October 19th – 25th

trick or treatAll Month…

Pick Your Own Apples or Pumpkins

October Oddities.  10am-2pm.  Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens.   Enjoy vignettes designed to provoke a sense of curiosity and wonder using underappreciated oddities of nature and ‘horti-torture.’ Every Saturday in October the Garden presents opportunities to explore “Oddities and Curiosities” in the Children’s Garden.  Refresh your “garden spirit” with displays and activities for all ages.  Free with garden admission.  Through October 31st.

The Great Pumpkin Fest.  King Dominion.  Families can enjoy Halloween together with a street party of frightful fun including a petting zoo, foam pit, pumpkin painting and more!  Activities are from 12:00pm until 5:00pm.  *The Great Pumpkin Fest is for kids under 54”.  Fee.   Select Saturdays and Sundays through October 31st.

Scary Halloween Options and Ghost Tours for bigger kids.  Through October 31st.

This Week…
Monday, October 19th

Music & Movement Mondays.  Children’s Museum of Richmond – All Locations.  Activity times vary by location.  Kids can take part in an activity that focuses on music and movement every Monday!  Free with museum admission.

Itsy Bitsy Artists.  10am. Cartwheels and Coffee, Carytown.  Explore your creative side with Miss Lisa.  FREE with admission.

HALLOWEEN TALES.  7pm.  Fairfield Library.  A selection of truly terrifying seasonal readings. Stephen King, Ray Bradbury and others will be featured. Not for the young or faint of heart. A nurse will be in attendance…BYOB, Bring Your Own Blood!  Free.

Tuesday, October 20th

Tinker Tuesdays.  Children’s Museum of Richmond – All Locations.  Activity times vary by location.  Kids can take part in an fun Math or Science project every Tuesday!  Free with museum admission.

Time to Sing. 10am. Cartwheels and Coffee, Carytown.  You and your little ones will enjoy singing, dancing, and making music together. Kids will use simple instruments and movements to learn new songs as well as sing along with their favorites. FREE with admission.

Weekly Storytime.  11am.  Pottery Barn Kids, Short Pump Mall.  Kids can enjoy some of their favorite books read aloud.

Children’s Storytime. 11am. Barnes and Noble Chesterfield. Every Tuesday and Thursday at 11:00 am. Free.

Family Jump Night.  6pm-8pm.  Pump It Up, 9555 Kings Charter Drive, Suite I, Ashland , VA.  Come play on the giant, soft, fun-filled interactive inflatables during Family Jump Time, then enjoy a pizza dinner together! Pizzas and 2-liter drinks can be ordered at check-in, and food will be available later in the playtime. Check the calendar for any schedule changes. Fee.

HALLOWEEN PARTY.  7pm.  Varina Library.  Calling all ghouls and goblins to enjoy stories, a craft and refreshments at our annual Halloween Party! Wear your spooky costume!  Free.

Wednesday, October 21st

Art Workshop Wednesday.   Children’s Museum of Richmond – All Locations.  Activity times vary by location.  Kids can head to the Art Studio for an instructor-led art activity every Wednesday!  Free with museum admission.

Move with Me. 10am. Cartwheels and Coffee, Carytown.  Clap your hands, stomp your feet, move your bodies to the beat! Miss Sarah Ruppel, of the Richmond Ballet, leads a creative and energetic movement time for your little dancers every Wednesday at 10. Free with admission.

Story Time.  11am.  bbgb tales for kids, 3003 W Cary St, Richmond, VA 23221.  A local children’s bookstore in Carytown with story time every Wednesday at 11am.

PARANORMAL 101 WITH SPIRITED HISTORY.  7pm.  Fairfield Library.  Join LeeAnne Ball, historian and founder of Spirited History, as she shares her experiences with the paranormal. If you are interested in learning about exploring the world of the unknown, experiencing chilling encounters with the supernatural, and learning about the history of a haunted location, then you will want to be sure to attend this informative lecture. Ms. Ball will have on hand the equipment that she uses for investigating, the many spine tingling EVPS, ghostly voices, and unusual spirit photos and video. For teens and adults.  Free.

Thursday, October 22nd

Thoughtful Thursdays.  Children’s Museum of Richmond – All Locations.  Activity times vary by location.  Kids can take part in an activity that focuses on helping others!  Free with museum admission.

Fit Tots. 10am.   Cartwheels and Coffee, Carytown.  It’s never too early to instill the importance of leading healthy and active lifestyles! Participants will be lead through various activities that help develop flexibility and hand-eye coordination.  Free with admission.

