Despite being born in the summer, I must admit fall is my favourite season. The scenery at this time is unmatched and with the temperature slowly dropping it’s a great time to wear your most comfortable knitted sweaters and sip on some warm beverages (and yes, I am a sucker for a Pumpkin Spiced Latte – how cliché, I know).

I would say that my love for autumn comes from all the family fun adventures I had with my younger sisters and parents growing up. So, with the official start of autumn soon underway, I wanted to share a list of some of my favourite family-friendly activities to do this fall.

Outdoor Fun Fall Activities

Take a Hike

I’ve already mentioned that the fall scenery is one of the reasons why I enjoy this season so much, and the best way I experience it is through hikes. What I like about hiking in the fall is that the weather isn’t too hot or too cold. So long as you bundle up with a jacket, pack a thermos filled with your favourite warm beverage and lace up your hiking shoes, it’s sure to be a great time for people of all ages.

Don’t Go Chasing Waterfalls…

…Is a lyric from the song “Waterfalls” by TLC. I of course am advocating for chasing waterfalls this season. Just like hiking, going out to a park or trail that leads to a waterfall can be a magical experience. While we typically think of Niagara Falls as the pinnacle of all waterfalls, there are plenty of others to see across Canada. Wikipedia has a list of all waterfalls across the provinces to help plan your next adventure in the great outdoors.

Visit a Farm and/or Farmer’s Market

When I think of fall, I am immediately transported to the elementary school trips to Downey’s Farm in Caledon, Ont. Whether you’re based in the Greater Toronto Area and interested in going to Downey’s, or live anywhere else across Canada, many towns offer their own farmer’s market or farm filled with plenty of activities for kids to enjoy. These can include a petting zoo, going through a pumpkin patch, getting lost in a corn maze, apple picking and so much more! There are plenty of activities to keep your young ones happy and will create memories that’ll last a lifetime.

Have a Scavenger Hunt

A scavenger hunt is a great way to keep the kids occupied. Develop a list of items to search for in a park, share the list with your children and their friends, and let the hunt begin. I recommend visiting a place that you haven’t been before – that way with every search, you’ll discover something new. Just be sure to accompany any young children as they explore.

Start a Leaf Collection

As a kid, I was obsessed with nature (who am I kidding, I still am!) and one of my favourite activities was collecting leaves. I was always fascinated by the varieties and an endless supply to keep me occupied. Consider purchasing a scrapbook to house all the findings, and every year see how many new leaves can be found! 

Go Treetop Trekking or Ziplining

Another remnant of my school field trips. Treetop trekking involves exploring bases found amongst the trees. Many of these places also offer high ropes courses as well as ziplining. If you’re not a fan of heights I wouldn’t recommend it; however, if you are looking for a bit of excitement, I highly suggest trying it out. 

Go to an Amusement Park

Many people view amusement parks as a summertime activity, but you may be pleasantly surprised to know that many amusement parks are open until October. What I like most about going during this time of year is that prices can generally be cheaper, and all the rides (except of course any of the water-based rides) are still active.

Indoor Fall Activities

Learn a New Skill

Have you considered using autumn as a time to learn a new skill? While my ideas so far have involved going outside, you may want to explore an indoor activity. Consider learning how to knit – I would recommend starting off small with a scarf (which may come in handy for the winter) and gradually tackling a more complex project. A new one I recently discovered is candle making and you can learn how to make your own fall-scented candle.  

Decorate

If you’re looking for more activities to do at home, consider decorating. There are many choices for fall crafts that won’t break the bank. Many dollar stores will have chic items that you can include in your home. I recommend asking each family member what they would like to see around the house, pick up said items, put together your favourite playlist, make a cup of warm cider and get to decorating!

Halloween Movie Marathon

Once you’re done setting up your home for the fall season, organize a Halloween movie marathon. What I love about Halloween movies is the vast selection. Whether you’re looking for a cartoon, horror, gore, camp, or something else, there is a Halloween movie for everyone. And don’t let September stop you from getting into the Halloween spirit a bit early.

Bake

If you visited a farm and found yourselves with pumpkins and apples, consider baking them into a pie. There are so many recipes to choose from and you don’t need to limit yourselves to just pies. Cakes, muffins, and tarts are among my favourite to bake. I’m also a sucker for candy apples too. Just be sure to wait until they are cool to eat and brush your teeth thoroughly to avoid any cavities.

Host a Costume Party

If you want to wrap up the fall season, you can’t go wrong with hosting a costume party. It’s a great way to get people together to celebrate Halloween and fall. However, fall can be a popular time for events, so if you intend on booking a venue or simply want to ensure that your friends will make it, be sure to plan early.

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