Kids' Activities in October

Since I spent time posting the praise of autumn (post below), I thought I'd offer some fun suggestions to readers with young ones. Some of these can even be done as adults with no kids! I've tried to eliminate any Halloween/scary activities. Some of the places had a haunted house on the premises for older kids, but I pray most of these are mainly harvest type activities. Make sure to enjoy the season and give thanks for the times together!

Compass Bible Church Fall Fest--Every year this event amazes me, and it's FREE! Bring your little one in a costume. Enjoy rides, insane amounts of candy, costume viewing and game booths. It is a safe, fun alternative to neighborhood trick or treating on Halloween, and it is supporting a church, not the worldly, pagan celebration all around us. Find out details at http://www.compasschurch.org/.

Julian--Apple picking, here we come! South/East, near San Diego, but inland. This quaint little town relies on the tourists it draws in the autumn. Due to frost and lack of rain, many of the orchards are not doing the usual apple picking events. You can still pick apples at two or three of the orchards, but some require reservations. (look online). Make sure you visit the "old western" type downtown area for hot apple pie that can't be beat. On the 27th of October, you can go and also enjoy the elementary school carnival. It will take place behind the high school. The same day, there will be live music and a bbq. Look online at www.julianca.com/ for details, directions and any reservations that might be required.

Pumpkin City's Farm at the Laguna Hills Mall--The admission here is free! Come take photos in the pumpkin patch and hay stacks. They have rides that cost money, but there are live animals to pet and visit for free. This is a great activity for infants and toddlers! You can find it in the parking lot right against the freeway. (by Sears)

Santa Ana Zoo--They are having an October celebration October 20, 21, 26, 27 and 28th from 5:30-8:00 pm. The main part of the zoo is a harvest celebration, but they will have a separate haunted house for teens and older kids (just FYI). It is free for ages 2 and under and it is $10 for anyone over 2. There will be candy, games, animals (of course) and stories. Have kids wear their costume. There is also a very short train ride for 3$ per person. Find out more at santaanazoo.org.

Irvine Regional Park--They are having their 2nd annual pumpkin patch. Even if it isn't a fall celebration, this park is amazing! They have the pumpkin patch through October 31st. You have to drive into the park, which is $3 per car on weekdays, and $5 per car on weekends. They have a 12 minute park trainride, which goes through the pumpkin patch and park. It is $4 per person. Check out the coupons online at http://www.irvineparkrr.com/. They also have pony rides for $4 each (except Mondays), a 20 minute hay ride for $4 per person, a moonbounce for $4 for 15 minutes, a haymaze for free, face painting on weekends for $4, and carnival/fair type food to buy for lunch or dinner. They also have a zoo on the premises. It is $2 for anyone over 3 years old. The zoo is small, but we love to visit the bear exhibit. Just FYI, there is a haunted house event somewhere in the park for older kids. On the 27th of October, there will be a kids' costume contest, which has to be entered by 11:00. This is a great park, so check it out even if you don't go this month.

Lake Mission Viejo--If you are a member of Lake Mission Viejo, they are having an October celebration from 1-4 on October 20th. There will be a pumpkin carving contest, a magic show for little ones from 3-3:30, game booths, moon bounces, and a costume contest. Find out details at www.lakemissionviejo.org/.

South Coast Plaza Pumpkins and Pancakes--This is a fundraiser for CASA (helping abused children). It is the 28th of October, from 8-11. It is $30 per person, with anyone under 2 free. They are having costume contests, live music and entertainment, an animal show, trick or treating, pancakes and coffee, a balloon artist, arts and crafts and roaming cartoon characters. Find out more or purchase tickets at www.southcoastplaza.com/pumpkins.

These are some of my favorite fall ideas, but you might know one you can share. Add ideas for myself and others in the comments section! I'll do this again in November, as all the Christmas activities begin!