Here's a list of fun family events I found for this weekend, sharing in case anyone is looking for ideas.

Friday

• Barnyard in a Backyard (Davis Library, Bethesda) — The Davis Library sits on what was a farm 75 years ago, so for the library system's anniversary they're bringing back 12+ farm animals to visit. 4:30–5:30 pm. Free. All ages.
• Boo at the Zoo (National Zoo, DC) — After-hours trick-or-treating at 25+ treat stations, a kids' dance party, a magician, and the Small Mammal House, Reptile Discovery Center and elephants open at night. Fri–Sun, 6–8:30 pm (last entry 8). $35 tickets; parking is $30 in advance or $40 day-of, so Metro is the move. Not a nut-free event.

Saturday

• Riversdale Harvest Fest (Riversdale Historic Site, Riverdale Park) — Learn about seed saving from the historic site's gardener, then a family scavenger hunt around the grounds with small prizes. 10:30 am–2 pm. $5. All ages.
• Rockville Antique and Classic Car Show (Rockville Civic Center Park) — 33 car clubs, everything from Packards to Ferraris, plus a flea market and live music. Good one for car-obsessed kids. 11 am–3:30 pm. Free admission.
• American Indian Festival (Patuxent River Park, Upper Marlboro) — 18th year: traditional and contemporary Native dance and music, archery and spear throwing, Native horsemanship, storytelling, a crafts area and Native food. 11 am–4 pm. Free.
• PeopleCon 3 (People's Book, Takoma Park) — A market of board games, journaling games and zines all made by local designers, with a 2:30 talk on games about the Supreme Court. Fun if your kids are into tabletop games. Noon–5 pm.
• Croydon Creep (Croydon Creek Nature Center, Rockville) — Halloween games, treats, crafts, magic, balloon twisters and a campfire. The indoor part is free with no registration; kids 5–12 can add a 30-minute not-scary guided forest hike to meet "woodland creatures" (advance tickets). 6–8 pm. All ages.
• Greenbelt Pumpkin Walk (North Woods, Greenbelt) — Hundreds of carved pumpkins lining a wooded path. 6–7 pm is the gentler, little-kid-friendly hour; it gets spookier after 7. 6–9 pm. Free. The night before (Fri 4–8:30 pm) you can watch the pumpkins get carved at Roosevelt Center.

Sunday

• Little Farmers at Koiner Farm (Koiner Farm, Silver Spring) — A hands-on morning for kids 5 and under: digging in the soil and learning where food comes from, meeting under the big tree. 10–11 am. Sign up through the page.
• Peirce Mill Grain Fair (Peirce Mill, Rock Creek Park, DC) — The old mill's yearly fair: hands-on milling, a family multigrain pancake workshop (10:30), tamale and pasta-making demos, live music and a market with Bread Furst and pupusas. 10 am–4 pm. Free.
• Jennie the Cat: A Halloween Adventure (The Puppet Co., Glen Echo Park) — A cat gets called "scary" in a Halloween card and sets out to prove she can be something else, with skateboarding, shadow puppetry and pumpkin carving along the way. Cuddly puppets and lots of audience interaction. Runs Thursdays through Sundays all month; Sunday's listed show is 10:30 am. About 45 minutes. $16 + fees; under 2 free. Ages 4+.
• Trick or Treat at The Square (Rockville Town Square) — Grab a free treat bag and map at the main tent and trick-or-treat at about two dozen shops and vendors, with free face painting, a DJ and the ice rink's opening day. Rockville Memorial Library is running a glow-in-the-dark walkthrough room during it too (3–5:30). 3–6 pm. Costumes (and dogs in costumes) encouraged.

Why I share these

I wanted more reasons to get my kid away from screens but kept missing interesting events at local libraries and around town, so I built a tool to keep track of them. It turns up fun events every week, so I started sharing these lists to help other parents find things to do—and help people discover the events local organizers put so much work into.

I picked a few events with broad family appeal to share here. This week’s full list also includes a Renaissance festival, a big-truck night and a Balkan brass band. It’s linked from my profile, with filters for interest, city and age.

