PA

Get in the Halloween spirit by touring the grounds of the Chaddsford Historical Society during it’s Great Pumpkin Carve event running this Friday Oct. 29th and Saturday Oct. 30th. View giant carved pumpkins lit and on display. Plus live music, great food, family run, hay rides and so much more. Parking in the meadow beyond the CFHS Barn Visitors Center headquarters building.
Admission is $5 per adult, children 7 to 17 are $3, and those 6 and under are free; CFHS members free with membership card. Hay rides $1.

Halloween at SMITH
Saturday Oct. 29th
10am - 1pm
SMITH Playground
East Fairmount Park
Philadelphia, PA

Saturday Oct. 29th kids and families are invited to a Halloween Party at SMITH! Party is from 10am – 1pm and will include many make and take crafts such as paint your own Halloween pumpkin, make a Halloween mask, pumpkin ring toss, facepainting, a costume parade, photoboth, pizza, treats and more! All for $10 per child, free for SMITH members.

Fairmount Halloween Festival
Saturday Oct. 29th
3-5pm
Fairmount Art Center
Philadelphia, PA

Head to the Fairmount Art Center this Saturday Oct. 29th in costumes for the Fairmount Halloween Festival and join your neighbors for merry music and art making to celebrate Halloween! For the 5th year in a row, we’ll host our sidewalk bash with tons of free, festive art making for all! Create instruments for the start of the parade which leaves FAC at 5pm and bang, shake, and thump your way through Fairmount on the expanded parade route ending at the Eastern State Penn lawn, where festivities will include a movie screening and goodies of all kinds! Let’s Get Hauntingly Creative!

Boo at the Zoo
10am - 4pm
Philadelphia Zoo
Philadelphia, PA

Kids and families can enjoy sweets and treats along with lots of other fun festivities including games, live music, and more at this last weekend of Boo at the Zoo fun taking place Saturday Oct. 29th and Sunday Oct. 30th from 10am – 4pm. Come dressed in your Halloween best and take part in the Zoo’s costume parade. Plus get a little “green” this Halloween with exhibits like the Sustainable Palm Zone and the not so scary Extinction Graveyard to learn about the extinction of species worldwide. Free for members. Tickets $15 for children ages 2-11. $18 for adults.

PumpkinFest
Sunday Oct. 30th
3-5pm
Franklin Square
Philadelphia, PA

It’s PumpkinFest at Philly’s historic Franklin Square this Sunday Oct. 29th (posponed from Sat due to inclement weather) from 3-6pm featuring Halloween fun for the whole family. Enjoy a costume parade, spooky mini-golf, pumpkin and face panting, entertainment, live appearances, a trick or treat trail and much more! CORRECTION: PumpkinFest is not free as previously indicated. Tickets are available to raise money for FranklinSquare. Tickets are $40 for individuals, $140 for family four pack. 2 and under free. All proceeds benefit FranklinSquare.

Rittenhouse Row Halloween Celebration
Saturday Oct. 29th
10am - 5pm
Rittenhouse Row
Philadelphia, PA

Families can enjoy trick or treating all over Rittenhouse Row on Saturday Oct. 29th from 10am - 5pm. Start at DiBruno Bros. 1731 Chestnut St. Pick up trick or treat map. Activities all day. Costume contest from 10am - 12 Noon. Free

Witches of Narberth and Halloween Parade
Sunday Oct. 30th
Witch Hunt starts at 1pm, parade is from 6-8pm
Forrest and Haverford Ave.
Narberth, PA

The borough of suburban Narberth is transformed for the Witches of Narberth when the witches descend for some family friendly frightful good fun. On Sunday Oct. 30th (postponed from Sat due to weather) starting at 1pm Halloween weekend kicks off with scavenger hunt to find the 13 hidden witches throughout the town while collecting treats along the way. The witch hunt runs until 4pm or when the prizes are all gone. Free.

Trick or Treat: A Halloween Nestival
Sunday Oct. 30th
10am - 1pm
Nest Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA

Kids and parents can enjoy 12,000 sq. feet of not so spooky activities for the 8 and under set at Nest, Philadelphia’s new indoor kids space located in the heart of Center City on Sunday Oct. 30th from 10am - 1pm. Enjoy ghostly cupcake decorating, catered delights, design your own Halloween tote craft, a “Zoo on wheels” petting zoo, facepainter, Monster Mash Freeze Dance, a black cat scavenger hunt and other family fun. $10 per family. Free for members.

