(If you missed, Part I, you can find it at 50 Free Fall Activities for Kids in NYC (Part I). You can also print out this “50 Free Fall Activities for Kids in NYC” pdf to have all of the picks in one place.)
1. Free Museum Days
See our “33 Free or Pay What You Wish Museums for NYC Families” post
9/22/10-12/2012
Multiple
2. Saturday Family Program: Reggae! Calypso! Folk Music!
Families will enjoy this interactive West Indian and American song and dance performance with entertainer Conroy Warren at Brooklyn Central Library’s Dweck Center.
10/6/12
Brooklyn
3. 2012 Little Red Lighthouse Festival
Enjoy the 20th Anniversary of Little Red Lighthouse Festival in Fort Washington Park with your family. Celebrating the only remaining lighthouse in Manhattan, this event includes tours of the lighthouse, live performances, arts and crafts, fishing clinics and much more.
10/6/12
Manhattan
4. NewSong Music: Songwriting workshop with James Maddock
Songwriters of all ages can learn from British born singer and bandleader James Maddock.
10/6/12
Manhattan
5. Oktoberfest & Pumpkin Patch
Sunnyside Gardens Park (which is normally closed to non-members) is open to everyone for its sixth annual fest. There will be live musical performances, pumpkin picking and decorating, classic German style foods and raffles are some of the events planned for the festival.
10/6/12
Queens
6. A Clearing in a Forest: Wildlife
In honor of Halloween, biologist Bill Schutt will lead this session at Peter J. Sharp Children’s Glade focused on animals that suck blood – “the real vampires of NYC”. Please note that this program will be canceled if the weather is bad outside. P
10/7/12
Manhattan
7. McGraw-Hill CarnegieKids: Elizabeth Mitchell And You Are My Flower
Little ones (ages three to six) will enjoy this fun, interactive, 45-minute concert by
children’s indie-folk music artist Elizabeth Mitchell.
10/10/12
Manhattan
8. Adaptive Sports Carnival
If you have a family member with disabilities, enjoy a day of adaptive sports (track, basketball and goal ball) at this event! Please call David Deas at 718-353-7853 for more information.
10/18/12
Queens
9. Harvest Festival
Bring the entire family to celebrate the fall season at this Harvest Festival on Pier 6. Plans for the day include pumpkin patches, musical entertainment, activities, crafts, fun workshops and much more.
10/20/12
Brooklyn
10. Jefferson Market Garden Children’s Harvest Festival 2012
At this fun event, families will receive free kid-size pumpkins as well as the supplies to decorate them on-site. In addition to decorating pumpkins, there will also be entertainment, seasonal autumn crafts, treats and other simple fall pleasures (i.e. kicking leaves and rolling off bales of straw) that aren’t common for city families.
10/20/12
Manhattan
11. Woodland Discovery Day
Bring the family for this guided intro to the new Woodlands exhibit. Starting at Charles A. Dana Discovery Center (inside Central Park at 110th Street between Lenox and Fifth Avenues), borrow a North Woods Discovery Kit and go exploring in the nearby North Woods.
10/20/12
Manhattan
12. Pooch Parade
If your family owns a dog, this will be a fun Halloween party for pooches. Prizes will be awarded for best costume, longest tail, and more.
10/20/12
Staten Island
13. Halloween Movie Night CANCELED
Join the Trinity Church Halloween celebration with free movies for kids and grownups. There will also be an organ demonstration for children.
10/26/12
Manhattan
14. Halloween Weekend – Ghoul Pool
Halloween Pool Party anyone? If so, enjoy this family-friendly one at the Van Cortlandt Park Pool.
10/27/12
Bronx
15. Halloween Haunted Walk & Carnival
Rain or shine, this popular haunted hike leads to Lookout Hill. While very young kids might be too scared, children who come with a parent or guardian should be fine.
10/27/12
Brooklyn
16. Tricks & Treats
The family will enjoy this Halloween party at Le Carrousel in Bryant Park. Justin the Magician will perform illusions and kids will have the chance to ride on the carousel.
10/27/12
Manhattan
17. Creepy Crawly Halloween
Take the family to Prospect Park for some creepy critter (spiders, worms and such) fun. Crafts, live critters and hands-on experiments are on the schedule.
10/28/12
Brooklyn
18. The Friends of Washington Market Park Annual Halloween Costume Parade and Party
Attend this popular annual Halloween Party and Costume Parade. There will be a variety of family friendly events (i.e. Penny in a Haystack, a Bone Dig in the sandbox and a Hay Maze on the lawn) and arts & crafts at the party. In addition, Princess Katie and Racer Steve will perform a kids’ concert.
10/28/12
Manhattan
19. The Greenbelt Monster Mash
This event (for families with kids ages 2 and up) is being held at Greenbelt Recreation Center. A haunted house, apple picking, games, arts and crafts and more are all on the day’s agenda.
10/30/12
Staten Island
20. Village Halloween Parade
While it can be a little risqué, this parade is something that your kids will probably want to experience at least once! You will enjoy puppets, bands, dancers, artists and other costumed new Yorkers in this annual extravaganza.
10/31/12
Manhattan
21. Jogja HipHop Foundation
See this Indonesian crew promote diversity and pluralism with a combination of music, ancient Javanese poetry and literature at this event.
11/15/12
Manhattan
22. Family Volunteer Day
Meet inside Central Park at Duke Ellington Circle (110th Street and Fifth Avenue) for this families-only volunteer day to beautify Central Park. Tools and gloves will be provided for families with kids ages 4 and up. FYI: BE certain to wear closed-toe shoes.
11/17/12
Manhattan
23. Macy’s Parade 2012
Don’t miss the 86th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. In addition to the balloons, there will be exciting performance groups, marching bands, artists and more are on this year’s lineup.
11/22/12
Manhattan
24. Grand Illumination
Celebrate the holiday season at Staten Island’s Conference House at this Annual Grand Illumination ceremony. There will be caroling, homemade holiday cookies, hot mulled cider and more.
12/7/12
Staten Island
25. Hands-on History: Decorate the Manor
Decorate for the winter by bringing greenery inside. This winter decoration class for families will get you on your way.
12/15/12
Queens