Embracing darkness in the winter and fall

Part of what makes winter different than other seasons is the shorter days and longer nights. The lack of sunlight is usually seen as a negative. And I agree that it’s certainly less conducive and convenient for spending time outside. However, it’s also part of what makes winter special and if we can learn to manage our expectations and get creative, we can still spend a lot of time outside in the winter evenings. 

The evenings bring with them a special ambiance. By encouraging your family to venture outdoors after sunset, you not only extend your playtime but also instill in your children an appreciation for the beauty that lies within the mysterious realms of the night. When else can you explore in the darkness and still make it home in plenty of time for bedtime?! 

So, instead of retreating indoors when the sun goes down, consider embracing the darkness as a special part of the winter experience. From glow-in-the-dark treasure hunts to storytelling by the flickering light of a bonfire, the night becomes a canvas for imaginative play, allowing children to explore their creativity in a magical setting. Embracing the darkness not only opens doors to new activities but also strengthens the family bond through shared experiences under the vast winter sky.

Here are some ideas so your family can continue having fun outdoor time at night. Enjoy playing outdoors after dark! 

Flashlight tag

Our family plays our own version of freeze tag with flashlights. We have one person with a flashlight who chases everyone. They tag people by shining their light at them. Then, that person is frozen. In order to become unfrozen, another person must crawl under their legs. 

This game has led to me running harder and faster than I had in years. We laugh so hard, and the kids all scream and run. It is so much fun! 

Photo by Sarah Boles

Stargazing

Our kids are still fairly young and have bedtimes before it gets dark in the summer. This makes stargazing in the winter extra special because they haven’t seen the stars for a long time. Sometimes, we put out a blanket on our lawn and bring pillows and blankets and cuddle to keep warm. 

We can’t see as many stars from our house in the city though, so we also like going on nighttime drives and looking for stars out the windows. I check out books on stars from the library, and we look at the Sky Tonight – Star Gazer Guide app to learn about the stars and look for specific constellations. 

For more great ideas for ways to help turn stargazing into a fun and educational activity, be sure to check out this post on Using Storytelling to Connect Children with the Night Sky! 

Glow-in-the-dark toys 

Somehow, even simple games become more fun and novel when you do them in the dark. They take on an entirely new dimension of excitement and novelty when played in the dark with the addition of glow-in-the-dark toys. Whether it’s a game of catch with luminescent balls or a spirited round of capture the flag with glow-in-the-dark bracelets, the darkness amplifies the thrill, turning familiar activities into unique and memorable experiences. The bonus is that I can always see where my kids are because the toys illuminate them!

Here are some must-have glow-in-the-dark toys: 

Ring Toss: This ring toss tic-tac-toe set is perfect for a family game. It takes skill but is still fun for the whole family. 

Capture the Flag: This classic kids’ game can still be played at night! Invite your neighbors, split into teams, and have some fun!

Football: Play catch as a family or a football game with friends. Either way, you can keep playing after dark! 

Glow Velcro Catch: This classic toy has a light-up version! This is a great game if you want to get your kids outside but don’t feel like running around yourself. Give this to your kids, and you can sit down and watch them play. 

Lawn Darts: Light-up lawn darts are fun for the whole family. We like to break into teams to play. Our family gets competitive. Whoever wins usually gets a prize, like getting to choose the movie at our next family movie night. 

Basketball: You don’t have to stop playing basketball if you have a basketball hoop just because it’s dark. This light-up ball will be easy to spot and be a way to get outdoor family time when it’s dark. 

Glow Rocket: My kids love rocket launchers like these, but you can’t use the traditional ones at night because it would be too easy to lose your rocket in the dark. These light-up ones are the perfect solution to nighttime play for rocket enthusiasts. 

Glow Frisbee: Another great way to play catch even though it’s dark outside! 

Light up hula hoop: Let’s be honest, hula hooping at night just looks cooler, and it’s just as fun! 

Kick the Can: This classic kids game can still be played at night! Invite the neighborhood kids over, split into teams, and have some fun!

Flashlight hide and seek

We play hide and seek in the dark often. We all carry a flashlight, which we are allowed to turn off. The way we play is that you hide but then try to run to the front door before the seeker tags you. We all start off hiding, then when the seeker is distracted, we run as fast as we can for the porch. It’s so much fun and ends with us all laughing and out of breath. 

Outdoor movie night (with hot cocoa)

Hear me out on this one. A movie in the cold might not sound delightful, but imagine that you’re under lots of blankets, snuggling your family, and sipping hot cocoa. The unique ambiance of the season adds a touch of magic to your cinematic experience. The cozy blankets, the breath of cold air, and the hot chocolate create a memorable sensory experience that your kids will love! This is a great way to make an ordinary movie night memorable for your kids and have fun outdoors at the same time.  

Here’s a great post on how to have a fun and successful outdoor movie night with your family. 

Campfires and s’mores 

We eat s’mores at least twice a week in the winter. It’s kind of our winter thing! My kids think it is so fun, plus we get to warm up by the fire! Afterward, the kids almost always end up running around the yard, and my husband and I relax by the fire. It’s a win for everyone as we all get to spend quality time outside together (and get a delicious treat)! 

Check out our full post on ways you can take your bonfire up a notch and get creative! 

Lantern walk or full moon hikes

Winter is the best time to go on a night hike if you have little kids because it gets dark so early that their bedtime won’t be pushed back too late. There is something magical about hiking at night. If you’re able, go on a night hike when the moon is full (and the sky is cloudless). You’ll be amazed by how much you can see and how magical the world feels around you. 

Or, you could go on an evening lantern walk, even just around your neighborhood. Waldorf schools around the world take part in an annual evening lantern walk custom every November to commemorate Martinmas, and again in December around the Winter Solstice, the longest night and shortest day of the year. It’s a beautiful time of connecting with our kids with the Earth.

Lantern walks can be small family affairs, or large gatherings where groups of families or neighbors light their lanterns and go out together after the sun sets. Walks can be quiet and contemplative, or songs can be sung (we like a mix of both!). Bring a thermos of hot cocoa or hot apple cider, and it will make the event even more festive and fun. 

Northern lights nights

We live in Missouri, so it’s not very often we can see the Northern Lights, but it can happen. This year, I am following the northern light reports that predict when it is likely that they will be visible. I plan to load up the kids and drive them out of the city to an open spot if there is a good night to view. I think my kids would definitely remember their mom keeping them up late to witness something so special. 

If you live in a place where you’re more likely to see the Northern Lights, take advantage of that! Pack the kids up and get outside to observe and appreciate their beauty! Trust me, they’re quite a spectacle that not many people get the chance to see! 

Glow stick walks

We go on lots of night walks around our neighborhood, but a way to make them interesting is to add glow sticks! This is such a fun (and super easy!) way to add some fun and excitement to any nighttime activity. My kids love wearing glow necklaces, crowns, and bracelets. It gets them excited about walking at night and makes them easy to spot in the dark.

Photo By Sarah Boles

Add twinkle lights to your backyard

Elevate the allure of your backyard or swingset by simply adding some twinkle lights to your space, which will keep your kids outside longer during evening hours. The lights not only add a touch of enchantment but also serve as a practical solution, providing ample illumination for safe play. Never underestimate the appeal of a set of twinkle lights! Kids who haven’t shown any interest in a swingset, treehouse, playhouse, or sandbox may get excited about it all over again just by the addition of fun lights! 

Build a winter fort

This year we’re planning to “winterize” our climbing dome by covering it in plastic. If you have a tree house, play structure, or build a stick teepee, you can make it more winter-friendly by covering it in a plastic tarp. I plan to hang twinkle lights inside so my kids can play out there at night time. 

Outdoor public spaces

Take advantage of outdoor lighted public spaces during fall and winter evenings to maximize your time outside. Public ice rinks and ski areas are usually well-light through evening hours to get your family outside and active. Go for an evening stroll in a well-lit downtown area with shops and restaurants. Also, look for botanical gardens, parks, zoos, and other outdoor places in your area that may be open in the evening.

Embrace the darkness

This year, I am looking forward to embracing the darkness and making our evenings fun and memorable. The whole family is happier when we get time outside, and I love the quality time we have. Getting outdoors at night is one way to keep the winter blues away. 

Which of these things are you most looking forward to trying with your kids? 

About the author 

Amy is a Kansas City-based adventure mom to three kids. She loves exploring all that the middle of the USA has to offer, from hiking trails to family experiences, rivers, museums, and everything in between. Before kids, Amy traveled and lived around the world, rode camels, trekked through mountains, and occasionally danced with the locals. Now, Amy is usually road-tripping with her kids (and sometimes her husband), getting outside, and exploring Kansas City. Amy is passionate about promoting the Midwest as a travel destination and encouraging families to get outdoors with young kids.

You can find more from Amy in the following locations: 
Website: www.everydayoutdoorfamily.com
Instagram: @everydayoutdoorfamily
Facebook: Everyday Outdoor Family
Tiktok: @everydayoutdoorfamily
RWMC posts: Amy Eastin

The post Ideas for Getting Outdoors at Night with Kids appeared first on RUN WILD MY CHILD.

Fall hiking with kids

Hiking is our favorite family outdoor activity year-round, but our favorite time of year to go on nature hikes is definitely the Fall. We live in New England, so the natural changes of the season are so pronounced, and it’s a cooler and quieter time to get outside. The changing colors of the leaves make our hike feel like we’re walking through a postcard. The cool, crisp air is refreshing after a hot summer. 

Would you like to experience fall hiking with your kids? Well, keep reading because I have a few tricks to make your adventures safe and fun for all!

Picking a trail for your fall nature hike

Are you in a rut, hiking with your kids on the same nature trail every time you explore? Are you ready to make hiking feel exciting again for your kids? While re-hiking the same route has benefits, sometimes it’s nice to explore a new-to-you location! Hiking in a new location opens all kinds of possibilities and exciting finds for kids. Not knowing exactly what to expect can be part fo the fun (especially for older kids).

I have a few methods for finding new hiking trails near us: (1) using the All Trails app (they have a free version!), (2) checking out local Land Trust websites, and (3) visiting the nearby town’s natural resource department web pages. These resources will usually have a list of any local trails they own and maintain. Sometimes, these pages will have trail maps, lengths, and even a description of what to expect in the area.

Another idea is to check out your local library or bookstore for hiking guides. Where we live on Cape Cod, there are so many! None of them were necessarily geared toward families, so I ended up writing my own. It’s called “50 Cape Cod Hiking Trails” and is available at local shops and on Amazon, too!

What to pack for fall hiking with kids

It’s always best to be prepared when hiking with kids, no matter the season. We bring a hiking bag filled with what we’ll need every time we go out on a trail. Usually, our little nature walks are under three miles, so we don’t need much, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. Sometimes, my kids bring their own backpacks or fanny packs, but generally, they want me to be the pack horse, and I’m okay with that, too!

Here’s a list of the essentials we keep in our bag:

• First aid kit – you can find these at most grocery stores, pharmacies, or sporting goods stores. I also recommend keeping one in the car at all times as well.
• Bug spray– we almost always spray our shoes and clothes before heading out on a trail, but I bring it along in case we need a refresh.
• Baby wipes – we use these before we eat a snack, if someone has an emergency bathroom break, or for sticky encounters such as slugs, sap, or mud puddles!
• Tecnu wipes – these are wipes used if you come into contact with poison ivy. I highly recommend them if this noxious plant affects you or your kids.
• SNACKS! – a must-have with doing absolutely anything with kids. More on this essential below. 
• Wet bag– these reusable, washable bags are a lifesaver. I use them for any trash we accumulate or soiled or wet clothes. The snap loops on the packs are great for attaching to your backpack.
• Water– our backpack has water bottle holders on each side. I like to bring our reusable water bottles along on any trail we walk.

For more info on what to pack when hiking with kids, see our full post on the 10 Essentials for Hiking with Kids. 

What to wear when fall hiking with kids

With the change in season comes cooler temperatures, so it’s best to dress appropriately. Layering is the key to comfortable dressing in the fall! You can always shed or add layers to adjust as temperature changes or you warm up (or cool down) on your hikes.

On warmer days, we still wear a single-layer shirt, but bring a sweatshirt or light jacket. On colder days, wear an additional coat over a sweater or sweatshirt. When choosing hiking shoes, I always opt for closed-toe waterproof shoes or boots if it has been raining lately or if the trail we are walking has a pond or beach nearby. Wool socks are always my go-to, as they keep the feet warm and dry.

We also keep a set of clothes and shoes in the car at all times in case we need to change after our hike, as oftentimes, we’re hiking near water and it’s inevitable that the kids will get wet and/or muddy. 

Check out our full post on the best hiking shoes for kids. 

Tick prevention while hiking in the fall with kids

While you may encounter fewer mosquitoes and gnats while hiking in the fall, ticks can still be active during this season. If you live in an area where ticks are prevalent, it’s a smart idea to wear bug spray or take other precautions. All-natural bug sprays exist, but we chose this brand as it works great. If you aren’t into using bug sprays, you can take other precautions like wearing light colors, long sleeves and pants, hats, and tucking your pants into your socks. As always, make sure to do thorough tick checks after every hike.

Activities for your fall nature walks with kids

While simply walking through the woods in the fall with your kids, breathing in that fresh air, and getting some exercise can be fun enough for most people, sometimes our kids need a little more motivation to keep their feet moving down that trail. With an arsenal of activities at the ready, your kids will be excited to go on your next Fall hiking adventure. Here are some ideas for what works for my family. Hopefully, these fun hiking activities will work for your family, too!

1. Add wheels! 

You might think scooting or biking down a paved pathway through a park or wooded area isn’t hiking. And you may be technically right. But, it still involves moving your body, enjoying nature, and being outside, which counts as a hike in my eyes! (Plus, I’m still hiking, as scootering isn’t quite my thing.) 

My boys love to visit our local state park, Nickerson State Park. There are miles of paved trails that wind through hilly woodlands. It’s a beautiful spot to explore, and the boys love bringing their scooters, skateboards, or bikes along for the adventure. If you have access to paved trails around you, break out some wheels and let them go at it! It’s a whole different way to explore (and burns a ton of energy!). 

2. Hike with friends

What is more fun than a fall nature hike? A fall nature hike with friends!

We have a group of friends that try to walk weekly, with children aged two to ten. We pick stroller-friendly walks so the little ones can take a ride if they need a break. The older kids have fun running ahead and playing together. It is an excellent exercise for us moms and gives us time to catch up with one another.

If you’re interested in getting a group together for hiking or just an outdoor play date, consider creating a hiking club with friends or other families in your neighborhood! Here’s a great resource about how to get started organizing an outdoor playgroup. 

3. Fall leaf activities for kids

Walking in the woods during this time of year is dreamy – crisp, cool air, bright sunny days, and leaves crunching beneath your feet. The leaves are so colorful and pretty this time of year; why not use those leaves for activities once you get home?

While out on your hike, have your kids collect leaves along the path for activities back at home.. (Who said the fun had to stop once you leave the trail.) Start with something fun and easy, like crayon rubbings. Just lay a dry leaf on a flat surface, cover it with paper, and rub the side crayon over the leaf. The result will be an artistic copy of your leaf treasure!

Try with different species of leaves, cut them out, and create a garland. Or, keep your leaves to make a leaf crown. Preserve the leaves by dipping them in beeswax and using them for home decor. Whatever you don’t use, just toss back outside once you’re done! Who knew fall hiking with kids could be so fun?

Check out our full post filled with fall leaf activities for kids. 

4. Fall hiking scavenger hunt

Scavenger hunts are an excellent activity for kids of all ages, are low-cost (or even free), and can be done nearly anywhere (including the hiking trail). They keep kids motivated to continue along the trail to check their finds off the list. 

Scavenger hunts are easy to find and/or create. We have a free downloadable Scavenger Hunt Bundle for Kids that has scavenger hunts for all the seasons and various locations and celebrations. 

If you choose to make your scavenger hunt, you can include items that are native to where you’ll be hiking and what’s going on at this particular time of year. You can include items such as a red leaf, a giant boulder, a wooly caterpillar, a tree with no leaves, ice (if your autumn is extra chilly!), acorns, seed pods, etc. The possibilities are endless.

You can print a paper scavenger hunt or use an iPad or phone to track your findings!

5. DIY hiking sticks for your fall hike

One of the best DIY activities I’ve done with my kids is to make our own hiking sticks! It’s a pretty simple activity, once you’ve gathered your tools and supplies. All you really need is the perfect-sized stick (this can be your kids’ mission to find when out hiking), and a few colorful accessories like ribbons, string, bells, or paint.

Once you’ve made your hiking stick, you can keep it in the car to bring it on all your fall hikes with your kids! They will be proud of their creations, which help hike uneven terrain! Also, I love a good craft project using found items in nature, don’t you?

Here’s the full tutorial I wrote on how to make your own hiking sticks with kids. 

6. Make a fall mandala

What’s a mandala? According to Wikipedia, “A mandala is a geometric configuration of symbols. In various spiritual traditions, mandalas may be employed for focusing the attention of practitioners and adepts, as a spiritual guidance tool, for establishing a sacred space, and as an aid to meditation and trance induction.” 

In its simplest form, a mandala is a circular structure with a design that radiates out symmetrically from the center. You can find natural mandalas in flowers, tree rings, the sun, eyes, snowflakes, spider webs, sea shells, seeds, fruits, and more. There is no right or wrong way to make one which is why it is such a wonderful way to engage children to make their own mandalas using items they find in nature.

Create your mandala by collecting items along your hike, such as leaves, acorns, twigs, shells, or rocks, and assemble your mandala. It’s best to find a smooth, flat surface to construct your nature-themed mandala. You’ll be surprised how beautiful these creations turn out. Be sure to take a photo, as you can’t bring your art home!

7. Bring your pet on your fall nature walk

Do you have a four-legged friend who loves the outdoors, too? Consider bringing your pup along on your next fall hike! Not only will this keep the kids entertained, but everyone will get extra exercise and fresh air! 

Dogs love to spend time with you and enjoy all the sights (and smells!) in the woods. Just remember to follow guidelines for dog leashing and dog waste for the trail you choose. Also, your dog might get thirsty too. We like this collapsible bowl, as it’s a space saver and convenient to keep in our hiking backpack.

8. Let your child lead your fall hike

A fun way to get your kids excited about hiking is to give them control! Kids rarely feel like they get to be in charge, so this is a fun way to hand over the reins on your next fall hike and let them make some decisions. Start by letting them choose which trail you’ll hike. Give them control of packing what you’ll need for the hike and which snacks to pack (with supervision, of course). Once you get to the trail, let them find the trailhead, lead the way, and decide to take a left or right, and when to stop for a snack break.

My boys enjoy taking turns being the leader, and they thrive when they control our adventure. I think it’s great practice for them to make decisions and think about their actions. I hope this trick works for your family, too!

9. Take a fall hike at night

The sun is setting earlier this time of year, and it may be cutting into your outdoor time. Let’s take advantage of the earlier darkness and take a night hike! Star-gaze, take a flashlight hike, or even go owling!

• Star gazing: Take a walk outside on a clear night, preferably away from street lights. Check out the stars above and see if you can identify any constellations or plants. Bonus points if you catch a shooting star!
• Lantern/flashlight hike: We like to do lantern or flashlight hikes on trails we are already familiar with, so we know what to expect regarding terrain and trail layout. Bring along a flashlight to light the way. Trust me, it is so fun! 
• Owling: Owling is when you go out at night to look and listen for owls. If you have a nature preserve near you, check to see if they lead owling walks; it’s a great introduction to this activity. If not, go for one on your own. Just remember, avoid using flashlights, and stay quiet. Going on a non-windy night is best so the wind won’t obscure the owl’s sounds. Before you head out owling, look at photos of owls local to your area and listen to their calls.

Check out our full post all about Owling with Kids.

Photo credit: @raising_little_naturalists

Best fall hiking snacks for kids

As parents, we know that snacks are an essential part of every day for our kids. It’s no different when you’re going out on a trail! Bringing enough snacks is the key to success for any activity with kids!

Here are some shelf-stable snack ideas for you to tote along and make your fall hiking adventure successful:

• Trail mix
• Granola bars
• Dry cereal
• Clementines
• Apples
• Bananas
• Beef sticks/jerky
• Peanut butter and crackers
• Popcorn
• Dried fruit
• Apple sauce pouches

Pro tip: You can use that wet bag in your hiking backpack to hold the waste from your snacks until you return home to dispose of it!

