Fall is such a fun time of the year!
It is a time of color, of laughter, of football, of dressing up, and of thankfulness!
Fall is my favorite season. Okay, maybe I say that about ever season as it approaches (except Winter), but it really is my favorite for so many reasons. I see it as a time to enjoy the outside weather before it gets too cold to enjoy, a time to dress up and make believe, and a time to be thankful for our many blessings.
There are lots of fun activities to enjoy during the fall season.
This is a great time to go on nature walks and fun through the falling leaves.
My children have recently discovered the fun dressing up all year, but the fall season is an especially good time to dress up as Halloween approaches. Sometimes just putting Mommy or Daddy’s shoes is enough to play pretend, and other times, they kick it up a notch by putting on princess costumes and go to a ball!
Fall is also a wonderful time for crafts. We enjoy doing all kinds of activities with the leaves. In this craft, the girls and Will painted leaves that we found outside.
Here are some more ideas for Family Fun during this time of the year…
Read books:
The Seasons of Arnold’s Apple Tree by Gail Gibbons
Apples and Pumpkins (Stories to Go!) by Anne Rockwell
Every Autumn Comes the Bear by Jim Arnosky
Why Do Leaves Change Color? (Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science, Stage 2) by Betsy Maestro
Sing Songs and Dance:
Falling Leaves
I saw a leaf fall from a tree
And to the earth below.
It was a lovely sight to see
As it danced to and fro.
Up and down and up it went
And then came tumbling doen.
Feeling tired, the dancing leaf
Fell to the waiting ground.
Five Waiting Pumpkins
Five little pumpking growing on a vine,
First one said, “It’s time to shine!”
Second one said, “I love the fall.”
Third one said, “I’m round as a ball.”
Fourth one said, “I want to be a pie.”
Fifth one said, “Let’s say good-bye.”
“Good-bye,” said one!
“Adios,” said two!
“Au revoir,” said three!
“Ciao,” said four!
“Aloha,” said five!
And five little pumpkins were picked that day!
I’m a Little Acorn Brown
I’m a little acorn brown,
Lying on the cold, cold ground.
Everyone walks over me,
That is why I’m cracked you see.
I’m a nut (click, click).
In a rut (click, click).
I’m a nut (click, click).
In a rut (click, click).
Crafts:
Paint with fall colors to classical music.
Make a thankfulness tree to hang on the wall or bulletin board.
Make a Fingerprint Tree
Make a Paper Plate Scarecrow
We also love to begin drinking warm drinks such as hot chocolate and apple cider.
Here’s a recipe to make your own apple cider:
32 oz. apple juice
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 tbsp honey
Mix all in a large saucepan, heat and serve! I just love the smell of apple cider, too!
Now it’s your turn! I’d love to hear all about how you and your family amuse yourselves as the seasons change.
Do you have special activities that you do with your kids? Are there certain movies that you watch during the fall? Do you have fall crafts, games, books or field trips that you enjoy? Share your favorite autumn vacation spots.
And now for The Giveaway ~ All week long, the hostesses of the Fall Festival are giving away some goodies. Today, you have a chance to win a copy of Amanda Blake Soule’s book The Creative Family: How to Encourage Imagination and Nurture Family Connections. Please leave a link or a comment to enter, and the winner will be drawn Sunday, September 27 after 8 p.m.
Christin P says
There’s an apple farm up here with the best bakery with fabulous pumpkin spice donuts and apple cider. We all look forward to it. And I just found your blog couple of weeks ago and love reading it. Thanks for the giveaway!
Amy says
I’ll have to try the cider recipe! Yum!
.-= Amy´s last blog ..Barter, Baby, Barter! =-.
Diann @ The Thrifty Groove says
We are looking forward to heading to the cider mill this weekend. Awesome donuts, fresh cider, hayrides and a petting zoo.
And then to the pumpkin patch to pick out our outdoor pumpkins, corn stalks and other fun Fall items.
.-= Diann @ The Thrifty Groove´s last blog ..Thrifty Autumn Decor Alternatives =-.
Ann Marie says
I used this book when I helped with a Fall program for 4H kids – it was fantastic!! Great explanation and illustrations of science that everyone can understand! (young kids AND parents! LOL)
Why Do Leaves Change Color? (Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science, Stage 2) by Betsy Maestro
Thanks for the cider recipe – I’ll have to try it!
((and thanks for hosting too!!))
.-= Ann Marie´s last blog ..falling for fun =-.
Liz@HoosierHomemade says
It all looks so fun! Love the crafts! Thanks for hosting!
~Liz
.-= Liz@HoosierHomemade´s last blog ..Fall Family Fun =-.
Jen says
You have a beautiful blog, and a great list of activities! Thanks so much for sharing. Your watermark on your pictures is so creative, may I ask how you did it? Have a wonderful week!
.-= Jen´s last blog ..Fall Into Reading 2009~My Reading List =-.
Amy Green (Simply Sugar & Gluten-Free) says
Your activities remind me so much of my childhood – we don’t have kids so fall is a little different around here. I cook, like always, and once it cools down we spend more time outside. I have to agree with Jen – your ideas are fabulous AND simple to execute. A plus for any busy mom!
FishMama@LifeasMOM says
I think we must be kindred spirits. This is the exact same kind of thing I love to do with my kids: stories and all sorts of extension activities. Plus, we chose a book in common. 😉
.-= FishMama@LifeasMOM´s last blog ..Falling for Fun: 5 Great Read Alouds =-.
Linda@cookingtipoftheday says
I’m into Fall too! I started making soups and stews… I love living in the south … but I do miss the crispness of the Fall in New York…. and we don’t get the gorgeous colors here…. but nights do get cooler.
Love all your ideas for Fall…. thanks!
.-= Linda@cookingtipoftheday´s last blog ..Recipe: Asparagus and Crab Quiche =-.
LifeAtTheCircus says
The kids and I plan to do some leaf rubbings today and go apple picking on Friday. THe leaves haven’t changed here yet, but when they do we’ll have to take some walks and gather pretty leaves. I bet my kids would LOVE your painting leaves idea… I’ve never done that. We also enjoy making scare crows and I plan to try apple printing next week for our art project.
.-= LifeAtTheCircus´s last blog ..Fun at the County Fair =-.
Marj McClendon says
Cover your table with newspaper. Then use more strips of newspaper in flour and water mixture around balloons. Children love paper mache. Being able to “crack” open a “pinata mache” is so fun for them. Combine with pin the tail on the donkey. Make play doh…………I love fall. Warm soup is so easy to have more time with kiddos.
Sue D says
We always like to go for walks in the fall because of all the pretty colors and the crunch of the leaves. Also sitting by campfires and making pies and smores are favorite Fall traditions.
Elizabeth says
Oh, how I love fall! I love everything about Fall, from the sound of leaves crunching underfoot to the smell of a wood fire to the feel of soft things I’m snuggling up with because of the chill in the air! I also would love to use this book! 😉
Jeanette says
I love fall also. We go pumpkin picking every year. I love the comforting food that I prepare in the fall.