Plan a Back-to-Nature Fall Holiday with Your Kids

Fall is about to descend upon us. You can feel it in the air. The nights are cool and the days are, well, just about perfect. Even the pace of life seems to slow down just a bit. Summer is over and school is starting. Most vacations are behind us. It's time to enjoy the remaining warm weather before Old Man Winter comes blowing in. But before he makes his appearance, Mother Nature gets her fifteen minutes of fame.

And what a showoff she is. So where ever you live, plan a day with the kids to just enjoy the beauty and splendor of Fall. Call the day your Back to Nature Holiday and don't let anything interfere with your plans. Pick a day on a weekend, preferably when the leaves will be at their most spectacular, and mark it on your calendar.

Wherever you live, I'm sure there is somewhere fairly close that you can go to enjoy the beauty of Fall. You might live in a mountain area or have a national park close by. If you don't have either of these areas, then look for a park with lots of trees. Even if you have to drive for a short distance, it will be well worth the trip. Check out information about the areas online or by calling the local Chamber of Commerce or park service. Find out if they have hiking or walking trails. See if they can tell you when the trees are normally at their most colorful. This could help you choose the date for your Back to Nature Holiday.

Make the day fun and interesting for your kids. You might want to take along a book on birds or trees so you can identify the different specimens you see. A pair of binoculars are also great to take along. Pack a quick and easy lunch, snacks and drinks that you can carry with you in a backpack. In fact, you may want to let everyone bring a backpack so that you can distribute the items you will need for the day. Be sure to bring along an old sheet or thin quilt to use as a sitting and eating cover. And don't forget your camera. You will want to take lots of pictures.

If you will be taking a hiking or walking trail that is isolated, be sure to notify someone where you will be. Call your Mom or sister or even check in with the park office if you are in a national or state park. Do not wander off the path if you are not familiar with the area. Make sure your cell phone is fully charged, however, in some remote areas you may not have signal. You may even want to put it on vibrate so that the noise will not startle you in the woods.

Some additional items you will need to take if you will be very far away from your vehicle are bug repellent, a compass or GPS, a small first aid kit, and a flashlight. Wear a long sleeve shirt over a short sleeve one and remove it as the day warms up. Simply tie it around your waist or stick it in your backpack. Be sure to wear suitable shoes, no flip flops or sandals.

Keep the walking or hiking easy, especially if you have young children. You don't want to tire them out and spoil their idea of the Back to Nature Holiday. Stop and enjoy the view. Take your time. Look for wildlife and birds and make a game out of trying to identify them. Point out different types of trees and see if you can name them. This is where the book can come in handy.

Find a good spot and spread out your quilt and have a picnic in the woods. Relax and enjoy the peaceful day and your time with your children. Before you know it they'll be grown. And don't forget to take pictures. You'll want some to go in your photo album of your perfect Back to Nature Fall Holiday.