10 Free Things to Do This Fall
For a mom, the changing of the season means, among other things, the changing of kids’ activities. When the sun starts to shine in early spring, we all too soon grab those short-sleeve clothes and run outside to enjoy the newly warm weather. When the sleeves get shorter and days get longer in summer, we find ourselves outdoors most days enjoying the rays and the good feeling that comes with playing in the sun. When fall hits, though, it is hard to accept that we need to pack up our play clothes. As soon as the cold air starts rolling in, thoughts of indoor play places like children’s museums, gymnastics centers, and mall playgrounds start coming to mind. While those options are all good options to keep kids engaged and moving, they can also be expensive. For single moms especially, it’s hard to think about shelling out money for play each cold week of fall and winter.
But, it doesn’t have to be that way. Yes, it’s hard to adjust to bundling up the kids before going out and knowing that your nose might get a little cold, but there is so much beauty in fall to enjoy and it doesn’t need to cost a dime. Here are ten free ways to enjoy the colors and crisp joys of fall.
- Rake the leaves. This simple activity is the center of most great fall memories. There is nothing more thrilling than making the biggest pile and jumping feet first into it. Don’t, though, head out the door expecting to actually get the raking done. Head out a week before the chore really needs to be completed and let the family really enjoy the simplicity of this activity.
- Search for leaf treasures. Leave that mountain of leaves behind, grab a backpack, and head out around the neighborhood and park to find the most beautiful of all the fall leaves. The kids will have a great time challenging themselves to find the biggest or most colorful leaves. Consider making a craft like this one with the leaves of choice.
- Leaf pile obstacle courses. When you are done with the large pile, break it up into small sections around the yard and have your kids decide the pattern and obstacles. Then race to your heart’s content!
- Chalk circle twister. Break out that summer chalk and make a twister board on your driveway. Nothing causes laughter liking watching others tie themselves up like a pretzel, and nothing dissipates cold like laughter.
- Laundry basket toy hunt. Grab the laundry basket and your kids’ favorite small figurines and head outside. Fill the laundry basket full of leaves, dump in the toys, and mix them up! Then on your mark, get set, go! Hunt for toys until there are none left.
- Go to the park. Yes, it’s cold, but you can’t stay home forever! Cabin fever is a real thing, and you do want to survive the winter with each other. Put on those coats, hats, and gloves and get out there! You’ll have much more choice of equipment to play on with the crowds gone.
- Hunt for the perfect walking stick. Find the perfect wooded area to pick out the absolute perfect walking stick. The right size and sturdiness are not easy to find. Once you have the right ones, take them back to the house and decorate them. We turned ours this year into witches’ brooms.
- Take a hike. The forest, mountains, lakes, and rivers of where you live might be awe inspiring in the summer, but they are breathtaking in the fall. Don’t miss out on the colors and change that the season has to offer.
- Potato sack races. While you may not have good ole’ fashion potato stacks lying around it’s likely that you will be able to locate some spare pillow cases. Find a flat area, step in the sacks and get to racing! Prices optional.
- Nature mosaic. Whether you are out in the woods or testing out those walking sticks around the neighborhood, bring a backpack with you and collect all the acorns, pine cones, sticks, feathers, and nature artifacts you can carry. Lay out a piece of cardboard, bring out the glue, and create a nature mosaic.
Now, grab those coats and get playing!
This post is sponsored by the Voice of Play.
December 10, 2016 @ 11:21 am
We managed to get tons of leaf raking in with the family, plus had couple of weiner roasts and went on a hayrack ride.
December 10, 2016 @ 11:32 am
This is a great list! I love the idea of a nature mosaic. That’s something you can do anytime and it’s so easy!
December 10, 2016 @ 11:36 am
These are all really fun ideas. I am such a slacker – I haven’t even started raking and I really need to. Our whole yard is covered.
December 15, 2016 @ 6:57 am
It’s amazing how fast those leaves come down! And some times they just look so nice you don’t want to disturb them. Or, at least that’s a great excuse to use. 😉
December 10, 2016 @ 2:41 pm
Believe it or not, my favorite is finding that PERFECT walking stick! We used to search for them then if we found one tried our best to carve them lol we are not very good at it but was fun times!
December 15, 2016 @ 6:56 am
That’s fantastic! You gotta love a good walking stick!
December 10, 2016 @ 4:18 pm
What a good mom you are, Ali!
December 10, 2016 @ 7:03 pm
I love raking leaves! It’s fun, and great exercise, too! I am late getting started this year, though.
December 10, 2016 @ 11:08 pm
We did a bunch of these! Hiking is one of our favorite things to do on the weekends when the weather is nicer (it’s definitely winter up here now sadly).
December 11, 2016 @ 11:28 am
Free is always good and those leaves look beautiful. We love to go to the park and hike sometimes.
December 15, 2016 @ 6:55 am
You can’t beat the beautiful leaves of Fall.
December 11, 2016 @ 4:33 pm
I’m not ashamed to admit, now that I live in an apartment again, I’m NOT missing raking leaves lol. I’m sure my daughter will say the same thing! But, she used to love jumping in the leaves when they were piled up!
December 11, 2016 @ 4:36 pm
Hey my kids play outside even when it’s snowing. When it’s raining, not so much, a good sled and proper snow gear can keep kids outside all year long! A laundry basket that kids can gather leaves in is genius though! Love it!
December 15, 2016 @ 6:54 am
Thanks! Enjoy the fun times winter has to offer 🙂
December 11, 2016 @ 4:43 pm
These are great free things for the kids to do in the fall. I love the idea of the laundry basket treasure hunt. This is something I will have to share with my sister for my nephew. Thanks for sharing the information.
December 12, 2016 @ 7:33 am
Thanks! The treasure was great fun.
December 11, 2016 @ 7:58 pm
Oh man, the fall ship has sailed in these parts (sadly, because it’s my favorite season – for many of the reasons you listed). Now we’re working on free snow activities!
December 12, 2016 @ 7:32 am
Fall is certainly a beautiful season but snow has it’s charms too!
December 11, 2016 @ 9:24 pm
These are great ideas of free things to do in the fall. We love to go to story time at the library. While we are there we like to check out books and videos. Great free activity!
December 12, 2016 @ 7:31 am
Definitely! The local library is always a great way to spend time in colder months, and rainy days 🙂
December 12, 2016 @ 1:54 pm
i love these ideas. i used to love racking leaves and going for hikes.
December 15, 2016 @ 6:54 am
Those are some of my favorites too.
December 12, 2016 @ 8:04 pm
I have always loved just to walk through the leaves and hear them crunch. I don’t know why, but it always relaxes me.
December 12, 2016 @ 9:16 pm
These all are great ideas to do this Fall. The kiddos always have fun raking leaves.
December 13, 2016 @ 4:46 am
So many fun activities! I’m sure my daughter would love the leaf pile obstacle courses. We’ll go hiking this weekend so I have to remember to pick some things for the nature mosaic.
December 14, 2016 @ 10:57 am
Love these fun activities…. fall is my favorite season of the year! Raking leaves is fun