The changing season comes with the whims and woes of summer’s end. It’s time to tuck the swimsuits away and bring out those new boots you can’t wait to wear.
Although you may not get the privilege of washing sand out your child’s hair for the umpteenth time, you do get to bask in the refreshing wind of the cool autumn air.
What do you do with the kiddos now that the relaxed summer schedule has closed?
Well, we have some options for after-school fun, which will get your much-needed quality time.
Here is a fun list of things to do with your children this fall to encourage family bonding and keep the kids active.
Keeping your children active throughout the year is vital to their overall health and well-being.
With the obesity epidemic among school-age children, parents need to be vigilant in providing an environment that promotes active play.
Family Doctor reported:
“Physical activity helps prevent or reduce health problems. It also helps manage your child’s weight.”
Let’s look at the activities now that provide hours of enjoyment, and can be done on a budget.
Make A Leaf Pile
The falling leaves are a headache for parents trying to keep them raked, but they are a wealth of fun for children.
Rake a pile of leaves and have the kids jump in it. You can even start a race to the pile and whoever wins can be the “king of the fall.”
When it’s time to go in, the kids can help put the leaves in bags to help you out.
When the family works together, a lot can be accomplished in a short time.
Have A Picnic
The cooling weather makes it a perfect time to have an outdoor picnic with friends and family.A picnic lunch at the park is a great playdate venue.
If time is too short to go to the park, just put a blanket out in the yard for lunch. Your kids will think it’s special, which will give them something to look forward to at the change of seasons.
Add a unique touch by incorporating a tea set, or a theme; such as everybody dresses up in proper tea time attire.
Go Apple Picking
Local orchards provide kids with an opportunity to have hands-on experience with where their food comes from.
The fresh air, bountiful running space, and sweet reward makes apple picking a worthwhile family outing.
Try making a new fruit dish from their picked produce to enhance the orchard experience. Your child can, also, go “old school” and give an apple to their teacher; making sure to tell them it was picked by themselves.
Write A Fall Bucket List
Kids often run out of ideas of things to do when summer fun activities end. To stop a child from ever starting the “I’m bored” speech, have them make a bucket list of things they want to accomplish during the fall.
On those days that seem to lag, you can refer back to their bucket list to knock another one off. Encourage your child to have a goal in mind of when they hope to complete all the items they wrote down.
This activity helps your child get familiar with goal setting, patience, time management, and task orientation.
Take A Hike
The fall brings an array of colors as leaves change, and drop. Take advantage of the picture-perfect moments with a leisure hike around a park or up a small mountain.
Being physically active with your child is very important. They mimic our behavior, whether we want them to or not.
Bringing a scavenger hunt check-off sheet during the hike can bring some more adventure into it.Add interesting nature items such as a 6 pointed leaf, and a green bug.
Pumpkin Picking
Many fall vegetables are ripe for the picking when the weather is nice in October. Take your kids to a pumpkin patch to harvest their own pumpkins.
They will feel proud to have picked their own pumpkin. In addition, you will have a plethora of purée to make muffins, pancakes, and cookies.
Let your children be little chefs in the kitchen with you so they can be a part of the process of their food coming “from field to plate.”
Start A Campfire
Starting a campfire in the evenings after dinner can give your kids a memorable family bonding experience that will make them not want to miss a night away.
Using a small fire pit is ideal because you can move it anywhere, but utilize the resources you have. Any yard space away from the house and foliage will do.
The kids can pick up sticks and small logs,which safely gives them an active role in the fire making process.
Roast s’mores or, even better yet, vegetables over the fire. You will have a tasty snack as you sit around and tell stories.
Have A Treasure Hunt
What child doesn’t love a good treasure hunt? Use your backyard as an exotic island landscape to hide the booty.
Popsugar recommends:
“Make a map leading them to the bounty by staining paper with coffee and burning the edges. Then, have a prize — like gold coins — hidden at the end of the journey.”
Get your kids into character by supplying an eye patch, hat, and sword for the journey. A little pirate banter wouldn’t hurt either; “It’s time to find thee buried treasure mateys, argh!”
Create An Obstacle Course
Make an obstacle course in your backyard that gives challenging feats such as, jumping over logs, swinging from a rope swing, climbing a tree to get a flag, and crawling through a tunnel.
The physical exertion will have them ready for bed, but the action will have them going day after day.
Use a timer to see how long it takes them to get through, and then have them try to beat their time next time you play.
Backyard Camping
Camping in the fall offers the perfect weather. A family camping trip is a good way to cleanse yourself from electronic devices and focus on family bonding.
Remember with camping, less is more. You don’t need to overdo it with every camping gadget available. Let nature make provisions and just provide the essentials.
If a weekend getaway is too much, set up a tent in the backyard. It doesn’t even have to be overnight. A few hours with the kids in their own space will leave you, and them, refreshed.
Whatever your fall fun is, enjoy the cooling weather, beautiful colors in nature, and quality time with your children.
Make each season special with activities that cater to the unique offerings they provide.
(h/t Mommy Underground)