From a Spooky Science Learning Party to a pumpkin patch visit via trolley, here are 12 cool events this weekend in Pittsburgh and the region

Photo above courtesy of the National Aviary.

With just a week left until Halloween, the city is full of exciting and spooky adventures for families of all ages. Check out some of the fun events this weekend in Pittsburgh and the surrounding region: 

Friday, Oct. 21 through Sunday, Oct. 23: Pumpkin Patch Trolley at the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum, 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

If you’ve got a kid that loves rails and engines, this spooky (but not scary) trolley ride takes families to the pumpkin patch for fall fun. Tickets are required. Each ticket includes a pumpkin and can be purchased here. 

Friday, Oct. 21 (Highland Park Care Center, 2 p.m.) and Saturday, Oct. 22 (Friendship Village South Hills, 2:30 p.m.): Trick-or-Treating with VolunTOTS

Join VolunTOTS and VolunTYKES as they trick-or-treat at these two senior care centers. A friendly visit from costumed kids can brighten a senior citizens’ day, and the experience of volunteering with VolunTOTS helps kids learn about the importance of helping others. RSVP on Facebook or by emailing cami@voluntotspgh.org. When you RSVP, let the VolunTOTS team know how many children you are bringing.

Friday, Oct. 21: Assemble Spooky Science Learning Party, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Join the folks at Assemble for a free science party open to all ages. There will be special guests and a costume contest, so come dressed up if you want! This event is free, but registration is required here. 

Friday, Oct. 21: Citizen Science Lab HalloSTEAM Party, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.  

If you like STEAM and screams, this is the event for your family. (Just kidding about the screams – this event is open to kids of all ages, and will not be scary.) The cost is $10 per child, and registration is here. Come in costume if you want! 

Saturday, Oct. 22: Doors Open Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh Mounted Police Tour, 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Have you always been curious about what it is like to be a mounted police officer? Doors Open invites kids and parents to come to the stable for a behind-the-scenes peek into the operations of the Pittsburgh Mounted Police. The cost is $15 and more details can be found here. 

Saturday, Oct. 22 and Sunday, Oct. 23: ZooBoo, 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Among the most popular events this weekend in Pittsburgh: ZooBoo begins at the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium. Kids can dress in their best Halloween costumes to follow the Trick-or-Treat Trail at the annual ZooBoo, running this weekend and also on Oct. 29 and 30. Themed features are geared toward little ones with not-too-scary haunt spots and creepy craft activities. Kids can march in the spooktacular parade to compete in the costume contest. ZooBoo activities and candy are free with zoo admission.

Saturday, Oct. 22 and Sunday, Oct. 23: Owl-o-Ween, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Who-o-o’s looking for fun? This owl-themed Halloween party at the National Aviary offers a full day of activities. Come in costume for trick-or-treat and receive a goody bag of cool stuff. Head to story time and an owl meet-and-greet. Visit the Bat Habitat for an educational talk, and don’t miss creating an owl craft to take home. Owl-O-Ween activities are included with Aviary admission — details here.

Saturday, Oct. 22: Punkin Chunkin, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

This might be the messiest of the events this weekend in Pittsburgh for families: The annual Punkin Chunkin festival at Hartwood Acres is truly a blast. Watch as SHARP Robotics from Sarah Heinz House launches pumpkins across the field with a full-size trebuchet (that’s a really cool catapult). The day includes loads of free activities like balloon art, hands-on crafts, face painting and Medieval sword fighting lessons. Save your appetite for the lineup of food trucks and vendors. Admission is free.

Saturday, Oct. 22: Beaver County Early Intervention Trunk-or-Treat, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

This free event is open to all families, with a focus on awareness of disability resources. There’s a touch-a-truck, lots of candy, a sensory pathway and free developmental screenings and resources from Beaver County Early Intervention. The fun will take place in the Beaver County Human Services Building parking lot at 1070 Eighth Avenue in Beaver Falls. 

Saturday, Oct. 22: Citiparks Track and Treat at the Bud Harris Cycling Track, 12 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Join Citiparks for this free healthy lifestyle event that’s fun for the entire family. Bring your bike or borrow one from Citiparks, then cycle around the Bud Harris Cycling Track in Highland Park (1401 Washington Boulevard). Families can stop to enjoy refreshments, food trucks and bike safety instruction. Activities include decorating your bike, playing games and entering the Halloween Costume Contest, happening at 2:00 pm. Also part of the fun: Meet John Manders, illustrator of “Where’s My Mummy” by author Carolyn Crimi. John will read the book and recreate his illustrations for children and families visiting the event.

Saturday, Oct. 22: The Great Pumpkin Patch and free Halloween screenings at SouthSide Works Town Square, with Fred Rogers Productions, 1 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Families can explore The Great Pumpkin Patch to find the perfect pumpkin to bring home. All of the proceeds from this charity pumpkin-picking event will benefit a local nonprofit — Strong Women, Strong Girls of Western Pennsylvania. Then beginning at 5:30, catch free screenings of kid-friendly Halloween programming by Fred Rogers Productions, including all-new Halloween episodes of “Donkey Hodie,” “Alma’s Way,” and live-action segments featuring the Sweater Kids visiting favorite Pittsburgh-area locations from “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood.” Seating will be available and guests will receive complimentary movie snacks. Details here.

Saturday, Oct. 22: Historical Halloween at the Somerset Historical Society, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.

This event at the Somerset Historical Center is a bit of a drive from the city, but the path will take you through some of the best fall foliage in the country. Once you arrive, enjoy trick-or-treating through the historical village complete with historical interpreters in period costumes and a tractor ride. Admission is only $3 for kids, and adult chaperones are free. 

Don’t forget to check out this lineup of not-so-spooky events happening now through Halloween. And be sure to cuddle up with a spooky story as the days get shorter!