The cooler weather is definitely here, the leaves are changing colour and the mornings are darker. With fresh crisp days it's time to get outside in the growing piles of leaves to admire nature's shades of red, orange, yellow, copper and russet all around us. This is one of the best times of year for families, so read on for more than 50 ideas to help you make the most of the changing seasons with your family this autumn.
Family Activities to Celebrate Autumn
More than ever this is the time to revel in the changing of the seasons and all that autumn has to offer. Nature is ever-changing at this time of year so pick a tree you see on your nature walks and watch as it changes colour over the next few weeks and begins to lose its leaves.
Visit a local wildlife centre or site and look for birds returning here for the winter, or just stopping off on the way to warmer climes. Find out where your local RSPB or WWT site is and go along for a visit. Most have whiteboards where that days best sightings are recorded and plenty of staff happy to tell you what to look out for.
Get Outside
Spending time in nature has been shown to help reduce stress and promote relaxation, so get plenty of vitamin N in. Breathe some fresh air, and get out as often as you can. Sun exposure on your face and fore arms for 10-20 minutes a day will give you a daily dose of Vitamin D and help stave off seasonal SAD depression if you are prone to it.
A daily walk is ideal, but even a few 10-15 minute bursts will help. Watch how your local landscape changes as the season goes on. Don't overlook picnics just because the mercury has dropped. Wrap up warm, grab a blanket and head to your nearest park or nature spot with a thermos of hot soup, tea or hot chocolate and enjoy the sights and sounds of nature. Breathe and relax.
If you need to warm up, pack a rounders set and have a game or chase the kids through the leaves. And remember what the Norwegians and Swedes say: there's no such thing as bad weather. Stock up on wet weather gear and get out in the rain too. What child doesn't love the chance to jump in muddy puddles Peppa Pig style?!
Fun Autumn Activities for Kids
After the year we have all had we need to go all in on celebrating what we can, so get out and about to do all those traditional autumn things. There are so many outdoor activities to enjoy in autumn, so grab the gang and get out there. And, most of them are free or very cheap which is a huge bonus!
Get outside as much as you can this season to make some wonderful memories with your family. But there is also plenty you can do indoors so snuggle up and plan your autumn bucket list.
Here are just a few of our favourite autumn activities for all the family:
- Visit a pumpkin patch
- Have a Christmas clear out and donate to charity
- Start a nature table
- Make some homemade Christmas gifts
- Learn to knit, crochet or sew
- Play catch or football
- Cook with autumn vegetables
- Play conkers
- Splash in the biggest puddles you can find
- Go for a long walk or start a regular nature walk if you don't already
- Collect pine cones and use them to predict the weather
- Make an autumn wreath
- Bake cookies or a cake
- Make a bonfire and bake potatoes in it then toast marshmallows
- Have a family pyjama party
- Decorate your home for autumn
- Build a cardboard box house, car or space rocket
- Feed the birds
- Make your own bird feeder
- Learn about Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot
- Create some autumn art outdoors
- Make some autumn crafts
- Kick through fallen leaves
- Pick apples
- Make one or more of these delicious apple recipes
- Build a blanket fort
- Have a virtual dance party with family or friends
- Make an autumn garland with coffee filters
- Go for a bike ride
- Make a hedgehog corner and install a hedgehog house
- Play Pooh sticks
- Zoom with your friends
- Make caramel apples
- Go on a scavenger hunt
- Build a pillow fort
- Do a family photo shoot
- Make a card or gift to send to a grandparent or other relative
- Write a story
- Make a fairy garden or village
- Jump in a pile of leaves
- Make a scarecrow
- Play board games
- Camp in your garden or backyard
- Make newspaper boats and float them on a pond
- Leave your garden wild for wildlife
- Collect acorns and paint them
- Play rounders or frisbee
- Make plum jam
- Do yoga outside
- Make a finger food dinner
- Enjoy homemade popcorn and a movie marathon (blankets required!)
- Collect leaves and make an autumn collage
Free Activity Calendar
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