October 7th – 13th

kids w apples 3ALL MONTH

Exhibit Boost and IMAX films Flight of the Butterflies,  Hubble and Grand Canyon Adventure: River at Risk.  Science Museum of Virginia.

Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through October 27th
Howl-o-Scream.  6pm-10pm.  Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, VA.  At 6pm, There are serious scares when Busch Gardens becomes a more menacing place.  Fee.

Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through October 27th
Halloween Haunt.  King Dominion.  Each weekend night, Kings Dominion transforms into a horror-filled nightmare. From mazes with terrifying creatures around every corner to thrill rides that’ll haunt your dreams, it’s everything you fear and can’t wait to experience. Not for anyone under 13.  Fee.

Every Saturday and Sunday through October 27th
Planet Spooky.  Noon-5pm.  Kings Dominion.  Little Ghouls and Goblins will absolutely love this street party of frightful fun with Snoopy and the PEANUTS gang in this new daytime event for families – Planet Spooky. There are all sorts of Halloween-themed activities for kids to do that are fun-scary, not scary-scary including a petting zoo, foam pit, pumpkin painting and more!.  Fee.

Every Friday and Saturday Night in October
Petersburg Haunts Tour.  7pm-8pm.   Petersburg Courthouse, Petersburg, VA.  Find out why Petersburg is such a “spirited” city and visit some of the town’s most historic buildings. Hour-long tours are led by costumed, lantern-carrying storytellers. Reservations required: 804-943-8635.  Fee.

Every Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday through October 27th
Fall Harness Racing.   Noon-5pm.  Colonial Downs, 10515 Colonial Downs Parkway New Kent, VA.  Pacers and trotters compete on a one turn mile racetrack. Fee.

Today – Sunday, October 13th

Butterflies LIVE!   Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens.  Visitors have the opportunity to get up close and personal with these amazing creatures – watch them fly, feed and flutter all around you.  Free with Garden Admission.

Cashore Marionettes.  Virginia Repertory Theatre – Children’s Theatre of Virginia.   This world renowned marionette company will delight audiences of all ages.  Visit the website for show times.  Tickets are just $15.
Monday, October 7th

Garden Art Studio.  1pm-3pm.  Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens.  Drop-in the Garden Art Studio beside the hidden tunnel and unfold your creative energy. Use provided materials to collaborate, explore and reflect on your own Garden experience.  Free with garden admission.

Krafty Kids.  3:30pm-4:30pm.  Glen Allen Library, Henrico County.  Make a stained “glass” pumpkin. Free.

AWARE Wildlife for Teens.  6pm-7pm.  Twin Hickory Library, Henrico County.  Teens get a special program by AWARE wildlife rehabilitation group, to say thank you for the Teen Read-A-Thon this summer, which raised $300 for animal care.  Free.

Tuesday, October 8th

Ancient America.  10am-11am.  Virginia Museum of Fine Arts – Preschool Programs.  Fee.

Short Pump Pals Clubhouse Meeting.  11am.  Short Pump Mall Food Court.  Ever wonder how many eyes a starfish has or if a horseshoe crab is really crab?  Learn about and visit with live sea creatures like sea snails, sea stars, pufferfish and baby sharks during this interactive visit under the sea! Pals will receive a FREE gift!  While supplies last.  Free.

Ancient America.  2pm-3pm.  Virginia Museum of Fine Arts – Preschool Programs.  Fee.

Garden Explorations for Families- Trees. 3:30pm.  Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens. Children (all ages) with accompanying adult. Enjoy story time and a fun-filled adventure while exploring different areas of the Garden. Observe your surroundings using a variety of hands-on activities and take-home treasures. Themes change each month and new stories, activities and garden areas are introduced each week. Garden Explorations for Families is an excellent opportunity for homeschoolers! Fee.

Read 2 Rover.  4:30pm-5:30pm.  Central Library,  Chesterfield, VA.  For children struggling with reading, the comfort and companionship of the therapy dogs helps to turn something stressful into an activity that is fun and soothing. No registration is required. For more information call 804-768-7941.  Other dates and locations available – check the website.  Free.

Wednesday, October 9th

Mommy & Me and Daddies Too.  10am–11:30am.  Willow Lawn Plaza.  A free morning out with live entertainment and activities designed to enhance parents´ interaction with their children.   This month –  Rocknoceros.  Free.

Drop in and Dig!  1pm.  Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden.  Families with children are invited to drop-in and participate in simple, easy to learn gardening tasks under the guidance of Children’s Garden staff and volunteers. These family-oriented gardening experiences can easily be enjoyed at home. So join us to learn how much fun gardening with children can be!   Free with Garden Admission.

Job Club for Teens.  5pm-6:30pm.   Richmond Main Library, City of Richmond.  Experts from Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) will conduct workshops for those who are interested in earning money during the winter break. Register: 804-646-7223.  Free.

Survive! 6pm.  Rockwood Park, Chesterfield, VA. Ages 7 and up review the basics of what to do if lost in the wilderness or placed in a survival situation. Register: 804-748-1623. Fee.

The Role of Birth Order in Child Development (Parents of Children 0-10 yrs.).  6:15-7:15pm.  Delivered by Commonwealth Parenting.  Fee.

Thursday, October 10th

Colorful Creations.  11am-Noon.  Virginia Museum of Fine Arts – Preschool Programs.  Fee.

Busy Hands.  11:15am & 3:30pm.  Tuckahoe Library, Henrico County.  Preschoolers create a marbleized painting. Free.

Renaissance Art.  4:15pm-6pm.  Virginia Museum of Fine Arts – Kids Programs.  Fee.

