8 fun (and free!) events for families this weekend, from outdoor adventures to indoor neuroscience

Photo by Alfred Schrock used by permission via Unsplash.

All around the Pittsburgh region, family-friendly events have you and your kids covered this weekend. Check out these eight great choices:

Oct. 22: Ahhh Brains! Learning Party
This zombie-inspired learning party at Assemble examines our most fascinating body part. Kids will learn how brains work, build a zombie-style operation game and interact with guest experts. Expect to see some cool and spooky specimens, too. Registration is free.

Oct. 22 and 23: VolunTOTS Trick or Treat with Seniors
VolunTOTS operates on the premise that even our littlest kids can do good deeds. The group’s October plans include engaging with seniors in trick-or-treat parades. South Tots head to Friendship Village on Oct. 22 and 23, Central Tots visit Highland Park Care Center on Oct. 22, North Tots stop at Elmcroft Senior Living on Oct. 23 and East Tots share the love at Bethlen Home on Oct. 23. Find details and RSVP here. Free.

Oct. 22 and 23: Things That Go Bump in the Night
This Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy annual event is intended for kids ages 3 to 9 and their grownups. Register for staggered times between 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. this Friday and Saturday (also happening Oct. 29 and 30). Choose your time and date, sign up for a guided hike with cool fall activities along the way. Each kid gets a pumpkin to take home at the end of the walk. Free.

Oct 23: The Great Pumpkin Patch
The Great Pumpkin Patch is popping up in SouthSide Works Town Center from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday to entertain families while benefitting one of Pittsburgh’s most beloved family-focused nonprofits. Pumpkins start at $3 and 100% of the proceeds goes to Beverly’s Birthdays. Look for fun family activities and artist pumpkin carvings while you’re picking the perfect pumpkin. Stick around for dinner at one of SouthSide Works eateries and then head over to the North Lot for a free screening of the movie “Hocus Pocus.”

Oct 23: Track and Treat
This annual Citiparks event combines family fun with a focus on a healthy lifestyle. Bring bicycles or borrow a bike on-site to pedal around the Bud Harris Cycling Track. The event includes bike safety lessons, a bike decorating station, games and a costume contest. Keep the energy up with refreshments and great eats from food trucks. Free.

Oct.  23: Punkin Chunkin
The annual Punkin Chunkin festival at Hartwood Acres, beginning at 11 a.m., is literally a blast. Watch as SHARP Robotics from Sarah Heinz House launches pumpkins across the field with a full-size catapult. The day includes loads of free activities, including balloon art, hands-on crafts, face painting and Medieval sword fighting lessons. Paid activities like a cornhole tournament and ax-throwing add to the fun, along with a lineup of food trucks and vendors. Admission is free.

Oct. 23: Halloween Mayhem
The fun starts at noon on Saturday at Kelly Strayhorn Theater’s annual Halloween Mayhem. A wild family time offers hands-on crafts, spooky activities, pumpkin carving and Halloween decorating. The afternoon schedule includes a series of inspiring youth-led performances, too. Kids can dress up for a costume parade, play games and dance to groovy beats. Tickets are priced at pay-what-you-wish.

Oct 23 and 24: Trunk or Treat
Kids can dress up in costume and trick-or-treat between Halloween-decorated cars at Allegheny County Parks’ Trunk or Treat events. The family fun takes place on Oct. 23 at South Park VIP Lot and Oct. 24 at Hartwood Acres Amphitheater. Don’t forget your trick-or-treat bag! Registration is free.

Oct. 23 and 24: ZooBoo at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium
ZooBoo returns this year to the delight of kids who love Halloween… without all the fright. The Pittsburgh Zoo hosts the daytime spooktacular with trick-or-treating, hands-on creepy crafts and not-too-spooky haunts. Join in the Halloween parade, costume contest and silly dances. Zoo animals put on a show with their special Halloween treats, too. ZooBoo activities and candy are included with general zoo admission and free for zoo members.