Go on a nature walk and search for natural objects:

 

Kids love to get outside and run, but they are also observant and curious.  I took my girls out the other day and my daughter saw a squirrel hiding acorns for the winter.  With a nature walk you will notice lots of animal activities as well as leaves changing.  The kids can bring a bag and collect natural objects to use in a picture to celebrate the season or other craft projects.

 

Stroll around your neighborhood or visit one of the local parks.  Take a nature walk around one of the paths.  While you’re at the park check out the free magazine.  You will most likely find free or inexpensive autumn activities for you and your kids to enjoy.

 

 

Go Apple picking and visit the pumpkin patch:

 

What is more fun than going on a hay ride to a pumpkin patch and picking out your own pumpkin?  You just can’t get the same experience buying a pumpkin from the grocery store.  It’s worth the time and the whole family will have fun enjoying autumn. 

 

We go to a pumpkin patch every year, go on the hay ride, drink fresh apple cider, visit the petting zoo, go in the barn play in the straw and speed down the slides, and go through the corn maze.    

 

Apple picking is a great way to show your kids that apples don’t come from plastic bags in the grocery store.  Then they can go home and enjoy a sweet and healthy treat.  They will also be able to tell their friends that they picked the apples themselves.  It’s even better if you can make it an Organic Farm where the fruit is grown without pesticides.

 

 

Rake up the leaves, and pick up sticks:

 

When you’re a kid how much fun was it to jump in the leaves?  My kids look forward to this every year.  You can even make a game out of collecting sticks.  Or if you’re feeling really adventurous make a scare crow by stuffing the leaves into an old shirt, pants and whatever you have around the house to make a man or woman.  When you’re done go in and make hot cocoa for everyone.

 

 

Go to a Fall Story Time maybe even a scary one:

 

Look in your area children’s magazines or websites to see what is going on in your town.  Visit book stores, libraries, coffee shops, and even other stores for story times.  Your kids may even enjoy a scary one. 

 

If you don’t want to go out you could make it a spooky story time at home.  Visit the library or book store and pick out some scary selections.  Set out the large pillows and comfy blankets, warm up some apple cider and snack on some autumn foods.  Have the kids sit back and listen as you read age appropriate scary books that they helped to pick out, what a fun night that will be.

 

 

Plant bulbs anywhere:

 

Fall is a great time to enjoy the outdoors before it starts to get really cold outside.  Try planting bulbs in a container.  This will be easy and you can do it no matter where you live.  Start with Tulips at the top (about 6 inches from the top), then put a layer of earth and plant Daffodils, and then another layer of earth and then you can add the smallest things like Crocus, Snow Drops and more.  Finally water the pot and leave it outside until spring and then you’ll have a nice container of different flowers.

 

Search for Fall Festivals:

 

In our area fall festivals seem to be everywhere and many of them are free.  All in the same day we have a local wild life animal rescue festival, a truck story time and then the kids can get on a real fire truck, visit a local horse farm and more.  Our biggest worry is what to do that day!  Check with other parents, the paper, and blogs.  Search anywhere parents get together for a list of cool fall festivals in your area.  Even your state tourist website will list fall activities.

 

Use your imagination get outside and enjoy the season.  Let your kids play and spend time together as a family this autumn.