Watch

"Cars" -- The spunky talking rides in this surefire kids' classic rev them up for the Thunder Road Tour at Watkins Glen International. (Toddlers and Up)

"The Love Bug" -- For more moto-vation, try Herbie, the Volkswagen Beetle with a mind of his own. (School Age and Up)

Eat

Concord Grape Pie -- Grapes are a regional specialty, including this unusual purple pie.

Giant Cowboy Cookies -- Warm them up for a trip to Kids West.

Read

"The Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle -- Kids love the classic tale about a caterpillar who eats his way to butterfly-dom; A great prerequisite to the Dancing Butterflies exhibit at the Strong Museum. (Ages 4 to 8)

"Big Book of Cars" by DK Publishing -- Hot rod enthusiasts can check out the world's most unusual cars before visiting real ones at Watkins Glen International. (Ages 4 and Up)

"Gaia Girls Enter the Earth" by Lee Welles -- The eco-friendly movement comes to upstate New York when a girl takes on a corporation threatening to pollute her home. (Ages 9 to 12)

Make

Fall Foliage Friends -- The area is known for its autumn brilliance. Get them ready for leaf-peeping with local finds.

Gyrocopter -- Maybe not quite as impressive as the mondo planes at Glenn Curtiss Museum, but kids love to make anything fly.