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Toddler X’s Fall Planner (2014)

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While the folks who make calendars and celebrate the equinox might disagree, I can't help but believe that Fall begins as soon as Labor Day weekend ends. Why wait until September 22nd to kick off this wonderful season of pumpkins and patches, haybales and hoe downs, festivals and fairs, and plenty of other good stuff? Here in toddler-land, we're getting started right now!

From traditional cultural events like Moon Festival and Diwali, to Halloween Hooplas and trick-or-treating options galore, I've compiled a list of the best in toddler-friendly autumnal fun for your enjoyment. Let me know if there are any Fall-related events or locales that I've missed, and I'll be happy to add them.

Happy toddling!

Pumpkin Patches

If you were a follower of SV Toddler last October, you may recall that I know a thing or two about the local pumpkin patches. :) As you start planning your squash-selecting excursions, check out my Two Sentence Pumpkin Patch Reviews for my thoughts on the local options. I'll update as this season progresses, and am always open to suggestions of other patches to visit.

Apple Orchards

Having visited almost all of the local pumpkin patches last year, this year's focus is apple-picking! We hit Clearview Organic Orchards last weekend and had a blast -- here's my post on the visit. We plan to try Gizdich Ranch in the near future, and I'll update once we do. If you know of any other local apple-picking opportunities we could try, please let me know. (Update: As of September 28th, the Gizdich harvest season is over. Clearview should be open on weekends through the middle of October.)


Trunk-or-Treat Events

In addition to the trick-or-treating options listed below, many churches, schools and non-profits host truck-or-treat events, where children can trick-or-treat amidst decorated cars in a safe, parking lot setting. I asked my readers for input on local trunk-or-treat events -- check out the responses to this post for over a dozen options.

Fall, Harvest and Halloween Events and Activities 


Ongoing Events


  • Costume Donations and Book Drive, Children's Discovery Museum, San Jose. Tuesday, September 30th - Friday, October 10th. Donate costumes so that families in need can participate in the costume swap at Pumpkins in the Park on Saturday, October 11th.
  • Halloween Scary Boo and Spooky Zoo, Gilroy Gardens, Gilroy. Weekends in October.Trick or treating through four "Boo Zones" (kids in costume welcome, but no adult costumes), pumpkin patch, "spooky" petting zoo ($5 charge for the zoo -- not included with admission or membership).
  • Snoopy's Trick or Treat Festival, Great America, Santa Clara. October 4, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26 and November 1, 12:00-4:00 p.m. Pumpkin decorating, coloring, bubble zone, hay maze, costumes and trick or treating with Snoopy and his friends.
  • Moreland Educational Foundation Pumpkin Patch/Haunted Trail, San Jose. A fundraiser for the Moreland School District, this popular spot features weekend events and then pumpkin sales the last week of October. Check out the calendar for details on the individual events.
  • Glow Bones, Children's Discovery Museum, San Jose. October 21st-31st during museum hours. Paint your "bones" with special glow-in-the-dark paint, then dance around under the black lights. Included with admission.
  • Goblyn's Glen, Oak Meadow Park, Los Gatos. Fridays-Sundays in October, 7:00-10:00 p.m. A haunted house for kids. I've never been, so I don't know about toddler-friendliness, but it explicitly says it's a kids and family event, designed for children under 12.

 Friday, September 12th
  • Cupertino Carnival, St. Joseph School, Cupertino. 5:00-10:00 p.m. Rides, games, entertainment, inflatables and more. (Admission is free.)

Saturday, September 13th
  • Cupertino Fall Festival, Memorial Park in Cupertino, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Rides, bounce houses, crafts and a petting zoo, food trucks and more. Admission is free, there is a charge for the rides and bounce houses.
  • Lantern Festival, Children's Discovery Museum, San Jose, 5:30-8:30 p.m. (lantern parade begins at 8:15 p.m.). All the normal exhibits at the CDM, plus plenty of festival-themed crafts and activities. ($6 admission; infants and members are free.)
  • Santa Clara Art and Wine Festival, Central Park, 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. We went last year, and while the food/wine/craft areas were packed, the kids' area had some fun inflatables, a fire truck and rides. (Admission is free.)
  • Cupertino Carnival, St. Joseph School, Cupertino. 11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. Rides, games, entertainment, inflatables and more. (Admission is free.)

