What have you put on the calendar for fun fall activities?
Here are some fun and educational fall activities to try at home that will build memories during pumpkin spice season. As the leaves are beginning to turn colors and the rhymes of school are settling into our communities, it’s time to make a list of less caffeinated ways to spend time with the kids.
Leaf hunt
Make an afternoon walk or yard work more fun by hunting for beautiful or unique fall leaves. You can trace the leaves, make a leaf art rubbing, or make a graph of the colors/types of leaves you collected. These activities are customizable from PreK to high school. You could identify native trees in your neighborhood or discuss photosynthesis. I bet you are already thinking of variations you can try. Comment below to let me know how you modified or used these ideas.
Cooking lesson
Cooking is a tasty educational activity, especially when fall spices are involved. You can involve the younger years by helping mix premeasured ingredients, involve reluctant readers by handing them the recipe to read aloud, teach fractions to elementary age, or engage the launching years by having them find a recipe to try.
I’ve been making sheet pan pumpkin bars similar to these for years. They make a good study break treat for teens or football tailgate desserts. I’m adding the ingredients to my grocery list after I finish writing this post! https://www.simplyhappenings.com/pumpkin-bars/
Write a how-to paper
Extend a cooking lesson by having your kids take step-by-step pictures to make their own recipe sheet. Or take a popular fall activity like making s’mores at the fire pit, carving a pumpkin, or raking leaves and have kids write a how-to paragraph or outline. Add picture illustrations that are meaningful to the steps.
Play board games
Let each member of the family choose a game to play. Games build problem solving and strategy skills. They also stretch the attention span. Limit electronics during this time, unless you are keeping score or snapping pictures. Don’t have time to play all the games? Make a list and have multiple game days. Want to make game day it a little more cozy? Build a fort with blankets and pillows.
Local fall activities
Our area has a blogger, Jody Mace of Triangle on the Cheap, who curates inexpensive local activities and posts them weekly. I often search this site for things to do when friends come to town or I want a creative date night.
Why is this listed as an educational activity? Building community, supporting the local economy and small businesses, and meeting neighbors are social studies lessons in action. All that happening at a local corn maze or farmers market makes it even sweeter especially if apple cider is involved. Talk about event times and costs. Buy local produce and pumpkins. Meet the owners and farmers. Get recipe suggestions.
Your area probably has a similar website for local events and if it doesn’t, then you can grab some pumpkin spice lattes and talk about starting one as a family business! As the seasons change, take some time to plan a few educational fall activities with your family. May you smile more and sigh less!
Want some rainy day activities?
https://tailorjoy.com/10-ideas-for-indoor-fun-on-hot-or-rainy-days/
Table Talk: Would you rather do a corn maze or make a corn maze? Which color of fall leaves do you think is most beautiful?