For more, check out our full post on trail-tested and kid-approved hiking snacks.

Fall hiking books for kids

I always like to recommend books that will support the information shared in my posts. The following books can be found at most bookstores and libraries; I hope you check them out!

• Owl Moon by Jane Yolen – This book is a story about a child going owling with their father. It makes me want to go on a night hike on a chilly fall evening.
• On the Nature Trail, a Backpack Explorer Book – This durable activity book is one I have consistently bought as a gift for nature-loving kids.
• We’re Going on a Leaf Hunt by Steve Metzger – Remember the iconic storybook “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt?” This book is similar but fall-themed and so cute!
• The Busy Tree, by Jennifer Ward – This book has beautiful illustrations and explains how different animals use trees and how important each piece of the tree is.

Fall hiking with kids

As you lace up your hiking boots and get ready to explore the trails with your little ones this fall, remember that the beauty of the season goes beyond the colorful leaves—it’s in the shared laughter, the time spent outside together, and the connection you made during your hike. Embrace the magic of the season, using the activities and ideas in this post to make your fall family hikes truly special. 

I hope this information was helpful and got you motivated and excited to explore some hiking trails with your children this Fall. Now, get out there and explore! Happy hiking!

About the author

Lissy lives near the ocean on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, with her husband, 2 rambunctious boys (aged 4 & 7), and an ever-growing number of pets. She grew up walking nature trails and finding joy in the beauty of nature. She now shares that love for local adventures with her community through her blog, “Get Outside Cape Cod.” Lissy knows that everyone can benefit from spending more time outdoors and wants to inspire and support families to do just that!

You can find more from Lissy in the following online locations:
Instagram: @getoutsidecapecod
Website: Get Outside Cape Cod
Facebook: @getoutsidecapecod
RWMC Posts: Lissy Perna

The post Fall Hiking with Kids: Tips, Tricks, Activities & Snacks appeared first on RUN WILD MY CHILD.

Exploring the beauty of the season

As the crisp breeze of autumn transforms the landscape, it brings a spectacular display of vibrant hues adorning the trees. For curious young minds, fall leaves hold more than just seasonal beauty. They conceal a secret world of hidden colors waiting to be discovered.

Today, we invite young scientists (and their parents) to embark on an exciting journey of exploration through the captivating realm of chromatography, unlocking the mysteries of nature’s palette right from the comfort of home. Join us as we delve into the fascinating world of chromatography and guide young enthusiasts through a simple and engaging experiment. Unleash your inner scientist, and let the colors of fall leaves tell their unique tales of nature’s artistry!

What is chromatography?

Chromatography is a technique used to separate and identify components within a mixture. In the context of fall leaves and their vivid hues, chromatography acts as a scientific detective, revealing the hidden pigments responsible for the kaleidoscope of colors in fall leaves.

This process capitalizes on the principle that different substances in a mixture travel at different rates through a medium, such as paper or a chromatography strip. As a solvent moves through the paper, it carries the pigments along, causing them to separate based on their unique chemical properties. By examining the distinct patterns left behind, scientists can unravel the composition of complex mixtures, offering a valuable tool not only for understanding the science of colors in nature but also for applications ranging from forensics to pharmaceuticals.

By understanding the science behind chromatography, kids can do hands-on experiments (like the one we’re sharing below!) that not only reveal the hidden pigments in leaves but also fosters a deeper appreciation for the wonders of the natural world. Are you ready?

How do trees prepare for winter?

Like the people and animals around them, deciduous trees prepare themselves for winter. Each fall, deciduous trees undergo a fascinating transformation to prepare for the challenges of the colder months. As part of nature’s strategic planning, deciduous trees meticulously withdraw energy from their leaves, the very organs that had been the source of their lush greenery throughout spring and summer.

As the days grow shorter, leaves lose more chlorophyll. You probably know chlorophyll as the green pigment that helps leaves absorb the sunlight they need for photosynthesis. As the remaining chlorophyll breaks down inside the leaves, other hidden colors are revealed. Cold weather early in autumn and/or dry conditions over the summer months may make for less than spectacular shows of color and early leaf drop.

This withdrawal is facilitated by the formation of an abscission layer, a specialized zone that develops at the base of each leaf’s stem. As daylight wanes and temperatures drop, the tree recognizes these cues and triggers the production of a hormone called abscisic acid. This hormone signals the cells in the abscission layer to expand, effectively sealing off the connection between the leaf and the tree. The once-nurturing relationship comes to an end, and the leaf is left to gracefully fall to the ground.

What colors are in the leaves?

Leaves are green from chlorophyll, but they also contain lesser-known pigments like brown tannins, yellow xanthophylls, and gold and orange carotenoids. What makes the ravishing red and purple shades like those of the red maple, pin oak, and sweetgum? 

Anthocyanins, in combination with what remains of the chlorophyll, are responsible for those beauties. The anthocyanins are created as the leaves make sugars during fall’s warm sunny days. As night falls and the temperatures cool, the sugars are changed to red and purple pigments. 

Conduct your own chromatography experiment

You can solve a chem-mystery to figure out what colors a particular tree is hiding in its leaves. For this activity, we will focus on gathering a variety of leaves from different tree species and using the chemistry of chromatography to reveal the hues normally covered by chlorophyll for most of the year. 

Begin by taking a nature walk, noticing the colors, and collecting leaves from different trees. We like to do this experiment with green leaves, but you can use leaves of other colors. It’s best to pick leaves from trees that are on your own property or leaves that you have permission to pick.

Chromatography supplies

Paper chromatography is how you will separate the different colors in the leaves you gather by using a solvent (in this case, isopropyl alcohol) and a paper strip. Remember, most leaves have a few different colors hiding in them, even if you see only one color.

For this activity, you will need:

1. A variety of leaves – keep track of the species
2. Isopropyl alcohol 
3. Glass jars (the number of jars depends on how many leaf species you collect)
4. Pencils
5. Tape
6. Scissors
7. Coffee filter or absorbent paper towel

Breaking down the leaves

You will need to make a mixture with the leaves. Choose one species of leaf, and select your method of breaking your leaves into small pieces. You can use your hands to tear them, a mortar and pestle to grind them, scissors to cut them, or a blender or food processor to mulch them into tiny pieces (the latter being my kids’ favorite option). 

The goal is to have enough leaf pieces to cover the bottom of your jar. 

Put your leaf pieces into the bottom of a glass jar. Pour enough isopropyl alcohol into the jar to cover the leaves. Slowly swish the jar around to mix up the solution. The leaves will break down a bit, so their color molecules will mix in with the alcohol. Making sure the pieces are tiny helps this process along. 

Revealing the colors

Let the jar with leaf bits and alcohol rest while you make your filter strips. Cut a one-inch wide strip through the length of a coffee filter or the width of a rectangle of paper towel. Roll the end of the strip around a pencil, and rest the pencil across the top of the jar. The dangling end of the strip should be just barely dipped into the leaf/alcohol mixture. 

Once you have your setup complete, leave the jars for several hours. The different color pigments in the solution that you made will take different amounts of time to “crawl” up the filter paper due to the different molecules found in each. This results in the colors separating out into visible stripes in different locations along the length of the paper.

Reading your results and extending the lesson

As young scientists dip these leaves into a solvent during the chromatography experiment, they witness the mesmerizing separation of pigments on the chromatography paper. The resulting patterns are akin to a colorful fingerprint, revealing the distinct chemical makeup of each leaf.

Check your filter strips to see what color pigments are in your leaves. Did you find anything that surprised you? You may have found several shades of greens, oranges, browns, or yellows.

To translate this scientific exploration into a prediction for fall colors, kids can carefully observe and record the patterns obtained from the chromatography experiment. By noting the number, intensity, and positions of the separated pigments, they create a chromatographic profile for each type of leaf.

If you do this experiment in the summer or early fall BEFORE the leaves change colors, kids can make connections between these profiles and the forthcoming fall foliage. As fall approaches and the leaves begin to change color, children can revisit their chromatographic findings and correlate the presence of specific pigments with the colors they observe in the leaves outside.

For instance, if a particular pigment in the chromatography experiment corresponds to a rich red hue, spotting that pigment in the chromatographic profile could indicate a likelihood of red leaves appearing on the trees during autumn. This analytical approach transforms the chromatography experiment into a predictive tool, empowering kids to anticipate and appreciate the kaleidoscope of fall colors based on the unique chemical signatures unveiled in their chromatographic investigations.

Get outside and enjoy the season

Be sure to get outside and take an autumn nature walk to enjoy nature’s colors. Take photos of trees that catch your eye, or draw them in your nature journal. You can even save the leaves themselves and press them to dry them out. This allows you to store the leaves without them crumbling to pieces.

Here are a few additional fun fall posts you might be interested in:

• Fall leaves and nature crafts
• Must take fall photos
• Fall and winter books for kids
• Favorite fall recipes for families
• 100 outdoor fall activities for kids

Which fall colors are the most prevalent in your region?
Which shades are your favorites?

About the author

Laura is an ecology writer and the founder of Firefly Nature School, a nature study curriculum designed for homeschooling families, co-ops, and classrooms. Laura has a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Ecology from Iowa State University with an emphasis in natural resource education. A former wildlife conservation educator and upper school science teacher, she now directs School of the Wild, a local nature school serving her community. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her family, hiking, running, writing, reading, and cooking. Laura lives with her husband and their three children in the beautiful Ozarks countryside.

Find more from Laura in the following locations:
Website: Firefly Nature School
Instagram: @fireflynatureschool
Facebook: Firefly Nature School
RWMC posts: Laura Stroup

The post Using Chromatography to Find Fall Leaf Colors appeared first on RUN WILD MY CHILD.

Must-have photos to capture this fall

As the leaves turn brilliant shades of crimson and gold and the air gets crisp, there’s no denying that fall is a season like no other. For outdoorsy moms, this is the perfect time to get outside with your family. But beyond fall color hikes and cozy campfires, there’s another opportunity that awaits you during this season: taking photos!

Capturing the essence of your little ones (and this gorgeous season) through the lens of your camera (or phone) is a must for many parents. Fall offers a unique (and beautiful!) backdrop for your kids to shine, and I’m here to guide you through the must-take photos that will become cherished memories for years to come.

Today, we’ll jump headfirst into a giant leaf pile of reasons why fall is such an incredible time of year for outdoor photos of your children. From the kaleidoscope of autumn colors to the playfulness of  pumpkin patches and the warmth of family gatherings, we’ll explore the many ways this season provides a stunning canvas for your kids to express their spirit and create unforgettable moments. So, grab your camera, bundle up your little adventurers, and let’s embark on a photographic journey through the magic of the season. Here is my list of all the must-have photos to capture this fall. 

1. Farms

We visit our local farms every year (multiple times a year, actually). One thing that is a must with each visit is seeing and saying hello to all of our furry and feathered farm friends. When it comes to photographing these experiences at the farm, there are so many fun angles that you can take. I love to pull back and capture photos of the kids and animals from a distance to include features of the farm, like the barn. I also love a good overhead shot that includes a nice close-up of children closely interacting with the animals.

2. Hayrides

Some of my favorite fall memories from my childhood include hayrides to the pumpkin patch. Traditional hayrides aren’t quite as popular where I live, but many farms still have tractor rides (without the hay…achoo!).

The ideal time to capture a hayride experience is once you board the wagon. This way, you can capture your child’s initial excitement as well as be able to hold that camera more steady. I like to use my 35mm or 24mm lenses for these shots because they allow me to capture photos of my kids while remaining close to them. When the wagon is a bit empty, I like to sit all the way in the back or all the way in the front of the wagon to include more of the wagon and tractor in the background of my photos. In late fall, our local farm decorates their wagons with lights to create an even more magical experience!

3. Corn maze

Another one of our favorite things to do at the farm is exploring the corn maze. I love documenting my children as they explore the maze. For these photos, I prefer using mid-range lenses like my 85mm lens. To add more layers to your images, you can try standing behind some of the corn to allow some of it to sit in the foreground of your images.

4. Pumpkin patch 

It’s not fall without a visit to the pumpkin patch! As your child explores and searches for a pumpkin, try to stay a little behind and capture photos of them walking through the fields. Then when they have found the perfect pumpkin, come in closer for those details shots. Photograph your little ones trying to carry a pumpkin too heavy for them, or a photo of their proud faces while holding “the best” pumpkin in the patch.

5. Sunflowers 

Exploring the sunflower fields is always on our list of things to do in early fall. These fields make for a great backdrop for photos and are so fun to run through. I prefer to use my 85mm or 135mm lenses when photographing my kids in the fields to help get a dreamy look. Look out for moments of little ones trying to reach for the tallest flowers, running through the fields, or smelling these large beauties. 

These are such popular photos that we have an entire post on how to take photos of your family at the sunflower field. 

6. Apple picking

Exploring apple orchards with children can be a really fun and educational experience. Not only do children get to learn about where their food comes from, but they also get to enjoy fresh nutritious snacks during and after their visit. When photographing my children at an orchard, I prefer to choose areas with red apples to add that pop of color to my photos. To add more layers to the images, I will position myself in an area where branches from a nearby tree can hang in the foreground of my images. 

Here’s another great post filled with tips on apple picking with kids. 

7. Pumpkin carving

Pumpkin carving is an activity enjoyed by both kids and adults. Take advantage of a crisp afternoon to transform your pumpkins into fun and spooky jack-o-lanterns. Be sure to document your kids’ expressions as they carve their own pumpkins. For extra fun, take a photo at night of your pumpkin lit up by candlelight! 

8. Foliage

One of my favorite things about fall is the beautiful display of bright reds, oranges, yellows, and greens among the trees. When photographing the foliage, it’s best to wait until the leaves are at their peak for color. This can vary by location. I like to choose locations where there are bright-colored trees in the foreground and the background. While my children are happily exploring this area, I typically just stand far away from them and try to capture as much of our surroundings as possible. 

9. Leaves

A colorful landscape typically means colorful leaves are in abundance. There are many fun ways to photograph leaves. You can create a huge pile of them and capture fun photos of your child playing in the leaves. An overhead shot of your child lying down on them could also make for a great portrait. One of our favorite ways to photograph leaves is to find a large one and play peek-a-boo with it. 

10. Fall treasures

My children collect treasures year-round. Fall brings in an abundance of different seeds, fruits, and mushrooms. On a short walk, we can easily fill a small basket with a good variety of different items. Then our favorite part is identifying what we found afterward. Photographing these sorts of details could be as simple as pointing the camera into your basket and taking a shot. Or you can dump it all out and take a good overhead shot of everything.

11. Fall bike ride

In early fall, we love hopping on our bikes and going for rides through our local trails. By this time, the summer heat has gone, but it’s still not too cold for longer rides. When I’m documenting our fall rides, I try to find trails with lots of colors within the bushes. I also try to dress my kids in bright colors to make them pop more amongst the greens and browns.

12. Fall hikes

We get out and hike year-round, but the fall is by far my favorite time to hike. When I’m documenting our hikes, I like identifying what landmarks and plant life are unique to that particular hike and then challenging myself to incorporate those things into a photo. I think all lenses work for hikes, but I definitely prefer my 135mm lens for most photos. If I’m hoping to capture as much of the forest as possible, then I will go for a wider lens. 

Here’s another great resource with fantastic tips for photographing family hikes. 

13. Lakeside

While fishing and water sports aren’t quite as popular in the fall, we still visit our local lakes often in the fall. My favorite thing about taking photos by the lake is that you sort of get double the amount of foliage in your images due to the reflection from the water. But even after the leaves drop, we still visit our local lakes for some fun in the sand. While the trees are bare, we still find lots of pops of color amongst the stacks of canoes and kayaks by our local lake.

14. Mountains

If you live near a mountain range, planning a hike up or near the mountains is a must for fall. Not only is it an enjoyable activity for the entire family, but the views are breathtaking at the top. If you can plan for a day when the leaves are at their peaks, you will not be disappointed. 

15. Fall sports

Many kids play sports such as football, baseball, or soccer in the fall. We look forward to fall sports, and I try really hard to make sure that I am capturing these moments every year. It’s nice to look back on these images to see just how much they’ve grown. Also, don’t forget to document spectating siblings during these games and practices.

16. Cozy attire

As the temperatures begin to drop and warmer clothing comes out, don’t forget to document those little details. A warm hat, glove, furry jackets, long, cozy socks, and boots all add a sense to fall warmth to a photo. 

17. Campfires

On those cool fall evenings, campfires are a must. Whether we are out camping or just hanging out in our backyard, we yearn for the warmth it provides. The next time your family gathers around a warm fire be sure to document those moments. 

18. Playground fun

The fall is our favorite time to visit the playground. While I don’t always bring my camera with me to the playground, I’ve never regretted the times that I have. I try to challenge myself to find unique angles and perspectives in the playground. For the second photo below, I sat on top of the highest part of the playground equipment and used my widest lens to capture my son as he climbed the steps prior to going down the slide.

19. Costumes

As we inch our way closer to Halloween, I try to set aside an evening to photograph my kids in their costumes for the year. My go-to lens for these sorts of images is usually my 135mm lens since I want my subject to stand out a bit more against the background. 

20. Trick or treating

My kids are obsessed with Halloween, so trick-or-treating is something that they look forward to doing every year. If trick or treating is something your family enjoys doing, definitely bring your camera along the next time you go to document this exciting day. 

21. Tree farms

Many families will visit tree farms soon after Thanksgiving Day to pick up their Christmas trees. And while this may have a “wintery” feeling, it’s technically still fall, so be sure to bring your camera along to document this moment. 

22. Holiday lights

My absolute favorite thing to photograph in late fall are all the holiday lights. Everywhere we go is decked out with lights galore. Drive-thru light displays are a must for us during the holidays. Not only are they a great way to kick off the holiday season, but they also make for great photo opportunities. I love capturing my children’s expressions as they marvel at the huge display of lights. I captured the image below by sitting on the window ledge on the passenger side and then using the widest lens I own which is my 24mm lens. 

The following two images were taken at a farm and our nearby zoo. Low-light images, such as these, can be tricky, but if you place your subject in a well-lit spot and bump up the ISO on your camera, you too could recreate these sorts of images.

Favorite fall memories

As we wrap up our exploration of the must-take photos for fun fall activities and share some invaluable photography tips, one thing is clear – the autumn season offers an abundance of opportunities for capturing the essence of your children’s outdoor adventures. With every leaf that rustles beneath their feet, every pumpkin they pick, and every smile that brightens their faces, you have a chance to freeze those precious moments in time.

Remember to embrace the natural beauty of fall as your backdrop, and let your kids be themselves. Encourage their creativity and curiosity to shine through your lens. The candid shots of joy and wonder, the playful interactions, and the vibrant colors of the season all come together to tell a heartwarming story.

Whether you’re enjoying a hayride, hiking in the woods, or carving pumpkins, these photos will serve as cherished memories that you and your children will look back on with fondness. So, don’t forget to capture these moments and create a visual narrative that celebrates the magic of fall, the love of family, and the spirit of adventure. Happy photographing, and may your autumn be filled with beauty, laughter, and unforgettable images!

What’s your favorite fall activity to photograph?

About the author

Crystal is a photographer who homeschools her two young boys alongside running a newborn photography business. If she’s not photographing babies, she’s out with her family photographing their adventures together. Together they enjoy hiking, exploring nearby cities, biking, camping, going to the beach, amusement parks, and, of course, gathering with friends and family. Getting out and exploring with loved ones is their favorite way to spend their days.

You can find more from Crystal online in the following locations:
Instagram: @exploringadventureland
RWMC posts: Crystal Sanchez

The post Must-Have Photos to Capture this Fall appeared first on RUN WILD MY CHILD.

Favorite fall recipes to make with kids

Fall is wonderful for so many reasons, but one of those is because it’s the harvest season. Three crops that are harvested in abundance during this time of year are zucchini, apples, and pumpkins. Each is nutritious, delicious, and very versatile in recipes. Today, I’m excited to share all of the fun ways we can use these three items to whip up some tasty and nutritious snacks and meals for and with our kids.

Kid-friendly zucchini recipes

If you planted zucchini in your garden, you probably still have some plants that are producing into and through the fall. Not only do zuchinni plants produce will into the fall season, they grow fast! I have found that zucchini can grow inches seemingly overnight! One morning it will be a small zucchini with the blossom still attached, and the next, it’s bigger and heavier than your arm! When that happens, and you have pounds and pounds of zucchini to work with before it goes bad, refer back to these recipes, and you’ll use every bit of that zucchini in no time.