Sunday, September 14th
  • PAMP Children's Moon Festival, Mitchell Park, Palo Alto, 3:00-6:00 p.m. Tons of kids' activities and performances, culminating in a lantern parade. (Free.) 
  • Santa Clara Art and Wine Festival, Central Park, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. We went last year, and while the food/wine/craft areas were packed, the kids' area had some fun inflatables, a fire truck and rides. (Admission is free.)
  • Cupertino Carnival, St. Joseph School, Cupertino. 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Rides, games, entertainment, inflatables and more. (Admission is free.)
  • Almaden Valley Art & Wine Festival, Almaden Lake Park, San Jose. 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Art, wine, and a Kid Zone with crafts, games, entertainment and inflatables. (Free admission.)

Friday, September 19th
  • Pleasanton Harvest Festival, Alameda County Fairgrounds, 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. An original art and craft show, with music, food and a Kid Zone with make and take crafts. (Admission is $9 for adults; kids under 12 are free.)
  • Screen on the Green, Oak Meadow Park, Los Gatos. Kids' activities at 6:30 p.m. (including Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad and Mason Carousel rides); showing of Monsters University at 7:30 p.m. Snack shack will be serving food until 8:30. (Admission is free.)

Saturday, September 20th
  • Spook Your Style! Halloween Carnival, Pottery Barn Kids store at Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto. 3:00-5:00 p.m. Treats, face painting, crafts, games, cotton candy and costume shopping. (Free...unless you decide to buy a costume.)
  • Willow Glen Founders' Day Parade, Downtown Willow Glen (Lincoln between Broadway and Minnesota), 10:30 a.m. A fun, small town-ish parade with lots of local residents participating. (Free.)
  • Festival on the Plaza, Civic Center Plaza, Mountain View. 12:00-6:00 p.m. Live Latin music, sangria, food trucks. I don't see any information on a kid zone, but Latin music is great for dancing, so I imagine toddlers will love it. (Admission is free.)
  • Pleasanton Harvest Festival, Alameda County Fairgrounds, 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. An original art and craft show, with music, food and a Kid Zone with make and take crafts. (Admission is $9 for adults; kids under 12 are free.)

Sunday, September 21st
  • Pleasanton Harvest Festival, Alameda County Fairgrounds, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. An original art and craft show, with music, food and a Kid Zone with make and take crafts. (Admission is $9 for adults; kids under 12 are free.)

Saturday, September 27th
  • Autumn at Filoli Festival, Woodside, 10:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Entertainment, crafts and fruit tasting at this lovely home and garden. ($25 for adults; children 4 and under are free. Advance registration recommended.)
  • Coyote Valley Family Harvest Feast, Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve, Morgan Hill, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Singers (including Andy Z.) and dancers, guided hikes and games, live animals and storytelling, and delicious, affordable multicultural food. (Free parking and admission.)
  • Chitactac Family Day, Chitactac-Adams County Park, Gilroy, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Games, demonstrations, family fun. (Admission is free. Food is available for purchase.)
  • Taste of Morgan Hill, Downtown Morgan Hill, 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Food, music, dancing. (Admission is free.)
  • Sharks FanFest, SAP Center, San Jose. 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. A chance to watch practice and enjoy photo ops, plus an outdoor festival with a Kid Zone featuring games, face painting and inflatables. (Admission and parking are free, but you should register in advance at the link above.)
  • Big Basin Founder's Day Celebration, Big Basin Redwoods State Park, Boulder Creek. All day/evening. Crafts, kids' games, kid-friendly hikes and walks, marshmallow-roasting and a campfire among some of the coast's oldest and most beautiful redwoods.

Sunday, September 28th
  • Taste of Morgan Hill, Downtown Morgan Hill, 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Food, music, dancing, Kids Zone. (Admission is free.)

