Hello, outdoor-loving families!
As the leaves change colors and the air turns crisp, it’s time to celebrate the magic of fall and the approaching Halloween season with your little adventurers. Halloween doesn’t have to be all about spooky scares and candy overload; there are numerous delightful and non-spooky ways to enjoy this festive time as a family. Let’s dive into some fantastic ideas that will make this Halloween and fall season memorable and enjoyable for your young ones.
1. Nature Scavenger Hunt
Engage your children in the beauty of nature by organizing a Halloween-themed scavenger hunt at a local park or in your backyard. Create a list of autumn-themed items to find, like colorful leaves, pinecones, acorns, or different kinds of pumpkins. The excitement of the hunt and the joy of discovery will keep your little ones captivated.
Check out one of our other posts with some other great ides for hiking with kids here.
2. Pumpkin Decorating Party
Gather the family for a pumpkin decorating party where each person can choose their pumpkin and decorate it in a creative and fun way. Provide paints, markers, stickers, and craft supplies for everyone to let their imaginations run wild. Display the finished creations around your home to spread the Halloween spirit.
Want a little guided help? Check out these stencils, sticker packs and tools to upgrade your pumpkin decorating game. (Especially helpful for those little hands to still feel like they are helping!)
3. Bake Pumpkin Seeds
Don’t let all those pumpkin seeds go to waste after decorating your pumpkins. Set them aside and make delicious pumpkin seeds with them. You can up the level of fun by making different types and flavors of pumpkin seeds. Check out some of these fun recipes here:
4. Outdoor Movie Night
Set up a cozy outdoor movie area in your backyard, complete with blankets, pillows, and popcorn. Choose family-friendly Halloween movies or autumn-themed films that will enchant your kids while enjoying the crisp fall evening air. Check out these affiliate links for your own fun outdoor projector screen:
Or you can go see a movie at your local drive-in movie theater. The shorter days will help make the bed time more manageable but still be a fun experience.
But our all time favorite is bringing the drive-in movie theater experience to your front driveway or inside by your tv. Make some popcorn and set up your Little Tikes Cozy Coupes in the front of the tv and enjoy!
If you don’t have a Little Tikes Cozy Coupe, we love them and the kids love scooting around on them. You can get your own classic one here or check out their store on Amazon, The Little Tikes Cozy Coupe Store, for some other fun versions of them.
5. Apple Picking and Baking ... And Apple Nachos?!
Visit a nearby apple orchard for a day of apple picking, a quintessential fall activity. Let the kids fill their baskets with apples, and afterward, bond over baking delicious apple pies or apple crisps together as a family.
Planting a fruit tree like an Apple tear or Pear tree is another great way to give back to our environment while also creating some of these apple picking experiences right in you own yard! Consult a local nursery about your local climate to help choose the right tree.
Don’t want to stick with the normal apple treats? Try an Apple Nachos Bar! Check out some different recipes below:
6. Campfire Stories and S'mores
Plan a backyard campfire, and gather around for some classic campfire stories that are more funny than spooky. Don’t forget the s’mores, a perfect way to end a day filled with laughter and togetherness.
Need a little creativity and imagination kickstart? Check out these awesome story prompt cards for kids! They are tools to spark your little one’s imagination!
7. Farm Visits and Hayrides
Visit a local farm that offers family-friendly activities like hayrides, petting zoos, and corn mazes. It’s a great way to introduce your children to farm life and the joys of the harvest season.
8. Fall-Themed Crafts
Set up a crafting station outdoors and let the kids create fall-themed crafts using natural materials like leaves, pinecones, and twigs. It’s a wonderful way to encourage creativity and appreciate the beauty of the season.
Shutterfly has a great collection of some fall-themed crafts! Check them out here.
9. Costume Parade and Photo Shoot
Encourage your kids to dress up in their favorite non-spooky costumes and host a costume parade in your backyard or a local green space. Capture the excitement with a photo shoot, creating lasting memories of this special Halloween. You can even try a family themed costume to get all the kids involved and maybe even the furry ones!
And don’t forget some of the family friendly “Trunk or Treats”. They won’t be as intense as some of the house decorations for Halloween and will usually be in the afternoon. A lot less scary with the sun out! 😀
10. Nature Picnic
Pack a picnic basket with your kids’ favorite snacks and head to a local park or a scenic spot in nature. Enjoy a day outdoors with a lovely picnic amidst the autumn foliage.
Also, we mention this one a lot but try out our challenge on social media called “Grocery Store Picnic”. Give that a whirl and see if you can beat our time!
This fall and Halloween, focus on creating joyful memories with your family, surrounded by the beauty of nature and the warmth of togetherness. Embrace the harvest season and relish the magic it brings to your outdoor adventures.
Happy non-spooky Halloween and joyful autumn explorations! 🍂🎃
