If you know me at all, then you know my passion for LISTS. I love organization and making lists for everything. To do lists, packing lists, grocery lists, idea lists, lists of the lists I need to make. You name it, I can list it. So it was pretty obvious I needed to create a list of fall activities to do with my family. I am guessing we probably won’t get through everything on the list this year, but the great thing about the internet (or scary thing) is that once you post something it is there forever! So I can refer back to this list next year and see what we missed.
PUMPKIN PATCH
The most obvious fall family activity is to go to a pumpkin patch. Lucky for us, Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan is filled with them! It’s great to just pack up the kids, head a few miles down the road and check out all of the pumpkins and pumpkin-flavored items. The kids love picking their own pumpkins to take home, too!
APPLE ORCHARD/CIDER MILL
Another obvious fall activity is a you-pick apple orchard. These are often (at least in my area) combined with pumpkin patches so you can check two things off the list at once! Not only is apple picking a blast, think of all the delicious treats you can make with your load once you get home. Apple pies, apple sauce, apple fritters, candy apples, apples dipped in caramel…..
A bonus is when the orchard has its own cider mill that allows you to watch and learn about the process, and then grab a gallon for the fridge a home.
NATURE WALK
Take the kids on a nature walk. A metro-park is a great place for this; or just around your neighborhood. Point out all of the changing leaves, and keep your eyes peeled for fun Halloween decorations!
RAKE/PLAY IN LEAVES
Every little kids favorite activity! Growing up, my parents had a pretty bare yard, do I did not get to play in leaves all that often. Since purchasing my own home with around 10 or so trees, raking the yard is a must. Get the kids involved by letting them help, and then jump in them once or twice before you move them to the curb!
CARVE PUMPKINS
My husband is a party pooper and is not a fan of pumpkin carving. I, however, AM. I am not an artist so my pumpkin usually consists of triangle eyes and nose, and a toothy grin. Or I might attempt one of the easy designs that come with the pumpkin carving kits (does anyone else find themselves purchasing a new kit every year because they can’t find the last one?).
BAKE PUMPKIN SEEDS
After you’re done carving your pumpkins, clean the guts off of the seeds and bake them. They make a delicious and nutritious snack. Try different seasonings to switch it up. Below are some links to some of my favorites.
Cinnamon & Sugar Pumpkin Seeds
PAINT PUMPKINS
Buy a couple $2.00 pumpkins from your local grocery store and bust out the paints! While things are bound to get messy, it is a super fun activity and a fun way to shake things up. When the pumpkins have dried, glam them up even more with foam stickers, glue, etc.
HALLOWEEN PARTY
Go to (or throw) a Halloween party! There is nothing better then putting on your costume and hanging out with friends in a spooky setting. Halloween parties are fun for both kids AND adults, and the theme ideas are endless. I am hoping to have a Halloween party at our house one of these years, you know, when I have the time and energy…..
FALL CRAFT DAY
Run out to hobby lobby and stock up on things like construction paper, paint, glue, glitter, googly eyes and pipe cleaners. Then devote a morning (or a whole day) to making fall crafts! Check out my Pinterest board for some toddler-friendly ideas.
CORN MAZE
A corn maze is a great adventure to take with your kids! And a great lesson in sticking together and knowing your right from left, hahaha. The twins went through a toddler corn maze recently and loved it!
TRICK-OR-TREAT
Duh. But make an event out of it! We have the grandparents over every year, order pizza, make drinks and pass out candy! Then mom and dad can take the little ones door to door while the grandparents man the candy bowl. Trick-or-treating is also a great time to fit in a lesson on manners – saying thank you at every door!
HALLOWEEN MOVIE NIGHT
Turn out the lights, pop some popcorn and crawl into mommy and daddy’s bed and have a movie marathon!
BAKE PUMPKIN COOKIES
My kids love “helping” in the kitchen, so we find ourselves baking often. Lennon got a concussion a few weeks ago so we baked pumpkin chocolate chip cookies as a low-key activity that weekend. Here is a link to the recipe!
HAVE A BONFIRE
There is nothing more fall than enjoying a bonfire (or a fire in your fire pit like us) in the back yard on a chilly Friday night. You could tell spooky stories, play music, or make s’mores!
BOB FOR APPLES
I can only remember doing this once or twice in my life, but I definitely remember thinking it was so much fun. Hoping to do this with my kids once they are a bit older!
And that’s our list! Hopefully this helps you and your family have a little more fun this fall. 🙂
The Patient Mom 