Friday, October 3rd

Saturday, October 4th
  • Roaring Camp Railroads Harvest Fair and Steam Festival, Felton. Plenty of children's crafts and activities, as well as a pumpkin patch visit with purchase of a steam train ticket. (Harvest Fair is free, but you must purchase a ticket to ride the trains.)
  • Harvest Fair & Exhibition at Emma Prusch Farm Park, San Jose, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Food, pumpkin patch, entertainment, 4H animals, "county fair" feel. (Admission and parking are free.)
  • Los Altos Fall Festival, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Food, entertainment, kids' activities and train. (Admission is free.)
  • Diwali Celebration, Santana Row, San Jose, 12:00-7:00 p.m. A carnival featuring Indian cultural activities for all ages to celebrate the fall "Festival of Lights." Events will take place at Santana Row Park. (Free.)
  • YSI Science Saturdays, Vasona Park, Los Gatos. 1:00-2:00 p.m. YSI hosts fun events that are appropriate for all ages, but might be best enjoyed by older toddlers and kids. This event has an animal tracks theme, and will also feature the opportunity to meet some of the small animals that live at YSI's nature center.
  • Mountain View Oktoberfest, Bryant St. at Dana St. in Mountain View, 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Bouncy houses, face painting and balloons for the kids, as well as a kids' pretzel eating contest at 12:15 p.m. (Admission is free, but you must buy a stein/tickets to drink.)
  • Family Fandango, Santa Teresa Park's Historic Bernal Ranch, San Jose, 3:00-6:00 p.m. Family fun, traditional crafts, song and dance demonstrations, activities for kids. (Admission is free.)
  • Fall Family Art Day, Triton Museum, Santa Clara. 2:30-4:30 p.m. Hands-on art activities for the whole family. (Free.)

Sunday, October 5th
  • Roaring Camp Railroads Harvest Fair and Steam Festival, Felton. Plenty of children's crafts and activities, as well as a pumpkin patch visit with purchase of a steam train ticket. (Harvest Fair is free, but you must purchase a ticket to ride the trains.)
  • Los Altos Fall Festival, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Food, entertainment, kids' activities and train. (Admission is free.)
  • Big Screen Sunday featuring "The Pumpkin Circle", Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose. A short film following the growth of a pumpkin patch from a bug's point of view. Showings at 1:00, 2:00 and 3:00 p.m. (Free with museum admission.)
  • Fall Community Day, Gamble Garden, Palo Alto. 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Dig for worms and help in the garden and enjoy arts, crafts, kids' activities, food and entertainment (including two performances by Ravioli the Clown). (Free.)
  • YSI Wildlife Festival, Alum Rock Park, San Jose. A wonderful non-profit kids' outdoor education program, YSI is offering this free community event which includes live animal encounters, arts, crafts and more. (Free.)
  • Mountain View Oktoberfest, Bryant St. at Dana St. in Mountain View, 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Bouncy houses, face painting and balloons for the kids, as well as a kids' pretzel eating contest at 12:15 p.m. (Admission is free, but you must buy a stein/tickets to drink.)

Saturday, October 11th
  • Pumpkins in the Park, Discovery Meadow (in front of the Children's Discovery Museum), San Jose, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Pumpkin patch, parade, music, activities, games. (Free.)
  • Calabash Gourd Festival at Uesugi Farms, San Martin, 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
  • Harvest Festival at Ardenwood Historic Farm, Fremont. 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.An awesome event, with music, food and corn-picking. ($10 for adults, free for children 3 and under.)
  • Ohlone Day, Deer Hollow Farm, Los Altos. 12:00-3:00 p.m. Children's activities, crafts and games relating to the Native Americans who lived in the Bay Area. (Admission is $7; kids under 1 are free.)
  • Aki Matsuri Fall Festival, Wesley United Methodist Church, Japantown neighborhood of San Jose. 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Food, activities, entertainment and games.
  • Family Day at the DeSaisset Museum, Santa Clara. 1:00-4:00 p.m. Free art and entertainment for the whole family (toddlers included!).

Sunday, October 12th
  • UC Santa Cruz Fall Harvest Festival. Music, food, a pumpkin patch, tractor rides, and a chance to explore the super cool university farm (check out the music making area!). We went to this festival last year and had a blast. 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. $5 admission, children under 12 are free.
  • Calabash Gourd Festival at Uesugi Farms, San Martin, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
  • Harvest Festival at Ardenwood Historic Farm, Fremont. 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.An awesome event, with music, food and corn-picking. ($10 for adults, free for children 3 and under.)
  • Family Day at the Lazy Foot Chicken Ranch, Los Altos. 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Pumpkin patch, pumpkin painting, tours, chickens, garden activities, entertainment and baked goods.

Friday, October 17th
  • Halloween Train, Ardenwood Historic Farm, Fremont. 7:00-9:00 p.m. A "slightly frightful" event designed for families with kids under 12. ($10 for adults, free for children 2 and under.)

