Fall is here! Hooray!
Fall is a lovely time of year. The weather is crisp and cool and the leaves turn into a magnificent rainbow of colors. Fall also brings many fun activities which are only around this one special time of year. Don’t let time get away from you! Get out and try some activities on our fall bucket list!
Corn Maze
Corn mazes are a blast, but they are only around in the fall. Some corn mazes are small and easy. They are perfect for toddlers and young children. They can have fun running around the corn maze without getting stuck inside for hours. On the other hand, there are some very large, very difficult corn mazes which are a fabulous challenge for teenagers. There are also plenty of options in between. Find a corn maze that works for your family and get out there before its too late!
Apple Picking
Visit a local orchard to experience the joys of apple picking. You will get the freshest, juiciest apples possible. Many times you will also get a chance to try uncommon types of apples that you won’t find in a grocery store. Apple orchards also tend to offer some fun extra activities, such as wagon rides and petting zoos. Don’t forget to try some delicious apple products, such as cider doughnuts and apple pie!
Pumpkins
Crisp fall weather heralds the return of pumpkins. If you are feeling adventurous, visit a pumpkin patch and pick your own. If not, there are plenty of local farms and orchards that sell pumpkins, too. Older children enjoy carving pumpkins. If your children are too young to handle a knife safely, let them paint pumpkins. If you want to go wild, try gluing feathers, sequins, or glitter to pumpkins. If you don’t like making a mess, use stickers! Googly eyes are always a hit! Also, many parks and rec departments offer pumpkin carving activities, so check out your local department.
Bonfires
Fall is the perfect time of year for bonfires. There is something magical about standing around a bright, warm fire when the night air is chilly. While hot dogs and s’mores are the traditional foods to roast over a fire, you can find many recipes for more sophisticated food, too. If you don’t have a place to hold a bonfire, check out events in your community. If you have an active toddler who won’t be safe around an open fire, try eating out at a restaurant with a nice fireplace. You will still get the ambiance of a fire without the danger!
Hiking
Hiking in the fall is spectacular. The crisp air feels refreshing and the views of the foliage are breathtaking. There are so many options for hiking. Older children can face the challenge of climbing up a mountain and babies in strollers can get some fresh air along bike paths. Pick the difficulty that works with your family. If hiking isn’t feasible for your family, take a scenic drive instead. A gondola ride at a ski area also offers fantastic views.
Harvest Festival
Many towns host harvest festivals in the fall. These festivals offer fantastic local entertainment! All of them offer delicious food besides other fun activities such as live music and games for kids. Some festivals offer their own special touches, such as tractor parades. You don’t have to travel far to find a harvest festival. Just pay attention to local announcements on television, in newspapers, or online.
Spooky/Haunted Trails
Haunted trails offer a safe way to get your adrenaline pumping. These events are great ways for teenagers to go scare themselves silly. They can even volunteer at some of these events if they would enjoy dressing up and scaring other people. Many of these haunted trails also offer a non-scary daytime version for younger children.