Abstract Painting.  4:15pm-6pm.  Virginia Museum of Fine Arts – Kids Programs.  Fee.

Wow! Recycle Now.  4:30pm – 5:30pm.  West End Library, City of Richmond.  Children ages 4 and up learn how to recycle and what happens to recycled goods. Story time and craft presented by CVWMA. Register: 804-646-1877. Free.

From Lies and Fibs to Truth and Trust (Parents of Children 10-15 yrs.).  6pm-8pm.  Delivered by Commonwealth Parenting.  Fee.

PJ Story Time.  6:30pm-7:30pm.  Atlee Library, Mechanicsville, VA.  Bring a favorite snuggly friend for a special evening Storytime. PJs & slippers are great, too! Refreshments provided by the Friends of the Atlee Library. (804) 559-0654.  Free.

Thursday, October 10th – Sunday, October 13th

DISNEY ON ICE: PRINCESSES & HEROES.  John Paul Jones Arena.  Visit the website for show times and fees.

Friday, October 11th

Improv It.  5pm-6:30pm.  Virginia Museum of Fine Arts – Teen Programs.  Fee.

Wearable Art.  5pm-7pm.  Virginia Museum of Fine Arts – Family Programs.  Fee.

Fearless Friday.  6pm-9pm.  Challenge Discovery, 28 Westhampton Way University of Richmond.   experience a two-level high ropes course that is more than a football field in length. The Odyssey Course is comprised of 8 different team challenges, 4 at the 25 ft. level and 4 at the 40 ft. level. At the end, climbers race down to the ground on dual zip lines. Participants must be at least 12.  Fee.

Movie in the Pumpkin Patch.  7pm.  Tom Leonard’s Farmer’s Market.  A free movie in the outdoor haybale theatre.  Enjoy warm cider and hot chocolate.

Friday, October 11th – Sunday, October 13th

Richmond Folk Festival.  Brown’s Island, City of Richmond.  The Richmond Folk Festival has become one of Virginia’s largest and most-loved events of the year and has been voted as the best musical festival in Richmond several years running. The 2013 Festival will bring a new and similarly amazing list of performers, artists and exhibitors. Visit the Genworth Financial Family Area for crafts and kiddie entertainment.  Free.

School of the Musketeer.   Henricus Historical Park.   Participants will experience an entire weekend learning about military and civilian life as the first colonists in the New World. Instructors and other support personnel provide an interactive environment in 17th-century life and culture; overnight experience included. inclusive. Registration required and additional information is available at: www.kingdomoflucerne.com.  Fee.

Saturday, October 12th

Make a Spooky Stacker. 10am.  Local Lowes Stores.   Halloween is right around the corner! Your child will love this Halloween inspired Spooky Stacker Game!  Registration required.  Free.

Bug Busters – October Oddities.  10am-2pm.  Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens.  Celebrate our pollinator friends and their importance to food production.  Free with regular garden admission.

Zendoodle.  10am-noon.  Goochland Library, Goochland, VA.  Create original images by using repetitive lines, marks, circles, and shapes with ink and pencil on paper. Refreshments provided by the Friends of the Goochland Library. (804) 556-4774. Free.

Costume Swap.   10am-1pm.  LaPrade Library, Chesterfield, VA. Bring old costumes to the library and get new-to-you ones free. Cal 804-751-CCPL for more information. Free.

Girl Scout Patch Day.  10am-11am.   Virginia Historical Society.  Girl Scouts will use replica artifacts in The Story of Virginia exhibition to learn about girls’ and women’s lives during each period in Virginia history. Girls will also learn how to use primary sources for research by reviewing letters, diaries, scrapbooks, and photographs related to the history of women in Virginia. Fee.

Family Night Under the Stars.  Gates open at 6pm, movie at 7pm.  Chesterfield County Fairgrounds.  Bring your family and enjoy a movie under the stars.  Watch Madagascar 3 on the 26’ portable projector screen. Don’t forget to bring a chair and blanket too. Concessions available.

Deep Run School Open House.  1pm-3pm.   Meadow Farm Museum, Henrico County.  Sit in 100 year-old desks and read from a McGuffy reader. Test memorization skills and write lessons on a slate board. During recess, play an early 20th-century game. Free.

Bats of Virginia.  3pm-4pm.  Ginter Park Library, City of Richmond.  Bat World will be presenting an educational program featuring live bats. They will discuss myths, echolocation and conservation. Reservations are required: 804-646-1236.  Free.

Saturday, October 12th – Sunday, October 13th

Girls in Science Camp In.  7pm-9am.  Science Museum of Virginia.    Middle School girls join forces with professional women scientists to confront challenges and find solutions to common problems faced by scientists and engineers. Sponsored by the Society of Women Engineers and DuPont. $10 per person. For every four girls, one adult chaperone is required. Pre-registration is required. Call 804.864.1400.

Sunday, October 13th

10th Anniversary Celebration featuring Steel Magnolia.  Noon-4pm.  Short Pump Mall Food Court.  Short Pump Town Center celebrates 10 years! Featuring live music by national recording artist Steel Magnolia, pony rides, face painting, balloon creations, characters, food tastings and more! Test drive the new 2014 CLA by Mercedes and receive a $10 Short Pump Town Center Gift Card.* Plus enter to win a $1000 Short Pump Town Center Gift Card! *While supplies last.

“At Home” at Maymont.  Noon-5pm.  Maymont Mansion & Grounds.  Elegant Victorian ladies, distinguished gentlemen and charming children welcome guests who pay a call on the Dooleys during this family-friendly visit to the estate.  Free, fee for carriage rides.