Zucchini bread

Zucchini bread is a must-make recipe, if you’ve got homegrown zucchini around the house. It’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser for both kids and adults. My mom makes a wonderful hearty zucchini bread every year at Thanksgiving, and it’s one of the first things gone from the table. The smell of bread baking in the oven is sure to put everyone in a good mood. And if you get to enjoy a slice of still-warm zucchini bread with some butter melting on top of it, you’ll think you’ve died and gone to heaven.

Ultimate zucchini bread recipe

Here’s our favorite “Ultimate Zucchini Bread” recipe, adapted from this one from Smitten Kitchen.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups grated, packed zucchini
• 2 large eggs
• 2/3 cup melted unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon fine sea or table salt
• 1 1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons raw sugar

Instructions:

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly coat a loaf pan with nonstick spray. Place grated zucchini in a large bowl and add oil, eggs, sugars, vanilla, and salt. Use a fork to mix until combined. Sprinkle in cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and baking powder and mix until combined. Add flour and mix until just combined. Pour into prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Sprinkle with the raw sugar. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, until a toothpick or tester inserted into the middle cake but also into the top of the cake, closer to the dome, comes out batter-free. Let cool completely in the pan. Leave in pan, unwrapped, overnight or 24 hours, until removing (carefully, so as not to ruin flaky lid) and serve in slices. 

Zucchini boats

Zucchini boats are another great (and really fun) way to use zucchini! The best thing about zucchini boats is that they can be eaten with your hands! Fewer dishes are always a win, in my book. And although you scrape out the center of the zucchini, you’ll want to chop it up and add it to the filling, so no part of the zucchini is wasted.

Another great thing about zucchini boats is that you can use a variety of ingredients for the filling and make them however you want! Don’t have sausage? No problem, use ground beef or ground turkey. Vegetarian? Use beans instead of meat. Don’t have cheddar cheese? Substitute the type of cheese you have for the topping. Zucchini boats are very versatile and cook in 25-30 minutes. The recipe below for zucchini boats from Taste of Home is a big hit at our house (and SO easy)!

Kid-friendly zucchini boat recipe

Instructions:

Grilled zucchini

You know we’re all about getting outdoors here at Run Wild, and grilling zucchini is a wonderful opportunity to do that! Have the kids help you slice up the zucchini into steaks or spears, toss them in some olive oil with your favorite grilling seasonings, and throw them on the grill. Or, add in some of your other favorite veggies (onions, squash, peppers) and pop them onto a kebab! In about ten minutes, you’ll have a tasty side dish. Try this recipe.

Take your grilled zucchini to the next level by setting out some dipping options, too! We like to dip ours in ranch dressing or marinara sauce. This is an especially good tactic if you have kids who are picky eaters (or ones that say they don’t like zucchini). Sometimes dipping food in a sauce or dressing will get them to try it because, let’s be honest, isn’t it just more fun to eat that way?

Zoodles

Have you heard of zoodles? Zoodles are what you get when you take a spiralizer to a zucchini. The spiralizer cuts the zucchini into long, thin strips the size of a spaghetti noodle. Making zoodles with kids is so much fun because they can be several feet long. If you don’t have a spiralizer, I recommend this one. It’s inexpensive and easy enough for kids to use! They’ll love helping out in the kitchen for this project and turning zucchini into noodles! If you have more than one kid, you might even want to get two spiralizers and see who can make the longest zoodle.

Zoodles can be used in place of spaghetti in any recipe that calls for pasta. The flavor is mild, and the consistency is very similar to a spaghetti noodle. Your kids will forget that they’re even eating a vegetable. If you cut thin strips off the zucchini lengthwise, they can be used in place of a lasagna noodle! 

Zucchini fritters

You can also use grated zucchini for fritters! This is a sure-fire win with my kids because they’re hot and crispy (and taste a bit like a flavorful hashbrown). Here’s our favorite zucchini fritter recipe inspired by Just a Taste.

Ingredients:

Grated zucchini (freeze it!)

Don’t forget that when you have zucchini coming out of your ears and won’t be able to use it all right away, you can always freeze it. This will keep it fresh for months and give you a taste of summer well into the winter months.

First, grate the zucchini, squeeze out as much moisture as possible, put it in a freezer-safe bag or container. Frozen zucchini will be good for up to three months. I like to add my frozen shredded zucchini to lots of the recipes I make during the week: omelets, soups, salads, ground meats, and basically any savory dish. I’ll even top a baked potato with shredded zucchini and some cheddar cheese. I’m getting hungry just thinking about it! 

Favorite fall apple recipes

Visiting an apple orchard is fun, but the best part is eating the apples! Apples are a classic fall favorite staple and can be used in so many ways, making them one of the easiest and most versatile ingredients. They can be sweet, savory, and even spicy. They can be used in so many different dishes. And, they’re probably one of those things that your kids won’t ever complain about eating!

We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite ways to enjoy apples in the fall. Here are a few recipes that kids will love to help out with and eat!

Apple dipping station

Have your kids been asking to have a play date at your house? I feel like mine are always wanting some friend or another to come play at our house. Hosting an apple-themed play date is easy and so much fun, especially in the fall when apples are aplenty. Maybe you even took the kids apple picking recently and have more apples than you know what to do with. Most kids like apples so they don’t need to be enticed to eat them.

At your apple play date, why not set up an apple dipping station as the snack! As I mentioned before, it’s just more fun to eat something when you get to dip it first! All you’ll need to do is cut up some apples and have a variety of dips and toppings for the kids to choose from! Let them try them all and find their favorite flavor combinations. 

Dips for apple slices:

• Peanut butter/almond butter/sun butter
• Caramel
• Nutella
• Cream cheese
• Marshmallow fluff
• Buttercream icing

Apple slice toppings:

• Mini chocolate chips
• Chopped peanuts
• Raisins
• Mini marshmallows
• Shredded coconut
• Toffee bits
• Crushed graham crackers
• Sprinkles

Applesauce

If you’ve got apples to spare, it really doesn’t get any better than making your own homemade applesauce! And I promise it’s easier to make than you might imagine! You don’t even need to peel the apples if you don’t mind the applesauce being a little more tart.

To make homemade applesauce, simply core and slice eight to ten apples (peel them only if you want). Throw them in the slow cooker with half a cup of water (and a cinnamon stick, if you like cinnamon applesauce), and let it cook until the apples are the desired tenderness. It will take about five to six hours on low heat. If you want smooth applesauce, put the mixture in the blender/food processor (or use a stick mixer) and puree. I like my applesauce a bit chunky, so I just smash the apples a bit with a potato masher. Add sugar (and maybe some cinnamon) to your liking, and that’s it! 

Baked apples

Bakes apples are almost as easy to make as applesauce, but because you cook them in the oven they take less time. I like to make baked apples for dessert on a cool fall night because they make the house smell amazing! Here is the recipe I use. These will need to cook for about 40 minutes to get really tender. You can let each kid customize their apple before putting it in the oven by having a variety of different spices (cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, nutmeg, allspice, clove, etc.) and sweeteners (sugar, brown sugar, coconut sugar, maple syrup, honey.) Top the baked apples with a scoop of ice cream for an extra special treat.

And if you really want to make this a fun activity, instead of baking the apples in an oven, bake them over a campfire! They make an absolutely amazing treat when enjoying an evening outside in the backyard or on a camping trip! 

Apple pie filling

One of my sisters had an apple tree at her previous home, and some years that tree produced so many apples we could barely eat them all! In cases like that, we had to get creative with all the way to use the apples, so they wouldn’t go to waste.

One of my favorite ways that she used them was to make jars and jars of apple pie filling using a simple apple pie filling recipe and gave them as Christmas gifts. Genius! What a great gift for your kids to give to their teacher or neighbor, as well. My jar was gone before the new year because it was so tasty!

You could definitely use the filling to make a pie, but I also used it to top so many things, like ice cream, oatmeal, and yogurt. Or, how delicious would it be over-baked brie? What a great way to spend time making something special with your kids and have gifts to give to loved ones afterward! 

Favorite pumpkin recipes to make with kids

Last but not least, let’s talk about pumpkins. Pumpkins are the star of the season and have to be included in this list of favorite fall recipes to make with your kids. We see them used as decorations and love to carve them for Halloween, but most pumpkins are also edible and nutritious.

Cooked pumpkin has high percentages of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, potassium, and iron. These nutrients keep our immune system strong and our skin and eyes healthy. Here are some ways to get all of those important vitamins and minerals into those little bodies that seem to have endless energy.

Pumpkin pancakes

Pancakes are a breakfast staple at my house, but when my kids drench them in syrup, I feel like it’s more of a dessert than a healthy breakfast. One way to add more nutrients to your pancakes is to add pumpkin puree. Pumpkin puree can be purchased in a can from the store (although, not to be confused with pumpkin pie filling), or you can make your own if you’re feeling extra ambitious. The more you add, the more orange-colored they will be, but in addition to color, it will add more pumpkin flavor and extra nutrients.

Choose an amount of pumpkin puree that fits your family’s tastebuds. For every two cups of pancake mix, I typically add one cup of pumpkin puree. This works well for our family, and I get zero complaints about them tasting too pumpkiny. Pancakes are quick and easy and can be stored in the refrigerator or the freezer for use on those mornings when everyone sleeps in. My kids pop frozen pancakes into the toaster for an on-the-go breakfast. 

Pumpkin bread

Like zucchini bread, pumpkin bread is a HUGE hit at our house with kids and adults alike. We have been known to eat pumpkin bread for breakfast, but it could really be a dessert as well. You can make it in a bread loaf and slice it or even make it into muffins for on-the-go snacks. My youngest has started asking for his own loaf of pumpkin bread to take home from Thanksgiving when we go to Grandma’s house. 

If you want to get extra-decadent, these pumpkin cream cheese muffins are just about the most amazing thing ever. 

Pumpkin chili

Who doesn’t love a warm bowl of chili on a cool fall afternoon? Chili is a fan favorite at our house and a staple on weekend evenings when we spend all day outside. A great way to add some flavor (and nutrients) to your chili is to add pumpkin puree to your favorite chili recipe. It makes it a little thicker and healthier. I always serve my chili with a generous portion of cornbread and some sour cream on top. Here is the pumpkin turkey chili recipe I use.

Dinner in a pumpkin

I’ve been saving the best for last! My birthday is at the end of October, and back before I can remember, my mom started making dinner in a pumpkin for my birthday! It was such a fun and unexpected tradition and something that still continues today. The dinner portion is comprised of wild rice mixed with sausage, peppers, and onions. However, you could serve chili, dip, soup, or even sloppy joe meat out of a pumpkin, as well! The options are endless! 

Your family may like to have this meal on Halloween night because it’s served right out of the pumpkin! It makes for a fun centerpiece on your Halloween dinner table. This one does take a while to bake, so plan on getting it in the oven at least an hour before you want to eat. The time is so worth it, though! Your kids will love scooping their dinner right out of the pumpkin. 

Cooking with kids

Cooking with your kids is an experience they will not easily forget. Yes, there will be a large mess. Sure, it will take longer. Yeah, you will need a healthy dose of patience. But the benefits far outweigh the mess. Your kids will be learning math through measuring, counting, timing, and portioning. Teach them where each ingredient comes from as they add it to the bowl. Show them how heat rises when the steam drifts up from a pot of boiling water. Watch them coordinate their muscle movements as they slice a zucchini or grate cheese.

Kids are absorbing so much information all the time. When we cook with our kids, we make sure that the information they receive is wholesome and will serve them well in the future. The chances that they eat the food they cook are also much higher than if someone else prepares the food for them, so get those kids in the kitchen with you! Need a little more motivation?

Here is a blog post all about the benefits of cooking with kids.

Take it outside

After you’re done preparing all of this deliciousness, don’t be afraid to take your food outside. Pack a picnic and bring pumpkin bread for dessert. Set up a table on the patio and eat your chili by candlelight. Gather around a backyard bonfire and warm yourself up with some baked apples.

They say that food tastes better outside, right? Let us know if that is true for you and your kids. Happy fall, and have a great time trying these delicious fall recipes to make with your kids!

Which fall recipe do you want to make with your kids?

About the author

Wendy is a married momma living in central San Diego, CA, raising 4 human kids, 2 goat kids, 4 chickens, and one grumpy cat. She enjoys gardening, hiking, camping, backpacking, going to the beach, and generally getting out of doors. Wendy is a family photographer and also works at several local elementary schools as a garden educator. She dreams of traveling to all 50 states and beyond, and believes that there is great beauty to be found in all parts of the earth, we just have to open our eyes to see it.

You can find more from Wendy online in the following locations:
Instagram: @wendycoxphotography
RWMC posts: Wendy Cox

The post Favorite Fall Recipes To Make With Kids appeared first on RUN WILD MY CHILD.

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Special thanks to our Instagram community

These fun activities are guaranteed to keep your kids (and you) entertained, learning, and active while outside this fall! These activities have been tried, tested, and kid-approved by our online Facebook community, followers, editors, writers, and contributors! Plus, all of the photos in the post of kids outside having fun are from our absolutely amazing Instagram community! A very special thanks to all the parents that let us feature their beautiful images.

Free printable checklist!

While this post will give you all the details and variations for all 100+ outdoor fall activities for kids, if you want a printable checklist version, CLICK HERE and get a free printable of the list!

@kelly.crews

100+ fall outdoor activities for kids

As the weather cools off, the days are shorter and seem to be packed with school, sports, and after-school activities. However, getting outside with the kids should be a top priority. Our family always makes a bucket list for fall, which includes tons of fun ways to get outside and active together as a family. We put together this giant list of over 100 fun things to do outside with your kids this autumn! We’ve got all the traditional fall activities, and we’re throwing in dozens more than you may not expect! We hope this list will help you plan fun outdoor adventures for your family this fall. And if there’s anything we’ve forgotten, let us know in the comments below, and we’ll get it added!

@isabellaxiong0

1. Jump in a leaf pile – Quite possibly the most fun and quintessential fall outdoor activity there is, jumping in a leaf pile is pure joy for kids! If your kids are little, rake a pile of leaves into a safe location for them. Make sure the ground underneath is relatively soft (grass, not concrete) and remove any long/sharp twigs, sticks or branches. If your kids are older, hand them the rake and put them to work making their own piles. For extra fun, rake the piles into shapes (a number that represents their age that year) and take a photo of them next to the pile from above as a keepsake.

2. Watch a football game – Friday night lights at the football field are a big deal where I grew up. Spend an evening or afternoon outside cheering on your local high school (or junior high) football team. Or head to your alma mater (or any local college) and watch a Saturday afternoon football game in the stands. Between the actual game, the cheerleaders, dancers, mascots, and marching band, football games are fun for the whole family to watch.

3. Attend a festival – Attending a festival is a really fun outdoor activity for kids and families in the fall. There are usually no shortage of festivals happening every weekend in September and October. From fun music to fall-inspired foods, festivals are a great way to support local businesses and vendors. Check your community’s local website or paper for details and find a festival that looks fun and intriguing to you.

4. Fall color hike – Make the most out of the gorgeous fall colors by taking the kids on a fall color hike! Give them a printout of the colors of the rainbow (or use paint sample cards) and have them find leaves and other items that match each color. Red, orange, green, yellow, and brown will be easy. But can they find something purple? What about black and white? This is a great way to entertain and occupy kids while hiking through the woods or local park. Don’t have time for a long hike? This can be done nearly anywhere – even in your own backyard.

@jessie.b.photo

5. Apple picking – Picking apples at our local orchard is one of our family’s favorite fall activities for kids! My kids are huge apple fanatics and we end up eating almost as many apples as we pick! There are so many different varieties of apples to choose from, so plan your trip according to what’s ripe for your purposes. Our favorite thing to do with our apples is making homemade applesauce. It’s super easy to do and if canned, lasts us for months. We also like giving apples as gifts and sending loads of them to school with the kids for snacks. Check out this apple picking tips post for info on what to pack for a trip to the apple orchard, how to pick the best apples and so much more! 

6. Match the tree game – One of my favorite all outdoor educational activities for kids is this tree-leaf fun matching game. All you have to do is gather a variety of leaves from your local park or neighborhood. Challenge the kids to see how many different shapes and sizes of leaves they can find. Once you have a variety, it’s up to the kids to match the leaf with the type of tree it came from. Have the kids look at the leaves that are still on the trees and match the shapes. For extra credit, have them identify the tree species by using a local field guide or nature book.

7. Make fall-scented play dough – Playdough is such a fun sensory activity that can keep a little one busy for hours. Even older kids love to play with it, especially when it’s soft and scented! There are so many creative, non-toxic, safe play-doh recipes out there for any age or season. I love the variety of fall scents such as cinnamon, maple, pumpkin spice, caramel apple, hazelnut, clove and nutmeg. Playdough is also surprisingly easy to make and can store for quite a while in a plastic container with a lid.

@seven_wild_hearts

8. Go horseback riding – Horseback riding is a great way to explore outdoors and get your daily dose of nature. There’s also something pretty special about spending time with horses. They’re such beautiful and majestic creatures, bound to thrill any child. Check your local stables for opportunities to take your kids on a horseback ride. Some stables will have an age minimum to ride solo, but many will allow younger children to ride with an adult.

9. Bob for apples – Looking for something fun to do with all those apples you picked at the orchard? How about bobbing for apples? This outdoor party game is a fall party staple and one that every kid (and adult) should try at least once! All you need to do is fill a bowl or tub with water and add some apples. Apple bobbing involves dunking your head into a tub of water, biting into and holding the apple in one’s mouth without using your hands. The time limit is usually 2 minutes. Or you could just go based on how long it takes to catch an apple. The first person to get an apple (or the one who does it in the quickest time), wins the game!

10. Track the phases of the moon – While shorter days are not usually something I’m excited about, it does give you the opportunity to do some fun fall outdoor activities with kids in the darkness. One fun thing to do is track the phases of the moon. Kids are naturally curious about the night sky, especially the moon. My kids always wondering why there are nights we can’t see the moon at all, how it is we can sometimes see the moon during the day and why it’s always a different size (and in a different location). A great project to do in the fall is to track the moon’s progress using a simple moon journal. Merely have your kids observe the moon each night and keep track of the changes that occur as the days go by. It takes 29.5 days for the moon to go from a new moon back to a new moon, so track for one month and then discuss your findings together. The full moons in the fall are called the Harvest Moon (September), the Hunter’s Moon (October) and the Frost Moon (November).

@bauerbach24

11. Go for a bike ride – Now that the weather is cooling off, consider going on a long bike ride with the kids. Fall is the perfect time to explore a new bike trail or make a day-trip out of a favorite. Pack a picnic lunch or find a trail with a restaurant along the way. Riding a bike not only improves physical fitness, but it also benefits your child’s learning development and mental health. Plus, biking reduces carbon emissions and eases traffic congestion. If you’re just getting started, we’ve got a great post with lots of tips for biking with kids.

12. Bird watching – Bird watching is one of the best, easiest, and most educational fall outdoor activities for kids. Bird watching is not only awe-inspiring and educational, but it’s extremely accessible nearly anywhere. From watching birds in your own backyard to going for a walk in the morning, there are always a variety of species to spot and identify. Start by reminding kids that birds may be hard to spot, but they’re easy to hear. Have them close their eyes and listen. Can they point to where the sound/song is coming from? Use a local field guide to identify the birds in your area. If you want a variety, try bird watching in areas near water. You’re more likely to spy larger water birds like herons, egrets, ducks, geese, and swans, which are easier for kids to see. And if you’re striking out on finding live birds, look for other signs that they’re around. Point out nests, cracked seeds, whitewash (poop), or owl pellets.

13. Make a witch’s potion from nature – As a kid, I love creating concoctions and potions. My kids love it, too. Use the upcoming holiday (Halloween) to inspire your kids to make a witch’s potion from ingredients they find in nature. Give each kid a jar and let them collect their items. Fun things to include are grass, twigs, leaves, dirt, pebbles, shells, sand, and acorns. Once they have all their ingredients, add about a cup full of vinegar, a squirt of dish soap and a few drops of food coloring. Swirl everything around. Then top with a spoonful of baking soda to get the potion brewing and bubbling! Make sure to do all this outside, because it does get messy!

