What’s the best part of fall? It’s tempting to just snuggle up indoors with a warm sweater and a mug of hot apple cider, but autumn is a gorgeous time in the city, and there are plenty of fall activities for kids in NYC that you won’t want to miss. From apple picking and visiting a pumpkin patch to tackling a corn maze and visiting a spooky (but not too spooky) haunted house, these fall activities are fun for the whole family. Stick around the city for some seasonal fun or head out to one of the many farms offering harvest celebrations and festive fall events. These autumnal activities are sure to please and will help you make the most of sweater weather.
Fall activities for kids in NYC
1. Boo at the Zoo
Revel in the Halloween fun amongst the animals at the Bronx Zoo with magic shows, pumpkin carving demonstrations, mind reading and trips through a spooky extinct animal graveyard. Each day, animal-themed costumed stilt walkers and Halloween animal puppets will put on a “MASKerade” while the Wildlife Theater will pull out all the stops with performances in Astor Court. Advanced tickets are required before attending and reentry is not permitted.
2. The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze
Like a well-stocked candy stash, the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze is an essential part of Halloween in New York. The attraction is set along the beautiful 18th century riverside landscape of Van Cortlandt Manor and boasts a pumpkin promenade like none other: There are over 7,000 hand-carved jack o’lanterns waiting to impress visitors. As you tour the grounds, expect synchronized lighting, spooky music and more dazzling, Instagram-worthy features like the Pumpkin Carousel and the Pumpkin Windmill.
3. Fall festivals
Pick a fall festival—or two!—and get ready to celebrate the most beautiful time of the year. We’ve rounded up celebrations with fun autumnal activities like pumpkin picking, apple picking and scary movies for kids, all of which are necessary ways to ring in September and October. Although many of these events have had to make safety adjustments this year, they’ll gladly welcome you to enjoy those candy apples and corn mazes you look forward to every season.
4. Apple picking
Nothing is sweeter in autumn than the taste of a crispy apple. We round up the best apple picking NY families love to explore, so you might want to grab an empty basket and plan a few day trips from NYC. It’s time to summon the harvest season, one Granny Smith at a time.
5. Headless Horseman Haunted Hayrides Children’s Day
In Ulster Park, New York, the Headless Horseman Haunted Hayrides and Haunted Houses is once again offering a Children’s Day event, which will take place Oct 8 and 22 from 11:30am–4pm. The “Tiny Taste of Terror” will feature a Magic Moon Maze, haunted house, haunted gardens, a dino zone, music and more.
6. Apple cider donuts
What’s chock-full of cinnamon, spice and everything nice? The best apple cider donuts NYC has each autumn, of course. Once September hits, people might start craving all-things pumpkin, but there’s no excuse to surpass delectable apple desserts. Trust us, your sweet tooth will thank you.
7. Hot chocolate in NYC
The hot chocolate in NYC has never been better! There are so many amazing, high-quality options in this city that you could take your kid on a season-long cocoa crawl, and try everything from classic cups to more creative expressions: cardamom almond milk hot chocolate, anyone?
8. Halloween movies for kids
We love scary films, and we can’t wait to share our list of the best Halloween movies for kids with you! These creepy, freaky and fun family films are perfect for kids of all agesOur ranked list will help you pick just the right shriek-worthy film for your next movie night!
9. Pumpkin picking
Just like Humpty Dumpty, it’s time to have a great fall: That means cozy sweaters, mugs of warm cider and the best pumpkin picking NY has to offer. Make a day of it. The awesome pumpkin picking NYC families love might also include farmstand treats and a hayride, some live music and a petting zoo, maybe a corn maze. Remember to wear sturdy shoes and expect the kids to get muddy. We won’t make any promises, but we bet they’ll sleep all the way home.
10. Fall foliage
Autumn is upon us, folks. Before you know it, you’ll be reaching into the closet for something plaid and scoping out the apple cider doughnut supply at the bakery. And, according to new data, now is the time to bid adieu to green leaves.
11. Scenic drives
Right along with cravings for warm apple cider, pies of all types and super cozy sweaters is the wish to see how the landscape turns into gorgeous shades of red, orange and gold. These amazing scenic drives for fall will guide the family along pretty country roads lined with falling autumn leaves, lakes, hills and jaw-dropping vistas. Don’t forget to bring the camera!
12. Corn mazes
That nip in the air tells you it’s time to start planning fall fun, which naturally should include a trip to the coolest corn mazes NY families love. You can make a day of it, and fill the afternoon with apple picking in NY, or some of the best pumpkin picking NY has in store this year. If you feel like staying with the Halloween theme, pop some popcorn after you get home and stream one of these scary movies for kids.
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