New Hope Railroad Trick or Treat Train Ride
Saturday Oct. 29th and Sunday Oct. 30th
Trick or Treat Trains run hourly
New Hope & Ivy Land Railroad
New Hope, PA

All aboard the trick or treat train at the New Hope Railroad this Saturday Oct. 29th and Sunday Oct. 30th. Children of all ages are encouraged to come dressed in their costumes to ride the spooky train finishing up with some trick or treating around the station afterwards. Goodies and trick or treat bags will be available at the station and on-board. Tickets run $7 for toddlers, $26 for children ages 2-11 and $28 for adults.

Little Boo at the Zoo
Sunday Oct. 30th
11am -1pm
Elmwood Park Zoo
Norristown, PA

Little Boo at the Zoo at Norristown Elmwood Park's Zoo is great for the youngest trick-or-treaters and offers not-so-scary entertainment and Halloween fun. Children are encouraged to dress in costumes and trick or treat throughout the zoo on October 30 from 11:00am-1:00pm. Free with paid admission. Adults $12. Children ages 2-12 $9. Under 2 are free.

Nightmare at Elmwood Park Zoo
Sat. Oct. 29th and Sun. Oct. 30th
6-9pm
Elmwood Park Zoo
Norristown, PA

It's the final weekend of theNightmare at Elmwood Park Zoo running Friday Oct. 21st through Sunday Oct. 23rd from 6-9pm. This family friendly fright fest is the perfect alternative to door to door trick or treating with candy stations, corn mazes and costume contests. Plus enjoy the Mad Scientist’s Laboratory, a Harry Potter themed Wizard’s Alley, and much more. Free with paid admission. Free with paid admission. Adults $12. Children ages 2-12 $9. Under 2 are free.

Halloween Weekend phillyfun Picks

Great Pumpkin Carve

It's the Great Pumpkin Carve!! The annual Chaddsford Great Pumpkin Carve kicks off on Thursday Oct. 27th from 5pm-9pm. This Thursday the 27th local artists will compete by carving huge pumpkins on the grounds of the Chadds Ford Historical Society and winners will be announced Friday.

Families can enjoy the lit and displayed carved pumpkins all three nights Thursday Oct. 27th through Saturday Oct. 29th. In addition to the pumpkins, On all three nights there will be family fun, good food, live music, and hay rides! Admission is $5 per adult, children 7 to 17 are $3, and those 6 and under are free; CFHS members free with membership card. Hay rides $1. Parking in the meadow beyond the CFHS Barn Visitors Center headquarters building.

Great Pumpkin Carve

Free Sunday Fun

In addition to our Weekend phillyfun picks, check out these great Free Sunday Fun ideas!

Halloween Themed Story Time at Cake and the Beanstalk
Enjoy Halloween Themed Story Time Sunday at Cake and the Beanstalk Sunday Oct. 23rd from 9:45 am-10:30 am. Plus free cookies to all kids attending (targeted age range 4-7)! Cake and the Beanstalk is located at 1112 Locust St. in Philadelphia.

Free Suzuki Music Demo Class
Want to try a music class for your little one? This weekend is the perfect opportunity with a FREE Suzuki Babies and Toddlers Music Demo Class to be held on Sunday, Oct 23rd from 1-2pm at the Twentieth Century Club, 84 S Lansdowne Ave, Lansdowne, PA. This FREE demo class will be offered by Shelly Beard Schleigh, musician, mother of Violet, and wife to Michael Schleigh. Shelley directs the Suzuki Academy at The Music School of Delaware. She teaches violin and viola lessons for the program both at her home in Lansdowne and at the school’s main branch in North Wilmington. And Shelly was also a guest phillyfun mom a few months ago if you want to read her awesome post about fun things to do with kids in Lansdowne!