@coleyraeh

14. Dissect a sunflower – Last year in preschool, my daughter’s class dissected a giant sunflower. She came home raving about how much fun it was to use tweezers to pluck the petals, pull apart the head with their fingers and examine all the sunflower seeds. She also came home with a small bag of seeds, which we planted this spring. Those sunflowers grew over 12 feet tall! So, of course, we had to continue the tradition and dissect them again. This is a great hands-on educational project to do outside (since it can get pretty messy), and dissection is a fun way to learn all about the parts of the plant. Let the kids pull off the leaves, pluck out the seeds with tweezers, cut open the thick stems and thoroughly destroy the whole thing…in the name of science, of course! Throw in some facts about pollinators and make a lesson of it!

15. Watch a parade – Watching a parade with kids is a fun, exciting and free outdoor activity for kids in the fall! The floats, the marching bands, the scouts, the horses and all the fancy cars! Plus, any activity that involves getting free candy is ok in my book! Find a local parade in your community and take your kids to watch. Many towns and schools have fall parades for festivals, homecoming, and other fall events. Set up your lawn chairs and sit back and enjoy!

@ekaterinaserova.photo

16. Have a bonfire – Make the most out of early darkness and cool nights with a bonfire! Autumn bonfires are the absolute best place to curl up next to each other and enjoy being outside as a family. Take your bonfire to the next level by roasting s’mores with fancy ingredients, telling ghost stories around the fire and changing the color of the flames! Make sure to check out our post all about how to create a magical bonfire for your kids.

17. Preserve leaves with beeswax – Ever wanted to make your fall leaves last longer so you could use them in craft projects? Preserving leaves is a really cool fall craft project for kids. The secret to preserving beautiful fall colored leaves is using pure beeswax! Beeswax is readily available and inexpensive. Beeswax for crafts comes in blocks or pellets, yellow or white. We recommend using pellets (over block form), since they’re easier to measure and melt. Once you’ve collected your freshly fallen leaves, allow them to dry between sheets of newspaper for 1 day (any longer and they lose their color). Put books on top if you want them flat. Melt your beeswax in a double-broiler or crock pot (not boiling hot) and carefully dip your leaves into them to coat.  Gently raise the leaf and allow any excess wax to drip back into the bowl. Place each leaf on the wax paper while it dries (it doesn’t take long). When the leaves are cool, you can re-dip them if you want a thicker coating. Test one first though to make sure you like how it looks. Use your leaves to make a mobile or leaf suncatchers for your windows.

@mamiyyo_

18. Go camping – While most people probably go camping in the summer, we’re firmly in the fall camping camp. We love outdoor camping in the fall and prefer it so much more than summer camping (which is also great, don’t get me wrong). In the fall, there are fewer mosquitos, fewer campers, and the nights are cool and crisp for campfires and sleeping. The stars just seem brighter in fall, and the smell of the campfire is so much better! Hot coffee tastes amazing on a cool fall morning, and sleeping bags are snugglier. If you’ve never tried it, we’ve got a great post on how to get started camping with kids and our ultimate camping packing list for families. 

19. Plant bulbs for spring – “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.” This quote is never truer than when it comes to planting bulbs in the fall for the next year’s spring blooms. Fall is the perfect time to start planning your fall garden and planting bulbs for next spring and summer. Start by figuring out which bulbs work best in your zone by checking with your local nursery. Some classic bulbs are: daffodil, tulips, crocus, lillies, irises, hyacinth, and trillium. Planting bulbs is a great way to spend time outside and get your hands dirty. Plus, there’s nothing more exciting than forgetting about them until they rise up and let you know spring is coming!

20. Make nut brittle (or trail mix) – Another delicious fall recipe is brittle! My favorite autumn brittle recipe (although, not my kids’ favorite) involves almonds, cashews, pumpkin seeds, honey, and dried cranberries. Oh, it’s so good! However, my kids are more traditional, preferring a classic peanut brittle (preferably with chocolate chips or M&Ms). Other varieties: brown sugar cashew brittle, maple bacon brittle, pumpkin seed brittle, cinnamon pecan brittle, and butter cashew brittle. Not a brittle fan? How about a fun fall-inspired trail mix to spice things up. Here’s a great post on making trail mix for a hiking snack for kids.

@jessicaklinephotography

21. Go fishing – Fishing is the perfect fall outdoor activity to do with kids! The cooler weather means that the fish are more active, especially trout (our favorite to catch). It’s one of those activities that the whole family can enjoy and do nearly anywhere there’s water! If you’ve never fished before, do a little bit of research about what the fish in your area eat and when/where to go. Ask at a fishy friend or at a local bait shop. A lot of state parks will even provide fishing gear for the day for free! If you’re just getting started, here’s some great advice on how to make fishing fun for little kids.

22. Hayride – Going on a hayride is such a fun fall activity for the entire family and a wonderful way to treat kids to a rolling outdoor adventure in the crisp, autumn air and cooler temperatures. Hayrides usually consist of a group of people riding on a trailer filled with hay, pulled behind a tractor. My kids are huge fans of anything involving tractors, so hayrides are always a big hit. We particularly love the ones that happen in the evening, through a local park. We bring flashlights and spot deer, raccoons, and other wildlife. Follow your hayride up with a bonfire and smores, for an all-night adventure!

23. Make bird feeders – Feed the birds – tuppence a bag! There are so many fun and simple ways to make bird feeders with your kids, which is a really great nature craft for kids this fall. One of our favorite bird feeders is made by slathering a pinecone in peanut butter and rolling it in birdseed. Then simply place the pinecone in a bush or hang on a tree branch. Have an extra pumpkin or gourd? Chop off the top and fill the base with birdseed for an all-natural bird feeder. Here are three more simple bird feeders to make with kids.

@cayleyblackphotography

24. Go trick or treating – I’m such a huge fan of Halloween, it was impossible for me to leave this activity off the list. Trick-or-treating is one of my all-time favorite things to do with the kids. It only comes around once a year, so it’s special to all of us. We love dressing up as a family and visiting friends and neighbors in our costumes. In our community, each kid has to tell a joke to “earn” their candy and listening to the little ones mess up their jokes and still laugh is the most wonderful thing ever!

25. Have a flag football game – Spend a fall afternoon on the field with some friends playing a friendly game of flag football. You’ll not only get some great exercise, but bond with your teammates as you strategize how to win. If you have played football before, then learning how to play flag football will be easy! Divide up into teams of 4 – 9 players per side and attach different colored flags to each member of a team. The team going first will place the ball on the opponent’s 5-yard line. Each team will have 3 tries to get the ball to the midfield. If the team gets that right, they will have 3 more tries to score a touchdown. A touchdown is scored when the player places the ball in the other team’s end zone. If the team cannot cross to the midfield in 3 tries, the other team will have possession and try to do the same thing. Instead of tackling a player, you have pull the player’s flag. The receiver may not attempt to dodge a flag pull. Once the flag has been pulled, the play ends. Each touchdown counts as 6 points. Games last around 40 minutes. Have fun! 

26. Go on a bat hunt – Similar to bird watching, bat watching is a favorite thing to do in the late summer and early fall. Pick a dry evening and snuggle up in the garden at dusk with hot chocolate and just wait. It’s never long before the bats come out and start to circle the houses and swoop down into the gardens. Bats are not just cave dwellers or in the country; they live in cities and suburbs, too. Watch as they swoop, circle and dive. They’re great fun to watch. Bonus points for reading Stellaluna while you’re snuggled up waiting! Even better, build your own bat house! 

@kristcx

27. Night hiking – As I mentioned earlier, there are a few advantages to shorter days and earlier nights. One of our favorite evening activities in the fall is going on a night hike. My big kids think this is a special treat, as we leave the baby at home and venture out after their usual bedtime. We always choose a trail that we know well and make sure to let someone else know where we’ll be. With little kids, choose a trail that’s relatively flat and paved (if possible) to keep them a bit safer. We equip ourselves with flashlights, headlamps, and glowsticks and take off!  With less to see, we notice so many wonderful sounds and smells as we hike that we may not have noticed during the day. We keep our hike short and make frequent stops along the way where we turn out our lights and hold hands and discuss what we can hear and see. It’s so much fun!

28. Enjoy hot spiced apple cider – Cozy up on a crisp fall day with a big mug of hot spiced apple cider. Homemade hot spiced apple cider is easy to make with few ingredients and is the most delicious warming autumn drink. All you need to do is add sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves (or pumpkin pie spice) to apple cider and warm it up on the stove or in the microwave. Even better, make a big steaming pot of it over a campfire for extra ambiance. Pop in a cinnamon stick for a stir, wrap yourself up in a blanket and enjoy! Here are a few other treats you can make with your orchard picks! 

@maureyfletcher

29. Outdoor picnic – Try packing a picnic and eating a meal in a new location. Choose a spot on your favorite hike, a picnic table by a lake at the park or in the middle of a beautiful pasture. Spread out a blanket with favorite finger foods from home or (better yet), if you’re in town, have pizza delivered to you! Let the kids eat as they run around and play with no rushing or nagging at them to sit down and eat. The kids will graze during the time you’re there as they play and explore. And chances are, they’ll eat ALL the food in the car on the way home!

30. Weekend road trip – Sometimes, the smallest things (like a change of scenery) can make all the difference. Fall is a great time to pack up, load the kids in the car, and hit the road. Visit a neighboring town/city, head to a fall festival, check out a new (to you) state park, or rent a little cabin in the woods or on a lake somewhere. Weekend road trips are such great family bonding experiences, even if (particularly if) they go poorly! I’m a firm believer that you’ll never regret traveling with your kids and broadening their horizons. Hipcamp has some really great unique experiences, such as staying in a tiny home, treehouse, cabin, airstream, or a converted bus! (Use the code CAMPLIKEACHAMP10 to get $10 off your next stay.)

31. Visit a botanical garden – Botanical gardens are some of the most magical, relaxing places. Strolling through the gardens, lounging in the great lawn, overlooking the lake and smelling the roses might be the best way to decompress from the madness around you. Botanical gardens are also incredibly educational for children. There’s so much to learn about how plants thrive, why some plants change colors, what plants need, etc. Use an afternoon in the botanical garden to teach your kids about comparison (how plants are the same/different), observation (what does this plant look like) and appreciation (what can these plants do for us).

@meghangarriott

32. Make a leaf crown – There are so many fun uses for all the colorful leaves falling from the sky. One of our favorite fall crafts is to use them is to make leaf crowns for kids. There are a million different variations on leaf crowns, from folding them, gluing them to sticks or stapling them together. There’s no wrong way to do it! Our favorite way requires nothing but leaves with stems attached and a little patience. Here’s some great info on how to make nature crowns with kids. 

33. Make a terrarium – If your kids are anything like mine, they love to get dirty. As the weather cools down, making a terrarium with kids is a great way for them to bring the outdoor inside and learn how to take care of plants through the winter season. To make a terrarium with kids, you’ll need a clean glass jar and then the following ingredients (in this order): small pebbles, some activated charcoal, potting soil and cuttings from succulent plants (or other plants of your choosing). Let the kids place the succulents inside the jar wherever they choose and add some fun colored-stones or mini figurines. Finally, spritz with water until moist.

@wildandgrow

34. Decorate your front porch/door – I’m surprised how seriously people take their fall porch decor! While not something I grew up doing, decorating your front porch (or door) for fall is a way to add some fun to your home’s curb appeal. This is particularly important if you’re going to have trick-or-treaters stopping by! We like visiting our local farmer’s market and getting a variety of pumpkins, gords, mums and corn stalks to decorate our front step. Sometimes we’ll cut out paper bats and tape them to the storm door or add a string of orange twinkle lights. Get your kids involved in the decorating process by letting them add their own flair.

35. Do leaf rubbings – Leaf rubbings can be made any time of the year, but we always do them in the fall. Probably because the beautiful colors make us want to recreate that in an art project. To make you own leaf rubbing all you need is a few leaves, some white paper, crayons (with wrappers removed) and tape). Freshly picked leaves work best, so the ridges show up well. Go for a nature walk and gather your supplies. Then, tape the corners of your paper to an outdoor table, driveway or sidewalk. Lay the leaves you have collected under the paper. Using the length of your crayon as the coloring surface, rub the top of the paper to make the images appear. Use as many colors as you want!

@jbaudryfrance

36. Make a pinecone wreath – Autumn is the best time of year to collect pine cones for crafts and projects. We like to make a challenge out of who can find the most and collect them in bags to take home. Making a pinecone wreath is a great way to preserve your pinecones and use them for natural decoration. You can buy pinecones from craft stores, but what fun is that? If you have pinecones you’ve collected from outside, I recommend baking your pinecones in a 250-degree oven for 30 minutes to get them to open and make sure you don’t have any hitchhikers coming home with you. You can then spray paint them any color of your choice or leave them au natural. Sort them by size and use a hot glue gun to adhere them to a wire or foam wreath form. Start with the inner circle and make your way out. Let the kids put their own spin on their wreath by adding twigs, branches, acorns, leaves, moss, bows, etc.

37. Run a turkey trot (or Fun Run) – If you want to add some extra outdoor exercise to your fall activities, sign your family up for a turkey trot or fall fun run! There are usually a variety of fun races in the fall at various distances and with lots of fun themes for all ages. If you have little ones, let them try a 1-mile fun run. Sign the whole family up for a local 5K. Want a bigger challenge, what about a 10K or a half-marathon? With older kids, you could even do a relay. Most races usually have fun swag (t-shirts, etc.), prizes, and a really fun ambiance. Not runners, sign your family up to volunteer at a water station to hand out water to runners. Who knows, maybe you’ll get inspired to join them next year!

@life_of_glow

38. Get lost in a corn maze – Corn mazes are all the rage in the fall. Our local orchard has a 16-acre corn maze in the shape of the Stanley Cup this year (guess my hometown)! Getting lost in a corn maze is a fun way to spend some time outside, surrounded (literally) by nature and to test your kids’ problem-solving skills. Use the maze as a way to challenge your kids. Have them come up with a game plan before going into the maze, task them with making game-time decisions on which way to go, allow them to make mistakes, double-back, and try again! There are so many great life skills to be learned from a simple corn maze.

39. Let your pumpkin rot – While everyone else is trying to preserve their pumpkins in pristine condition, I’m one of those people that enjoy watching them decompose! It’s fascinating! Turn your rotting pumpkin into a science experiment to do with your kids. Talk about what you all expect to happen and then use a nature journal to record the decomp process. Note what you see (and smell!). Are there are any bugs or mold. Have any squirrels or other wildlife taken a bite out of your pumpkin? What happens on the inside vs. what you see on the outside. This may sound gross, but trust me, kids will love this!

40. Make a scarecrow – Scarecrows are super handy to have in your garden or field – they help protect your crops and vegetables from being eaten by birds and various animals. And even if you’re not worried about scaring off crows, they also serve as festive fall or Halloween decor for your yard or front porch! Making a scarecrow is a bit of an undertaking – it takes creativity, ingenuity, craftiness, and skill – but it’s so much fun! Start by gathering some old clothes, a bunch of straw/hay and some wood for the frame. Stuff the clothes with the straw and good luck figuring out how to make it all stay together (twine, sewing, pantyhose, etc.). Use some burlap to make a head and draw on a face and add a hat! Voila! Guaranteed to scare all crows (and maybe some neighbors) away!

@nicholettat

41. Paint mini pumpkins – Is there anything cuter than tiny kids with tiny pumpkins? I just adore pumpkins in all colors, shapes, and sizes. I love the discolored warty ones as much as the perfectly plump white pumpkins. But mini pumpkins have a special place in my heart. Carving pumpkins on this list, but if you have small children that may not be able to handle a knife, painting pumpkins is the way to go! Grab a dozen and let the kids paint a few! Use them as colorful decorations around the house. Acrylic paints work great, or get super creative and help them (carefully) melt a crayon over the pumpkin and cover it in color wax!

42. Volunteer clean-up – Mother Nature is totally showing off in the fall, so help her out by picking up trash and litter. Schedule a playdate with friends to clean up along a favorite hike, local park, or route around your neighborhood. Teach kids how to care for our planet by example and show them what a difference they can make by cleaning up after others. They’ll not only be more likely to pick up trash in the future, but they’ll encourage others not to litter and help out as well.

43. Make caramel apples – There are so many delicious treats that pair perfectly with fall weather. One of our favorite treats is caramel apples! And this delectable indulgence can be spiced up a variety of ways. Cut whole apples into thick slices, cover with caramel and place them on a lollipop stick. This keeps hands clean and feels much more like a candy dessert. Have a number of people with lots of different tastes? Set up an entire caramel apple bar and let people choose their own toppings. Cut apples into wedges and let everyone dip their own and dress it themselves. Caramel apple toppings include chocolate chips, mini M&Ms, crushed pretzels, mini marshmallows, cinnamon chips, nuts, graham cracker bits, sprinkles, candy corn bits, toffee chips, fruity pebbles. Place toppings in a muffin tin for easy cleanup.

@ourlittlelifestyleblog

44. Read fall books outside – Back to school in the fall means kids not only need time outside when they get home, but they need time to read (and be read to). Cozy up this fall in a hammock, under a tree on a blanket or in your favorite spot in the garden to read together with your children. Anything you read is beneficial. Whatever they’re into! If you want a few recommendations for a couple of great nature-inspired fall books, here are few we like: (1) Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn by Kenard Pak, (2) Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert, (3) Look What I Did with a Leaf! by Morteza E. Sohi, (4) We’re Going on a Leaf Hunt by Steve Metzger, (5) Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf by Lois Ehlert, (6) Because of an Acorn by Lola M. Schaefer, (7) Looking Closely through the Forest by Frank Serafini.

45. Visit a haunted house – While maybe not technically totally outside, paying a visit to a haunted house is a must-do for this time of year. While this may be (probably is) way too much for little kids, older kids will love the opportunity to be frightened by axe murderers, chain saw massacres, and headless horsemen. Let them dip their hand into a vat of slimy eyeballs (peeled grapes) and be chased by possessed red-eyed rats. If you have little kids, consider letting them create their own “haunted house” with things they think are scary. This is the time to break out those pull-apart spider webs, old sheets for ghosts, black light, and a playlist of spooky music!

46. Outdoor exercises – You’ve probably seen those trails around your local park that have stops every now and then for people to complete various exercises. My kids always love playing on these and trying to figure out what they’re for, so one day we did a loop and did all the exercises! Not only was it a great (and easy) way for us to get active together, but it was so much fun watching them try the exercises, put their creative twist on them and beam with pride when they completed a round. I highly encourage you to do this as a family – it’s a great way to get your workout in and laugh a ton! Here’s a great post on how to get your family involved in outdoor exercise.

@nursevictoria

47. Go to a pumpkin patch – Ok, this one maybe should be way up at the top of the list for all-time must-do fall activities. Visiting a pumpkin patch in October is a rite of passage for all parents. You just gotta do it! But don’t worry, it’s not that bad! Picking your own pumpkins is really fun (there’s usually a tractor ride involved)! Plus, lots of pumpkin patches these days have tons of things to do for kids and adults: corn maze, sunflower fields, haunted house, pig races, playground activities, crafts, pony rides, fall snacks, and a Biergarten.

48. Make a thankful tree – November is a great month for making a thankful tree with your kids. There are so many variations of how you could do this, but we like making a centerpiece for our table. We collect a bunch of beautiful leaves and then write down one thing we’re thankful for on each leaf with a sharpie. Place a bundle of sticks in a vase and then hang each leaf from a branch to create a beautiful bouquet of thankfulness.  Little kids may need help writing down what they’re thankful for and you might be surprised just how adorable their answers are!

49. Painted leaf tablecloth – If you’re hosting Thanksgiving (or a Friendsgiving) meal, let your kids make a tablecloth (at least for the kids’ table). Roll out a large sheet of paper and let them use leaves to paint. They can either paint the leaves and stamp on the paper or use the leaves as a relief and paint around the edges. Use fall-colored paint and let them get creative.

@menyhart.ani

50. Collect conkers – Raise your hand if you’ve heard of conkers. For those who haven’t, what about horse chestnuts or buckeyes (for those of us in the midwest)? Fall is the time of year when children extract those shiny brown nuts from their prickly shells and have all kinds of questions about the treasure they just found. I remember collecting these as a kid and was so mesmerized by how slick and beautiful they were. My dad kept one in his pocket for years! There are all kinds of fun crafts you can make with conkers and games to play with them, but merely collecting them and playing with them was my favorite thing to do. 

