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2012: My Top 5 On-the-Go Fall Family Activities

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My Top 5 On-the-Go Fall Family Activities

Photograph Credit: Flickr (Anthony Easton)

With Halloween and Thanksgiving coming, the local fall activities are increasing in our area.

I love the many options to go out with our family to enjoy the fall season. From trips to the playground to attending a soccer game, we enjoy the outdoor activities during the autumn season.

With so many choices, I chose these adventures as my top 5 on-the-go fall family activities:

My Top 5 On-the-Go Fall Family Activities

#5 – Romping through a corn maze

Before Paul and I had children, we visited a corn maze each year. We loved the 1-2 hour adventure through the maze finding our way out.

With younger children, we limit the corn maze to the smaller options at the apple farm. If you have upper elementary-age or older children, then they may enjoy an adventure through a local corn maze. I have seen a few daily deals for corn mazes, so check to see what’s available in your area.

#4 – Roasting marshmallows around a bonfire with friends

My husband and children love making s’mores. Preferring my chocolate separate from the graham cracker and the marshmallow, I like toasting my marshmallows and eating them plain.

Hanging out with friends around a warm bonfire on a brisk autumn evening mesmerizes me with the crackling wood and reddish-yellow flares. Ah, the wonderful sights and smells of fall!

#3 – Watching the live performances at our Fall Festival

Even though I am working at our fall festival, I love to watch the live performances with my children. Occurring in the center of the KidZone, the live performance continue throughout the event. I get to watch with my children while staying available should a problem arise. I love mixing my responsibilities with family fun at our event.

To find local festivals, check Craig’s List for activities and events under the community category.  Continue visiting that site to find new or updated information on community events as Craig’s List is updated regularly.

#2 – Taking a hayride

Sitting on the hay and riding through the woods with the putting sound of the tractor over the uneven trail rings in the fall season. Enjoying two thus far this fall, I always look forward to an adventure on a hayride.

#1 – Visiting the pumpkin patch at the Apple Farm

The #1 pick for my top 5 on-the-go fall family activities is our annual visit to the apple farm. Besides getting a bag or two of apples, we pick our pumpkins, take a hayride, romp through the corn mazes, snap pictures, visit the animals, eat a picnic lunch, bounce on the tire jumps, solve our scavenger hunt, and mine gems. Visiting the apple farm is the highlight of our fall.

In planning your fall activities, you might attend a sporting event, schedule family portraits, visit a local park, or choose one of my top 5 on-the-go fall family activities. However you choose to spend your fall season enjoy those close to you while using time wisely. In two weeks, I’ll share my top 5 without-leaving-home fall family activities. Happy planning!

Question: What are your top 5 fall family activities?

Fall Activity: Visiting the Apple Farm

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Family at the apple farmThis past week, my son’s class took a trip to the apple farm. With a little extra planning, our entire family made it out to the farm by the afternoon.

Besides the yearly family pictures, our entire family enjoyed the visit. The apple farm outing has become a family favorite since my son was barely walking.

Though each farm has its unique qualities, these fun activities comprised our day:

Farm Animals

Though not a petting zoo, our apple farm keeps goats, chickens, a pig, llamas, and a donkey.

Farm animals

When the pig curled up behind the hay bale, my toddler could not see him. As she searched for him in the stall, she broke down in tears thinking he left. Upon pointing him out to her, she immediately calmed down and continued her happy chatting about “her pig.”  🙂

Hay Ride

Packed into the trailer pulled by the tractor, we took a ride around the farm singing, laughing, and talking about all the sights including the decorated nursery rhyme path. My toddler enjoyed the 5 monkeys jumping on the bed decorations as this song is one of her favorites.

Hayride

Gem Mining

With a bag of dirt, a sieve, and a gem identification card, each student found a spot at the water to mine their dirt. My son loved this section of the day as he found lots of gems. When we got home, he washed his gems more thoroughly and sorted them by color.

Apple Farm - gem mining

Pumpkin Patch

With the early season of apples this year, most of the apples had been picked from the trees. We bypassed the apple picking and headed for the pumpkin patch which just opened this past weekend.

Apple Farm - pumpkin patch

Playground

Our apple farm owners created a fun space for the students to run and romp around. The tire jumps are a highlight each year.

Playground

Scavenger Hunt

Though not a part of the apple farm, I created this Apple Farm Scavenger Hunt for my children. I have tweaked the items from year to year, but my children look forward to finding the same items year after year. You are welcome to adjust this scavenger hunt to meet your needs.

Apple Farm - scavenger hunt

Corn Maze

Having expanded this year, our apple farm had two corn mazes with games hidden within both. My children enjoyed running through finding the items and getting lost together.

With the arrival of cooler temperatures, our family enjoyed our visit to the apple farm.

Apple Farm visit - animal family photo

In using time wisely this fall, take a trip to a farm. To find your local apple farm, visit PickYourOwn.org, and click on your state. Plan a visit and enjoy your family time together. Happy visiting!

Question: What is a favorite family activity you enjoy in the fall?