Plus, as a bonus today - check out this special 1/2 off deal from Plays & Players for phillyfun4kids readers:

Take advantage of half price admission to this weekend's performances of the Hear Again Radio Project's "Halloween Spooktacular!". The Halloween Radio Project looks to the past to explore the future! Vintage old time radio goodness: two classic radio programs for the whole family, featuring live music & Foley sound effects at each performance. Scripts from Slurp! and Special to Hollywood! Showtimes today, Sunday Oct. 23rd, are at 4pm and 7pm at the 1714 Delancey Place.

To take advantage of the 1/2 off promotion, just order tickets online and enter promo code "players" to receive 1/2 off your order. Tickets must be ordered online at least 2 hours prior to the show times. You may also mention "players" at the door for a 30% discount ($15 discounts marked down to $10). Regular tickets run $12 in advance and $15 at the door.

Free Sunday Fun

Weekend phillyfun picks

I'm not sure what I love more - Halloween or the weekends leading up to Halloween!! There is so much to do this weekend it’s almost scary! How will you and your littlest goblins ever decide? Get the costumes ready for their dress rehearsal debut and check out all this pre-Halloween fun for the kiddies this weekend!


Monster Mash
Friday Oct. 21st and Saturday Oct. 22nd
6-9pm
Please Touch Museum
Memorial Hall, Fairmount Park
Philadelphia, PA

This annual “not so scary” event will thrill even the littlest ghouls in your family at the Please Touch Museum this Friday October 21st and Saturday October 22nd from 6-9pm. Kids will enjoy trick or treating throughout the museum with special spooktacular themed art activities and costumed characters, free unlimited carousel rides and more! (Note: Saturday event is open to current Please Touch Museum Members only and not open to the general public.) Tickets $15-20. Family four pack tickets also available.

Not So Scary Halloween Event at Fernbrook Farms - Chesterfield
Friday Oct. 21st and Sat. Oct. 22nd
Starts at 6:30pm
Fernbrook Farms Education Center
Chesterfield, NJ

Enjoy this weekend of fall and Halloween fun at Fernbrook Farms in Chesterfield NJ this weekend starting at 6:30pm (runs Friday Oct. 21st through Sat. Oct. 22nd). Take a hayride complete with Halloween storytelling, enjoy a roaring campfire, roasting marshmallows, games and other festive fall fun. $7-$12. Three and under free. Call 609-298-4028 to register in advance.

Boo at the Zoo
Saturday Oct. 22nd and Sunday Oct. 23rd
10am - 4pm
Philadelphia Zoo
Philadelphia, PA

Kids and families can enjoy sweets and treats along with lots of other fun festivities including games, live music, and more at this first weekend of Boo at the Zoo fun taking place Saturday Oct. 22nd and Sunday Oct. 23rd from 10am – 4pm. Come dressed in your Halloween best and take part in the Zoo’s costume parade. Plus get a little “green” this Halloween with exhibits like the Sustainable Palm Zone and the not so scary Extinction Graveyard to learn about the extinction of species worldwide. Free for members. Tickets $15 for children ages 2-11. $18 for adults.

Nightmare at Elmwood Park Zoo
Friday Oct. 21st - Sunday Oct. 23rd
6-9pm
Elmwood Park Zoo
Norristown, PA

This weekend is the opening of the Nightmare at Elmwood Park Zoo running Friday Oct. 21st through Sunday Oct. 23rd from 6-9pm. This family friendly fright fest is the perfect alternative to door to door trick or treating with candy stations, corn mazes and costume contests. Plus enjoy the Mad Scientist’s Laboratory, a Harry Potter themed Wizard’s Alley, and much more. Free with paid admission. Adults $12. Children ages 2-12 $9. Under 2 are free.

Franklin Square Pumpkin Patch
Saturday Oct. 22nd and Sunday Oct. 23rd
12 Noon - 3pm
Franklin Square
Philadelphia, PA

Head to Philly’s historic Franklin Square this weekend for the Franklin Square Pumpkin Patch running Sat. Oct. 22nd and Sunday Oct. 23rd from 12 Noon – 3pm. Kids are welcome to pick their pumpkin from the Franklin Square Pumpkin Patch and then decorate it with paint markers, stickers and more. Free.


