Geared toward children under 8 years of age, the festival will feature face painting, fishing for leaves, a "crow catch," sack races, ring-around-the-pumpkin, bean bag tosses, cookie decorating, a leaf grab, a variety of crafts and a scarecrow garden.

"It's the type of old-fashioned fun that a lot of us, especially our children, don't get to experience any more, especially in this time of electronic gadgetry," said Barbara Hill, the center's director. "It's a wonderful opportunity for children to experience some safe, developmentally appropriate activities that most of them can do for themselves."

The festival will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. in the center's Lab School play yard at 18330 Halsted St. in Northridge. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children and children 2 years and under are free.

For more information, call (818) 677-3131.

The Lab School and the center are part of CSUN's Department of Family Environmental Sciences and are dedicated to fostering the growth and development of the whole child as well as forming a partnership with the child's family. The school also serves as a learning environment for CSUN students interested in working with children.

California State University, Northridge has more than 32,500 full- and part-time students and offers 59 bachelor's and 41 master's degrees as well as 28 education credential programs. Founded in 1958, it is the only four-year university in the San Fernando Valley and the third largest in the 23-campus CSU system. The Western Association of Schools and Colleges recently said CSUN "stands as a model to other public urban institutions of higher education."