Fall is an exciting time for many people, but it’s important to take some time to make fall a great season for kids as well. Since many kids are going back to school during the fall it can feel like a season where they’re busy and often ignored.
Taking some time to make the season feel special, especially on the weekends, is a great way to help your kids feel loved and help them see what’s great about Fall.
These activities are great all season long, not just around Halloween or Thanksgiving. That way you always have something fun to do.
Remember that your kids might not be interested in all of these activities. Some kids enjoy arts and crafts more than outdoor experiences or might need family time more than creative time.
Try to tailor what you’re doing with your kid to their specific needs.
Preserving leaves is a simple and fun way to help your kid feel in touch with the season. Take your kids out to find their favorite leaves and try not to dictate what makes a good leaf. Then help them preserve the leaves in a book or a press.
In a few weeks, consider taking out the preserved leaves and using them in arts and crafts, or using contact paper to further protect them.
Going out to visit a pumpkin patch is about a lot more than picking a great pumpkin. In many places, the local pumpkin patch is a mini-festival and a great place for little kids to run around and blow off steam.
Plus, there’s no better place to get jack-o-lantern pumpkins!
Kids of all ages can enjoy baking with family. Consider making bread and talking about how people used to make all their food by hand or preparing cookies and other treats your kids love. Let them participate in age-appropriate ways, and even take the lead when they get older.
Scarecrows made with a burlap sack and newspaper stuffing don’t have to be hard to make, and you can choose between large scarecrows as a family project or small scarecrows as indoor decorations. Let your kid take the lead on how your scarecrows are decorated, and help make their goals happen.
Apple Orchards are a great opportunity to talk about the cycles of life and how food grows. Plus, picking your own apples is a lot of fun, and you’ll never find better-tasting cider anywhere!
Popcorn balls are a fun and easy snack to make at home, and they’re a great choice for kids big enough to form a ball in their hands. You can even get different flavorings and binders to customize your popcorn exactly the way you want it.
It doesn’t get much better than carving pumpkins when it comes to a traditional family activity. Once your kids can be trusted with the pumpkin knife or saw, they’re old enough to start making simple jack-o-lanterns and other carved pumpkins.
While you’re carving pumpkins, nothing is better than toasting pumpkin seeds as a snack. Add spices or a little caramel for fall-flavored goodies that are even healthy!
Speaking of pumpkin-themed things… pick up a pie pumpkin in addition to the carving pumpkins. It’s pretty easy to turn a baked pie pumpkin into pumpkin puree and then pumpkin pie, but it’s a great process to show your kids how whole foods turn into something like the products you buy in the store.
That’s it! 9 fun fall activities that give your kids time with you and are great learning activities this autumn!