51. Apple stamping – Apple stamping is a fun and creative way to get crafty with little kids. All you need to do is cut an apple in half and let your child dip it in paint and stamp it on paper. Stab a fork in the back for easy (less messy) gripping and dipping. Depending on the colors you choose, apple stamps can be used to make leaves, bushes, pumpkins, ladybugs, trees, and apples!

52. Make a dream catcher – Speaking of fun crafts and projects, making a nature-inspired dream catcher should definitely be on your fall bucket list. Historically, dream catchers were hung above the beds of sleeping children to protect them from bad dreams and evil spirits. Legends held that the spider web design of the dream catcher would allow good dreams to pass through and float down the hanging beads and feathers to sleeping children. Start by having the kids collect sticks and twigs to make the frame of your dream catcher. Use yarn or twine to create the spiderwebbing around the frame. Then let your kids add their own flair to the dream catcher. Some fun items to include are leaves, feathers, ribbons, yarn, twine, pom poms, beads, sticks, and pinecones. Anything goes!

@callred25

53. Go stargazing – Another fun nighttime activity to do with kids (taking advantage of shorter days) is to go stargazing. Pack up the kids, a bunch of blankets or sleeping bags, some snacks and get out of the city for a few hours to take in the wonders of the night sky. For beginners who want to know what’s going on up there, it can be a bit overwhelming if you’re not fully clued up on your astrology. It’ll make things a lot more fun and interesting if you know or have a rough idea of what you’re looking at, so print out a few constellations that are visible in the fall so you know what to show the kids to look for. It can take up to 40 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the darkness, so give yourself some time (and don’t look at your phone!).

54. Hot chocolate/apple cider stand – While lemonade stands are all the rage in the summer, don’t let that entrepreneurial spirit lie dormant in the fall. Kids love the opportunity to make money. Break out the cups and mugs and set up a stand to sell hot chocolate, apple cider or even hot tea/coffee. Add some donut holes or homemade apple chips and you’ve got yourself a full-service station. We usually ask the kids to choose a charity to give half their profits to, which they get super excited about (and usually give all the profits away).  Plus, that’s an extra incentive for the grownup to buy that cup!

55. Go hunting – This activity might not be a good fit for everyone (depending on your location, beliefs, and age of children), but if you have hunters in your family, consider taking your child hunting. I grew up in a hunting family and we ate all the meat that was hunted. Teaching his kids where our food came from was important to my dad and is important to me. While he’s too young to shoot, my husband has taken our son on various hunting trips for ducks, deer, and turkey. For the kids, it’s more about feeling included and getting to spend quality time together than actually getting something. Of course, safety is always our top priority and it’s great for him to see the adults modeling proper firearm handling and being respectful of nature. Check out this post for more information on how to get started hunting with kids. 

@ksenia_belanger

56. Roast marshmallows & hot dogs – Making a bonfire is already on our fall activity list, so it should come as no surprise that campfire food and treats should follow! Roasting marshmallows and hot dogs on a cool fall day (or night) is a fun outdoor activity (and a meal)! Kids are fascinated by fire, so stay close to them to supervise, but allow them some freedom to roast their own wieners and mallows. Even if they’re slightly charred, they’ll be so proud of themselves that they’ll eat it!

57. Pumpkin slime – Did you know you can make slime with real bits of pumpkin?! Oh yes, you can. If your kids are up for a messy outdoor activity, this is a good one. You’ll need: a small baking pumpkin, 1/4 cup liquid starch, 1/2 cup Elmer’s clear washable school glue, 1/2 cup water.  Cut the top off your pumpkin and loosen up the seeds and guts. Mis the water (room temp) with the glue in a separate bowl and stir. Pour the liquid starch directly into the pumpkin. Pour the glue and water mixture into the pumpkin and get your hands in there and mix it up! Knead well to improve consistency (rub a few drops of liquid starch on your hands to keep them from sticking). And now you have a pumpkin full of slime! Check out this post for more pumpkin science experiments with kids. 

58. Rake leaves for neighbors – I always like adding a few acts of service/kindness to any seasonal bucket list. A great way to pay-it-forward in the fall is to rake the leaves out of the yard of a friend of neighbor. If you have an elderly or disabled neighbor or just know someone that could use a few extra hands, send the kids over with the rakes and leaf blower to help out. Not only will they feel good about helping, but they can make piles of leaves and have fun in the process. Join forces with other neighborhood families and your good deed will go even faster! Here are 20+ outdoor acts of kindness you could do for your neighbors and nature. 

@indiesemlicht_fotografie

59. Fall photo scavenger hunt – We love a good scavenger hunt! It’s one thing that we can do nearly anywhere and keeps the kids busy for a good long time. One of our favorite ways to get creative with this is to add a camera. I have an old point-and-shoot camera that I let the kids borrow and give them a list of things to find. You can choose to give them specific items (a flower, a pine cone, a fire hydrant) or be vague and let them get creative (something that smells, something prickly, something yellow). Instead of crossing the item off the list, they have to take a photo with/of it. They love being independent and responsible for the camera. I love seeing the funny photos and interesting items they choose to photograph. Here’s another fun fall scavenger hunt idea (including a free printable). 

60. Pumpkin carving – You didn’t think I was going to forget this activity, did you? Pumpkin carving is a fall must. It’s one thing my kids talk about all year long and can’t wait to do again. My son loves digging the guts out of the pumpkins and getting them all prepped and ready. My daughter loves coming up with funny faces and designs we can carve into the pumpkin. They’re not old enough to operate the knife yet, so mom and dad help out there. They’re always so proud of their pumpkins and love seeing them lit up on the front porch every night.

61. Go on a spider web hunt – Spiderwebs may sound spooky, but they’re actually super interesting and beautiful! Spiders may have a sinister reputation (particularly this time of year), but we can change that by teaching our kids just how amazing and beneficial these little helpers are. The next time you’re out and about, go on a hunt for a spiderweb. See if you can find one intact and study the intricacies. Ask your kids to take a guess as to how long it took the spider to make that web, why she chose that location and how much food she catches in it daily. Getting them thinking of these things will get them to see spiders in a new light with a new appreciation for how hard they work.

@harrys_world20

62. Leaf threading – Leaf threading is a great way for kids to engage with Nature, get creative and develop their motor skills. Leaf threading is also a wonderful sensory experience for kids as they explore the sight, feel and smells of this activity. Get the kids involved from the beginning by letting them choose and collect sticks and leaves. Once you’ve got a nice selection of leaves of different sizes, shapes and colors and a few sticks, take them home and give them a quick rinse and dry. To start the threading make simple “needles” by tying a length of jute twine between two sticks. Having a stick on either end of the jute stops the leaves from falling off and allows two children to work together too, using one end each. Have the kids push their natural stick needles through the leaves and thread them onto the jute. Hand-eye coordination is strengthened and the fine motor muscles of the hands and arms are given a good workout. Full leaf threading tutorial.

63. Painting with mud – While painting with paint is fun, painting with mud is a blast for kids! Take advantage of a rainy fall day to create something new and exciting for your kids – mud paint! All you need to do to make mud paint is add a large scoop of mud to a couple of containers then sprinkle in some powdered tempera paint (or liquid watercolor, liquid tempera or even food coloring). Maybe 1-2 tablespoons of each color. Next, add a small amount of water and a squirt of Dawn dish soap. The Dawn helps the mud paint spread easier on paper and also helps keep clothing stain-free. And if you’re worried about stains, just leave the coloring out and give them mud! Stir everything up and pass it over to the kids with a few paintbrushes to go outside and paint their masterpieces! The paint is rather thick, so use a sturdy paper (cardstock, poster board or cardboard). Go here for even more mud activities for kids. 

@kristen_kaganovs

64. Acorn hunt – It’s quite amazing to look up at a giant oak tree and know it started as a tiny little acorn. Kids are fascinated with acorns, and we love finding different varieties of them on our hikes and walks. There’s a tree in our neighborhood that produces some of the largest acorns I’ve ever seen, and my kids collect them by the pocketful. We usually have quite a collection in the clubhouse by wintertime (if the squirrels don’t get to them first). Get your kids interested in acorns by spending some time going on an acorn hunt. Try to find as many varieties, sizes, and colors as they can. See if they can identify which tree the acorn fell from.

65. Watch geese fly south for winter – Fall is a great time to study migratory birds and spend some time observing them flying south for the winter. Geese are particularly good to watch, as they’re large and loud, making them easy for kids to find and identify. Tie your geese-watching to learning about the reasons behind migration. Discuss what the birds eat and where they go. Watch how they fly and the formations they make. Set up an outdoor movie theatre in your backyard and watch Disney’s Fly Away Home. It’s a heartwarming favorite, sure to get your kids to love and appreciate these feathered friends.

66. Make a float – I’ve already mentioned watching floats in a parade, but this is an entirely different kind of float – the one you can eat! Ice cream floats are such fun treats and they’re messy, so they’re perfect for enjoying outdoors. Root beer floats are great, but feel free to get inspired by fall and change it up with an apple cider float, butterbeer float, cherry vanilla float, or chocolate cream soda float!  Let your kids choose their flavor of liquid and ice cream pairing for extra fun!

@clark_family_travels

67. Build an outdoor den – Building outdoor forts and dens is a really important activity for children and helps them with all kinds of problem-solving and STEM skills. If you have access to a spot in the woods, I highly recommend spending an afternoon building a den together with your kids from natural materials found in the area. Putting together a den branch by branch requires teamwork, forethought and planning, creativity, and imagination. Start by choosing a good flat location with a clearing so as not to damage any live trees or plants. Start by building the frame of your den with large branches/logs and add long fallen branches to prop up the sides of the spine. Finally, collect smaller sticks, twigs, twine, and moss-covered branches to fill in the sides. Pretty soon, you’ll have a grade-A fort to play in and around.

68. Roast pumpkin seeds – After carving your pumpkins, make sure to save the seeds! Roasted pumpkin seeds are a fall staple and can be made so many fun ways, both savory and sweet. Savory variations include salt and pepper, ranch, cajun, garlic parmesan, taco-lime, rosemary, curry, ginger-soy, buffalo, BBQ, and Tumeric. Sweet variations include cinnamon sugar, maple, pumpkin pie, salted caramel, and spiced honey. All you need to do is preheat your oven to 350-degrees, have the kids separate the pumpkin seeds from the pulp, rinse them and pat dry, toss with your favorite seasoning and bake on a cookie sheet for 25 minutes! Or turn this into a full-time outdoor activity by roasting the seeds over a campfire or on the BBQ grill in the backyard!

@sara.hadenfeldt

69. Watch a sunset – Fall’s a wonderful time to curl up in a blanket and watch a sunset together. Since the days are shorter, sunset comes at a much more reasonable time for little ones to watch without staying up too late. Plus, the cool weather and the colorful leaves make it even more magical.

70. Plant cold-weather veggies – If your garden usually sits empty through fall and winter, this is the year to make those cold days count! You really can continue gardening into winter in many gardening zones. A wide variety of vegetables and herbs are easy to grow in cold conditions, given the right protection. Some will produce throughout the season, while others will come back to life in spring if properly covered. The two most popular methods of protection are the cover tunnel and cloches (from the French word for bell). Head to your local nursery with the kids and pick out some plant varieties they’d like to try. Some popular winter plants include radishes, spinach, Brussels sprouts, kale, beets, broccoli, garlic, parsley, and carrots. We’ve got a great post filled with tips and advice for planting a fall/winter garden with kids. 

71. Make campfire apples – If you want to elevate your campfire dessert to a new level, try making baked campfire apples. All you need to do is hollow out the core of an apple and fill it with the ingredients of your choice. My favorites are granola, caramel squares, M&Ms, nuts, and dried fruits. Wrap them in foil and toss them onto the campfire to cook. You’ll know they’re done when you can squeeze them with tongs and they’re soft, but not mushy. Let them cool for a few minutes, unwrap and enjoy!  So easy and really delicious – like a personal apple pie!

@_sandyphoto_

72. Attend a soccer game – Soccer is a fun, exciting and fast-paced sport that’s easy for the whole family to watch and enjoy. The rules are relatively simple enough for even little kids to understand. Plus, it’s quick and requires a lot of skill, which keeps the adults entertained and on the edge of their seats. If you have access to a MLS team, the season winds up in the fall and Playoffs begin. It’s a really exciting time to cheer your home team on. If you’re not close to a pro team, find a local college or high school team to support. Or attend a weekend game for a friend or neighbor’s kid. No matter what the age, it’ll be a great way to spend some time outside supporting local athletics.

73. Smash pumpkins – Did you know that the Saturday after Halloween is known as National Pumpkin Destruction Day? How fun is that? If you’d like to join in on the celebration, gather your pumpkins and let your kids come up with some fun ways to smash your pumpkins. How will they do it?! Using a sledgehammer? What about blowing them up? Shoot them out of a cannon or a giant slingshot? Shot them with dart? Drop them off the roof? Or you could even run them over with your car!

74. Make firestarters – Get ready for fall and winter fires by working with the kids to make these super easy and all-natural firestarters. All you need is a paper egg carton, 12 mid-sized pinecones and some wax (you can buy wax chips or melt a cheap candle). Start by giving your kids the egg carton (top cut off) and letting them find the largest pinecones they can that will fit into the egg slots comfortably. This takes some exploring and problem-solving skills. Melt the wax in the container of your choice and pour it over the pinecones in the egg carton. (This is a step for the adults.) Don’t go more than halfway up the pinecone and make sure it’s covered completely. Cut out the 12 pinecones and you’re ready to make 12 fires! These also make great gifts!

@lauren_kleynhans

75. Make a nature portrait – Using nature to make art is such a great way for kids to have hands-on experiences with just how beautiful, delicate, hearty and varied nature can be. Have your child come up with a scene or item that they’d like to create. Next, send them on a hunt for various natural items to use to create their masterpiece. Good items to collect might be pinecones, leaves, sticks, branches, flowers, nuts, etc. Using only natural materials they’ve found, have them arrange their finds to create art. It can be anything from writing their name to making a self-portrait. They’ll have to be extra creative and clever to find just the right pieces and lay them out in just the right spot.

76. Donut on a string game – If you enjoy bobbing for apples but are interested in giving it a more exciting spin, then “Bobbing for Donuts” is your game! I didn’t know this was a thing, but now it’s something I can’t wait to try with my kids. While apples do provide a more nutritious alternative to sugary treats, you can easily transform these confectionary delights into a wonderfully fulfilling outdoor party game that’s fun for kids and adults. All you need to do is use kitchen twine to hang as many donuts as you want from a tree and then have the participants use only their mouth (hands behind your back) to eat them from the air! This DIY activity is a great way for kids to get outdoors and play, while simultaneously getting the chance to indulge in their favorite treats.

@naturallyfamily

77. Campfire cookout – There are so many great foods and meals you can easily make over a campfire. And did you know that food tastes 800% better when eaten outside? (I made that up, but I believe it!) There’s something super special about making food outside, so plan a night to cook dinner over a fire! If you don’t have a place to make a fire in your backyard, check with your local parks and campsites to see if you could use a firepit there. Work with the kids to make a meal plan, shop for ingredients together and cook something wonderful! Here are a few of our team’s favorite recipes to make with their kids. 

78. Find wild persimmon – If you’ve never tried a persimmon, you’re missing out! Persimmon fruit matures late in the fall and is a sweet treat that can be found across the US, Europe and Asia. When persimmons ripen, they range in color from glossy light yellow-orange to dark red-orange depending on the species and variety. Similar to an apricot, they can be eaten raw and are great on salads (with some prosciutto and goat cheese…mmm). They can also be baked into breads, muffins and puddings. Spend some time in your local woods with the kids looking for persimmon trees. Bark forms in thick square blocks that resemble alligator skin.

79. Make popcorn on the cob – Have you eaten popcorn straight off the corncob? Add this to your fall bucket list! Head to your local farmers market with the kids and pick out some popcorn on the cob (it’s a specific variety, different from sweet corn). If it’s not already dried, you can oven dry the whole cobs. If stored properly, your cobs should be good for 12 to 30 months! Rub, drizzle, or spray some melted butter onto the popcorn cob and place it in a paper lunch sack. Fold top of sack closed several times and place closed bag in the microwave. Cook on high for around 2.5 minutes (about the same time your microwave cooks a bag of popcorn). The corn will pop off the cob, leaving you an empty cob and a bagful of amazing popcorn! Carefully remove the cob from the bag and drizzle in remaining butter and a sprinkle of salt. Close top, shake, distribute and enjoy!

@martinahempelphotography

80. Fall family photos – Fall is the perfect time to schedule this year’s family photos. Not only is it beautiful outside, but they’ll be ready just in time for holiday cards. While family photos can be stressful (picking out outfits, scheduling around activities and naps), it’s always worth it, in the end, to have beautiful photos of your family together. Many photographers have styling services or outfit guides to help in that department. If you’re not into traditional posed photos, lots of photographers would be happy to tag along on a family hike or on a trip to the zoo. Pick something that represents what’s meaningful to your family and makes everyone comfortable. Here are some great outdoor family photo shoot ideas and tips for nailing your family pictures. 

81. Friendsgiving – While Thanksgiving meals are usually reserved for family, Friendsgiving is for friends! Help your kids throw a Friendsgiving party for their friends. They can make/send out invites, plan outdoor activities for the group, come up with a meal plan, help clean and prep for the party and entertain their guests. It’s a really fun way for kids to show appreciation and love for their friends and make them feel special.

82. Train ride – What is it about kids and trains? Right? Fall is a great time to go for a train ride with your kids. The view out of the windows is lovely and there are so many fun places to go! If you have access to an Amtrak train or other passenger train, pick a destination where you can spend a few hours and take the train! Your kids will love the excitement of getting their ticket punched, going through tunnels and spending a few hours in a new place. Plus, you often get to see places and amazing views from a train that you can’t see from the road.

@taravphoto

83. Outdoor family game night – Enjoy the cooler weather and create a family tradition of playing games outdoors in the fall! Whether it’s a traditional board game (like Monopoly or Life), a fun family card game (like Uno or Go Fish) or something a bit more interactive (charades or Pictionary), games are great outdoor activities. This is my personal favorite family game (and this i-spy game is my kids’ favorite).

84. Donate to a food bank/pantry – Food banks and food pantries often get used most in the fall and winter months, so help them stock up early by donating. Have your kids help with a pantry clean out, collect cans and foods from neighbors or use part of their allowance/savings to purchase needed items to donate. Take the kids with you when you donate the food and get them involved from beginning to end. The feeling of giving and the pride of doing hard work is always worth it and will hopefully inspire your children to want to do/give even more.

85. Clean out garden & flowerbeds – With the end of summer comes the end of a lot of plants in your garden. While some will keep growing into and through the winter months, now is a great time to get outside and clean up your garden. Have the kids help pull out all the dead plants, leaves, and weeds. It may sound counter-intuitive, but you do not want your garden to sit bare/exposed all winter. Erosion from rain and from the freezing and thawing cycle will strip the nutrients out of the topsoil in your garden. Cover your topsoil in compost, mulch, or plant cover crops.

@brandimarkham

86. Build a compost bin – Speaking of compost, if you don’t have a compost pile or bin, now’s the perfect time to start one! Composting may sound intimidating, but it’s actually pretty easy to get started! Composting helps reduce the amount of waste your family is putting into a landfill while giving your garden a healthy boost! If you have a patch of land, you can start a layer compost pile. If not (or if you live in the city/suburbs), you can use an enclosed tumbler to keep animals out. Teach your kids what food scraps can be composted and let them help with the entire process. It’s fascinating and great for the environment.

87. Chop firewood – Definitely a job for older kids, but if you’ve got wood to chop (literally), get your kids involved in the process! Teaching your kids about chopping firewood is a great way to get them to appreciate hard work, learn to respect tools and develop strength and skills. Here’s a really great post all about the reasons and benefits of teaching kids to chop firewood, as well as how and when to get them started.

88. Salt dough leaf impressions – Put those fall leaves to good use by making leaf impressions in salt dough or clay. Simply mix up a quick batch of salt dough (1 cup salt, 2 cups of flour, ¾ cup of water), then press in some leaves of different shapes and varieties into the dough to make impressions. Dry in the oven for a few hours on super low temp and then use pencils, paints, markers, or oil pastels to color them in once cooled.

