It feels like just yesterday we were blogging about summer fun in the sun, activities to help you keep your kiddos cool, and how to make the most of a school-free summer with your littles. Suddenly, it’s September, and we’re not quite sure where all that time went! Regardless, just because the temps drop doesn’t mean the fun stops. In an effort to make it as easy as possible for you and your crew to pack up and hit the road (or the sidewalk) in search of fun, we’ve compiled some of our favorite fall activities for families of every age and size.
The start of the school year is often busier than anticipated, and after the first few weeks, we tend to develop routines that keep our busy families on a schedule. The result? Almost as soon as we grow accustomed to our back-to-school routines, we feel worn down and tired thanks to the effort it took to form new habits. For most parents, September and October feel full of opportunities to get the kids out of the house for some fun in the fall weather and rest away from the day-to-day schedule.
Boo at the Zoo
Most zoos will agree that there’s nothing their resident animals love more than cool, crisp fall weather. Many zoos across the country go all in on fall decor and festivities, offering Halloween-themed parades, fall activities, and special exhibits for animals who spend more time outdoors. If it’s been a while since you’ve taken your little ones to the zoo, it can be a great way to combine fun, festivity, and education all in one trip. Zoos also make a great pit stop when traveling. Going somewhere new? Add the local zoo to your trip itinerary to see some fresh faces, new exhibits, and interact with animals in a whole new way.
Food Bank Volunteering
An autumn highlight for many families is the Thanksgiving holiday. And in the spirit of gratitude and thankfulness, many families sign up to volunteer at their local food bank or food pantry. While many think this activity is best suited for older children, many food banks encourage participation of little ones when it comes to sorting dry goods, handing out water bottles, and more. This can be such a great way to talk to your young children about gratitude, respect, and empathy for those less fortunate.
Take a Hike
Now that it’s not so hot, even your toddler-aged little ones should have the stamina and energy to make it through a short hike in your local community. Hikes are a fantastic way to expose your family to the bugs, animals, plants, and other living things that are found in nature. Kick it up a notch by assigning each child an “eye spy” item that they should be on the lookout for during their hike. Not only will this encourage exercise within your family unit, it’ll also allow parents and kids alike to discover the wonders of nature. Bonus points if you bring a lightweight outdoor blanket for a picnic along the way!
Bonfire and S’mores
Don’t have a firepit at home or within your community of friends but want to make memories around a fire, complete with ooey gooey s’mores, ghost stories, and laughs? Keep in mind that many community and state parks have fire pits that you can reserve and use for family fun! Want to go the extra mile? If it’s not too cold where you live, plan an impromptu camping trip and soak up the colors of the changing leaves from the tent, picnic table, or around the fire.
Cider Mill Adventures
When was the last time you visited your local cider mill? For many families, it’s been years, but cider mills and apple orchards are one of the best places to take the family for a fresh adventure. Many have petting zoos, live cider making, fresh donuts, beekeepers and beekeeping information, and so much more. Not to mention fresh apples that you can pick yourself (among other fruits), hay rides, pumpkin patches, and so much more. Fall is what you make it, and we think one of the best ways to indulge in fall is to soak up all of the seasonal activities you can! The cider mill is one of our favorites.
Don’t forget! Since so many of these activities lend themselves well to Lessy Messy outdoor mats or on-the-go changing pads, don’t forget to tag us in all of your fun fall adventures this season, Lessy Messy family!