West Chester Railroad Great Pumpkin Express
Saturday Oct. 22nd and Sunday Oct. 23rd
11am and 2pm
West Chester Railroad
West Chester, PA

Enjoy a haunted train ride on the West Chester Railroad Great Pumpkin Express through beautiful Chester Creek Valley this Saturday Oct. 22nd and Sunday Oct. 23h at 11am and 2pm on this “not so spooky” train ride through the village of Glenn Mills and back. Be sure to dress in full costume for some special treats and maybe some tricks, too! $12.50 for adults, $10.50 for children ages 2-12. Toddlers ride free.

New Hope Railroad Trick or Treat Train Ride
Saturday Oct. 22nd and Sunday Oct. 23rd
New Hope & Ivyland Railroad
New Hope, PA

All aboard the trick or treat train at the New Hope Railroad this Saturday Oct. 22nd and Sunday Oct. 23rd. Children of all ages are encouraged to come dressed in their costumes to ride the spooky train finishing up with some trick or treating around the station afterwards. Goodies and trick or treat bags will be available at the station and on-board. Tickets run $7 for toddlers, $26 for children ages 2-11 and $28 for adults.

Halloween Festival at the Mainline YMCA
Sunday Oct 23rd
11am - 5pm
Main Line YMCA
Berwyn, PA

Sunday Oct. 23rd marks the Halloween Festival at the Upper Main Line YMCA from 11am – 5pm. Families can enjoy a “lights-on” tour of their haunted house, hayrides, crafts, pumpkin painting, storytelling, face painting, a moon bounce and much more. $13 for non-members. $10 for YMCA members.

Weekend phillyfun picks

Tales from the City of Motherly Love - Germantown, Mt. Airy, & Chestnut Hill

I couldn't be more excited to introduce this next post in our Tales from the City of Motherly Love guest mommy series. This post is lovingly written by Blakely Minton, Head Philadelphia Mom for Daily Deals for Moms, real estate agent with D. Patrick Welsh Real Estate and proud and tired mama to Harper and Emrey. I've always had a special place in my heart for Chestnut HIll and always wanted to learn more about the fabulous Mt. Airy and Germantown neighborhoods, too. So, this guest post is a triple whammy with fun things for families and kids in not one, not two, but all three of these amazing parts of our great city. Thanks, Blakely!

When my husband and I were ready to move out of Center City we were looking for only two things, close proximity to the city so we could still feel a part of the “scene” and the ability to park our cars in front of our house. We settled on a small street of twins on the border between Germantown and Mt. Airy. Almost 5 years, 1 dog and 2 kids later we are still discovering reasons why we love the neighborhood that Oprah herself applauded for its racial diversity and neighborhood appeal.

During the U.S. Revolutionary War era this area was a popular summer vacation spot for Center City families because of the cooler temperatures provided by its higher elevation and leafy streets. Today, the wide variety of 19th and early 20th century stone cottages, by many of the most prominent Philadelphia architects, are a beautiful reminder of the area’s cemented place in our country’s history. It’s present place is a wonderful intersection of three different, yet compatible, neighborhoods that come together throughout the year for various community events, including Mt. Airy Days in May, Chestnut Hill Fall for the Arts Festival and Harry Potter Weekend in Chestnut Hill where you can watch The 2nd Annual Philadelphia Brotherly Love Cup Quidditch Tournament.

There is also a shared sense of the need for a valuable education, which is why there is a myriad of alternative school options, from Cooperative Nursery School, The Big Backyard Nursery School, The Miquon School and the nationally recognized Germantown Friends School, which provides neighborhood children with a variety of places to learn, play and grow depending on their needs, resources and beliefs from nursery school to high school.

Germantown is bursting at the seams with historical locales, including The Ebenezer Maxwell Mansion, the only Victorian house museum in Philadelphia, Johnson House, Philadelphia’s only accessible and intact stop on the Underground Railroad, Awbury Arboretum, a 55-acre public landscape and historic house focused on connecting an urban community with nature and history, Wyck House, one of Philadelphia's oldest houses is also home to Wyck's Farmers' Market open every Friday from 2:00 to 6:00. These are just a few destinations that will keep your family immersed in history and proud to be a part of this great city. Germantown isn’t all learning and no play! It is also the home to the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts, which offers classes for kids age 3-15, summer camps and birthday party packages that will have your child’s friends talking about for weeks!

