*Fall into autumnal family fun with a trip to a local farm! We've gathered the best locales for apple-picking, hay rides, fall festivals, petting zoos and other seasonal fun--all within a 90-minute drive. 

*RUSH GIVEAWAY!* First come, first serve. 

For children, the new musical "A Mermaid's Tale" not only offers great songs, but also encourages audience participation. We have ten tickets to give away to this Saturday's 3pm performance! (Two families will win five tickets each.) Email familygiveaways@manhattanmedia.com by 9am Friday, 9/28, with "mermaid" in the subject line.

*Win a dream birthday party at Gymtime! Pick a date and let the experts take care of everything else, from invitations and balloons to pizza and favors. All parties for children ages 2-12 years are 90 minutes long. For info on how to enter, click here.  

*For games that feature some of your child's favorite Disney characters, check out  Finding Nemo Escape to The Big Blue for Nintendo DS (ages 6-12) and Disney Princess: My FairyTale Adventure for Wii (all ages). And we have five sets to give away! For info on how to enter, click here.   

No day makes New Yorkers appreciate the wealth of museums in their neighborhoods like Smithsonian Museum Day. Check out which institutions are offering free admission this weekend right here. (Saturday)

The Deedle Deedle Dees are making history fun with jammin' songs like "Marie Curie" and "Sacagawea" at Carroll Park's last summer concert series. Rock on! (Saturday)

Hot, hot, hot!  Brooklyn Botanic Garden's Chile Pepper Festival is more kid-friendly than you might think, with chocolate tastings, African dance workshops, and crafts. Ready to get a taste? (Saturday)

Calling all little inventors: Hit up the World Maker Faire at New York Hall of Science for soldering workshops, super-cool creations, craft projects, and shopping and entertainment galore. Get the creative scoop here. (Saturday)

Transport yourself to Iceland's impressive volcanoes at Scandinavia House, where you'll even get to make a conical lava spewer of your own. Cool! (Saturday)

Beloved children's book character Fancy Nancy is making her grand stage debut at Vital Theatre this weekend! Get ready to fall in love with her bubbling personality all over again. (Saturday)

In honor of its upcoming Buckyball light installation, Madison Square Park is introducing a workshop about shapes, geometry, and making illuminated puzzles. Who knew math could be so artsy? (Saturday)

Boo at the Zoo is back! The Bronx Zoo is kicking off its month of spooky thrills with favorites like a haunted mansion and animated hayrides alongside new fun like magic shows and an extinction graveyard. Be brave, friends. (Saturday-Sunday)

The city's largest street fair is here: 

Brooklyn's Atlantic Antic Street Festival hosts over 600 vendors and retailers. Best of all? There's a dedicated Kids Block just for the fam--plus a ton of vintage rides at the Transit Museum's Bus Festival to hop on. (Sunday)

For more block party fun, you'll love DayLife's "urban backyard" of badminton, croquet, Twister, and music by the ever-popular DJ Kai. Game on! (Sunday)

Ever wanted to crawl through a giant mud pit (and not get yelled at)? The Merrell National Mud Run in Pelham Bay Park is just for you. Ages 4-13. (Sunday)

Get a glimpse of hawks, falcons, and other cool birds of prey at Prospect Park's Raptor Fest. Wild! (Sunday)

If you feel like you're on a never-ending cycle of buying and throwing out great outfits because the kids keep growing, check out Little Swappies at The Scholastic Store on Friday. Bring at least 5 items you no longer need to give other families, then take away as much as you need. Win-win!