10 Great Events For October

Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s Annual Chile Pepper Festival

OCTOBER 1 [All Ages] Say goodbye to summer at Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s red-hot annual Chile Pepper Festival. This year’s festivities will feature six bands from around the world—including Algerian beats and Cajun sounds from Louisiana—fire-breathing and sword-swallowing performances, and plenty of spicy samples from a variety of artisan food purveyors. $20 for adults, $15 for students/seniors, free for children under 12; 10am-6pm. Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 150 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, bbg.org Photo: bbg.org

“I Approve This Message” Exhibit at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan

OCTOBER 1 – OCTOBER 31 [Ages 2+] Immerse the whole family in some political fun at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan. The new exhibit features a 40-foot display of historical documents former U.S. presidents have signed. You can even see what Abraham Lincoln’s handwriting looked like! The interactive portion of the exhibit allows your child to practice signing their own name, sit at an Oval Office Desk for kids, and participate in mock elections. Get your little ones excited for the upcoming election. Exhibit dates continue through November and December. Free with museum admission, 10am-5pm. Children’s Museum of Manhattan, 212 West 83rd Street, 212-721-1223, cmom.org Photo: cmom.org

Wave Hill Honey Weekend

OCTOBER 1-2 [All Ages] Celebrate all things bee-related at Wave Hill Honey Weekend in the Bronx. Both days start with a family art project called Be a Bee, where your little ones will get a chance explore a beehive and join a bee parade! Then the whole family can taste some exquisite honeys from some of the area’s finest apiaries. You can try your hand at making beeswax candles with experts, and learn about the art of beekeeping, from the necessary gear to peeking inside a hive. $8 for adults, $4 for students and seniors,$2 for children 6+; 10am-4pm. Wave Hill, 649 West 249th Street and Independence Avenue, Bronx, 718-549-3200, wavehill.org Photo: wavehill.org

World Maker Faire at New York Hall of Science

OCTOBER 1-2 [All Ages] Come see the coolest new innovations from talented makers at the World Maker Faire. Hosted by the New York Hall of Science, the Faire is a massive showcase of the greatest makers and their projects in technology, science, engineering, robotics, and much more. Favorites from previous years will return, such as Aerial Sports League Drone Racing and a 3D Printing Village, and you can check out new hands-on workshops in skills like lock picking and soldering. Single-day tickets and passes from $25-80, free for children under 2, 10am-6pm. New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th Street, Queens, makerfaire.com/new-york Photo: makerfaire.com/new-york

“Life’s a Real Dream” by LARD Dog and the Band of Shy At Symphony Space

OCTOBER 15 [All ages] Bring the whole family to Symphony Space on October 15th to enjoy “Life’s a Real Dream.” The show features a cartoon character who comes to life to take the audience on a journey. With music, comedy, and intrigue, you’re sure to love this catchy, audio-visual universe. The show is even interactive so your little ones can partake in all the fun! $14-$17, 11am-12pm. Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway, 212-864-5400, symphonyspace.org Photo: symphonyspace.org

Madison Square Park's Kids Fest: Stages

OCTOBER 15 [Ages 0-12] Head to Madison Square Park for Kids Fest: Stages, a day of performing arts including music, dance, puppetry, theater, and magic for kids and their families. Three stages will feature performances by Sammie and Tudie’s Comedy Magic Circus, a comedy production by The Joshua Show, puppetry by Vít Horejš, Director of The Czechoslovak-American Marionette Theatre, and more. In addition to the entertainment, kids can enjoy face painting, lawn games, and instrument-making with the Little Orchestra Society. Free, 11am-3pm. Madison Square Park, between 5th & Madison Avenues and 23rd-28th Streets, madisonsquarepark.org Photo: Jared T. Miller on Flickr

Family Party at American Museum of Natural History

OCTOBER 19 [All ages] The annual Family Party at the American Museum of Natural History is back, and packed with various exciting activities. Children of all ages can partake in the Tiffany & Co. Gem Dig, listen to live performances from YaffaArts Cultural Center and Los Habaneros, and watch stilt walkers. The party will also provide access to the Museum Science Center and a new area called Mission Expedition, where scientists present their findings from all over the world. Your budding geniuses will be amazed. $85-$175, 5-7:30pm. American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West & 79th Street, 212-769-5167, amnh.org Photo: The Well Appointed House Blog

“The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center

OCTOBER 22 [Ages 5-12] Four children step through an ordinary-looking wardrobe and enter a new world, where they encounter talking beavers, a majestic lion and the terrifying ice queen. Introduce your children to the magic world of Narnia at “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center. This story will captivate any child, whether they are brand-new to The Chronicles of Narnia, or huge fans of C.S. Lewis’ storied series! Tickets are $30, 1:30pm. Tribeca Performing Arts Center, 199 Chambers Street, 212-220-1459, tribecapac.org Photo: tribecapac.org

Asphalt Screams at Asphalt Green

OCTOBER 28 [All Ages] Head to Asphalt Green's Upper East Side or Battery Park City campus for a Halloween-themed fitness experience for all ages, including a "Spooktacular Soccer Shootout" and a Haunted Maze, plus music, refreshments, and more. Free, though a $20 donation per family is welcome, 4-6pm, asphaltgreen.org Photo: Asphalt Green on Facebook

Central Park Halloween Parade and Pumpkin Flotilla

OCTOBER 30 [All Ages] Head to Central Park for a costume parade and pumpkin float on the Harlem Meer. This year's event will feature a live bat demon-stration presented by the Organization for Bat Conservation, and a craft project hosted by Martha Stewart Living. Free, crafts and music begin at 3:30pm and the Flotilla begins at 6:30pm, centralparknyc.org Photo: centralparknyc.org