Mt. Airy is sandwiched between the quaint shops and upscale neighborhoods of Chestnut Hill and the culturally diverse Germantown shops and neighborhoods. This is probably why Mt. Airy is able to blend both of these personalities in perfect harmony. Mt. Airy’s “downtown” is where you will find Weaver’s Way Co-op, whose mission is to “provide community members with high quality, fairly priced food that is purchased from local farmers and vendors whenever possible.” The community’s support of this belief was evident when Weaver’s Way was recently able to open another location in Chestnut Hill. Around the corner from the coop is Blue Marble Bookstore, an anti-Barnes and Nobles in every inviting sense that only an independent book store can provide. Their children’s story time is like being read to by a literary master in the comfort of a friend’s home. A few blocks away is The Mt. Airy Learning Tree, which offers over 250 classes, ranging from Tai Chi, yoga, drawing, knitting, cooking, computers, How To classes and many more for all ages, backgrounds and skills. An unique and successful idea of neighbors teaching neighbors. As you head up Germantown Avenue on your way to Chestnut Hill you will see, The Trolley Car Diner, named after the Route 23 trolley car that used to rumble down Germantown Avenue. It is the “family” jewel of Mt. Airy offering parents not only a place to dine without cringing every time their kids squawk, but on Tuesdays, from 5-9, they can throw their fries all they want since kids dinners are half price! They are an active part of the fundraising community and offer family-friendly events throughout the year. Our favorite being their Summer Movie Series where they screen family movies outside…a prefect way to erase those “bewitching” hours!

Chestnut Hill is a neighborhood on a hill that is in constant and delightful contradiction. It is a college town without the uproar of rambunctious college coeds. It is an affluent town of delightful stone mansions without the air of riches. It is a shopping and dining destination without the throngs of hurried people. Found amongst the predominately independently-owned businesses lining Germantown Avenue are two of our favorite go-to spots. The Little Treehouse Café is the place to be if you like a big, colorful play space filled with wooden toys that you don’t have to clean up! It is the perfect destination when the weather is not. They also offer classes from tumbling to music, birthday party packages and have a full kitchen providing delicious lunch and dinner options. What’s not to love about an evening out with friends, eating and drinking (yes, it is BYOB!), while your kids play in sight! Our next stop is O’Doodles, an award-winning, specialty toy store that is dedicated to providing kids with toys that are powered by imagination, not plugs...what a novel idea in this battery powered world!

A constant theme of the area is the accessibility to parks, they can be found almost around every turn, but here are two local favorites:

Wissahickon Valley Park is a part of Fairmount Park, one of the largest city parks in the world, with the Wissahickon Creek, running its entire seven mile stretch from Chestnut Hill to Manayunk, creating a wooded valley that is electrified in the Fall by the morphing colors of foliage. Forbidden Drive, which is closed to cars, runs parallel to the creek and provides the prefect outdoor classroom for little eyes to explore from their stroller, bike or parental perch. The Valley Green Inn is found farther up the trail and has been a special creek side dining spot since the 1850’s. For the more adventurous families, hike to Lover's Leap, Mom Rinker's Rock and Devil's Pool where Wissahickon's legends and lore are waiting to be discovered.

Pastorius Park is a well-kept secret nestled away in Chestnut Hill a few blocks west of Germantown Avenue. During the summer months the Chestnut Hill Community Association puts on live concerts that are free to the public. These outdoor concerts are held on Wednesday nights around 7:30 pm where a natural amphitheater invites people (and dogs!) of all ages. Bring your cooler, juice boxes and snacks and set up camp to relax and listen to local music. It's a perfect place to meet up with friends and watch the kids dance the night away under the stars.

I’m proud to be a part of a neighborhood that has from colonial days committed itself to being a welcoming community for people of all backgrounds, beliefs and ages.

Blakely Minton is Head Philadelphia Mom for Daily Deals for Moms, real estate agent with D. Patrick Welsh Real Estate and proud and tired mama to Harper and Emrey.

If you would like to offer a guest mommy (or daddy) post in our Tales from the City of Motherly Love series, please contact us!

