The leaves are changing colors, the weather is getting cooler, and the holidays are around the corner. You know what that means … fall is here. It can be hard to say goodbye to summer and all the barbecues and swimming parties that came with it. Fortunately, there are plenty of fun fall activities to enjoy. In this article, we outline a few that are perfect for the entire family.
Depending on where you live, fall may be your last chance to explore the great outdoors before frigid temps descend. You’ll want to take advantage of these months with your children. Go for a family stroll in the morning before work and school. Or spend the weekends hiking a kid-friendly trail. Chances are, you’ll find a plethora of options simply by Googling “nature areas near me.”
Hiking is not only a great way to stretch your legs, it also lets your family enjoy a different type of scenery. That’s especially true if you spend your workweek pounding the city streets. To make hiking more fun, consider buying a kids smart watch for your children so they can track their steps. You could even make it a game, rewarding the person who walked the most with a special treat.
Thanks to the cool but not cold weather, fall is a popular time of year to go apple picking. Apples are at their peak during this season, so you and your kids are almost guaranteed to score some delicious specimens. Afterward, it’s your choice whether to enjoy them as is or turn them into pies, muffins, and applesauce.
Before you go apple picking with members of your family, offer them a few protips. For apples that are ready to eat, make sure to pick from the outside of the tree. These are typically ripe because they’re more exposed to the sun. It shouldn’t take much effort to pick an apple that’s ripe. If your kids find themselves tugging, the apple probably isn’t ready yet.
Another benefit of apple picking is that orchards typically have additional kid-friendly activities, like petting zoos and train rides. Your kids are sure not to be disappointed!
Who can resist a decorative gourd? When autumn rolls around, you likely get the itch to decorate your home to reflect the change in seasons. Maybe you adorn your porch with pumpkins and sunflowers. Or perhaps you get an early start on Halloween and bring out the fake cobwebs and witches. Whatever direction your decorative bent takes, consider enlisting your kids to help.
Decorating as a family is a great way for your kids to show you their creative side. Give them the opportunity to make some decisions. Ask your children for their input on what decorations to put up and where. And don’t be afraid to put your children to actual work. They can hold the ladder while you hang tree ghosts or wheelbarrow pumpkins into place.
It would be surprising if there weren’t more than a few fall festivals happening near you in the next couple months. Take your kids to one this year. Fall festivals are fun for both older and younger kids because they typically have a lot to offer. Besides hayrides and corn mazes, these festivals are also known for having some delicious food. You may even find one that’s Halloween-inspired, so your children can dress up.
Some fall festivals offer pumpkin patches, so your family can pick the perfect jack-o’-lantern fodder. Even if you don’t plan to carve it, selecting a pumpkin patch pumpkin is much more fun than putting one in your grocery cart.
Another benefit to these festivals is they typically don’t cost a lot. Most are free to attend, and pony rides and cider doughnuts are unlikely to break the bank. Another Google search — this time for “fall festivals near me” — should help you find what you’re looking for.
Football is back, which means tailgating season is in full swing. If you and your family have a favorite team, consider cheering them on by hosting a tailgate party. This is a great activity to engage your kids, but also a good way to take advantage of the autumn weather.
The first step to hosting a tailgate party is getting tickets to the game. If possible, start looking sooner rather than later. Since football teams constantly travel, fans are quick to buy tickets for their home games. You’ll need to get yours before they sell out. In addition, home game tickets can be costly and become even more expensive as game time draws near.
Once you have your tickets, scout out possible tailgating locations. Typically, tailgaters set up in a parking lot, but if you’re cheering on a college team, there are often choice spots elsewhere on campus. Make sure there’s enough room for you, your family, and your guests to spread out comfortably. Then break out the snacks and beverages and start getting fired up for the gridiron action!
Fall is a great time to get outside and enjoy the scenery and crisp weather. The activities above are just a few of the many ways you and your family can enjoy yourselves this season.
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