The Little Paper

Starting off with the humble pumpkin, the month of October is brimming with possibilities. Check out our guide to Pumpkin Farms, some offer hay mazes and gently haunted activities, many have wagon rides and hot cider or chocolate. Riverdale Farm sports a pumpkin patch and carving at their annual Halloween Boo Barn on the 24th from 9:30am-3:30pm or you can pick up your jack o’ lantern from the oldest tollbooth in Canada.

The Tollkeeper’s Cottage, the lovely little historical building on the corner of Bathurst and Davenport hosts an apple and pumpkin sale on the 24th and 25th from 10am-5pm. Get your smallest child in on the action with pumpkin pushes from Value Village. They look a lot like Mr. Potato Head pieces – your child simply presses them into her pumpkin and Voila! Instant face, no cutting required. Come to think of it, you could skip the shopping and just use the Mr. Potato Head pieces themselves. A few truly exceptional events you won’t want to miss are the magical, fire-lit Night of Dread Paradeat Dufferin Grove Park on the 24th (assemble at 3pm or come to watch the parade get started at 6pm ), the Pedestrian Sunday honouring ancestors celebration at Kensington Market on the 25th from 12-7pm, and the enchanting November 1st Pumpkin Parade at Sorauren Park, where you can place your pumpkin along a glowing trail for its last hurrah. Hundreds flock to this annual jack o lantern artshow. Have a crafty kid, eager to kit out your house for the big day? Host a decoration swap party with a gaggle of your child’s nearest and dearest. Each child brings the supplies for their craft times the number of kids in the group.

If you need a little inspiration, Martha is your gal. And if you are new to your neighbourhood, ask around to find out the locations of the best-decorated houses. Every street usually has one family that goes all out! And now for the big question, what to wear? Toronto has a slew of places with children’s costumes. Some to try include your local Goodwill and Value Village, Kids Costumes, Costume Witch, It’s My Party and the Ms Dress-Ups online store.

The S.P.A.C.E. at 1324 Danforth Ave is holding a used costume sale on the 17th from 1: 30-3:30pm and

Diaper-eez in Bloor West Village is offering baby and toddler costumes. Susan has a variety in stock but you can pick your child’s costume form the catalogue and she’ll order it for you. Local mom, Gretel Meyer Odell, whose work we've admired all over town, has stunning not-just-for-Hallowe'en costumes for sale online as well as at the Sorauren Farmer's Market on Mondays. Of course, the many vintage and used clothing stores of Kensington Market are also a great option if you want to style something yourself. Have fun, save some candy for yourself and keep a look out for the Great Pumpkin! A last minute add... I'm afraid we made a mistake in the newspaper. We'd like to apologize to our friends at Wise Daughters and let you know that they have Craft Clubs every Saturday starting on October 3rd. Wise Daughters Craft Market 3079B Dundas St. West 416-761-1555 www.wisedaughters.com Saturdays starting Oct 3, 10:00 – 12:00 Parent/Child Crafty Saturdays with Anna Redish Ages 4+ $150 1st child, $100 2nd + for 5 weeks Saturdays starting Oct 3, 1:00 – 3:00 Boys’ Craft Club with Anna Redish Ages 6+ $150 for 5 weeks