Things to Do with Kids in Boston: Pumpkin Fest, Pumpkin Float, Head of the Charles and More, 10/20-10/21

10/17/12 - By Audrey Trieschman

Boston families are treated to a host of family-friendly festivals this weekend, from the Fungi Fest at the Harvard Museum of Natural History and the Great Pumpkin Fest at the EcoTarium to Applefest at Wachusett Mountain and the National Cranberry Festival at Edaville Railroad; two celebrations of National Archaeology Day; and the opening of Anne of Green Gables, Wheelock Family Theatre's musical adaptation of the classic book. These, plus a pumpkin float, the annual Head of the Charles Regatta, and Boo at the Zoo are just some of the many weekend options available. And be sure to check our Events Calendar for more things to do.

We’ve also added some scary-fun haunted houses (among other things) to our growing collection of things to do for Halloween. Plus, let your creative spirit run wild with our DIY Halloween decorations (and some really cute masks) for you and the kids to make together. And while the Presidential debate is fresh on our minds, it’s a good time to read our post about Teaching Your Children about Voting. Plus, be sure to enter our Boxcar Children Signed Book Giveaway!

Enjoy!

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Anne of Green Gables - Wheelock Family Theatre, Boston
Opens Friday, through 11/18

Wheelock Family Theatre opens its 2012-2013 season with Anne of Green Gables. The musical, based on the popular book by Lucy Maud Montgomery, tells the tale of Anne, an orphan girl brought to Prince Edward Island by the elderly Cuthbert siblings (they were looking for a boy). She takes much joy in life, and adapts quickly, thriving in the close-knit farming village. Tickets $20-$30

Fungi Fest: A Family Festival - Harvard Museum of Natural History, Cambridge
Saturday

Join Harvard students, faculty, and museum educators and learn how scientists collect and study mushrooms, examine an array of fungi specimens from the field and lab, and participate in kids’ activities. FREE with admission


Two events for National Archaeology Day:

AIA-Museum of Science Archaeology Fair - Museum of Science, Boston
Saturday

To celebrate National Archaeology Day, the AIA hosts a variety of interactive activities and games that explore the world of archaeology. FREE with admission

Archaeology Day - Boston University, Boston
Saturday

Archaeology Day celebrates archaeology with a mock dig, artifact exhibits, artifact interaction, opportunities to speak with graduate students about the field, and archaeology themed coloring pages for children. FREE


Two chances to see Rolie Polie Guacamole perform:

Halloween Concert with Rolie Polie Guacamole - Club Passim, Cambridge
Saturday

Costume party with Rolie Polie Guacamole, the hippest 'kindie' band from Brooklyn, NY. The high energy interactive shows are a mix of funk, rock and folk music mashed into original tunes about natural living, eating healthy and staying active. The band is in town to celebrate the release of its third album, Houses of the Moly, a cover album of traditional children's songs, featuring fan favorites: "Dragon Hunt," "Upside Down," and "Fire Truck!" Tickets $5-$10

Concert with Rolie Polie Guacamole - Amazing Things Art Center, Framingham
Saturday

If you can’t make the morning concert, Rolie Polie Guacamole performs on Saturday afternoon in Framingham. Tickets $10


Pumpkin Float - Pope John Paul II Park, Boston
Saturday

Bring your carved jack-o-lanterns and watch them float in Davenport Creek. Halloween costumes encouraged! Pumpkins can be no larger than 8 inches, or they won’t float. No registration necessary. FREE


Mister G - Coolidge Corner Theatre, Brookline
Saturday

Mister G launches his brand new bilingual (English/Spanish) CD, Chocolalala, an irresistible collection of tsongs that blend Latin rhythms, traditional instruments, and Mister G's uniquely catchy song-writing for children. Bailamos! Adults $10; Children $8


The Great Pumpkin Fest - EcoTarium, Worcester
Saturday

The Great Pumpkin Fest 2012 features a host of Halloween fun as well as a display of more than 1,500 carved and lit pumpkins after dark.

The museum and grounds are open for exploring exhibits, visiting animals, catching a free digital planetarium show, and enjoying hayrides, train rides, magic, face painting, fortune-telling, pumpkin-carving demonstrations, crafts, animal encounters and much, much more. Family-friendly costumes are encouraged. Tickets $12-$15


Head of the Charles Regatta - Charles River, Cambridge
Saturday & Sunday

Since 1965, rowers have come from far and near to the banks of the Charles River to take part in the world's largest regatta. The regatta starts at the Boston University DeWolfe Boathouse, and winds 3 miles upriver to Artesani Playground in Brighton; spectators can watch the races from various spots along the course. FREE to watch


Applefest - Wachusett Mountain, Princeton
Saturday & Sunday

AppleFest features over 75 craft fair and farmers market booths, family entertainment, chainsaw carving demonstrations, scenic foliage skyrides to the summit, mountainside barbecue, pony & hay rides, clowns, the climbing wall and Euro bungee, jugglers & magicians for the kids. Adults $8-$10; Children $4-$6


Maudslay is Haunted - Maudslay State Park, Newburyport
Saturday & Sunday

Theater in the Open’s notorious annual haunting of Maudslay! Join a cast of all ages for a one-hour walk through eerie vignettes, spooky sketches and haunting scenes, all in the autumn grandeur of Maudslay State Park. Discover parts of the park you never knew existed. Bring the whole family for a variety of tricks and treats. Allow for a brief walk from the parking lot and follow the Frankenstein signs. Admission $5; parking $2. Parking in the Maudslay State Park lot, $2.


National Cranberry Festival - Edaville Railroad, Carver
Saturday & Sunday

Edaville’s annual National Cranberry Festival is a two-day event that includes a harvest marketplace of handcrafted goods and goodies featuring all things cranberry and live musical entertainment. Visitors can enjoy an authentic train ride through spectacular scenery, oftentimes past actual cranberry harvesting. Kids can meet celebrity host The Cat In The Hat, cozy up for a photo opportunity or stay for story time with one of his favorite Seuss books, live dog agility demonstrations by Thunder Under & Over in Plympton, Irish Step dancing, pony rides, and you can even take a helicopter ride for a bird’s eye view of the 1,300 acre cranberry plantation in all its fall beauty. $10 Festival admission & unlimited train rides $10; Festival admission, unlimited train rides, unlimited amusement rides $18


Boo at the Zoo - Stone Zoo, Stoneham
Saturday & Sunday

The haunted happenings include creature encounters, creepy crafts, ghoulish games, a trick-or-treat trail and the Haunted Maze! Stop by the main stage to see Radio Disney. Puppet Showplace Theatre and Catching Joy are on site on Saturday for puppet-making and Halloween crafts! FREE with admission


Kids Days at The Haunted Ship - USS Salem, Quincy
Saturdays & Sundays through 10/28

This year, families can enjoy a kid-friendly, lights-on tour of the super-scary Haunted Ship. Adults $15; Children (11 & under) $10