Fall, glorious fall. Sure, it’s a return to the busy life, but as temps cool down and humidity disappears, there’s a special kind of excitement in the air.
Still, with the kids back in school, you’re limited to Saturday and Sunday when it comes to making family plans. It can be tempting to stay home and catch up, but save that for winter. Instead, embrace a few family-friendly activities that make the most of the changing weather. The kids will love it. In fact, you might just convince them that autumn is the best season.
This post is sponsored by Children’s Allegra.
Go Apple-Picking
"When my kids were younger, we never missed a trip in early fall to pick fruit at a local farm," says Kim, a mom of two in New Jersey. "It got us all outside and moving around, reminded them where produce comes from, and the result was delicious. I grew up near farms, so this was a way for me to share something with them that I always loved."
Give kids a sense of where food comes from, get them outside to enjoy the cooling fall air and go home with a basketful of apples.
Go to the Zoo
"I love going to zoos in the fall," says Dawn, a mom of two in Long Island, New York. "The weather is perfect. We have a local petting zoo (White Post Farms) that does pony rides, Bouncers, special shows, and a 'fall festival' that’s a must-attend. We also try to go to the Bronx Zoo and Long Island game farm."
No zoos? See if any nearby animal sanctuaries offer tours.
Visit a Corn Maze
Corn mazes, whether haunted or just tall, are kind of the ultimate fall activity. Kids can try to solve the puzzle of getting through to the other side, and you can let them run off excess energy on the weekend. Bonus? Wherever you find a corn maze, you'll probably also find a hayride, which will also keep the kids occupied.
"I love taking my kids to corn mazes in the fall!" says Lynn Shattuck. "I live in Maine, and my kids are 6 and 9. I grew up in southeast Alaska, where the seasons were basically rain and winter, so I love how corn mazes (and apple-picking, hayrides, etc.) are a way to celebrate the distinctness of autumn."
Fly a Kite
You might associate flying a kite with summer, but depending on where you're at, the wind might not be strong enough to keep your kite flying. The answer? Fall.
"My favorite thing to do with my two nieces is kite-flying. It is usually windy-ish here in autumn so it's a perfect time to do it," says Elizabeth from Massachusetts. "Cheap kites from Target or the dollar store work great!"
Go Leaf-Jumping
If you're lucky enough to live in an area where the leaves change color, there's really one must-do activity: "We rake all the leaves up and jump in them. Iconic fall, right?" says Andrea, a mom of two in Arizona.
Go Stargazing
There's something about being able to bundle up in a warm sleeping bag against the cool night air that makes stargazing extra special. That's why fall is a great time to do it: The weather hasn't quite turned enough to mean you're stuck with gray skies, and the evening air demands all the coziest blankets you can spare.
"We love having s’mores night by our fire pit while stargazing," Andrea says.
Go to a Football Game
Even if you live in a house full of football lovers or are one yourself, that doesn't mean you've got to be glued to the TV on weekends. Find the schedule for your local team and make a point of taking a trip to the stadium, or gather up your and your kids' friends for a game of flag football in a nearby field.
"We love to watch football in our house, whether it’s in person at our alma mater or just all snuggled on the couch," says Erica, a mom of two in Pennsylvania. "Fall is for football."
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