Fall is a lovely time to get outside, now that the cooler temperatures have arrived and before it truly gets cold. When the weather isn’t too wet, there are many outdoor adventures for families to enjoy. Here are a few ideas for family activities to get your crew outside and moving this autumn.
Nature Walk
This is a wonderful, no prep activity for those spur-of-the-moment days. You can choose to drive to a favorite spot or just explore your neighborhood. Regardless of where you go, encourage your child to look for animals, plants, and other special finds that remind them of the season. Don’t plan on walking far. Instead, take your time and enjoy the amazing sights and sounds that fall brings.
Pumpkin Carving
A beloved tradition for many families, pumpkin carving doesn’t just have to be spooky for Halloween. Pumpkins make lovely decorations for the whole season, and they can be carved with almost any image you can imagine. Search online for carving templates for beloved characters or intricate works of art. Alternatively, let your child draw their own face or other artwork on the pumpkin and then carve it (as best you can!) to match.
Hop, Skip, Jump
Thanks to the lower temperatures, it’s easier to be active outside than in the summer. Use this to your advantage and take the opportunity to be active together. Draw hopscotch on the driveway and challenge your child to a match. Play soccer, baseball, or football in the yard. Even if you don’t have much space around your home, there are many ways you can utilize the outdoor space you can claim. Bubbles, a jump rope, or some sidewalk chalk can go a long way! Simply taking indoor toys, like cars, books, or dolls, outside gives you a fresh perspective and a new way to play.
Frisco Commons Park
If you have yet to visit this beautiful park, this fall is a wonderful opportunity. With 63 acres of walking trails, playgrounds, and picnic spots, it’s sure to become a new favorite. Frisco Commons was named the Metroplex’s best family park by Dallas Child Magazine, and it was designed entirely by Frisco residents. Bring your bikes, balls, and a picnic for a lovely picnic and family fun.
Car Wash
It’s hard to say no to fun family activities that get chores done at the same time! Invite your children to join you in washing your family car(s). Fill up buckets with sudsy water, throw on old clothes, and go to town! Your children will love feeling like they are making a real contribution to the family, and you can enjoy the joy and laughter that comes with being together.
Scavenger Hunt
With some minimal preparation, you can take your family on a grand adventure in your own neighborhood. Write a list of things you often find during the fall (acorn, pinecone, red leaf, etc.), give each child a small bag, and then the hunt begins! As you search and discover the things on your list, talk about where you found them and what they do. Your child may amaze you with what he already knows and understands!
Make Bird Feeders
With your child’s help, you can make a simple bird feeder out of pinecones, peanut butter, and birdseed. After you have coated the pinecone with peanut butter, roll it in birdseed and watch it stick! Then hang your new feeder outside one of the windows of your home. It won’t take long for the birds (or squirrels) to find your creation, and your family can enjoy watching the visitors come for a snack.
Fall is often a busy time for families, with sports seasons, holidays, and other transitions. By selecting simple family activities to do together each week, you are investing in your children and ensuring that you all have the opportunity to slow down together. Are you looking for childcare at a facility that values outdoor time as well? Be sure to visit Legacy Academy Frisco to learn more about our educational philosophy and the ways we integrate nature into our curriculum.