@born.to.adventure

89. Go canoeing/kayaking – While water activities may sound more like they should be on our summer list (they are), kayaking and/or canoeing are both wonderful ways to get outside and stay active in the fall. Rivers and streams are extra gorgeous this time of year, with fall colors reflecting off the water. And the fishing is usually great in the autumn. You may not spend as much time physically in the water during the fall (wetsuit, anyone?), but that shouldn’t stop you from getting out and exploring. If you’re just getting started, here’s a great post filled with beginner tips for canoeing with kids.

90. Random acts of kindness – Work with your kids to come up with a list of ways they can pay-it-forward this fall. Spend some time outside walking an elderly neighbor’s dog, picking up litter at local cemetery/park, mowing a neighbor’s lawn, putting pumpkins or mums on friend’s porches, or adding quarters to parking meters. There are so many great ways to be kind to others and make someone’s day. Here are 20+ outdoor acts of kindness for kids. 

91. Plant apple seeds – Speaking of seeds, another really fun (and educational) project is to plant your apple seeds. After apple picking with the kids, you’ve probably got lots of seeds to spare. Planting an apple from seed (and ending up with a tree) is like winning the lottery! However, since you’re likely going to compost that apple core anyway, you’ve got nothing to lose. Apple seeds need cold stratification first, so keep them in a moist paper towel in a baggie in the back of the fridge for about 6 weeks. Plant about a dozen seeds in a gallon pot and see what happens!

@daniellenixon_

92. Walk in the fog – There truly is something magical about fog. If you have the chance, I highly recommend taking a morning walk/hike in the fog with your kids. It may be a bit hard to predict when the conditions will be right, but if you see it, take advantage! Talk to your kids about what fog is and why it’s there. Show them it’s not scary or spooky, but a super cool natural phenomenon.

93. Go on a bear hunt – One of our family’s favorite books is Going on a Bear Hunt. When we’re out hiking, we love to sing along to the song (did you know there was a song?), mimic the actions and sounds. Encourage your kids to go on a bear hunt hike and look for things like long wavy grass, a deep cold river and thick oozy mud. Let someone pretend to be the bear and chase everyone home!

94. Visit an amusement park – Beat the heat and the crowd by visiting local amusement parks in the fall (instead of the summer). Lots of parks stay open with extended hours through fall months (or even year-round). Some even have special haunted decoration and rides around Halloween. You can often get reduced-price tickets as well, making it much more affordable to do as a family.

@gabriella.rojas.ray

95. Learn how to pitch a tent – Setting up a tent is a great skill for kids to learn. Not only will it teach them about teamwork and cooperation, but following directions and doing things in the right order. Pull out your tent and let the kids set it up in the backyard. If they’re old enough to read, let them work together to figure it out (without your help). Pitch in (see what I did there?) when you need to, but they’ll be so proud of themselves when they get it up. Bonus points if you let them spend the night in the tent!

96. Visit a local farmer’s market – Farmer’s markets in the fall are jam-packed full of extra special goodies you can’t find any other time of year. Honey crisp apples, pumpkins, pomegranates, pears, squash, sweet potatoes, turnips, gords, cranberries, persimmons, beets, and more. And I haven’t even mentioned all the baked goods! Even if your kids are picky eaters, they’ll be much more likely to try new foods if they have a say in helping pick them out. Take your kids to a farmer’s market and let them see the fruits and vegetables available. Let them ask questions to the vendors about how and where they were grown and how to eat them. Get them involved in the cooking process, as well. Kids love to help, so let them! Check out this post for all kinds of amazing things to do with kids at farmers’ markets. 

97. Swim in a corn pit – Playing in a corn pit is such a fun full-body sensory experience for kids. I remember the first time my son played in the corn pit at our local farmer’s market and the excitement and wonder on his face as he rolled around and scooped up the corn. Find a place your kids can have this fun experience and let them get all kinds of corny! You may be finding corn kernels in pockets and other places for months, but it’ll be worth it!

@3.little.trees

98. Climb a tree – If you ask me, I think children belong in trees! There are so many amazing benefits to climbing a tree, such as developing physical strength, boosting self-confidence and self-esteem, encouraging problem-solving skills, developing a resilient “I can do it” attitude, and helping kids connect with nature. And climbing trees in the fall gives an added bonus of seeing all the beautiful colors up close and personal!

99. Paint rocks – Painting rocks is always a fun activity for kids. Whether they’re making kindness rocks (with kind/encouraging sayings) or thankful rocks (with words or pictures of things they’re thankful for), painting rocks is a great way to spend some time outdoors, getting creative. Start by having the kids find and collect all their rocks. You can even let them give the rocks a bath outside with the hose to get them clean and prepped. Provide the paints and brushes and let their creativity come to life! Check out this post for tips and ideas for rock painting (and how to use them as motivation on hikes). 

100. Go geocaching – Geocaching is one of our family’s favorite things to do when out hiking or exploring. You’ll be amazed at just how many geocaches there are out there, hiding in all your favorite places! It’s a blast for kids and totally free! Check out our beginner’s guide to geocaching with kids for everything you need to know to get started!

@christineekeroth

101. Make a pumpkin volcano – Once you’ve carved and enjoyed your pumpkin for a while, why not turn it into a science experiment? All you need is to put a few drops of food coloring into a pumpkin with a small amount of dish soap. Next, pour in some vinegar from the tops and watch it erupt! Have your kids guess which holes the bubbles will come out. Maybe leave one pumpkin uncarved, so it erupts out the top! Or try a few of these other pumpkin science experiments for kids. 

102. Paint with acorns – Painting with acorns is a fun activity for little kids. Spend some time outside with your kids collecting acorns of various shapes and sizes. Lay a large sheet of paper on an old cookie sheet with a couple of small puddles of paint. Add the acorns and let your child shake the sheet to move the acorns around. The acorns end up covered in paint, and as they roll around, they create a beautiful masterpiece. You could also create little acorn figures and read this great acorn book. 

@kristalii

103. Leaf nature masks – Turn those leaves into fun animal masks for your kids. Start by getting outside and going on a leaf hunt and finding big colorful leaves (preferably ones with stems attached)! Next, press the leaves between the pages of a big heavy book. Once dry and flat, cut out some different shaped eye-holes and draw on some features, such as whiskers, ears, and noses. Felt-tip pens, sharpies and paint pens work great. You can make all kinds of cute faces and woodland creature masks, such as foxes, owls and rabbits.

104. Look for frost flowers – Despite the name, frost flowers aren’t actual flowers at all! These delicate creations are actually composed of thin ribbons of ice that curl into intricate petal shapes. Frost flowers are rare and fleeting but quite the experience to discover on a cold fall day while out hiking with kids. Not only does searching for frost flowers provide a fun way to explore nature, but it also is an opportunity for a science lesson to learn about how they form. Check out this post for all the info you need to know on how (and where ) to find frost flowers with kids. 

And there you have it!
100+ fall outdoor activities for kids & families.
Don’t forget to get the free printable checklist. 
What’s your favorite fall activity?

The post 100+ Fall Outdoor Activities for Kids appeared first on RUN WILD MY CHILD.

Seasonal spot photography project

Oftentimes, as parents, we put our hobbies aside when our children are small and needy. But, what if you could include your family in your hobbies? For me, that is photography.

Over the years I have challenged myself to merge my creative pastime with spending time with my children. One of the ways is to involve them in my photography projects, get them excited to participate.

My favorite photography project has been our year-long seasonal spot project—where we take a photo a month in the exact same spot to watch the seasons change over the passage of time. 12 photos, all taken in the same place, that show the progress over time. This is a great project to do with kids, so you can see the change in your surroundings, as well as the change in the children as they grow and progress.

Today, I am going to share some of my secrets with you on how to successfully complete this year long photography project with your family.

Get your family involved

The first step to successfully completing a seasonal spot challenge is getting your family on board. If they don’t love the idea and want to be a part of it, you’ll be forced to hear a lot of whining. No one wants to spend time every month convincing your family to participate in something that they don’t want to do. That will zap the fun right away. And the point is to have fun!

Sit down with your family and talk to them about your idea. Explain what a seasonal spot photography project is and what they need to do to participate. Get them to chime in with their ideas, too. If they feel involved, they’re more likely to feel excited about it.

Make sure to lay out the expectations up front. It is a year-long project after all. After the third month, their interest may wane. If they go into it knowing all the details, they’ll be less likely to fight you on it when it’s go-time each month.

Picking the spot

The next step is picking the right spot for your project. The spot is essential to the project. It is the backdrop to all 12 images. The goal is to show the changing seasons throughout the year. You’ll want to find a spot that is visually interesting all year long, one where the seasonal changes are obvious.

Some things to look for:

• Trees or foliage that change color in the fall
• Interesting light
• Some sort of object or landmark
• Visually interesting setting

The easiest of these things, of course, is the trees or foliage. Scout out an area that you know has beautiful colors in the fall. Watching a tree, for example, start bare in the winter and slowly sprout buds in the spring to a fully green tree in the summer to a golden perfection in fall before slowly becoming bare again is an easy way to show the changing of the seasons.

Light is important, too. If your spot is in a place that doesn’t get much light, your images may appear flat and unappealing. Look for light that is interesting during different times of the day. Watch how the differing light appears in your spot and play with that throughout your project—use it to help tell your story. For example, last year my final image of the project was shot at sunset. A fitting end to the 2021 project.

Look for an area that is visually interesting. Your seasonal spot can have anything interesting—a big tree, a body of water, a wide open field, mountains in the background, a fence, a landmark of some sort. This is important for a few reasons. Firstly, you want your images to be immediately recognizable as your seasonal spot. Having something specific in it is the easiest way. One year I chose a fishing dock. Another year I picked a huge tree. This year I am using an old yellow fence.

Another reason it’s important for the spot to be visually interesting is to stave off boredom. Remember, at the end of this, you will have 12 images. You don’t want them to become redundant and dull. Consider that while scouting for your spot.

Consider accessibility

The location and accessibility of the spot is also very important. You’ll want to be able to get to it rather easily. I try to keep my spots within 10-15 minutes of my house and make sure they’re easily accessible in all seasons and at all times of day. You don’t want to be trudging through a bunch of snow or tall grass or big hills with your camera gear and family in tow every single month. And you don’t want your spot to be somewhere that closes early or have to drive forever to get to.

The more accessible your spot, the better. You’ll thank yourself come April when you’ve made this as easy on yourself as possible. My very first year I chose a spot in my backyard. It can be that simple.

My kids are already foreshadowing the possibility of mosquitoes come summer in the spot I chose for 2022. The spot is less than 10 minutes from my house, right alongside a road. It is approximately 10 steps from the car. From the time they exit the car, run to the fence, get in place and the camera shutter releases a few dozen times, they will be back in the car in under 15 minutes. The mosquitoes are truly a non-issue. But, going back to our first step I outlined earlier, communication is key. They grumble their concerns. I hear them. Then we discuss ways to overcome them.

Time to get creative

Now that you’ve found your perfect spot, it’s the fun part of being creative! You can choose to approach the photos on a more documentary level, where you set your children free in the spot and you capture them enjoying the moment. Or you can be more detailed in your planning.

I do a mix of both. Sometimes I like to incorporate the seasons or holidays into the images. A Santa hat or Halloween costumes, for example. Using props is a fun way to spice up the images and add to the storytelling. This is especially important in the months that are similar. Think about how the summer months may look similar in your spot. How can you break that up?

Here are some ideas:

• Seasonal props: umbrella, sleds, bikes (scooters, skateboards), popsicles, hot chocolate, flowers, balloons
• Other props: pets, favorite toys, creative outfits (snow gear, swimsuits)
• Holiday theme props: sparklers, Santa hat, Halloween costume, hearts, Easter basket

Keeping the images fresh

Other ways to keep your images fresh and unique is to incorporate action into the images and vary how you pose your children. Movement is always an easy way to add interest. Plus, your kids will most likely be more willing to jump around and play than sit still and smile.

Ask them to play a game of tag, twirl in a pretty dress, race down the road, ride their bikes or scooters, sled down a hill. It can be something as simple as playing a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors or the old game of Telephone, where they tell a secret from ear to ear. Read a book, tell a joke, dance, jump, do cartwheels. Anything that involves engaging your children will yield more natural results.

Same vantage point versus switching it up

A question you’ll want to ask yourself before you begin the project is whether you want to maintain the same point of view or vantage point for every single picture. Or, maybe you’d rather move around a bit and show a different perspective each month.

I, personally, choose one perspective and stick to it the entire year. I do this because I prefer the canvas, so to speak, to stay the same but the scenes unfolding to change within it. When I look through the images at the end of the year, I like to clearly see the seasons changing as if I’ve been standing in the same spot observing it happen before my eyes.

What to do when you live in an area that doesn’t change seasonally

What if you live in an area that doesn’t have noticeable seasonal changes? You can still do this project! You’ll just have to be more creative. You can rely on props and clothing and any other indicators you can dream up to identify the changing months.

One of my friends lives in Arizona and she decided to incorporate a drink in each image—hot chocolate, lemonade—to be the visual cue. Another friend used a seasonal aisle of a store. Another used her front porch and let her decorations do the talking.

If you don’t have four distinct seasons, you may have to be creative, but it’s definitely doable. Involve your children. I bet their ideas will be ten times better than your own!

What to do with your images?

At the end of the year you’ll have 12 images that capture a year in the life of your children. You’ll see the seasons change over time, as well as watch them grow right before your eyes. So, what do you do with them now?

I like to make a calendar with them. I give the calendar as Christmas gifts to our family. It’s fun revisiting our previous year’s seasonal spot unfold each month on the calendar that hangs on our wall.

You could also make a photo book. Imagine literally flipping through the pages to see the seasons transform before your eyes. Or create a collage will all the images to display on a wall.

More photography resources

If you’re interested in more photography resources, download our FREE guide with our best tips and tricks for taking better photos of your kids’ outdoor adventures with the camera on your PHONE! From creative composition tips to our favorite editing apps, this guide includes everything you need to know to make the most out of the camera in your pocket!  

What location will you choose for your seasonal spot?

About the author

Angie is a wife and stay-at-home-mom of three wild hyenas. She resides in rural Minnesota, where there are more cows and cornfields than people. She is an introvert with a creative itch that needs to be scratched, whether it is photographing her children in their daily lives or coming up with fun ways to explore nature in their backyard. Messy hair, dirty faces, mismatched clothing, wild and free children—all these things fuel her creativity and the desire to preserve these fleeting moments. Angie and her family can be found camping, biking, and sitting around a campfire during the summer months and sledding and ice fishing in a million layers during the winter.

You can find Angie online in the following locations:
Instagram: @angie_mahlke
RWMC posts: Angie Mahlke

The post How to Successfully Complete a Seasonal Spot Photography Project appeared first on RUN WILD MY CHILD.

Welcome to a new year

You did it, parents! You made it through another year.

I’m sure we can all agree that 2021 proved to be another difficult one, but I’m here to applaud you and say, “great job!” There’s something so wonderful about starting a new year and the fresh start it brings. It gives us all an opportunity to look back on the past and take inventory of our lives. It also gives us a great excuse to make changes and set some goals and intentions that will better ourselves and our families.

Spend more time outside this year

Most parents usually set a goal to simply spend more time with their kids and family. If that’s the case, we implore you to take some of that time outside! I can speak on behalf of all of us here at RWMC and say that making it a priority to get outside with our loved ones has been a game-changer!

Spending time outside, engaged with each other, and off screens is a great way to better our emotional and physical selves. Getting outside makes you healthier and happier (and who doesn’t want that?). But we also know that getting outside with kids is easier said than done. So, I’m here to give you some tips on how to set some realistic and practical goals to start spending more time outside with your kids. Are you ready to get started? 

Be intentional with your actions

When it comes down to it, the thing that is going to get you and your family outside and spending more time with each other is to be intentional. Intentionality is where it all starts, and it starts with us, the parents.

Being intentional about your choices of what you do is something that takes a lot of practice and willpower. This is definitely something I haven’t mastered and I think we will always have to work on it, but when we are intentional about certain things we can see the good that comes from it. If we want our children to learn to put their phones downs, turn their iPads off, shut down their laptops, then they need us to do it first. When we model balance to our kids they will see it and learn from our examples, maybe not right away, but they are watching and looking to us to teach them.

If we are intentional about getting off our screens, our kids will see that. If we are intentional about making getting outside a priority, our kids will see that. Spending time with our kids away from technology is a gift and a treasure. In a world where so much is competing with our time, it seems like now more than ever we need to show our children they matter to us more than our screens.

Children still need a childhood with dirt, mud, puddles, trees, sticks, and tadpoles.”  – Brooke Hampton

Practical tips for spending more time outside with your kids

Now I want to share some practical tips that are easy to implement and have worked for my family and others I know. Taking little steps at a time, making small changes here and there really go a long way! Over time, each of these little things add up to big things and before you know it, you’ve become an outdoor family! 

Set yourself up for success

I think one of the best things you can do when you start any new routine or make a lifestyle change is to start small. Big change doesn’t come right away and usually leads to overwhelm and giving up. If you start with small and make spending time outside attainable and achievable, you’ll set yourself up for success and grow to love that quick wins.

Instead of focusing on all the big things you’d like to do outside with your family (eventually), focus on what you CAN do easily and realistically right now. Start with one day (and not even the whole day). Set aside an afternoon once a week where you do something outside. Start small and local by heading someplace that’s easy to get to and doesn’t require a lot of planning or prep work. Local parks are great for these outings. Our family has a few favorite local parks that we have on rotation. I will usually let the kids decide which park we go to that day, and if there’s a stalemate then we try and come up with a solution to go to the other park next time. 

Incorporate their interests into your outings

Another tip for spending more time outside with your kids is to make sure to incorporate the things that they like to do in your outings and adventures. Before heading out, think about what you and your kids enjoy doing when you’re outside? When my family and I head to a local park I let each of my kids bring something they want to do like a basketball or soccer ball. If your kids enjoy riding bikes or scooters, turn your outing into a weekly bike ride, instead, or pack up the bikes and head to the park. 

I think it’s important to let kids have a choice in what they want to do. If you have a child that has a hard time getting off screens or off a video game letting them choose what you do outside is going to help motivate them! Also, be prepared to join them in whichever activity they plan on doing! One of the biggest draws for kids spending time outside is that their parents are there spending that time with them. 

Don’t let the weather ruin your plans

Unless the weather in your area is really extreme (and dangerous), don’t let less-than-ideal weather keep you from getting outside and playing. There are amazing things that happen in all kinds of different weather. The great thing about playing outside during “bad weather” is that you’re teaching/showing your children that they don’t have to wait for a warm sunny day to get outside and play. You’re teaching them resilience and grit. You’re showing them that there’s beauty and joy in all seasons. These are lifelong lessons that will help them get outside year-round. 

Since it’s January, if you need some ideas for fun things to do during the winter and fun winter activities, check out a few of the posts below for inspiration! Winter can be such a magical time of year where we can still enjoy making memories outside. 

• 100+ Outdoor Winter Activities
• Hidden Benefits of Outdoor Winter Play
• The Perfect Snow Day
• Beginner’s Guide to Snowshoeing with Kids
• 60+ Indoor and Outdoor Snow Day Activities for Kids
• Winter Nature Walk Ideas

Every child needs nature. Not just the ones whose parents appreciate nature. Not only those of a certain economic class or culture or set of abilities. Every child.”   -Richard Louv

Invite friends to join you

If your kids are anything like mine, then they are probably much more willing to go out and do something if they know their friends will be there! Another great tip for spending more time outside with your kids is to invite other kids (and families) to join you! 

Maybe once a month you plan an outdoor play date with another family (or multiple families). Ask some of your mom friends and find out if they would be up for a group hike, a lake/beach day, or to go sledding. For the most part, you don’t even have to have an activity planned. When kids get together outside, they naturally find things to do and games to play. The creativity really starts to shine! Plus, this will give the parents a chance to catch up with friends while the kids play! (and we could all use some extra friend time right now)

How to find outdoorsy families in your area 

If you don’t have a lot of mom-friends in your area or know of other families that would be interested, never fear! Local parenting groups on social media can be good places to start. Or, you could join a local Hike it Baby chapter and tag along on a group hike with other moms and kids. You can find other outdoorsy families by signing the kids up for a nature class at your local conservation area, botanical garden, or science center. Or look into Tinkergarten or a similar outdoor class for kids.

