How to Celebrate Harvest Day With the Kids
Harvest Day is a fall celebration that usually occurs the last weekend in October or the first weekend in November. It provides an opportunity for families who don't want to engage in Halloween activities to gather together, host events and provide a safe and fun alternative to Halloween for children and families. Many churches and communities host Harvest Day festivities that are open to everyone.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Attend a harvest fair. Many churches and community organizations host fairs to celebrate Harvest Day. These fairs usually consist of opportunities to purchase handmade crafts and treats. They often have contests for the largest pumpkin and usually have live music. Many times they will also have games, food and crafts for the kids to do. You can often find listings for harvest fairs on the local chamber of commerce website or listed in your local newspaper.
-
2
Go apple picking (see Resources). Head to the farm and pick your own fresh fruit. Many farms offer hayrides and events to celebrate the harvest. Some have a small petting zoo, play area and small rides for children. You can find listings for pick your own farms in your local newspaper, yellow pages or by visiting the website in the resource section below.
-
-
3
Go to a cornfield maze (see Resources). Cornfield mazes are becoming very popular fall family destinations as visiting a cornfield maze can be fun for that includes the entire family. Many farms host mazes. Look in your local town or city paper for advertisements for this fun activity.
-
4
Carve a pumpkin. Visit the local farm and pick out a pumpkin. Instead of carving it with scary faces, opt for an interesting design or perhaps a cross to symbolize your faith.
-
5
Host a harvest party for the kids. Bobbing for apples, eating mini donuts off of a string with no hands and carving pumpkins are all fun, kid-friendly activities. If you are going to allow costumes, be sure that no scary or ghoulish outfits are allowed.
-
6
Go for a hayride. Hayrides are fun for the entire family. Many farms will host hayrides during the harvest season. Call farms in your area to see if they'll be giving hayrides. You will often see signs for hayrides posted on a town common or hung up in stores around town.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
If you don't wish to get trick-or-treaters on Halloween shut the lights off and don't answer the door. If you are a conservative Christian and opposed to Halloween, consider giving out Bible tracts instead of candy.
Safety first. If your child is dressing up for Harvest Day, be sure his costume fits appropriately to avoid trips and falls.
