Calorie Burning Fall Activities for Your Family to Enjoy

Fall is a great time to have fun and burn calories at the same time. There are many enjoyable activities that you can do on cool, crisp autumn days that will also help you get in shape. You won't even feel like you're exercising!

Raking Leaves will help you burn some serious calories. I know because every fall I get my workout when I rake the leaves from the fifty year old maples, oaks, and elms in my yard. Get your family and head out for a morning (or day!) of raking leaves. Be sure to switch hands so you can work muscles on both sides of your body. And of course you must take a turn jumping in the pile of leaves.

Hiking is an activity that is perfect for the fall. It is cool enough to enjoy a good climb and work your legs at the same time. The beautiful autumn foliage will bring quite a colorful atmosphere. Find out when the peak is for leaves changing colors in your area and plan a nice hike. My husband and I enjoy going to Ha Ha Tonka State Park in Missouri every fall and hiking the many trails that offer incredible views.

Apple Picking is a fall activity that will work your arms in more than one way. You can stretch while reaching for apples high on trees and you will be using your upper arm muscles too. Carrying your large bag of apples through the apple orchard will be quite the workout. Be sure to take some pictures! Every year we go apple picking and return home with quite a load that we use to make yummy Homemade Apple Butter and Deep Dish Apple Pie.

Fall Planting is a great autumn activity for the avid gardener as well as the amateur who would like to enjoy some tulips in the spring. Mums and bulbs such as tulips, daffodils, irises, and crocuses are just a few that will make for a beautiful and colorful display in the springtime. You will get a good workout when digging and planting.

Visiting the Pumpkin Patch is a fun way to spend a fall afternoon. Skip the wagon ride out to the patch and walk instead. You will certainly burn some calories as you walk through the pumpkin patch to find the perfect pumpkins for decorating. Try these Unique Ways to Decorate a Pumpkin! We try to visit the pumpkin patch every year and it is truly something that our family remembers.

Biking is another great way to get some exercise in the fall. Seek out some good bike trails in your area and plan it around the leaves changing colors. Choose a trail that is paved and smooth for a fun family adventure with the kids or choose a trail that is more rugged and steep for an extra tough workout that is sure to burn tons of calories.

Garage Sales can also be a fun way to get some early morning exercise into your day. Plan out a route and then hit the road. You will be walking a lot so wear comfortable shoes. The best garage sales are the subdivision garage sales where you can park and then walk throughout the neighborhood finding treasures that you'll have to haul back to your car.

The fall is the perfect time to visit your local Zoo because the animals are more likely to be out and about in the cooler weather. You will be putting some distance on your feet so plan accordingly. The St. Louis Zoo is a great place to get exercise and my kids have so much fun too. There are hills and it is fairly large so I sure am tired when I get home.

Fall Festivals are a great way to spend time together with your family and burn some calories at the same time. You will find games to play, hay mazes to run through, horses to ride, and much more. Chasing your children, grandchildren, nieces or nephews around a Fall Festival will give you a good workout - just be sure not to eat too many caramel apples!

Trick-or-Treating is another way to get a nice long walk while having a blast with your family and neighbors! Be sure to plan your route so that you cover the most ground possible. Zigzag through every street in your neighborhood making sure that every member of your party is dressed in safe costumes with reflectors and carry plenty of flashlights and glow sticks for light. Check out these great ideas for No-Sew Halloween Costumes.