Saturday, October 18th
  • Woodside Pumpkin Festival, Mounted Patrol of San Mateo County, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Ponies, petting zoo, food and drink, and lots of pumpkins. 
  • Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival,  Main Street in Half Moon Bay. 9:00 a.m.-5:00  p.m. This is "the big one" when it comes to pumpkin festivals, but the crowds will be heavy, so plan ahead. (Free.)
  • Campbell Oktoberfest, Downtown Campbell, 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. (Free. Go early if you're taking your toddler to avoid rowdiness.)
  • Goblin Jamboree at Bay Area Discovery Museum, Sausalito, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Pony rides, petting zoo, train, and more -- wear a costume and join the fun. ($16 admission, all activities are included.)
  • Diwali Festival of Lights at the Children's Discovery Museum, San Jose, 12:00-4:00 p.m. Performances, activities and crafts celebrating the Indian Festival of Lights. (Free with museum admission.)
  • Halloween Train, Ardenwood Historic Farm, Fremont. 7:00-9:00 p.m. A "slightly frightful" event designed for families with kids under 12. ($10 for adults, free for children 2 and under.)
  • Thomas and Percy's Halloween Party, Roaring Camp Railroads, Felton. A train ride and family activities with everyone's favorite engine. Trains leave hourly from 10:30 to 2:30 for the 25 minute ride. ($24 per person, children 1 and under are free. Additional $8 per car for parking.)
  • Market Days: Toys, the Exploratorium, San Francisco. 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. A free open air mini-festival outside the Exploratorium (you need to buy tickets to go in the Exploratorium itself), with performances, the opportunity to play with and explore many types of toys, and other exciting stuff. I've heard rave reviews from a reader who brought his toddler to another Market Days event.

Sunday, October 19th
  • Woodside Pumpkin Festival, Mounted Patrol of San Mateo County, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Ponies, petting zoo, food and drink, and lots of pumpkins. 
  • Diwali Festival of Lights at the Children's Discovery Museum, San Jose, 12:00-4:00 p.m. Performances, activities and crafts celebrating the Indian Festival of Lights. (Free with museum admission.)
  • Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival,  Main Street in Half Moon Bay. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. This is "the big one" when it comes to pumpkin festivals, but the crowds will be heavy, so plan ahead. (Free.)
  • Goblin Jamboree at Bay Area Discovery Museum, Sausalito, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Pony rides, petting zoo, train, and more -- wear a costume and join the fun. ($16 admission, all activities are included.)
  • Campbell Oktoberfest, Downtown Campbell, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (Free. Go early if you're taking your toddler to avoid rowdiness.)
  • Halloween Train, Ardenwood Historic Farm, Fremont. 7:00-9:00 p.m. A "slightly frightful" event designed for families with kids under 12. ($10 for adults, free for children 2 and under.)
  • Thomas and Percy's Halloween Party, Roaring Camp Railroads, Felton. A train ride and family activities with everyone's favorite engine. Trains leave hourly from 10:30 to 2:30 for the 25 minute ride. ($24 per person, children 1 and under are free. Additional $8 per car for parking.)
  • Fantasy Fun Day, Moreland Educational Foundation Pumpkin Patch, San Jose. 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Visit the pumpkin patch and toddler-friendly "haunted trail" (though stay away from the big kid one!!), and make some fun, fantasy-inspired crafts. Food and drink available for purchase. Geared towards ages 3-10.

    Friday, October 24th
    • Halloween Train, Ardenwood Historic Farm, Fremont. 7:00-9:00 p.m. A "slightly frightful" event designed for families with kids under 12. ($10 for adults, free for children 2 and under.)

