Things to do This Fall

Fun Family-Friendly Fall Activities

Updated: September 24, 2020

Fall is usually a fun time of the year for taking fall rides, watching the leaves change colors, or taking in a football game.  However, this year is different with COVID. 

There are only like a billion things that make Fall one of our most favorite seasons! We are not sure whether it is the weather, the color of the season, or it is the crisp smell in the air which makes us want to spend more time with our families.

Wanting to spend time with our families and actually figuring out what to do during that time are two very different things. Keeping that in mind we have got some super fun activities that you can do this Fall to make the most of your family time.

1. Farms Are a Great Idea
It is Fall and you do not want to be stuck inside! So without a doubt one of the first places that you should take your families to is to the farm!
Going to the farm to pick some pumpkins and apples, without a fail, is a Fall favorite activity. You could do with some hollow pumpkins and those crispy apples would be perfect for an apple pie later!  One of the fun places we've found is Great Country Farms in Virginia.  They also give FREE entry for military and military families.

Underwood Family Farms is a great place in the Los Angeles area that offers pick your own fruit and vegetables.

2. Fall Festivals
If going to the farm sounds boring to you, how about looking out for some Fall festivals that may be happening nearby?

Harvest/Fall festivals are amazing and have a host of fun activities going around that cater to all ages. Just a simple internet research will have you in the loop of all the amazing festivals that are happening around you (or about to happen) then you can take things from there.  This year we drove to The Big E (Springfield, Massachusetts) and I'm glad we did.  I highly recommend it.

If you're in the Los Angeles area, check out the Underwood Family Farm.  Underwood Family Farm usually has a Fall Harvest Festival (October 1 - October 31).  They usually have tractor rides, a corn maze, and other delicious pumpkin treats.  https://underwoodfamilyfarms.com/fall-harvest/

Admission is $15 on Saturdays & Sundays.  Children under 2 are free.  Military, Veterans, and Emergency 1st Responders receive $2 off admission.

3. Fun fall Craft Projects
You cannot spend all your family time outside so if you are looking for something fun to do that can be done inside the house instead, what would be better than a cool fall-themed arts and craft project to get on?
From making a pumpkin vase to making a wreath using corn husks and a million hundred craft ideas in between, there is so much that you can do. Pro Tip: you can even get a head start on making your very own fall decorations yourself.

Making fall-themed crafts go particularly well with families who have children in the house. We all know how easily they get bored so these art projects will keep them busy for a good while.

4. Fall Pictures
With all the farms and festivals that you will be going to, not to mention the nifty arts and crafts projects that you will be making, why not utilize these opportunities to take pictures of your family's history in the making.  Remember to keep your camera with you and picture your family having fun this Fall.  You never know what memory you'll capture.

Picture your family in action; raking leaves, dressing up for Halloween, carving the pumpkins -- the works.

Picking apples at a local Apple Farm near Shenandoah Mountains in Virginia.

5. Foliage Train Ride
Have you ever envisioned tracking a train ride and looking at the fall foliage?  Cass Scenic Railroad State Park is about 4 hours from Northern Virginia. This park offers an 11-mile train ride; 4.5-hour train ride to the overlook at Bald Knob. Bald Knob is the third highest point in West Virginia.  Tickets for the train maybe purchased at http://mountainrailwv.com/.  If your children are fans of the movie Polar Express, then you'll definitely want to check out that train ride.

For the families in Los Angeles, check out the holiday train site.  Train rides start at $90 per person and must be booked in advance.

6.  Baking/Cooking
Fall is a great time to bring the kids into the kitchen with you.  You can have a fun time cooking pumpkin pancakes, apple pie, and so many other great things.  Last year we purchased 5 pumpkins from The Great American Farm.  One of those pumpkins I cut up into pieces and baked in order to make pumpkin butter.  I was able to use that pumpkin butter for multiple uses including pumpkin pancakes.  I also make a sweet potato cake with vanilla glaze.

Sweet Potato Cake with Vanilla Glaze

7. Printable Worksheets
Fun worksheets are fun.  A great resources are Education.com.  They allow five printable worksheets per month or you may sign up for their subscription services.  This is a complimentary Autumn Word Search (4th grade).  Super Teacher is another great resource.

Quick Checklist of Possibilities:

• Enjoy a slice of apple pie
  
• Watch a football game and reminisce
• Go on a bike ride and observe the changing leaves
• Eat pumpkin foods
• Go apple/pumpkin picking

Don't forget to document your family's legacy.  There's nothing like going back and looking at your kids when they were growing up. 

Have fun this fall!  If you would like to schedule a professional fall family portrait, don't hesitate to contact me via telephone at (571) 250-5073 or email at [email protected].