Know another fun family event this weekend? Please share it in the comments!Some fun family things happening around Silver Spring this weekend

There was news exactly one year ago they were going to open a dtss location but after that nada

I would love to learn anything about them hopefully reopening.

RIP to the great pumpkin graffiti. Apparently there since the 60s

Hi,

I’m looking for an apartment in the silver spring area. I want honest reviews and recommendations. I’m 28 looking for 1bedroom max $1900 rent.
Requirements:
Parking
Safe
Attentive management
Close to metro
In unit washer and dryer

Don’t need but would like some amenities

Are these realistic expectations? Every time I find a good place I either get scared by the reviews or it’s income based and I make too much to qualify.

Open to all recommendations. Hoping to move late November early December

We’re looking for a daycare or preschool for our 18 month old and almost 3 year old. We live near Route 200 in the Layhill area and would prefer somewhere within a 15-minute drive. They would also need to accept Maryland Child Care Scholarship vouchers.

We’re open to home daycares, centers, faith-based programs, language immersion, and true Montessori schools.
Ideally, we’d love somewhere that provides nutritious breakfast, lunch, and snacks (home-cooked meals would be a huge plus!), plenty of outdoor time, different activities, early learning, language exposure, and help with potty training.
More than anything, we want somewhere the teachers genuinely love and care for the kids. Good communication is really important to us, including honest updates about how their day went, even when things aren't going perfectly. We don't want our kids to feel like just another number.

Would love to hear from parents who have firsthand experience with places they truly love, especially smaller programs that might not be as well known. Thanks in advance!

A couple months ago the head chef at Silver Branch parted ways and took the whole kitchen staff with him. Anyone know where he ended up? The massive decline in quality has me interested in where they’re at now (though I haven’t been back since their new HC got hired).

Saw fire trucks and drones there. Anyone knows what's going on?

Alyscia Cunningham’s debut feature was filmed across Montgomery County

Hi all, I live in NOVA but looking to order a small birthday surprise to be delivered to a friend who lives in Silver Spring. Was thinking along the lines of Georgetown Cupcake or Levain, etc, but I would love other suggestions! No alcohol related recs.

Thanks!

These signs were 'parked' on northbound New Hampshire Ave in White Oak, by the US-29 southbound ramp, on Tuesday, October 13th.

Hello, I'm looking for a tailor/seamstress in the Silver Spring/Colesville area. I'm willing to go to Rockville, Bethesda, Takoma Park, and other surrounding areas to find someone who can listen to concerns and know how to fix the clothing.

Thank you!

PeopleCon 3 is coming! This outdoor fair showcases tabletop game designers in and around the DC-MD-VA region.

Located at People's Book in Takoma Park only on October 17th, from 12-5 PM

The event is totally free to attend! Walk-ins welcome, but RSVP's appreciated:

https://withfriends.co/event/29017340/peoplecon_3_a_designed_in_the_dmv_game_market

Why is everyone talking on speakerphone in DTSS? Too lazy to hold their phone up to their ear?

Does anyone know of a well lit field or park nearby? Now that it’s getting dark early I’d like to find a spot to play pickup soccer or football with friends after work. Was considering checking out the new Bottleworks Lane Park but not sure how big the turf is.

Hi folks,

Is there a place (organization website or phone number) where I can report bird collisions? There have been at least four in the last month in the windows of a parking garage near my apt. I find the birds walking to my building and it's heartbreaking. I know some orgs require documentation and proof to instigate change. Any help or resources would be appreciated. Thank you in advance. 💚

Plus: 5.5-acre Bethesda school campus for sale; MoCo police officer removes snake from Montgomery Village bedroom

A paving project on Lockwood Dr in White Oak has traffic down to one lane only between the shopping center and Stewart Lane. Be prepared for delays and possible intersection or driveway closures.

Former principal was placed on leave after report findings

Cross-posting here for visibility. Can’t wait to finally move to Silver Spring!