    Saturday, October 25th
    • History Meets Haunting: A Family Celebration, the Regnstorff House, Mountain View. Crafts, games, trick or treating, costume parade. 12:00-4:00 p.m. Costume parade at 2:00. (Suggested donation of $3.)
    • Boo at the Zoo at the San Francisco Zoo, 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Crafts, treat stations, haunted nature train, pumpkin stomp and chomp. (Free with zoo admission. Kids in costume get $1 off admission -- no rubber masks allowed.)
    • Family Night at the Museum, Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose. 6:00-8:30 p.m. A spellbinding celebration of books and make-believe. Come in costume. Non-members are $25/person, members are $20 person (fully tax-deductible).
    • Boo at the Zoo, Oakland Zoo, 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Costume, treats, parade. Kids in costume get a free ride ticket. (Events are free with zoo admission.)
    • Kidgits Halloween Spooktacular at Stanford Shopping Center, Center Pavilion, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. ($5 to join the Kidgits program.)
    • Halloween Hoopla, Menlo Park, 11:15 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Costume parade, activities, and trick or treating in downtown Menlo Park. (Free.)
    • Mountain View Cemetery Pumpkin Festival, Oakland, 12:00-3:00 p.m. Pumpkin patch, activities and treats. (Free.)
    • Halloween Monster Bash, Mountain View Community Center/Regstorff Park, 5:00-8:00 p.m. Outdoor movie, games, music, light refreshments -- come in costume. (Free.)
    • Halloween Train, Ardenwood Historic Farm, Fremont. 7:00-9:00 p.m. A "slightly frightful" event designed for families with kids under 12. ($10 for adults, free for children 2 and under.)
    • Haunted Halloween Hike, Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch Park, Gilroy, 5:00-8:00 p.m. An easy 1.5 mile Halloween-themed hike on the park's trails. (Free.)
    • Thomas and Percy's Halloween Party, Roaring Camp Railroads, Felton. A train ride and family activities with everyone's favorite engine. Trains leave hourly from 10:30 to 2:30 for the 25 minute ride. ($24 per person, children 1 and under are free. Additional $8 per car for parking.)
    • Live Earth Farm Fall Harvest Festival, Live Earth Farm, Watsonville. 2:00 p.m. - dark. Food, fun, games, music, pumpkins. $15 per car with advance registration, $20 at the event.
    • Almaden Harvest Festival, Almaden Community Center, 11:00 a.m. Bring the kids in costume for crafts, local artists, food, a pumpkin patch, storytime and a haunted house. (Admission and parking are free.)
    • Halloween Spooktacular, Red Morton Community Center, Redwood City. 12:00-3:00 p.m. Costume parade, crafts, activities. ($5 per child.)
    • Halloween Trick or Treat Event, Westgate Mall, San Jose. 12:00-4:00 p.m. Crafts and activities, including performances by Andy Z and Let's Play in Spanish, plus trick or treating among the mall's stores.
    • Pumpkin Patch Parties, Gymboree at Westgate Mall, San Jose. Parties at 3:00 or 5:00 p.m. Activities, music, dancing and more. $20 per child; parent must attend.
    • Spooky Times at Deer Hollow Farm, Los Altos. 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. "Haunted" barns, arts and crafts, and (exciting!) open pens for the animals, as well as food and drinks. $7 admission, or come in costume and admission is $5!
    • Festival Night at Goblyn's Glen, Oak Meadow Park, Los Gatos. Magician, balloon twisters, fun and games and a special dinner (extra charge for dinner).

    Sunday, October 26th
    • Boo at the Zoo at the San Francisco Zoo, 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Crafts, treat stations, haunted nature train, pumpkin stomp and chomp. (Free with zoo admission. Kids in costume get $1 off admission -- no rubber masks allowed.)
    • Big Screen Sunday featuring "The Pumpkin Circle", Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose. A short film following the growth of a pumpkin patch from a bug's point of view. Showings at 1:00, 2:00 and 3:00 p.m. (Free with museum admission.)
    • Boo at the Zoo, Oakland Zoo, 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Costume, treats, parade. Kids in costume get a free ride ticket. (Events are free with zoo admission.)
    • Halloween Hoopla at Yerba Buena Gardens, SF, 12:00-1:30 p.m. in the Children's Garden. Music, crafts and costume parade. (Free.)
    • Little Pumpkins Party at Hidden Villa Farm, Los Altos, 1:00-4:00 p.m. Animals, pumpkins, lots of toddler fun. (For ages 1-4. Registration required. $12 per person.)
    • Haunt History Park, San Jose, 1:00-4:00 p.m. Trick or treating, a costume parade, family-friendly events and arts/crafts. ($5 per person admission; ages 2 and under are free.)
    • Halloween Train, Ardenwood Historic Farm, Fremont. 7:00-9:00 p.m. A "slightly frightful" event designed for families with kids under 12. ($10 for adults, free for children 2 and under.)
    • Thomas and Percy's Halloween Party, Roaring Camp Railroads, Felton. A train ride and family activities with everyone's favorite engine. Trains leave hourly from 10:30 to 2:30 for the 25 minute ride. ($24 per person, children 1 and under are free. Additional $8 per car for parking.)
    • Pumpkin Patch Party, Gymboree at Westgate Mall, San Jose. Parties at 2:00 p.m. Activities, music, dancing and more. $20 per child; parent must attend.
    Tuesday, October 28th

    Wednesday, October 29th

    Thursday, October 30th

    Friday, October 31st


    •  


    Well, there you have it -- Toddler X's Fall Planner! I know I don't have every possible thing going on in the South Bay, but I'll gladly take suggestions and make additions as the fall season goes on.

    Happy toddling, my friends!

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