Tales from the City of Motherly Love - Germantown, Mt. Airy, & Chestnut Hill

Weekend phillyfun picks

Halloween is getting closer so there is no shortage of festive fall and Halloween themed fun things to do this weekend in Philly. Take the kiddos to one of these great events for some early celebrating!

Fall Family Fun Day and Kisses for Kyle 5K & Walk
Saturday Oct. 15
Starts at 7:30am
Peddler’s Village
Lahaska, PA

What a great way to help fight childhood cancer by taking part in the Kisses for Kyle 5K and Walk this Saturday Oct. 15th in Lahaska, PA. Plus kid participants in the walk get free Giggleberry Fair passes. Enjoy a hay maze, live performances, pony rides, face painting and other kid friendly activities. Onsite registration starts at 7:30am in the field by Giggleberry Fair. Walk starts at 9:30am.

Tyler Arboretum Pumpkin Days Celebration
Sat. Oct. 15th and Sun. Oct. 16th
10am - 5pm
Tyler Arboretum
Media, PA

It’s the annual Pumpkin Days Celebration at Tyler Arboretum this Saturday Oct. 15th and Sunday Oct. 16th from 10am – 5pm. Get out and pick your pumpkin plus enjoy live music from Makin’ Music Rockin’ Rhythms, The Jersey Corn Pickers bluegrass band, and The Lost Northern Tribe zydeco band. Enjoy a hay ride, take a tour through the haunted barn, make your own scarecrow to take home and so much more. $10 for adults, $7 children ages 3-15. Children under 3 are free. Rain or shine.

Harry Potter Weekend
Sat. Oct. 15th and Sun. Oct. 16th
Along Germantown Ave. in Chestnut Hill
Philadelphia, PA

It's Harry Potter weekend in Chestnut Hill this weekend! This free weekend-long event encourages wizards of all ages to head out to Germantown Ave in Chestnut Hill for a weekend of potions, spells, parades, falconry, wizard games and more. Plus enjoy the Brotherly Love Cup Quidditch Tournament on Saturday Oct. 15th. ! Muggles and wizards alike will enjoy this spellbinding good time! Free.

Friends of Schuylkill River Park Fall Festival
Schuylkill River Park
Sat. Oct. 15th
11am - 3pm
Pine and Taney, just west of 26th Street
Philadelphia, PA

Celebrate Schuylkill River Park and all things fall at their Fall Festival this Saturday Oct. 15th from 11am – 3pm. Kids can enjoy a 4H petting zoo, bounce in a super moon bounce, plus face painting, cupcake decorating, games, activities, and so much more. Plus families will love the costume dog contest starting at 1pm with prizes for the cutest and scariest pooch! Free.

Reading Terminal Market Harvest Festival
Sat. Oct. 15th and Sun. Oct. 16th
10am - 5pm
Reading Terminal Market
Philadelphia, PA

It’s that time of year again and Reading Terminal Market is the place to be this Saturday Oct. 15th for their annual Harvest Festival. From 10am – 5pm outside the market families can enjoy the experience of an urban farm with hayrides around the Market, listen to live blue grass, enjoy cider doughnuts, caramel apples and more. Free.


Bucks County Pumpkinfest
Sat. Oct. 15th and Sun. Oct. 16th
Moravian Pottery and Tile Works
Doylestown, PA

Head to beautiful Bucks County for the 19th Annual Pumpkinfest – a fun-filled two day festival that celebrates “Red Ribbon Week,” a national anti-alcohol and other drug abuse campaign that promotes community awareness and involvement. Local artists carve giant 100-200 pound pumpkins, which are illuminated each evening for all to enjoy. Plus experience live music, great food, and fantastic fun for the kids. $5 for adults, $8 for a weekend pass. Children 12 and under $3 for one day and $5 for the weekend. Children 2 and under free.

West Chester Railroad Fall Foliage Express
Sunday Oct. 16th
West Chester Railroad
West Chester, PA

Enjoy a heated train ride on the West Chester Railroad through beautiful Chester Creek Valley this Sunday October 16th to view all of the fall beauty unveiling before our very eyes at this time of year on this 90 minute train ride through the village of Glenn Mills and back. $12.50 for adults, $10.50 for children ages 2-12. Toddlers ride free.

