TOP KIDS' EVENTS IN ROCKLAND THIS OCTOBER

Our roundup of fun and low-cost things to do with kids in Rockland County, NY, this October includes fall festivals in Nyack and Pomona, Oktoberfest at Bear Mountain, and fun Halloween events throughout the county.

Open House at the Earth Institute

Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Palisades

Oct. 6

Budding scientists can meet real scientists when Columbia University’s Earth Institute hosts its annual Open House. This year’s theme is Every Continent, Every Ocean. Kids can check out fun demonstrations and participate in a variety of hands-on activities. FREE!

Calling Coyotes

Hudson Highlands Nature Museum, Cornwall

Oct. 13

Learn about those cool canines called coyotes, including how to identify their footprints and recognize their calls. Then search for signs of these small native mammals and make a plaster coyote cast to take home.

Fall Apple Fest

Memorial Park, Nyack

Oct. 14

Stop by for apple-themed games, tasty apple treats (including an apple pie bake-off), music by the Bossy Frog Band, and a chance to meet the Rockland County Sheriff’s Department horses. FREE!

Playtime at the Zoo

Bergen County Zoo, Paramus, NJ

Mondays through Oct. 22

Preschoolers can play with animal-themed toys and get up close and personal with a different live animal each week during Playtime at the Zoo.

Top Halloween Events

Halloween seems to creep into stores earlier and earlier each year, but the time is finally here to celebrate this fun and irreverent holiday. Check out these cool and creepy events and head to nymetroparents.com/halloween for details on more fun activities (like the not-to-be-missed Great Jack O’ Lantern Blaze in Westchester), costume ideas, fun recipes, our annual photo contest, and giveaways galore!

Oktoberfest

Bear Mountain State Park, Bear Mountain

Weekends in October

Bear Mountain State Park hosts a family-friendly Oktoberfest each weekend throughout the month, with German food, music, crafts, and more.

Fall on the Farm

Orchards of Concklin, Pomona

Weekends in October

Enjoy the waning days of autumn with a visit to Orchards of Concklin. Each weekend throughout the month, plus Columbus Day, the farm offers apple picking, pumpkin picking, inflatables, and other fall festivities. An inflatable haunted house and Jurassic Adventure return by popular demand.

More Fun

Search for even more fun family activities in Rockland and the NYC area in our full calendar of events!

Consult our guides to pick-your-own apple orchards and pick-your-own pumpkin patches in Southeast New York and beyond!