When I first moved to Las Vegas a new friend told me about a hiking homeschool Facebook group she was a part of and invited my family on one of their hikes. I have to say that was one of the best things I did during my first year in a new place. We got to know other local families, visit some amazing local spots, and find community in other like-minded people! Some of the places we visited ended up being family favorites that we still visit often!

Go somewhere new!

Sometimes we all need a break in our routine or a change of scenery. If your outdoor adventures feel stale or boring, it’s time to shake things up a bit. And maybe it’s time for a bigger adventure. 

Is there a place you’ve been wanting to check out but just haven’t yet? Perhaps a hiking trail, a different beach, or a newly built park on the other side of town? Find a free weekday afternoon or weekend when nothing is going on and put it on your calendar! Schedule it. Commit to it in advance and make it happen! 

If you’re stuck when it comes to finding new inspiration or places to explore, simply Googling “best hiking trail” in your area can often show you some trails you haven’t explored yet.  Or open the AllTrails app and just pick one! Ask other moms what their favorite “off the beaten path” thing to do with their kids is. Start a list and add to it anytime you hear of a new place. Who knows, this new place could end up being a favorite place to adventure and make memories. 

Your kids will remember the adventures you went on, not the stuff you bought them. Kids outgrow stuff they never outgrow adventures.”  -Unknown

We’re here to help

I sincerely hope that these tips for spending more time outside with your kids help you and your family get closer to each other this year outside making magical memories. We here at RWMC truly believe that spending time outside with our families is life-giving! I want to encourage you to try and make it a priority as much as you are able and watch the good it will bring. 

And if you ever need help with planning your outings, purchasing the right gear, motivating your kids, finding things to do, or remembering why outdoor time is so important, we’re here to help. Feel free to drop any questions or comments below or send us an email. Follow us on Instagram or Facebook for daily tips and inspiration. Sign up for our newsletter to get outdoor activities sent to your inbox weekly! Check out the hundreds of amazing blog posts we have on our website. Join our Facebook community or sign up for one of our free challenges! We’re honored you’re here and we hope this community gives you all the love and support you need!

“Teaching children about the natural world should be seen as one of the most important events in their lives.”

-Thomas Berry

About the author

Megan is a wife and a homeschooling mom of four. She is originally from Colorado, but has spent much of her life overseas. First in Eastern Europe, specifically, Hungary, where her first two kids were born. Secondly, in Ethiopia, where she and her husband adopted their second two kids. She and her family are now stateside, currently living in Las Vegas, Nevada. She loves traveling with her kids, either on planes, road trips, or just in their local area! Most of her family’s outdoor adventuring includes water of some kind like beaches, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, or pools. They especially love paddleboarding, hiking, rock climbing, camping, and even just going to the local park to play soccer or basketball. Megan also has a passion for photography and loves to bring along her camera to document all their adventures!

Find more from Megan in the following locations:
Instagram: @meghavelaarphoto
RWMC posts: Megan Havelaar

The post Tips for Spending More Time Outside with Your Kids in the New Year appeared first on RUN WILD MY CHILD.

Fall leaf fun for kids

Fall arrives every year and demands our attention and awe with a beautiful display of colorful leaves. Children are particularly drawn to the vibrant colors of individual leaves and the tempting piles of leaves that can be found this time of year. The colors, sizes, and shapes ignite their imagination. Tap into this fascination and help your little nature explorers discover the magic of fall leaves.

Do you need some ideas on how to have fun with fall leaves with your kids? We’ve got you covered. This post is filled with clever craft ideas, science experiments, books, jokes, and more all about LEAVES! 

Fall leaf crafts for kids

One great thing about fall leaves is that there is virtually an endless supply of them! And they’re completely free. That’s right as the beautifully colored leaves fall from the trees, you can gather them right on up and get your craft on with your kids.

There are so many fun fall leaf crafts to do and make with kids. We’ve included a few crafts below, but don’t stop with this list. Let your children’s imaginations run wild and find new and exciting ways to create fall leaves crafts and have fall leaf fun with kids.

Photo credit: @sara_mccarty

1. Leaf crown

Foster some creative play with fall leaf crowns. There are a few simple ways to make fall leaf crowns and because most fall leaves have varying shapes and colors, the crowns are bound to be absolutely beautiful.

Option 1: Upcycle a paper bag or scrap paper and cut a 3-5 inch wide strip in a length that will fit around your child’s head. If your paper isn’t long enough to fit around your child’s head, just cut as many as you need and tape, staple or glue them together to make the right length. Once you have the right length, glue or tape it together to create a paper crown. Then it is time to add all the beautiful leaves you collected. There is no wrong way to decorate these crowns with leaves. We used a stapler to adhere the leaves on the crowns featured in the photo above. Line up the leaves, tuck the bottoms/stems under the crown, and staple to secure! So easy, even kids can do it!

Option 2: Use duct tape to create a crown. To do this, you simply cut the duct tape in the length you need to fit around your child’s head with an inch or two extra to stick it together at the end. Lay it flat on your work surface, sticky side up. Help your child lay their fall leaves on the sticky tape, being careful not to let the tape stick to itself. Make sure to not stick leaves too close to the ends of the tape. Once your child is happy with the number of leaves, take match up the sticky ends of the tape, with the leaves on the outside of the crown.

Photo credit: @unlocking.fun

2. Colorful leaf fox tail

Another fun way to encourage pretend outdoor play is by making a leaf fox tail (pictured above). Our friends at @unlocking.fun say you simply need leaves, some cardboard (upcycling a paper bag would work too), white paint, and string.

To make the fox tail shape, cut the cardboard in the shape you want. Then, paint the tip white, and then glue or tape leaves over the rest of the tail-shaped cardboard. Once it is dried, help your child add a string to the top of the tail and then tie it loosely around your child’s waist.

Photo credit: @discoverwildlearning

3. Leaf dipping with beeswax

Dipping your fall leaves into beeswax is a wonderful way to preserve the colors of fall leaves. All you need is some plain beeswax, a way to melt it, some leaves to dip into it, and a place to let the leaves dry. It really is that easy, though it is also a bit messy when doing it with children, so prepare for a mess. Let the leaves dry on a large piece of wax paper to catch all the drippings. A nice thin coat should work just fine! 

4. Fall leaf wall hanging

Need something to do with your preserved beeswax leaves? Or maybe you just have a ton of fall leaves scattered around your nature shelf or kitchen table. Make a fall leaf wall hanging with them! This is a beautiful way to keep them off the table and shelves, while also displaying them for all to see and admire.

All to need to do to make a wall hanging is to attach your leaves to a piece of string or twine. You can hang them all at various lengths from a longer branch or tie them all together and attach to a pinecone. Or, you could even thread them and make a colorful leaf garland for the mantle. If you preserve your leaves in beeswax, your wall hanging will last a long time. If you prefer to create it without preserving them, it will still last a couple of weeks.

5. Painted leaves and funny face leaves

Painting leaves is a neat way to use up all the fall leaves you collect, while also creating fun holiday-themed decorations. You can create ghosts and pumpkins with ease and oak leaves make excellent Christmas trees and reindeer. These painted fall leaves make excellent decorations and even a fun annual activity to add to your holiday decor.

You could also make funny faces on your leaves. Add expressions with paint or use stickers or googly eyes. Funny face leaves are so much fun to make and display. They could even be made into gifts! Paint, markers, cut-up leaves, googly eyes, crayons, construction paper, and pretty much any other craft supply you can think of would be perfect for creating these funny face fall leaves with kids.

6. Leaf masks

Leaf masks are another way to have fun with fall leaves. The masks can be as simple or as complicated as your children desire. Search for big leaves and simply cut eye holes into them and suddenly your child is camouflaged and can hide in plain sight. You could also use a variety of fall leaves to create elaborate masks with your kids. Create a mask shape with cardboard or a paper bag and then let your children glue the leaves on to create whimsical leaf masks.

7. Leaf confetti

Need something to keep little hands busy? Or are you needing confetti for an upcoming party or celebration? Fall leaves are perfect for making all-natural DIY biodegradable confetti! Plus, it is so very easy!

Hand your kids some dry fall leaves, scissors, and a hand-held hole punch. Let them cut up and punch holes in the leaves to their heart’s content. If you have decorative edge scissors, kids can experiment with how it makes the leaf confetti look too. This is a wonderful way to enjoy throwing confetti, but without using plastics and glitter, which are harmful to our planet and are typically found in store-bought confetti.

8. Pressed leaves

A lot of the fall leaves kids collect quickly begin to dry and curl at the edges. An easy way to prolong the life of a fall leaf is to press it. If you have a flower or leaf press, use it. Sticking the leaves in the pages of a book will do pretty much the same thing. Pro tip: If you use a book, be sure to put a piece of paper between the leaves and the book pages to protect the book. If the leaves were not entirely dry before being placed in the book, you may find unwanted mold.

9. Outdoor leaf art

While you are out exploring your neighborhood or local trail, gather some leaves with your kids. Once you have a few (or a ton), use them to create a work of art on the ground near where you found all the leaves. Make a heart, spiral, funny face, maze, a blob, a line, a giant number (for how old they are), or anything else you and your child can think up. Not only will your artwork brighten someone’s day, but the supplies were literally collected right there so cleanup is not required.

Photo credit: @getoutsidecapecod

10. Leaf animals and people

Ever heard of the book Leaf Man by Lois Elhert? The leaf art in this book is so wonderful and so much fun to try and create yourself. Creating leaf people and animals is a fun way to utilize fall leaves, while also incorporating family reading time. Bring the book outside and read it under a color fall tree and then collect some leaves to create your own leaf animals and people. You can try to recreate some of the scenes in the book or make up your own story. 

11. Leaf lantern

With it getting dark earlier and the ground covered in fall leaves, there is no better time to make a fall leaf lantern with your kids. Check out this leaf lantern tutorial on how to do it. Use your leaf lantern to go for a night hike or even just a twilight stroll around your neighborhood. Making your own lantern will make any evening outing that much more fun and magical! 

12. Leaf rubbings

This is probably an activity you are familiar with, but it is a classic for a reason. It is fun (and educational)! All you need to do to make leaf rubbings is put a piece of paper on top of a leaf and then rub the side of a crayon over the area of the leaf to make a rubbing of the leaf. You can try with different media (like oil pastels or colored pencils), experiment to see which colors work best, try out a variety of leaves, and see what several leaf rubbings look like together on one piece of paper. Once you have leaf rubbings, try identifying the leaves. Are they from a maple, oak, ash, aspen, dogwood, hawthorn? For extra credit, find the tree the leaf came from and make a bark rubbing as well! There are so many ways to take this classic activity and make it your own.

13. Leaf bookmarks

Looking for a fun craft that can also make the perfect gift? All you need is thick paper, leaves, and glue. You can use cardstock or upcycle paper bags, construction paper, or thin cardboard. Cut several rectangles in the general size of a standard bookmark (approximately 3 x 8 inches). Gather any fall leaves you want to use for your bookmarks and press them in a book or leaf press before you use them (see more on this below). Flat leaves are easier to glue down.

After you have your paper bookmarks and your pressed fall leaves, all you do is glue them onto the paper. The best way to do this is to have your kids paint the glue on. Then, glue the leaves onto the paper and then paint the glue over the top of the entire bookmark. Once they are dry, you can trim the edges or leave them how they turned out. They really do look beautiful no matter what!

If you have Modge Podge, this will work better at sealing the bookmarks to help preserve them.

Fall leaf activities for kids

Even if you are not feeling crafty, there are so many other ways to enjoy some fall leaf fun with kids! A lot of these activities are just good old-fashioned outdoor play! Here are a few of our favorite outdoor fall leaf fun ideas to get you started on your adventures.

1. Collect leaves

While out exploring nature in your local park or neighborhood simply collect some leaves. Some leaves are just begging to be admired! There are leaves that are mottled and polka-dotted. Some are so vibrant it’s crazy. Others look almost tie-dyed! You can collect one leaf that you found absolutely stunning. Or heck, collect a whole basketful! There is no wrong way to do it. Just make sure you have permission to collect them, as some parks (especially national parks) ask that you not collect any form of nature. You can put them in a collection bag, carry them or put them in a backpack to bring home and enjoy. 

2. Rake leaves for a friend or neighbor

I always like adding a few acts of service/kindness to any seasonal activity list. A great way to pay-it-forward in the fall is to rake the leaves out of the yard of a friend or neighbor. If you have an elderly or disabled neighbor or just know someone that could use a few extra hands, send the kids over with the rakes and leaf blower to help out. Not only will they feel good about helping, but they can make piles of leaves and have fun in the process (see below). Join forces with other neighborhood families and your good deed will go even faster with extra fun and laughter!

3. Jump in a leaf pile

If your kids are little, rake a pile of leaves into a safe location for them. Make sure the ground underneath is relatively soft (grass, not concrete) and remove any long/sharp twigs, sticks or branches. And then, let them jump! If your kids are older, hand them the rake and put them to work making their own piles! Raking leaves is a great gross motor activity and good for coordination.

What to take it up a notch? Here are some other ways to make leaf raking and leaf piles extra fun for kids:

• Make leaf raking a competition. Who can make the biggest pile the fastest? Ready, set, go!
• Rake a pile of leaves into shapes (a number that represents their age, the year, or the grade they’re in) and take a photo of them next to the pile from above as a keepsake.
• Take a photo of your child from above and try to capture the same shot year after year to document how much they’ve changed.
• If you’ve got a large space, use the leaves to create a maze. Add obstacles and blocks that you have to go around. Or even a circular spiral leading to a prize (a giant leaf pile).
• Make a leaf rainbow. Different trees make leaves of different colors. Sort your leaves into piles by color and then use them to make a rainbow!
• The ground is lava! Instead of one big pile of leaves, make a bunch of smaller piles and let the kids jump from pile to pile without touching empty spaces.

3. Throw leaves in the air

Throwing leaves up into the air is a fun and super simple activity. It can also make for a great photo opportunity, though it can be hard to capture* sometimes. Plus, this activity couldn’t be any more simple. Gather some leaves, or better yet use an existing pile of leaves, and toss the leaves into the air. And yes, mom, YOU need to do it, too! It’s fun and you can do it until your kids tucker out or get bored.

*Pro tip: Make sure your shutter speed is quick and your depth of field isn’t too narrow or you’ll get a bunch of blurry and out-of-focus photos. 

4. Go for a fall leaf walk

You do not have to collect leaves, craft, or do any sort of activity to enjoy fall leaves with your kids. Simply taking a fall hike is a great outdoor activity and a way to take advantage of the leaves. You can simply meader along a trail or through your neighborhood taking in the vibrant colors of the season. Hiking during the fall months is extra fun and beautiful! You usually don’t have to deal with the heat or mosquitoes, plus, there’s all that beautiful scenery to take in! 

Photo credit: @seldabelda

5. Lay under a tree

Lying under a tree is a great way to enjoy fall with your kids. This is an especially fun activity when there is a gentle breeze knocking the leaves off the trees. Watching the fall leaves flutter to the ground is relaxing. And if your child is bored or needs to burn energy, they can see how many leaves they can catch before they hit the ground.

Fall leaf science for kids

Just because we’re having some fall leaf fun, doesn’t mean we can learn while we’re at it! Fall leaf fun can be both a blast and educational. If you want to throw some learning into your fall leaf exploration, there are so many ways to do it. Here are a few easy science-based fall leaf activities you can do with your kids.

1. Parts of a leaf

Labeling the parts of a leaf is a simple way to add in some learning with your kids while out exploring nature. You can get formal and tape the leaf to a piece of paper and have your child label it, or you can simply do it verbally while you explore. Have your kids identify the stem, veins, lobes, base, and any serration. There is no wrong way to integrate this easy science activity.

2. Compare leaves to seeds

Autumn brings fall leaves, but it is also the season of acorns, conkers (horse chestnuts), pinecones, and more. Go on a hunt for both the leaves and the seeds of the trees. You can use both in crafts, plus matching them up is a great way to learn the lifecycle of a tree and learn to identify trees in your area. This science activity is fun to do year-round. If you have an abundance of conkers in your area, check out this post for some ideas on conker crafts to do with your kids. 

3. Leaf identification

Different trees create different shaped and colored leaves. A fun science-based activity is learning how to identify a tree by its leaves. In the fall, it’s even more fun because the leaves are not just green, but a variety of colors. Use nature books or apps and walk and explore and learn about trees together. Match the leaves to the tree and then identify the species. 

Photo credit: A Little Pinch of Perfection

4. Why do leaves change colors?

If you have a kid who really enjoys science experiments, this activity may be perfect for your family. A Little Pinch of Perfection provides a detailed tutorial on leaf color and chlorophyll. You really just need fall leaves, boiling water, rubbing alcohol, and a couple of jars. It’s a super easy experiment and one that will likely delight most children and their grownups.

Fall leaf jokes for kids

Everyone can use a little more laughter in their life. Here are a few funny child-friendly jokes all about fall leaves.

Q: What did one autumn leaf say to another?
A: I’m falling for you!

Q: What is the cutest of all seasons?
A: Awwwtumn!

Q: What happens when winter arrives?
A: Autumn leaves!

Q: Why do trees like to try new things each year?
A: Because every autumn they turn over a new leaf!

Q: What did autumn say to summer?
A: Make like a tree and leave!

Knock Knock
Who’s there?
Iva
Iva who?
Iva bunch of leaves that need raking!

Knock Knock
Who’s there?
Olive
Olive who?
Olive looking at the autumn leaves!

Fall leaf books for kids

Books are such a wonderful addition to any activity. Take a book with you on a nature walk and read it under a tree. Read a book while your children paint fall leaves or cut them up into tiny confetti pieces. As the seasons change, having seasonal books on hand for your children to explore and for you all to read together as a family can be fun. If you have personal libraries you are growing, here are some wonderful options all about fall leaves.

• Awesome Autumn: All Kinds of Fall Facts and Fun by Bruce Goldstone 
• The Fall of Freddie the Leaf: A Story of Life for All Ages by Leo Buscaglia 
• Fall Leaves by Loretta Holland 
• Fall Leaves: Colorful and Crunchy by Martha E. H. Rustad 
• Fletcher and the Falling Leaves by Julia Rawlinson 
• Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert 
• The Leaf Thief by Alice Hemming 
• Leaves by David Ezra Stein 
• Leif and the Fall by Allison Sweet Grant 

How are you exploring fall leaves with your kids?

The post Fall Leaf Fun for Kids: Leaf Crafts, Leaf Activities, Leaf Books, and More! appeared first on RUN WILD MY CHILD.

Trail-tested kid-approved hiking snacks

When my family is preparing to go on a hike the first thing I do is get out our backpacks and start setting everything we need in a box by the front door. Whether it’s going to be a long(ish) hike or just a quick one, being prepared ahead of time makes it so much easier to get out the door. I make sure everyone has all the things they need and all their favorites, from shoes to snacks.

Snacks perhaps are one of the most important parts of what we put in our packs (at least in the kids’ opinion). Good snacks can make the difference between a hike that turns into a slog, or one the kids remember for days to come. Loading up on kid-pleasing snacking options is one step in making sure everyone has a great day outside on the trail.

What makes a good hiking snack

There are so many options on the market today for hiking snacks that my kids are sure to like. There are a ton of pre-packed and pre-made snacks that the kids would be over the moon to eat. But, those items can really add up in terms of cost, sugar/additive intake, and waste produced. We like knowing exactly what’s in our snacks and we really enjoy working together in the kitchen to create our own healthy, easily packable, budget-friendly morsels. 

In our kitchen, we love to focus on snacks that pack a punch in flavor and nutrition. The key to a good snack is that it combines these key features:

• provides a balance of carbs for quick energy, protein for long-lasting energy, and high calories in a small package;
• fit easily in a sandwich bag or lightweight lunch box;
• doesn’t require utensils for diving in.

Our favorite hiking snacks to make at home

Below, I’ve included a few of our favorite snacks to make at home as a family to take on the trail. While we love making our own snacks, it’s certainly not a necessity for hiking. If you need/want to save time, you can buy pre-made and pre-packaged snacks. Every family is different and it’s important that you do what works best for you so you can get outside and play! If that means picking up snacks from the store instead of making them at home, DO THAT! You’ll get no judgment at all! I’ve included some of our favorite store-bought snacks below. 