CAFe
Sun. Oct. 16th
12 Noon - 4pm
Crane Arts Building
Philadelphia, PA

The CAFe family day of arts, environmental education and fun for all ages takes place from 12 Noon – 4pm on Sunday Oct. 16h at the Crane Arts Building. Take part in live music, great food, and activities hosted by arts and environmental organizations. Free.


Free Suzuki Music Demo Class
Sun. Oct. 16h
1-2pm
21st Century Club
Lansdowne, PA

Want to try a music class for your little one? This weekend is the perfect opportunity with a FREE Suzuki Babies and Toddlers Music Demo Class to be held on Sunday, Oct 16 from 1-2pm at the Twentieth Century Club, 84 S Lansdowne Ave, Lansdowne, PA. Free demo class will also be offered next Sunday, Oct. 23rd too if you're too busy to make it out Sunday. Free.

Weekend phillyfun picks

Free Suzuki Babies and Toddlers Music Demo Class

Want to try a music class for your little one? This weekend is the perfect opportunity with a FREE Suzuki Babies and Toddlers Music Demo Class to be held on Sunday, Oct 16 from 1-2pm at the Twentieth Century Club, 84 S Lansdowne Ave, Lansdowne, PA. Free demo class will also be offered next Sunday, Oct. 23rd too if you're too busy to make it out Sunday.

What is suzkuki music, you're wondering? More than fifty years ago, Japanese violinist Shinichi Suzuki realized the implications of the fact that children the world over learn to speak their native language with ease. He began to apply the basic principles of language acquisition to the learning of music, and called his method the mother-tongue approach. The ideas of parent responsibility, loving encouragement, constant repetition, etc., are some of the special features of the Suzuki approach.

This FREE demo class will be offered by Shelly Beard Schleigh, musician, mother of Violet, and wife to Michael Schleigh. Shelley directs the Suzuki Academy at The Music School of Delaware. She teaches violin and viola lessons for the program both at her home in Lansdowne and at the school’s main branch in North Wilmington. And Shelly was also a guest phillyfun mom a few months ago if you want to read her awesome post about fun things to do with kids in Lansdowne!

If you would like to attend, please contact Shelley Beard at beardshelley@aol.com. Enjoy!

Free Suzuki Babies and Toddlers Music Demo Class

Sesame Place Halloween Spooktacular

We were lucky enough recently to get an opportunity to check out The Count's Halloween Spooktacular at Sesame Place on Zoe's Birthday last Friday! It was such a blast!! My 16 mo old is an Elmo lover (or "Elwo" as she so lovingly calls him!). I was worried if we waited too long to visit Sesame Place with her, she'd grow out of her Elmo phase too quickly and it would lose some of the magic for her. So we had been planning a trip for late fall anyway so it was perfect timing for a visit! We were so lucky to get to go enjoy a special advanced preview of The Count's Halloween Spooktacular, Sesame Place's awesome Halloween festivities running every weekend through Halloween, and we had such a great time. Upon arrival at Sesame Place you notice something is different by the tractor and hay bales up in the front before you enter the park. Unfortunately we never got a chance to come back and ride the hayride but it sounds like it was a lot of fun! Once inside the park it was immediately obvious from entering that you were in store for some Halloween fun with beautiful decorations and pumpkins and other fall fun everywhere.

My kids beelined for the "bouncey place" or Big BIrd's Court where they get to kick off their shoes and run around and bounce and play. We were here for a while - the girls loved it! Then we headed out to explore the other attractions and also to get our treat bags. Because part of Spooktacular is that the kids get to go trick or treating and visit special treat stations throughout the park where pint sized goodies are being handed out. What I really loved was that while there were some candy treat stations it was not candy overload and some treat stations had pretzel bags, juice, or even mini-bananas (which were a huge hit).

Throughout the rest of our visit there my older daughter got probably the best face paint she's ever had (and she's quite the facepaint connoisseur), the girls got to meet and have photos taken with Elmo and Big Bird, the 16 month old and I stealed away for an amazing time at the special Elmo's World Live show which was (of course) all about Halloween! Plus we got to enjoy the rest of the park and the totally wonderful Halloween parade that runs daily at 4pm on weekends! And there was so much we didn't even have time to see so I can't wait to go back again soon!

