By Sharon Rose
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| During the fall season, our family has made picking out a pumpkin at the pumpkin patch a tradition. |
1. Raking Leaves - Raking leaves is a great way to introduce children to fall fun. They can enjoy this activity without leaving home. The whole family can get involved with cleaning up the yard with the bonus of playing and jumping in the pile of leaves they rake up. Collect leaves to take indoors for fall arts and crafts activities.
2. Backyard Camping – Camping, sleeping under the stars, is a childhood memory no one should be denied. Camping in your backyard is convenient, because you don’t have to pack up anything and leave home. Make a soft pile of leaves for comfort in your sleeping bag. Grill a delicious meal, and roast marshmallows to make s’mores. Be sure to check your local laws for building bonfires or recreational fires. Some types of fires need a permit. Safety first!
3. Pumpkin Patch – Visiting a pumpkin patch is a fall tradition with many families. Some families like to visit the same one each year, and others like to change it up. Either way, it is fun for the whole family! The children enjoy picking out their own pumpkin to take home for carving into a jack-o-lantern or to decorate the home.
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| Many families make an annual fall visit to a pumpkin patch. The children love picking out their very own! |
4. Apple Picking – What fun to pick apples and eat what you pick! Locate an apple orchard near you and make it a family outing to introduce the children to farm to table healthy eating. Tip: You may need a ladder. Parents can continue this learning experience at local farmer markets, likely, closer to home, picking apples from baskets and talking to the farmers on how they grow and care for their apple orchard.
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| Mother and daughter are enjoying apple picking. Could a fresh apple pie be in their future? |
6. Hay Ride – Another tradition that started long ago, when farm life was a bigger part of the landscape in America, hay rides are still a favorite fall activity. A tractor or horse pulling a wagon of bales of hay and riders who sing songs and chatter, makes for a celebratory atmosphere. Many hay rides are taken in the moonlight for romantics and during Halloween to scare up enjoyment, as well.
7. Hiking – Hiking is a great exercise that can be done year-round, but is so much more enjoyable when the weather is crisp and cool, and fall is showing off its colorful foliage. It’s an activity that allows families to enjoy exploring local, state, and national parks. Take a back pack with water, and snacks or picnic lunch; depending on your hiking plan. A sturdy shoe should be worn for your safety.
8. Nature Walk – A nature walk is much like hiking, but with a twist. Nature walking involves walking, exploring, and searching for living things of interest, such as: birds, bugs, butterflies, and types of trees and leaves.
9. Scavenger Hunt – Scavenger hunts can be created by making a list of things to collect while on a nature walk. Often set up as a competition, a scavenger hunt is a fun way to learn about nature. This is an activity that can be incorporated into a fall birthday party for a child in the family.
10. River Boating and Tubing – The beautiful foliage and serene atmosphere of the river and river bank, in fall, makes this activity so relaxing. As well, the areas of the river that are turbulent can make this activity daring and adventurous, and thrilling. Some of the various river activities are: canoeing, kayaking, tubing, whitewater rafting, pontoon boat fishing, stand-up paddle board, rafting, and riverboat ride. The family will want to go back again and again!
Copyright, Parents Want You to Know 101: Family Fall Outdoor Activities -Bucket List, Sharon Rose, Parents Want to Know 101, October 4, 2019. All rights reserved.
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