GORP

Gorp, trail mix, scroggin, snack mix. Whatever your family calls it, this delicious mix of goodies has long been a staple of avid outdoorsmen and women. Our favorite thing about gorp is that everyone can make their own version exactly how they like it.

Gorp is probably the easiest and most budget-friendly snack all hands can help in making. Just grab a bag, fill it with your favorites, and shake.

I find the best place to get our ingredients is the bulk section of our local grocery store. That section tends to be a little cheaper than prepackaged bags of nuts and dried fruit. Another plus to procuring ingredients this way is that you can use your own reusable bags or jars and save on waste. 

GORP mix varieties and ingredients

Here are a few of our top blends to help give you an idea of all the different ways you can mix ingredients to make a delicious and healthy trail snack for kids:

• Traditional
  • peanuts
  • almonds
  • raisins
  • M&M’s
  • Honey Nut Cheerios
• Tropical
  • dried pineapple
  • dried mango
  • coconut flakes
  • almonds
  • cashews
• Sweet & Spicy
  • wasabi peas
  • pecans 
  • Chex cereal
  • sesame crackers
  • dried apricots
• No Nut Mix
  • chocolate covered sunflower seeds
  • mini-pretzels
  • Craisins
  • freeze fried apple 
  • granola chunks
• Pantry stash
  • chocolate chips
  • Goldfish crackers
  • dried apple
  • banana chips
  • mini marshmallows

Power balls

Perhaps the best snack on the list is power balls! Power balls (also known as energy bites) combine all our snack needs in a convenient and fun two-bite package. This is another snack that allows kids to mix in their favorite ingredientss, plus they are able to get their hands messy in the DIY making process. 

Power balls, like the other snacks, only take a few ingredients and can be altered to add in your favorite ingredients. These delicious balls of energy all start with the same 3 ingredient base that provide a good source of carbohydrates and protein. 

Start with these three ingredients

• 1 cup dry oats
• ¼ cup nut butter
• ¼ cup honey or agave

Now, it’s time to get creative. Add a few extra mix-ins to make your favorite power ball combinations. A few of our tried and true add-ins are:

• ½ cup mini chocolate or M&M’s
• ¼ cup shredded coconut
• ¼ cup diced nuts
• ½ cup diced dried fruit
• ¼ cup crushed pretzels or graham crackers
• ¼ cup mini marshmallows (we cut ours in half)

After mixing all ingredients in a bowl, use your hands to form the batter into balls and let harden on a cookie sheet. Power balls can be stored for up to a week in your fridge in an airtight container.

Pinwheels

We love pinwheels! Pinwheels are basically rolled-up sandwich-type creations, filled with your favorite ingredients. These can be made sweet or savory, with just a couple of items from your pantry. They can be a healthy snack out on the trail or they can become the main meal on an outing. There are tons of variations out there, but these are our favorites and never fail to please. The main ingredients in all pin-wheels are tortillas, a spread of some sort, and one or two fillings.

These tasty treats are really easy to make, and my son loves that he gets to roll and then slice them into different sizes. Just four steps and your snack is done!

1. Lay tortilla on a flat, cuttable surface
2. Smear spread out evenly in the center of the tortilla
3. Lay fillings in the center of the spread
4. Roll tortilla up, and cut into slices

Sweet pinwheel variation

• P.B. & J – this roll needs no explanation, and takes its cues from an already family favorite.
  • Peanut butter (or any nut butter will do)
  • Favorite jelly of jam
• Nutella & banana – chocolate hazelnut and bananas! How can this not be delicious?
  • Nutella
  • Nut butter
  • Banana
  • Strawberries (optional)
• Apples & Strawberries – a crowd favorite!
  • Apple butter
  • Nut Butter
  • Sliced strawberries

Savory pinwheel variations

(Savory pin-wheels will require a small ice pack to keep fresh)

• Seattle roll – named after one of my favorite sushi rolls
  • Smoked salmon
  • Cream cheese
  • Cucumber slices
• Turkey & ranch
  • Ranch dressing
  • Thin sliced turkey lunch meat
  • Cheese slices
  • Avocado
• Italian Sub
  • Mayo or mustard (or both!)
  • Salami
  • Pepperoni (for those that like a little spice)
  • Provolone cheese 
  • Lettuce

Store-bought hiking snacks to keep on hand

I will admit that some days I just don’t have the time or energy to put together homemade snacks. Sometimes it’s more important for us to just get out the door and I need the quickest easiest snack options. So, I like to keep a stock of our family’s favorite store-bought snacks on hand for easy grab and go. Plus I will often throw a couple of these in my pack to add to our supply or just in case someone is extra hungry. 

Fruit & veggies

We always like to throw in a couple of pieces of fresh fruit (or handfuls of berries) and a baggie of veggie sticks for that fresh flavor. Easy choices are small apples, tangerines, carrots, snap peas, cucumbers, peppers, and celery sticks. Just remember to pack out your cores and peels with you. Another option in this category is dried fruit. We love apple rings and banana chips tossed in a baggie. Fruit leather is another great option that can be bought in bulk and kept on the pantry shelves. 

Bars

Please believe me when I say we have tried every energy bar and granola bar on our grocery store shelves. Store-bought bars can be expensive and packed with all kinds of things, so I try to pick those with simple, whole food ingredients that offer tons of flavor. After years of taste testing, we have certainly decided on a few top choices. Our go-to’s are CLIF Zbars, Lara Bars, and Nature’s Bakery Fig Bars. 

Jerky

Jerky is an easy snack and always a favorite with the kids. We always keep a few packages on hand. My kids have always preferred jerky sticks, and honestly, I think they are a little easier to pack and open. Some of our favorite brands are Vermont Smoke and Cure, CHOMPS, and Bavarian Meats.

How to pack your hiking snacks

Store-bought snacks often come in their own easy, lightweight packages. But when you make your own or buy in bulk it’s necessary to carry your snacks in some sort of container. As a family, we have made a commitment to try and use reusable containers as much as possible. Did you know that Americans throw away enough plastic each year to circle the Earth four times? We’re trying to do our part to cut that number down. We hope you will, too. 

There are a lot of great options on the market to fit all budgets. These are the top four that our family uses for every outing.

• Full Circle reusable sandwich and snack bags 
• RUSSBE reusable bags (these come in gallon to snack size)
• Kleen Kanteen lunch box set
• Bee’s wrap

Snack happy!

Hopefully, with this list of kid-tested and approved snacks, your family can get out there on the trail and enjoy a great day outdoors building memories and not complaining because of grumbling bellies. We hope this helps you hike happier and longer! 

More resources about hiking with kids 

If you’re interested in more great content about hiking with kids, be sure to check out the following posts:

• Best Hiking Shoes for Kids
• 10 Hiking Essentials for Families
• Best Baby Carriers for Hiking
• Making DIY Hiking Sticks with Kids
• Ultimate List of Outdoor Gear for Kids

What are your kids’ favorite hiking snacks?

About the author

RyAnn is a mom of four (20, 18, 15, 6) that loves exploring her home in the Pacific Northwest. She works as a youth outdoor program instructor for the Mountaineers Org. in Washington state. RyAnn also loves getting out and adventuring with her family as much as possible. They enjoy traveling around the PNW in their converted Sprinter campervan. On her days off she generally loads up the van and hits the trails for hiking, mountain biking, skiing, or climbing. RyAnn is passionate about instilling love and respect for outdoor spaces in her kids and the youth she is lucky to work with.

You can find more from RyAnn in the following locations:
Instagram: @mountain_mama4
Website: Mountain Mama
RWMC posts: Ryann Peverly

The post Trail-Tested Kid-Approved Hiking Snacks appeared first on RUN WILD MY CHILD.

Celebrating World Kindness Day outside

World Kindness Day is right around the corner and what better way to inspire kindness than to take a moment and be kind to our planet. Each year on November 13th, people all over the world come together and give kindness to each other, themselves, and the world.

World Kindness Day was designed to highlight good deeds in the community focusing on the positive power and the common thread of kindness for good. Kindness is a fundamental part of the human condition which bridges the divides of race, religion, politics, gender, and location. 

This shared movement reminds us all that compassion really does bind us together on this planet. This year, we encourage you to reach out with acts of kindness to your families, neighborhoods, communities, and to our shared planet.

Photo credit: @kidsdelmundo

20+ kid-friendly ways to be kind to nature

Of course, we want you to be kind to everyone, but since we’re all about getting kids outside and into nature, today we’re going to share some ways that you and your kids can be kind to nature and our planet. If you are in need of a little inspiration and some ideas for ways you can be kind to nature, we’re sharing over 20 ideas to get you and your kids started. And the best part…you can do a lot of these acts of kindness outside! 

1. Pick up trash

This is probably one of the easiest ways to get your kids involved in giving back to your community and nature. As you walk through your neighborhood and local parks, pick up the trash you see. Make a point to go out on a hike or walk with the sole intention of cleaning up. Kids love being helpful and it really is so beneficial to the maintenance of the natural areas we all love and enjoy. Plus, you’re setting an example of a lifelong love of their planet and instilling a personal responsibility to take care of nature.

2. Practice Leave No Trace principles

While out in nature, teach your kids Leave No Trace principles and practice them together. Unless you have specific permission to do otherwise, stay on the trail, leave nature treasures where you found them, don’t build rock cairns, don’t litter, and respect wildlife. Always leave a place better than you found it. Make sure that you also explain why you should (or should not) do things when you’re with your kids so they understand the implications of your actions and the reasoning behind them. Not sure where to start? Learn more about outdoor etiquette and manners for kids with this post.

3. Join a community cleanup

Bring your kids along and join in on a local community trash cleanup. These are almost always kid-friendly and event coordinators will be happy to find a child-safe area for you to help in the cleanup efforts. Kids love to be involved in adult projects and they are sure to be rewarded for their volunteer efforts with smiles and kind words by other adult volunteers. If you don’t have a community clean-up project in place, organize your own! Gather some friends and go out together to make a difference. 

4. Plant a tree

Give back directly, by planting a native tree or shrub in your yard. Fall is a great time to plant trees. Visit a local nursery to get the best advice on which tree to plant and how to care for it. Let your kids be part of the process from beginning to end. Not only will kids love digging the hole and helping care for the tree, but they get to watch their tree grow for years. 

Photo credit: @dimples.and.the.blonde

5. Plant a wildflower garden

The bees, butterflies, and other pollinators love native flowers. Planting (or planning if it is the wrong time of year) which flowers are beneficial to your local environment is one wonderful way to spread a little kindness to nature. Here’s a great post on planting a pollinator garden with lots of native plants and flowers.

Or, if you’re looking for a fun way to explore native wildflowers with your kids or make a fun homemade gift, you can create seed bombs with your kids (in paper or ball form): DIY Eco-friendly Plantable Seed Paper and How to Make DIY Wildflower Seed Bombs with Kids.

Photo credit: @c_l_allofus

6. Feed the birds

Winter can be rough on wildlife, especially birds. Spread some kindness by feeding the birds this fall and winter. It’s simple and even provides hours of entertainment. Make your own bird feeders and then watch the birds together. Gather some ideas on making bird feeders for your backyard birds with these two posts: Eco-friendly Bird Feeders to Make with Kids and Easy Bird Feeders to Make with Kids.

7. Compost

Anytime is a great time to dive into the world of composting and recycling your food waste scraps. Your kids will learn all about food waste, get to see how food breaks down, and less food waste ends up in the landfill. If you have space, you can create a composting station directly on the ground. If you don’t (or if you live in a city or neighborhood), this composting tumbler is a great option. When you start your compost project, make sure to include a few bins for little hands so the kids can help out, too! Mother Nature and your local landfill will gladly accept that kindness. 

Photo credit: @robbs_rule

8. Start a wormery

Kids love worms! And so does the earth. If your kids are super into worms, we have a great project that will be fun and beneficial. Creating a wormery with kids is the perfect way to learn about food scraps and food waste with kids. Your kids will learn a ton, the worms will be well-fed, and keeping food waste out of trash helps our planet. It’s a win-win kindness activity for all.

9. Join a seed swap

If you garden every year, then you know that you never (or rarely) use all the seeds you buy! Or maybe you have varieties of plants that are wonderful and you save the seeds each year. Instead of tossing the extra seeds in the trash, donate your extra seeds to your local seed swap. Seed swaps are very educational and are a great way to teach kids the difference between plant hybrids and heirlooms. Heirloom seeds are often handed down through families and might hail from other parts of the world. Take your kids with you to the swap and let them help you find the perfect seeds to plant in your garden. 

Photo credit: @kirsten_alice_photography

10. Join or start a community garden

Interested in gardening and don’t have the space or have no idea where to begin? Join a community garden! If one doesn’t exist, you could even start one. This is a great way to volunteer with your kids, learn about growing your own food, and even eat locally grown food.

11. Reduce your use of single-use plastics

Teach your children all about how single-use plastics end up in giant piles of trash and how cutting back (or eliminating) these types of plastics is beneficial to nature. Not only will your family be helping the Earth right now, but you are helping to teach the next generation a better way to care for our planet. Examples of single-use plastics are straws and plastic utensils, water bottles, baggies, single-use coffee pods, takeout containers, coffee cup lids, etc.

Learn more about how to dive into the topic of sustainability with your kids with this post: Garbage Collecting, Recycling, and Sustainability for Kids.

Photo credit: @okoshifarm

12. Volunteer with your kids

There are so many ways to be kind to nature and volunteering with your kids is one of the best. Your community likely has environmental groups, animal rescues, wildlife conservation groups, and other nature-focused organizations you can spend your time helping. If your kids are not enough to tag along, set an example by volunteering yourself and sharing your experiences with your kids. Learn more on how to volunteer with kids here.

13. Save water

The little efforts we put into our everyday activities really do add up. Teach your kids all the little ways they can reduce the amount of water they use each day. Water is a precious resource on our planet and learning how to conserve it is a kindness our Earth and everyone on it will appreciate. Some quick ideas for conserving water: turn off the water when you brush your teeth, take shorter showers, wash the dishes at least once a week by hand instead of using the dishwasher, and don’t water your lawn during the summer (or better yet replace your lawn with native plants or a wonderful garden).

14. Reduce electricity usage

As with water, reducing electricity usage is beneficial to our planet and kids can learn a lot of ways to do it. Easy ways include turning off the light when you leave a room, spending an hour each evening together in one room (or outside) with all the other lights and devices off, installing energy-efficient light bulbs, not standing with the refrigerator door open (keep warm air out), hang drying laundry, unplugging unused devices, and using natural light when possible.

Photo credit: @sage.and.summit

15. Shop at a farmer’s markets and u-pick farms

Shopping local and small is a wonderful way to spread kindness in your community and help out our planet too. When you buy food and other goodies from farmer’s markets or local farms, you are reducing the carbon footprint of the food you eat. Local food travels significantly less far from the farm to your plate. Plus, children get to interact with local farmers and food vendors, which spreads smiles and good cheer. Learn more about exploring farmer’s markets with kids here.

16. Raise and donate money to the local environmental group

Spending time raising money for a good cause is such a great way to spend time with your kids. Maybe you bake cookies and make hot chocolate together and sell them on your street corner. Rake leaves and donate the money. Host a yard sale. Maybe have your children come up with a goal and use social media to help them reach it. There are so many options out there and plenty of time to make it happen. After all, teaching and learning kindness through giving is a wonderful life lesson.

Photo credit: @jannaprange

17. Write a letter to elected officials

Get your children involved in politics and help them write letters to elected officials sharing their thoughts on ways to help our environment. Everyone likes to get mail, especially from kids, right?

18. Carpool

This time of year is incredibly busy with sports and school. Offer to carpool with another family to reduce car emissions. Not only will you be helping another family, but you are being kind to Mother Nature too.

Photo credit: @stacey.raising.boys

19. Ride your bikes

If you live close enough to school or community businesses and events, consider riding your bikes instead of taking the car. Talk to your kids about why you are opting for the bike lane and set an example by using your bike whenever you can. Biking or walking just one mile a day for a year could save 330 pounds of carbon dioxide—that’s the same as planting four trees and letting them grow for 10 years! This also helps kids be active, connect with their neighborhood and gain a sense of direction.

20. Use public transportation

Not all of us have this option, but you absolutely should give it a go if you can. Kids love riding buses, trams, subways, other public transportation options. This is especially true for little kids who require car seats in the car but get some freedom when taking public transit. Not only are you reducing emissions (for which nature thanks you), but you get to spend time with your family and give your kids an eco-friendly adventure.

21. Shop second-hand shops

There is so much clothing, toys, and other products sitting in trash dumps all over the world. Our consumer culture creates a ton of waste. Did you know that so many things you want and need can be bought second-hand? Instead of buying a bunch of new gifts for the holidays this year, buy some gently used items instead and encourage your children to do the same. Or when your children need new clothing or your family wants a new board game, puzzle, or book, go to a thrift store or used book store and see what you find. You are helping to reduce waste by reusing items and that is a kindness nature needs.

Photo credit: @jhennyloouuu

22. Use libraries and Little Free Libraries

Sharing is caring and what better way to spread kindness than through sharing books? Instead of buying new books, utilize libraries to find new-to-you books. Your local library is sure to carry the majority of books you could ever want to read and almost all of them have ways to request books they do not yet carry. Plus, Little Free Libraries are all over the place and are such a fun way to share books you are done with and grab new books too.

23. Help your kids organize a clothing and toy swap

So many of the toys we buy our kids and the clothing we wear are in great shape when we are done with them. This is especially true of children’s clothing because kids outgrow them so quickly. Your kids will love to spread kindness by helping you organize a clothing or toy swap between their friends and families. Maybe a school, your place of employment, or a local community organization would like to host or you have space in your garage or yard. It can be between friends or a whole community event. Get the kids involved with sorting and set up and then let them find some new-to-them items for all their hard work.

24. Organize a craft supply exchange

Similar to a clothing and toy swap, a craft supply exchange is a great way to be kind to nature and lets you re-distribute craft supplies you are no longer using. Your kids will love to help organize, sort, and find new craft supplies. Not only are these sorts of exchanges spreading kindness within your community, but Mother Nature will be happy the items were utilized instead of tossed in the trash.

Photo credit: @thespencersadventures

25. Set up a scrap paper station

So much paper gets thrown away that could still be put to good use. Be kind to nature by getting more use out of scrap paper. Instead of throwing out (or even recycling) perfectly good paper that’s only been used on one side, set up a scrap paper station in your home. Add all the worksheets and papers that come home with your kids from school. Add printed paper that you no longer need. If the paper has a blank side, you can still use it for lists, notes, drawing, coloring, and jotting down messages. It’ll give that paper a little extra life before going into the recycle bin.

26. Know what’s recyclable (and what’s not)

Knowing what can and cannot be recycled in your area is one of the smartest things you can do to ensure that you are diverting as much of your waste from landfills as possible, while avoiding recycling contamination through proper separation. Here are the different categories of waste. Some of these categories can be recycled and others cannot. (1) Organic waste: food waste, grass, leaves, eggshells, coffee grinds, tea bags. (2) Glass: white and colored glass. (3) Plastic/metal: plastic bottles, plastic packages, jars, cans. (4) Paper: cardboard, paper bags, paper cups, paper. (5) Toxic waste: printer ink, lightbulb, batteries, electronic waste. (6) Residue: whatever doesn’t fit the others, such as used diapers, animal waste. 

27. Spend time outside

Yup, even just spending time outside as a family in all the green spaces is being kind to nature. The more time you spend outside learning about nature and being a part of it, the more you’ll learn to respect and appreciate it. Just make sure to leave the areas you enjoy better than you found it and Mother Nature will be happy.

Kindness and nature books for kids

If you want to help inspire your children to find ways to give back and be kind to nature on their own, reading them books about kindness and the ways our planet needs help is sure to set them on the right track. Here are just a few of the many wonderful books available to get you started.

• I Choose to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle by Elizabeth Estrada
• Kindness Grows by Britta Teckentrup
• Manu The Kiwi of Kindness by Rosie Chenault
• The Mess that We Made by Michelle Lord
• Old Enough to Save the Planet by Loll Kirby
• One Earth by Eileen Spinelli
• Save the Ocean (Save the Earth) by Bethany Stahl
• You Can Change the World by Lucy Bell
• We Are the Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom

How do you plan to be kind to nature with your kids?

The post World Kindness Day: 20+ Outdoor Acts of Kindness for Kids & Ways to Be Kind to Nature appeared first on RUN WILD MY CHILD.