Children’s Storytime. 10:30am. Barnes and Noble Short Pump. Every Thursday. On the fourth Thursday of each month, enjoy a special visit from Seymour and the folks from the Children’s Museum. Free.

Children’s Storytime. 11am. Barnes and Noble Chesterfield. Every Tuesday and Thursday at 11:00 am. Free.

October 22nd, 23rd and 24th

Haunted Henricus: Things that Go Bump In the Night.  7pm-9pm.  Henricus Historical Park.  Experience an evening of spellbinding accounts and legendary tales as storytellers relive old English and Virginia Indian legends and folklore. Join them by the fireside and listen to European stories early Colonists told as they recounted tales from their homeland. Capture the essence of what a Colonist felt between 1607-1622 in a strange new land surrounded by danger, darkness and uncertain peril. The harvest is in, the nights grow longer and danger lurks in the shadows.  This year there is an overnight Haunted evening being offered.  Light refreshments served.  Tours not appropriate for children under 6. Registration required.   Fee.

Thursday, October 22nd – Sunday, October 25th

The Jungle Book.  Tomahawk Creek Middle School Theatre.   Performed by Character Works.  Join Mowgli, Baloo and Bagheera in this original adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s famous story, THE JUNGLE BOOK, about a boy who is raised by wolves in the jungles of India. Toes will tap to new songs like “What to Do with a Man Cub,” “In the Jungle,” and “Tiki-Roo!”.  Visit the website for showtimes and ticket prices.

Friday, October 23rd

Fit Fridays.  Children’s Museum of Richmond – All Locations.  Activity times vary by location.  Kids can take part in an activity that focuses on getting fit every Friday!  Free with museum admission.

Kindergarten Readiness Fall 2015.  10:00-11:30am.  CMoR Chesterfield, 6629 Lake Harbour Dr. Midlothian, VA 23112.  An informative session focused on preparing your preschool-age child for kindergarten and a lifetime love of learning.  Free childcare is available on a limited, first come, first serve basis. Reservations must include age of child(ren) and names.  Free.

CREATE YOUR OWN BOOK.  10am.  Tuckahoe Library.  Local author and teacher Kathryn Starke will discuss the writing process and participants will create their own book to take home. Bring your imagination, all other supplies will be provided. Limit 30 participants. Sponsored by Friends of the Tuckahoe Library.  Registration required.

Storytime. 10am. Cartwheels & Coffee, Carytown.  Sponsored by bbgb tales for kids and lead by Miss Hannah, story time will take you to far away lands, introduce you to new friends with all sorts of interesting creatures, and allow you to discover a world of imagination inside your favorite books!   Free with admission.

Silk Painting.  5pm-7pm.  Recommended for children ages 5 – 12.  Explore traditional and modern approaches to the art of silk painting and take home one decorated silk scarf per child.  Fee.

SpookieFUN Fest.  5pm-9pm.  Pole Green Park, 8996 Pole Green Park Ln. Mechanicsville, VA 23116.  Families with children 12 and under, this free fun night is just for you.  Kids, wear your favorite costume and join Taylor and friends for flashlight toy and candy hunts (hunts throughout the evening), trick or treat booths, rides, games and activities. Children can move and groove in Taylors ‘Lil’ Frankenstein’s Monster Mash Bash’ dance area. Concession items and novelty food items will be available for purchase. Be sure to bring a flashlight and bag for all your trick or treat goodies.  Plus, at the conclusion of the last flashlight candy hunt (approximately 7:45 p.m.), your whole family can view the G rated showing of Monsters University on the giant inflatable screen from the comfort of your vehicle or feel free to bring lawn chairs and a blanket. The movie will begin at approximately 8:00 p.m. at which time all of the rides and games will conclude. Free.

Parent’s Night Out.  6:30pm-10:30pm.  Pump It Up, 9555 Kings Charter Drive, Suite I, Ashland , VA.  The kids will be happy with an evening of jumping, games, dinner and a movie! 4-12 years old.  Fee.

Friday Night Movie at the Pumpkin Patch.  7pm movie start time.  Tom Leonard’s Outdoor Haybale Theatre, 4150 Tom Leonard Drive, Glen Allen, VA.  Tonight – ‘Spooky Bats and Scardy Cats’.  Dress Warm, Hot Chocolate, Warm Cider.  Free.

Saturday, October 24th

GREAT PUMPKIN PALOOZA.  10am-4pm.  Innsbrook.  Dunk your pumpkin via catapult, trebuchet or cross bow into Lake Rooty at this family-friendly event. And, don’t forget to dress up in your favorite costume to celebrate in a big way with activities that appeal to families as well as goblins of all ages. “Kids Zone”, costume contests, great food and craft vendors. Benefiting American Cancer Society’s Making Strides campaign.  Free to attend.

