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1. Carve a Pumpkin and save the seeds! I know it’s cliche to say this, but so many people just let their kids color or paint a pumpkin. Come on now, folks. Let’s get our hands dirty and get those kids involved in this fun activity. You don’t have to carve a face…use a Silhouette or Cricut to cut out a fun design, make it religious, make it extra spooky! Just do it! Then roast up those seeds for a tasty treat.
2. Chili Cheese Dogs. The first signs that fall is on it’s way for me is a big ol’ pot of chili. For as long as I can remember, I’ve had chili cheese dogs for Halloween supper. It’s perfect for a cool fall night and quick for that rush to get everyone out the door at sunset.
3. Bobbing for Apples. Apples are pretty synonymous with fall. It’s the perfect activity for kids and adults. It’s fun, but challenging. When was the last time you bobbed for apples?
photo credit: fsa.usda.gov
4. Boo your Neighbors! Package up some of your favorite fall treats, put them in a cute container and then share with your neighbors. It’s a secret though so just leave it on their porch with instructions to Boo another family in the neighborhood. Check out Love from the Oven for all the details and printable ideas.
5. Find a Corn Maze! Check your local farms for fall festivals and corn mazes. They are so much fun and many farms have several…one for kids that are easy and a lot shorter and one for adults. I’ve honestly never done a hard one, but the short ones are fun. Spending 20-30 minutes “lost” in the corn is fun and the kids think it’s a blast.
6. Send a box of Smiley Cookies to far away loved ones. One thing that my kids love is getting a package of goodies from their grandparents. Even if you can’t be with your family for the holiday, send a little love with these adorable cookie packages. They are perfect to surprise college kids that are away from home, cousins that live far away, or your grandkids. Or for an extra special surprise, have kids send a care package of cookies to their grandparents. I have to admit…I wish someone would send me a package….they are soooo good.
7. Sweet Potato Pie. I love sweet potatoes, but the kids aren’t too keen to eating them like I am. So, I make sweet treats out of them…I get the sweet potato flavor and the kids are tricked into thinking it’s pumpkin. <insert evil mom laugh here> I recently found this recipe, from The Baking Pan, that I’m dying to try. Or give the Sweet Potato Pie recipe that I posted a couple years ago a try.
8. Use up the Halloween candy in creative ways. A few days after Halloween, I’m always regretting all the candy lying around. Mostly because I try to eat it. So, many years ago when my oldest was little, I started getting creative with what to do with the abundance of candy that enters our home on Oct 31.
9. Watch It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. Ok, I realize this isn’t really food, but it involves a pumpkin and that is a food. Besides, what fall list is complete without it. We never miss it!
10. Take a hike, watch the leaves changing and take a picnic lunch. Fall brings cooler temps here in the desert, so it’s the perfect time to get out with the family and enjoy nature. Pack a picnic and spend some time unplugged with your family. The kids will really appreciate it. Pull out your picnic basket…you know the one you got ten years ago and haven’t used. Now’s the time!
11. Apple Picking. I really wish this was something we could do here in the Fall. Most places around the country have apples falling off the trees in the cooler fall weather. Not here in AZ. Apple time is in the Spring. Still, I added it to the list since it would be one of our traditions if we lived where we could.
12. Have a bon fire. Dig out the fire pits, s’more fixin’s and coffee drinks. Let the kids have a blast making s’mores while the adults sit around drinking all those yummy fall coffees! Janice over at Celebrating-Family some great s’more ideas with family bonding time. And check out Healthy Living How To’s Pumpkin Spice Latte.
Disclaimer: Smiley Cookie send my family some cookies. They were amazing! I shared them with everyone I knew and they all thought they were wonderful! I was not compensated for my review. All opinions are my own.
This is a really beautiful post Wendy. You have a tweet from me.
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I really enjoyed reading all your fun ideas and activities. I can’t recall how long ago it’s been since I really enjoyed this season, but thanks to you, I have some great ideas now and I’m going to do something different this year! Thank you
Oh, I’m so glad you found something to inspire you. I love fall…it’s probably my favorite season.
When I think of fall food I often think of apples
Lots and Lots of apples.
I love those cookie they look so good
Oh…they are so delicious!
Found you through Stumbleupon and loved this post!
thedoseofreality recently posted..Top 10 Reasons Preteen Boys Rock
Thanks for stopping by…I’m so glad you liked the post.
I love fall activities. My favorite when I was growing up was going to the cider mill and getting cider and a doughnut, and my kids and I have had a lot of fun finding places with hand cider presses set up to use in the fall. I know a hard corn maze, a big one near us with the field mowed into a giant map of Washington State with little signs and structures in it to represent 400 towns and landmarks. Things like a Space Needle, a bridge, and the Hanford nuclear site (with the corn nearby painted glowing colors). They give you a sheet with questions about Washington to answer, it’s like a scavenger hunt. There are over 4 miles of paths. We actually used the maze as part of our homeschool. Wonder if I could get the teens to go again for nostalgia’s sake?
Mary@FitandFed recently posted..Cutting Butternut Squash Safely
these are some great ideas to have quality family time during the fall. i want to start traditions early with mine. my baby was just born but as soon as he’s able to be out, i’ll definitely want to take him with us pumpkin and apple picking, at least for the pictures for now but i want to do it every year so that it’ll be our family tradition and he can pass it on to his
Great post! thanks!
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