McLean Weekend: Halloween Wagon Rides, Lakeside Campfire, Princess Tea Party

Looking to get out and get some fresh air this weekend? There’s plenty doing in McLean at Riverbend Park in Great Falls and surrounding local parks. Information courtesy of Fairfax County:

Saturday

Halloween Wagon Rides
Take a narrated wagon ride at Frying Pan Farm Park filled with family-oriented thrills, chills and adventures. Many fright sites will leave you with goose bumps or giggles! Enjoy s’mores and hot apple cider. Bring flashlights, blankets and dress for the weather. Rides depart on the hour from 5 to 8 p.m. The cost is $8 per person. Register online. For information, call 703-437-9101.

Nature Buddies at Huntley Meadows Park
Parent and child (ages three to five) read a story, play games and take a walk to the wetland from 2 to 3:30 p.m. The cost is $7. Register online. For information, call 703-768-2525.

Watercolor Workshop: Painting Glass
Learn to paint the look of shine, reflection and transparency using watercolor on paper with instructor Marni Maree at Green Spring Gardens from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The cost is $76. Register online. For information, call 703-642-5173.

Campfire Saturdays at Royal Lake
Explore the woodlands and lakefront spots where wildlife hides and resides with a naturalist at Royal Lake from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The program ends with a cozy campfire and s’mores. The cost is $7 per person. For information, call Hidden Pond Nature Center at 703-451-9588.

Archaeology Month: Holding the Past in the Present
Children ages 8 to 12 discover how to dig like an archaeologist and how historians reconstructed Ellanor C. Lawrence Park’s history. Examine artifacts and figure out how they were used. This program is offered at 1 and 3 p.m.; the cost is $7. Register online. For information, call 703-631-0013.

River Monsters
Discover river monsters in Bull Run from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Fish the deep pools for giant catfish and search the banks for northern water snakes. Rregister accompanying adults and children. Bring poles and bait. Meet at Hemlock Overlook. The cost is $6. Register online. For information, call E.C. Lawrence Park at 703-631-0013.

Hands-on Nature
Drop-off your child (ages 5 to 11) for an hour of natural adventure at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park starting at 2 p.m. Children feed exhibit animals, search for wildlife, explore fur pelts, bones and other nature artifacts, and take home a craft. The cost is $5 per child. Register online. For information, call 703-631-0013.

Lovely Low-Maintenance Gardens
Start gardening smarter, not harder. Brenda Skarphol, Green Spring curatorial horticulturist, leads you to marvelous, sunny plant combos From 10:30 a.m. to noon. Learn eco-friendly gardening techniques that beautify gardens and reduce maintenance. The cost is $18. Register online. For information, call 703-642-5173.

Beyond Bows: How to Decorate Packages
Learn to make beautiful package decorations with bows, ribbons, botanic materials and more with the help of florist Chuck Mason at Green Spring Gardens from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. The program cost is $35; supply fee is $15. Register online. For information, call 703-642-5173.

Who-oo’s at the Campfire?
Gather round the campfire at Hidden Oaks Nature Center from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m. to hear stories from different cultures of how owls came to be. Toast marshmallows. The cost is $6. Register online. For information, call 703-941-1065.

Sunday

Halloween Wagon Rides
Take a narrated wagon ride at Frying Pan Farm Park filled with family-oriented thrills, chills and adventures. Many fright sites will leave you with goose bumps or giggles! Enjoy s’mores and hot apple cider. Bring flashlights, blankets and dress for the weather. Rides depart on the hour from 5 to 8 p.m. The cost is $8 per person. Register online. For information, call 703-437-9101.

Princess Tea Party
Come dressed as your favorite princess and enjoy a sit-down tea with cookies, crafts and photo opportunities at Hidden Oaks Nature Center from 2 to 3:30 p.m. The cost is $15. Register online. For information, call 703-941-1065.

Trees of Riverbend
Take a stroll around Riverbend Park from 1 to 2:30 p.m. and learn to distinguish some of its most common trees. The cost is $5. Register online. For information, call 703-759-9018.

Cold Press Soap Making
Learn how to make cold process soap using botanical ingredients at Green Spring Gardens from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Take home two bars of soap and recipes. The cost is $65. Register online. For information, call 703-642-5173.

Blacksmithing Demonstrations
Watch as the blacksmith fires up his forge and works with hammer and tongs to make iron tools and utensils at Colvin Run Mill Historic Site from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. For information, call 703-759-2771.

Food and Jane Austen
Explore the Regency Era’s culinary and dining conventions through Jane Austen’s novels and letters at Green Spring’s Historic House from 1 to 3 p.m. Hear about dress codes and discover the delicacies fit for a dinner with Mr. Darcy! The cost is $29 per person and includes a full English tea program. To make a reservation, call 703-941-7987.