Things You'll Need:
- A computer with an internet connection for researching fall festivals in your area
- Crayons, drawing paper and scissors for creating your own fall leaves
- Apples, craft sticks, caramel, and a baking sheet with aluminum foil for creating candy apples
-
Step 1
Research upcoming fall festivals in your area. Type “fall, autumn celebrations in [insert your city/town]” into your favorite search engine or your local newspaper’s website. You will be rewarded with a listing of celebrations in your area that are likely to be inexpensive and family-focused. One great one that most towns have is an Oktoberfest celebration. While most Oktoberfest do have the traditional element of beer, don’t let that stop you from exploring the many areas these festivals have dedicated to family and children. Special food, decorations and music can make for a wonderful and memorable Saturday afternoon.
-
Step 2
Plan a Fall/Autumn leaf project. Congratulations if you are lucky enough to live near where leaves change during the fall. When the leaves change we are treated to a riot of color that can ignite the senses and imaginations in all of us. If you live where the leaves change, or can visit them, plan an outing to see the leaves. You can plan a photo contest in your family to see who can take the most colorful pictures with prizes for everyone. You can have a contest to see who can draw the most colorful leaves! If you don’t live where the leaves change, teach your kids about what they look like by researching on the internet and/or showing pictures. Make your own fall leaves with crayons and colored paper. Cut the leaves out for your kids and have them decorate the house with their new “leaves”. It’s a great way to spend an afternoon and it will encourage your kids’ imaginations and make memories!
-
Step 3
Make caramel apples! Fall is apple season and nothing brings back childhood memories, or creates new ones like homemade caramel apples. They are very easy to do. Cut the step off of each apple and press a Popsicle or craft stick into the top. Cover a baking sheet with aluminum foil and get ready. Take store bought caramels (one cup per three apples) and two tablespoons of milk into a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for a few minutes until they caramels are melted. Holding the stick, roll each apple quickly into the caramel until coated. Place the coated apples on the baking sheet to set (or place in the fridge to set faster). You can also decorate the apples with chocolate chips, drizzles of white chocolate, sprinkles of nuts – whatever you want!
-
Step 4
Visit an area farm to see the pumpkin patches and corn mazes. It’s a great way to get kids outdoors and introduce them to a very different world.
-
Step 5
Plan a family outing to the park. Football, Frisbee, jumping jacks – everything feels good in the cooling fall air and the more time you spend together as a family, the more wonderful memories you will all have.
