what’s up for the weekend: oct 12-14

Chilly temps are here — looks like fall has definitely arrived! Luckily, there is no shortage of fun, grab a jacket and get-your-hot-cocoa-on events in and around the city this weekend. Lots of opportunities to keep everyone busy! Here are our best bets for fam-friendly fun:

Family Nature Explorers at Ladew Topiary Gardens
Stop by the learning station at Ladew Topiary Gardens on Saturday for hands-on props, activities and exploration of the bugs in the meadow. Grab a sweep net and head to the wildflower meadow in search of some of favorite meadow bugs—caterpillars, grasshoppers, ladybugs and much more. This program is for all ages. Drop in anytime between  10:30am – 12noon. More Information

Stepping Stone Workshop at Masonville Cove Environmental Center
Create and decorate your own stepping stone on Saturday from 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM to take home for your garden or walkway. Makes a great eco-friendly gift! Refreshments & Take Home Craft Provided. Free! More Information

Kids Fun Run at the Baltimore Running Festival
Head to the marathon route and cheer your local runners this Saturday — or get your pint-sizer into the action! The Kids Fun Run for kids under 12 takes place near the marathon start and comes complete with access to the fun zone. More Information

Mayan Street Rug Project
The Nicaraguan art center, Taller Xuchialt, is traveling to Highlandtown from Oct 9-Oct 13 to teach folkloric art forms.  Marlon Moreno, director and co-founder, hails from the colonial city of Leon, Nicaragua leading our very first traditional Mayan street rug painting at the entrance of The Patterson. You and your kids can help create the carpet mural on Saturday, which will use natural & found objects placed on a flat bed of naturally-dyed & colorful sawdust. The sidewalk street project honors Hispanic Heritage Month w/ special Latino dinner menu by Clementine at Creative Alliance, followed by salsa dance party. More Information

Pumpkin Fest at Irvine Nature Center
Join Irvine Nature Center on Saturday, October 13 and Sunday, October 14 for their annual fall harvest festival! PumpkinFest is a fun event for families and communities to celebrate the delights of autumn. Each October, hundreds of families gather at Irvine to enjoy a wholesome day of music, food and fun. More Information

World Rhythm Drumming Circus
Join the drumming circle which will feature drums, shakers, scrapers and boom whackers on Sunday at Port Discovery. No musical experience necessary! The World Rhythm Drum Circus will take place directly outside of the Museum. Museum admission is not included. Drumming Circles: 12:30pm – 3pm, 4pm & 5pm. More Information

Puppets in the Garden
Black Cherry Puppet Theater will host three events on three consecutive Sundays in October, showcasing performances from some of the finest puppeteers from Baltimore and the region. The events will feature puppet-making workshops, giving participants the opportunity to create their own puppets and become puppeteers themselves. Puppet shows at 1pm and 3:30pm, Puppet workshop at 1:30pm. More Information

Free Admission to the Baltimore Museum of Industry
Free Admission to the BMI every Sunday in October! From food canning to broadcasting, visitors can interact with the technologies which forged the Industrial Revolution and brought us to the 21st century. Step into vividly-recreated workshops on machining, printing, garment-making and metalworking. Visitors can borrow iPods for self-guided tours of the exhibits and touchboxes throughout the museum give kids more information about Baltimore’s printing, shipping, canning, transportation and garment industries. More Information

Free Mini Train Rides at Leakin Park
The Second Sunday of each month from April to November, the Chesapeake & Allegheny Steam Preservation Society provides mini train rides from 11:00am to 3:30pm. The rides are free and there are picnic tables nearby for those who wish to make a day of it — so bring lunch! More Information

Lantern Making Workshop at The Creative Alliance at The Patterson
Time to get ready for the annual Lantern Parade! Families, friends, and neighbors: come out for a free lantern-making workshop at the Creative Alliance and get geared up to participate in the Halloween Lantern Festival and Parade! It’s free — but a  donation suggested. Workshops are at 10 AM, 12:30 PM and 3 PM. Advanced registration required. More Information

Maryland Pumpkin Festival
Head out to Summers Farm in Frederick for The Maryland Pumpkin Festival. The Maryland Pumpkin Festival celebrates all things pumpkin with a variety of special events. Families enjoy all of the festival offerings (maze, Farmer Golf, slides, animals, jumping pillows) plus pie-eating contests, live music, free face-painting, and more. Saturday and Sunday! More Information

Author Description

heather

Heather is editor-in-chief of (cool) progeny. When not scouting the best in everything kid and family, you'll probably find her running The Weisse Group or adventuring around town with her daughter (the Bug) and husband. Can be won over with a good glass of wine or something homemade. Addicted to Pinterest. Only pretends to know what she's doing with her SLR, even though she's got a fantastic lens on it. Thankful it does most of the work for her.