Fall is many people’s favorite season, and it is easy to see why. With all the amazing smells like apples, cinnamon, and pumpkin and beautiful sights of all of the trees erupting into beautiful reds, golds, and oranges, fall is a magical time. Here are some activities that will allow you and your kids to be outside, enjoying the wonder of fall.

Visit a Farm

Farms during the fall host many different activities that the whole family can enjoy. One of the most iconic ones is hayrides. Kids love this one because whether it is pulled by a horse or a tractor, it is a novel experience that they can’t get anywhere else. Most hayrides also tour around the farm, showing its passengers many cool sights that kids go crazy about.

Another reason to visit a farm is for apple picking. Apple picking is a good way to slow down and appreciate the simpler pleasures in life. Not only that, but the apples are delicious and don’t have the chemicals, wax coating, or preservatives that store bought apples have. It is a great place to teach your kids where their food comes from, and show them a fraction of the effort it takes to produce the food that they eat. Lastly, apple picking is an ideal family activity because you can buy some of the most mouth-watering homemade treats at an apple orchard, too, like apple cider, apple donuts, or apple bread.

But when you go to a farm, don’t forget to go through a corn maze. Corn mazes are a fun way to have an adventure with your kids, no matter their age. Every corn maze has a different design. Some are created to tell a story, while others are made to give you a scare, whichever option you choose, it will be a perfect fall adventure.

Create a Fall Themed Scavenger Hunt

Fall is such a fun and colorful time, so a great way to get out in nature and appreciate the world around you is to have a fall themed scavenger hunt, searching for anything fall related. You can look for pinecones, red leaves, yellow leaves, acorns, or multicolored acorns. Have a list and see who can find everything first. One way you could add some complexity to the scavenger hunt is by creating a riddle for each of the items.

Host a Bonfire

Fall, smores, and bonfires go hand and hand, and bonfires provide a perfect opportunity to have friends over and celebrate the nice weather. You can sit around and chat or host an outdoor game night. It is a great option for when you want to have friends over, but you just want to keep it laid-back because having a bonfire doesn’t require much preparation. It is also a great time to have some smores, which all of the kids will love.

Go on a Nature Hike

Fall is a time where nature is alive in color, so what better way to spend your time than taking a walk or going on a hike through some trails. There are plenty of family-friendly trails everywhere in the United States, but one of the best places to visit during the fall is your local Botanical Garden, most of which will have fall events made for the whole family.

During these walks or hikes, you can engage your kids more by having them pick out their favorite leaf (of the ones that are already on the ground) or even have a scavenger hunt along the way. You have your kids look for the most bizarre looking plant or one that they have never seen before. You can also have them look for specific leaves like only half red or mostly green. You could even have them search for specific shapes. All of these will allow your child to appreciate the world around them a little bit more. Any way to turn a simple walk into an adventure is a win.

Fall is an amazing time filled with great weather and beautiful nature. No matter how you choose to spend it, take a moment to slow down with your family and appreciate it.

For more information on fun activities you can do with your children, visit The Learning Experience. You can also find a daycare center that fits you and your child’s needs by visiting Find a TLE Center.