Fall is an excellent time of the year for families to connect and spend quality time together. In places where the weather gets colder and the days get shorter, there will naturally be more time together in the house. To keep your family engaged in quality bonding time, try out a few of these fall activities.
Pumpkin Carving
Whether you are a fan of Halloween or not, pumpkin carving can be a fun activity that even small children can get involved in. Pick pumpkins together, either at a farm or at the supermarket. Then, parents and older teens can cut open the tops. Smaller children can scoop out the insides and separate seeds to be roasted or saved for planting. The entire family can work together on a few designs, or each person can draw their pumpkin design. Finally, adults or older teens can begin carving each design.
Apple Picking
Apples are quintessential fall foods, used in everything from applesauce to apple pie and even roasted pork with apples. Since this fruit is so versatile, families can benefit from apple picking at a farm, where their finds are much cheaper than at a store. Apple picking is a fun activity for families with young children since they can get involved but run little risk of getting hurt when supervised.
Hayrides
There are tons of hayrides across the country, some targeting a mature crowd and some for children. Whether you have teens who would prefer a spooky hayride or children who like a lighthearted trip around a farm, this can be a fun activity with your family.
Haunted Houses
For families who love Halloween and don’t mind getting scared, haunted houses can be a great way to spend a Friday or Saturday night together. Haunted houses range from mild to terrifying, so there are sure to be plenty of options for you to choose from. Just be mindful of younger children, who may become scared by seemingly innocuous haunted houses purely due to the name and theme.
Corn Mazes
In many areas of the country, corn mazes are a big attraction during the fall. Just like hayrides, some have scary themes, but many are pure puzzles with no extra elements. Use your family’s communication and collaboration skills to try escaping from the maze in a set amount of time or without giving up.
Fall is an excellent time of year for the family, as activities abound. Be sure to schedule time to try one or more of these activities this year.
Erik Halvorsen is a devoted father, loving husband, and ambitious innovator; he is consistently searching for new technology to help cure diseases, benefit patients’ lives, and change how we experience healthcare. He was named one of the top 30 Chief Innovation Officers in healthcare in the country, and he has been listed as one of the Top 40 Under 40 in Boston. Erik is also a member of the Forbes Technology Council.