While a family trip to Sesame Place is not exactly "free or almost free' as the typical events we like to share here for you all, you can get some great deals including discounts on season passes and even special coupons (I had been saving up our coupons that I picked up from Wawa to get $5-$20 off our tickets when we went). Single day admission for ages 24 months and over is $55.99. But if you go, make sure you get the Elmo two day pass which is the same price but you get to come back for a 2nd day free! And don't forget your coupons to get up to $20 off per single day ticket!

Thanks Sesame Place!! We love you, Elwo!!!

[Disclaimer: phillyfun4kids was provided with three complimentary passes to Sesame Place's Spooktacular preview. All opinions expressed, and especially about how much Elmo rocks, are our own.]

Sesame Place Halloween Spooktacular

Weekend phillyfun picks

It’s a gorgeous fall weekend in Philly with Fall Festivals galore. Plus great family programming from The Philadelphia Orchestra so get the family and get out to enjoy one of these fun festive offerings this weekend!


Mum Madness and Pumpkin Parade Family Festival
Saturday Oct. 8th - Sunday Oct. 9th
1pm-4pm
Camden Children’s Garden
Camden, NJ

Head to the Camden Children’s Garden for the Mum Madness and Pumpkin Parade Family Festival on Saturday Oct. 8th and Sunday Oct. 9th from 1pm – 4:00pm. Celebrate the arrival of autumn with pumpkin crafts, a pumpkin story, and other pumpkin activities all set in the beautiful backdrop of the Garden’s chrysanthemums. Paint your own pumpkin activity (for a small fee) also available. $6. Ages 2 and under free. Ride tickets $2.

Fall for the Arts Festival
Sunday Oct. 9th
11am - 5pm
Germantown Ave.
Between Willow Grove and Rex Avenues
Chestnut Hill, PA

Bring the family out to Chestnut Hill this Sunday October 9th from 11am – 5pm to welcome autumn in the annual Chestnut Hill Fall for the Arts Festival! Families can take part in a day of art, music, food, shopping and more along Germantown Ave. between Willow Grove and Rex Avenues. Free.

Ultimate Birthday Bash!
Sunday Oct. 9th
2:30pm- 5pm
The Main Line Art Center
Haverford, PA

Main Line Parent will host the Ultimate Birthday Bash! this Sunday October 9th- a family fun festival of birthdays from 2:30-5:00pm. Sample delectable cakes from the best bakers on the Main Line and Philadelphia! Meet the best birthday, mitzvah & party experts, discover the best kids’ party locations, games and entertainers and more, all while supporting a great cause! And admission is just a Busy Box donation for The Toy Closet of Bryn Mawr Hospital. (Or suggested $5 donation per family.) Get tickets online at http://mainlineparent.com/birthday/.

Media Food and Craft Festival
Sunday October 9th
9am - 5pm
State Street
Media, PA

Postponed from last weekend, the Media Food and Craft Festival takes place on Sunday Oct. 9th from 9am - 5pm along State Street in in beautiful downtown Media. Families can enjoy over 40 outstanding restaurants enjoying their specialities plus crafters and live music on three stages. Free.

9th Annual Chili Cookoff
Sunday Oct. 9th
12 Noon - 3pm
Rotary Club of West Chester
West Chester, PA

Enjoy all you can eat chili for only $10 per person this Sunday Oct. 9th at the Rotary Club of West Chester's 9th Annual Chili Cookoff. Kids 10 and under eat free and there are plenty of things to do in the Kids Zone just for the little ones on Church Street. $10. Kids 10 and under free.


Free Neighborhood Concert
Sunday Oct. 9th
6:30pm
Performed By The Philadelphia Orchestra
The RiverStage at The Great Plaza at Penn's Landing
Columbus Boulevard between Market and Walnut Streets
Philadelhia, PA

Don’t miss this free concert from The Philadelphia Orchestra as part of its Free Neighborhood Concert Series presented by Wells Fargo. Pack a blanket and chairs to this outdoor family concert that starts at 6:30pm on Sunday October 9th at The River Stage at The Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing. Concert is free and open to the public. Seating is outdoors, first come first served.

Weekend phillyfun picks