The fall is a great time of the year to enjoy fun family activities. Treat kids to festivals, outdoor excursions, pumpkin picking and more during the autumn season.
Fall Festivals
Families with children of all ages can have fun at local autumn themed festivals. These outdoor activities are generally sponsored by local farms, communities, or schools. Find fall festivals by searching local newspapers, community magazines, websites, or community access television channels.
Fall festivals will differ from place to place. For a fun family time look for something that offers a variety of age appropriate activities. These may include:
- Pumpkin picking
- Pumpkin painting
- Arts and crafts
- Games
- Bouncy houses
- Face painting
- Food vendors
- Corn Mazes
- Halloween activities
Fall Foliage Walk
One excellent, and free, fall activity is to take a family walk through the changing foliage. This can be done at a local level by simply walking through the nearby neighborhood. If there is not abundant foliage available locally, try driving to a close by wooded spot to see spectacular colors.
The Weather Channel provides a current, up to date fall foliage map of the United States. Decide upon a viewing location, and then check to see when the peak leaf change will occur. This will ensure that the family is treated to brilliant reds, yellows, oranges, and browns.
Add an extra dimension to a fall foliage walk by playing family photographer. Bring at least one camera along, and take turns photographing the leaves. After the fall foliage walk print the pictures and display them around the house. Find inexpensive unfinished wood frames from a craft or art supply store. Paint these (as a family) using fall themed colors.
Fall Pumpkin Picking
Pumpkin picking is another great fall activity. Many local farms offer pumpkin picking opportunities. Additionally, some companies and organizations set up specially made pumpkin patches specifically for the fall and Halloween. Search newspaper listings or online for farms and pumpkin patches the local area. The website Pumpkin Patches and More has listings of farms and patches (plus corn mazes and more fall activities) for all U.S. states, plus some in Canada, Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand.
Before heading out to find the perfect pumpkin, hold a family meeting to decide what is needed or wanted. Create a list with descriptions such as:
- Size (large, medium, or small)
- Quantity
- Shape
- Use (carving, painting, or cooking)
Planning a fun fall family outing can be a rewarding experience. Fall festivals, foliage tours, and pumpkin picking activities are great ways to spend quality time together. Look for local events and activities that are offered by community groups or farms for ideas. Include the entire family and enjoy the colorful splendor of the autumn season!
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