Just Say BOO: Musical Playdate.  11:00-11:40am.  Melody Magic Music Studio, 3041 Lauderdale Drive.
This is a perfect fit for this time of year! Feel free to come dressed up as a princess, prince, pirate, superhero, animal, or anything you like! We will move and groove to some favorite Halloween tunes (nothing scary!). Your child will love getting dressed up and using their imagination in this awesome class!  For ages 0-7 years.  Cost is $10/child, and advance registration is required.  Fee.

Scarytown Trick or Treating.  Noon-3pm.  Many merchants open their doors for trick-or-treating families.   Just look for the Pumpkin sign in windows for participating merchants.  The Zombie Walkis also that day.  Zombies will begin walking in Carytown at 2:30pm.  Free.

Scott’s Addition Pumpkin Festival.  Noon-6pm.  The Boulevard-on Leigh Street (by Movieland Theater) to Broad Street.  free to attend

Haunting Tales & Tours.  The tour begins at 2:30 & 3:30 at Shirley Plantation, continue to Berkeley and end at Edgewood.  This unique tour of Edgewood, Berkeley and Shirley Plantations will give an insight of the spirits and mysteries of these three historic homes in Charles City, Virginia.  Hear the haunting tales of the paranormal activities at each site on a progressive tour offered on October 10, 12 & 24 2015.     The cost is $36.00 per person and reservations are required.  To make reservations call Edgewood (804) 829-2962

4th Annual Richmond Food Allergy Friendly Trunk or Treat.  4pm.  Cheswick Park, 1798 Forest Ave, Henrico, VA 23229.  Dress up in your costumes and decorate your trunk with a theme, bring a bowl of allergy-free candy or non food treats, and join us for a Food Allergy Friendly Trunk or Treat! We will be excluding the main 8 allergens: Milk, Eggs, Peanuts, Tree nuts, Fish, Shellfish, Soy, and Wheat. Please make sure that the candy is not processed in a facility with or on shared equipment with any of the 8 major allergens listed. All packaging must be present at the trunk or treat to be double-checked by an organizer before we begin. Non food allergy kids are also welcome to participate.  Send an email to FAFTrunkOrTreat@gmail.com by October 10th and register with your name, email address, number and ages of children attending, their allergies, and the treats you will be bringing so that they can get a head count for everyone and avoid duplicates.

SpookieFUN Fest. 5:30pm-9pm. Poor Farm Park, 13400 Liberty School Rd. Ashland, VA 23005. Families with children 12 and under, this free fun night is just for you. Kids, wear your favorite costume and join Taylor and friends for flashlight toy and candy hunts (hunts throughout the evening), trick or treat booths, rides, games and activities. Children can move and groove in Taylors ‘Lil’ Frankenstein’s Monster Mash Bash’ dance area. Concession items and novelty food items will be available for purchase. Be sure to bring a flashlight and bag for all your trick or treat goodies. Plus, at the conclusion of the last flashlight candy hunt (approximately 7:45 p.m.), your whole family can view the G rated showing of Monsters University on the giant inflatable screen from the comfort of your vehicle or feel free to bring lawn chairs and a blanket. The movie will begin at approximately 8:00 p.m. at which time all of the rides and games will conclude. Free.

Saturday, October 24th – Sunday, October 25th

Central Virginia Celtic Festival and Highland Games.  October 25th 9am-6pm and 26th from 9am-5pm.  Richmodn International Raceway.  Live Music all day, Dance Competitions, Harp Competitions, British Car and Motorcycle Show, Heavy Athletics, Hurling, Rugby and Piping and Drumming Competitions.  Fee.

Sunday, October 25th

Boot Camp for New Dads.  9am-Noon.  Locations vary.  Delivered by First Things First of Greater Richmond.  A unique father-to-father community-based workshop prepares and equips expectant dads to become confidently engaged with their infants, support their mates, and navigate their transformation into dads.  Fee.

Goblins and Gourds.  1pm-4pm.  Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens.  Harvest celebration with live music, pumpkin decorating and good green fun in the Children’s Garden. Goblins and Gourds is fun for the whole family!

Howl-O-Ween. 1pm-3pm. Stony Point Fashion Park. Dress up your family and your dog & join Stony Point Fashion Park for an afternoon of spooky fun. Events include a dog costume contest and family festivities. Family activities include pumpkin painting, balloon creations, children’s crafts and a special performance by Richmond Ballet’s Minds In Motion Team XXL.  Free.