Long Island Kids' Activities October 18-19: Oyster Festival, Rise of the Jack O'Lanterns, Barkfest, Live Plays & More

10/16/14 - By Jaime Sumersille

The weekend for all things pumpkin is upon us. Pick a pumpkin, decorate a pumpkin, watch an animated show about pumpkins or look at carved pumpkins. And don't forget to check out our Long Island Halloween Guide.

If you're holding off on the Halloween fanfare this weekend, check out a LEGO exhibit in Stony Brook, the Oyster Festival in Oyster Bay or bring Frido to the Nassau Barkfest at Eisenhower Park.

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The Oyster Festival – Oyster Bay. The Oyster Festival originated as a hometown parade honoring Theodore Roosevelt. Enjoy live entertainment, Tall Ships, artisans, pirate shows, midway rides, and the oyster eating and shucking contest. In the food court, chefs and culinary pros cook and serve unique oyster, clam, and other seafood concoctions. Cost: Free admission.

Rise of the Jack O’Lanterns – Old Westbury. All-ages nighttime Halloween event that features 5,000 hand-carved jack o’lanterns. Rain or shine. Offered through Nov. 2. Cost: $18-28.

Willy Wonka Junior – East Islip. Live performance of Willy Wonka. Cost: $10 in advance, $12 at the door.

Harbes Western Farm - Jamesport. Corn maze, pumpkin picking, live music, hay rides, bouncy houses, animals, roasted corn and other food, etc. Cost: Pay one price admission $6.95-$12.95 per person. A la carte option ($5 pony rides) available.

Otto the Ghost’s Animated Story– Westbury. At Hicks Nurseries. Cost: Free.

LEGO Building Contest & Exhibit – Stony Brook. At the Stony Brook Village Center. If you love building with LEGOs, here is your chance to show off your original creations and maybe win a prize. Create a piece on your own or in a group (no more than five members) and bring it for display through Sunday, Oct. 26. There will be a special Celebration on Oct. 26, where prizes will be awarded. Cost: $4/person.

Explorer Family Backpacks– Hempstead. At the Hofstra University Museum. Pick up a backpack and discover the beauty of the world's cultures through specific works displayed in the gallery, create your own keepsake artworks to bring home, for children ages 5-10. Cost: Free.

Saturday, October 18

Fido Fall Fair – Sayville. Features harvest beverages, vendors, craft activities, games and more. Festival-goers are encouraged to bring their dogs in costume. Proceeds benefit the Seniors with Animals Project of PAWS. Cost: $25 adults (includes free admission for one child up to age 16); $10 additional children 16 and younger.

Cinderella – Ronkonkoma. Live ballet performance. Cost: $18.

Duck Race & Chili Cookoff – East Setauket. Food, vendors, arts and crafts, children’s activities. Cost: $5/entry or a flock of 10 ducks for $35.

Paint a Pumpkin Workshop – Greenlawn. Age appropriate sessions for pumpkin decorating. Families welcome. Adults only event also offered. Cost: $20 ages 2-5, $25 ages 6-9, $30 adult night.

Flick Treat Festival – Melville. Newsday-sponsored event. Come in costume for trick-or-treating, pumpkin patch, photo ops, free giveaways, raffles, event program and feature-length film: Hocus Pocus. Cost: Free.

Arts in the Plaza - Long Beach. Every Saturday in Kennedy Plaza. Arts, crafts, kiddie activities. Cost: Free.

Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs - Port Jefferson. Live performance. Through the end of October. Cost: $10

Craft - New Hyde Park. Kids can create a free craft at the Lakeshore Learning Store. Cost: Free.

Science Saturdays - Riverhead. Play and explore at The Long Island Science Center. Cost: $5/person.

Sunday, October 19

Magic Carpet Show – East Meadow. A bit of magic and music. Cost: $5.

Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs – Port Jefferson. Live performance. Cost: $10.

Fall Festival & Swap Meet - Melville. At the Thomas School of Horsemanship. Fall games, rides, music, pumpkins, pony rides, face painting, crafts, vendors & more! Rain date Oct 26. Cost: Free admission.

The Boy Who Could Be Captain Hook – Garden City. Live performance at the Long Island Children's Museum. Actor David Harrell brings to life a story of his childhood. Born without his right hand and fitted with a prosthetic hook, he finds school a challenge. Cost: Free with museum admission.

Nassau Barkfest – East Meadow. Halloween costume parade for dogs. Cost: Free.

Family Gallery Talk & Art Workshop – Water Mill. Discover the museum on these art-filled Sundays for families. Cost: Adults $10, children under age 18 are free.

Not So Spooky Halloween Spooktacular – Riverhead. An interactive live puppet and magic show. Cost: $15.

Sunday Seatuck Family Nature Club - Islip. Family-friendly nature program. Cost: Free.