Fall Autumn Activities, Ideas & Plans for the Family

When the nights get cooler and the days get shorter, going to the beach is not usually on your mind. But the fall season is a fantastic one if you know just what activities are available.

Apple Pumpkin Picking

Why not bring the family apple picking? Apples are ripe and ready to pick starting late August. Its fun to do and tasty. Everyone can participate. You can also pick pumpkins, pears and berries at many farms.

See http://www.chiff.com/a/pick-your-own.htm or http://www.pumpkinpatchesandmore.org/index.php for a list of farms for picking listed by state.

Corn Maze

Have you gone to one of these lately? Corn mazes can be lots of fun. After corn has been picked farmers make mazes of varying difficulties for you to enter and find your way through.

Click http://www.essortment.com/all/cornmaze_rfsr.htm to learn more about corn mazes.

Here is a list of top corn maze farms across the country http://www.faqs.org/shareranks/965,Top-Corn-Mazes.

Country and State Fairs

These can be simple small events or huge events that take days to see it all. Usually they include events from animal pulling, to pie eating contests to baking and so much more. You also can purchase goods, go on rides, listen to music, see animals of all kinds, eat great food and see handcrafts. Some even have horse racing.

See a state by state fair calendar at http://honeymoons.about.com/cs/activeadventures/a/statefair_2.htm.

Leaf pick-up party

This may sound silly but if fulfills a lot of goals. Get a group of your friends or children's friends together to help pick up leaves in your yard. Make it fun by letting the kids jump in the leaves. Feed them pizza and plan games built around it such as decorating or collecting interesting leaves. Picking up leaves is not fun but when you get a group together to do it, it can be fun and quick.

Haunted Halloween Houses

These can be fun but can be very frightening. Before going see what age groups it is recommended for. Some are cute and okay for younger children. Some may require keeping smaller children at home.

If you are creative, make your own age appropriate haunted house for your children and friends.

Here are some places that list haunted houses in various states - http://www.hauntworld.com/haunted_houses.cfm

http://www.festivals-and-shows.com/haunted-houses.html, http://www.hauntedhouses.net/, http://travelwithkids.about.com/cs/halloweenevents/l/blhalloween.htm.

Football Parties

There is a football team just about everywhere in the country to root for. Whether it is college or professional, a football game is an excuse for a party. Hold one and see how much fun it can be. You can make great foods. See http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2081977/football_party_appetizers_dips_extras.html?cat=22 for recipes and play games such as picking who will score the first touchdown or what the final score will be. It is a great time for fans as well as casual watchers.

Hiking

Hiking can be done all year round but it seems more fun in the fall. It could be because of the change in foliage or because the weather is cooler. It's a fun event that is not costly and something the whole family can do together.

Here are a few places to help find you the right place to hike.

http://gorp.away.com/gorp/activity/hiking/hik_guid.htm, http://www.trails.com/trails.aspx

http://www.localhikes.com/

Fall Foliage

If you love to see the great colors of the leaves, autumn is the season for you. It is great for picture taking. Many states have walking and driving trails to help you get the most of your viewing experience.

See the following sites for the best dates and places to view great foliage.

http://gorp.away.com/gorp/features/fall/fall.htm

http://www.new-england-vacations-guide.com/fall-foliage-hikes-new-hampshire.html

http://gonewengland.about.com/cs/fallfoliage/a/aadrivingtours.htm

Horror Movie Nights

I love horror movies. If you do too, rent 3 or 4 and have a horror movie night. Get a group together who enjoy them too. You can get classics, B-rated, 1980 slashers or newer gore movies. See what your guests like. You can also do several nights. One night watch some from the Halloween movie series. Another night watch the Scream trilogy.

Make plenty of popcorn and have candy. If you can find any movie horror posters put them around. If it is October put out your Halloween décor or make some decorations. See http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2103169/how_to_make_cheap_halloween_decorations.html?cat=24 for decoration ideas.

This can become an October tradition. Each of your friends may want to hold one at their house as well. At least 4 can be done in October if everyone enjoys it.

Game Night

If horror movies are not your thing, why not hold game nights for your friends. This can be done once a month. You can play poker, Michigan rummy or your favorite board game. It's a fun event once a month. It also keeps the colder months from getting boring. Start it now and do it all year long.

These are a few great events perfect for the fall. So don't get down because summer is over. Instead plan a fun event.