I embrace the cooler weather and fresh fall breezes, especially after a hot and humid summer.
For my family, fall brings some much needed relief as we can enjoy being outdoors without reapplying sunscreen every hour and seeking any source of shade we can find. More than that though, fall signals the start of a season that includes many fun and festive traditions that our family shares.
This fall, consider starting a few new family traditions. Here’s a few of our fall favorites.
1. Go apple picking.
Visit a local apple orchard and pick your own apples. Many local farms offer special events for children that include hayrides, horse rides, and more. Once you leave the farm, the fun doesn’t have to stop. Head home and make some homemade applesauce and a fresh apple pie.
2. Visit a petting zoo.
Bring along your hand sanitizer and visit a local petting zoo. Many zoos and farms have petting zoo areas where the children can feed, pet and interact with the farm animals.
3. Take a nature walk.
Visit your state park and hit the trails. Many reservations, conversation areas and parks have all levels of trails you can walk or hike through. Pack a picnic lunch and have a fun adventure on foot.
4. Head to a pumpkin patch.
Head to your local pumpkin patch and pick out a few pumpkins. The kids will love seeing how pumpkins grow, and the backdrop is perfect for taking lots of family photos.
5. Decorate the house for fall.
Have the kids pick out a few favorite leaves and place them between two sheets of laminating paper to make a placement. Make a wreath by stringing leaves. Cut out apples from red and green construction paper and make a banner to hang across the doorway. The kids will love helping get the house ready for fall.
Family traditions give children a sense of security. In addition to providing great opportunities for bonding, they give children something special to look forward to every year. If your family doesn’t have any fall traditions of their own, consider starting one this year. You won’t regret it.
