Food & Fun – Page 2 – Heavenbound Mom

Fall is by far my favorite season of the year and it begins this week! I love the colors. I love the slightly mildewy smell of the air. I love the cooler temperatures. I love caramel apples and apple strudel. I love getting back into a routine after the fun of summer. I love the feeling of change that is so evident in fall. I love all things pumpkin. I love the gorgeous country-style decorations with hay and leaves and sunflowers. Truly, I just love fall! There are some fantastic ways to engage in Fall Family Fun! Here are 12 ideas to spend time as a family enjoying the sights and smells of this colorful season! Go for a walk, hike, or drive to enjoy the Fall colors One of our family's favorite things to do is hike together, so this is an activity we do year-round but find particularly enjoyable in the fall. Check out a national park near you (and don't forget that if you have a 4th grader your family can go for FREE!). You can even make a scavenger hunt out of it by printing out a list of fall things to find (a maple leaf, a pine cone, a gourd, a pumpkin, deer tracks, etc). Caramel apples! Make caramel apples This is another family favorite activity that we usually reserve for fall. Our favorites are easily made with green apples, Brach's caramels, a little bit of water, and popsicle sticks! Visit a pumpkin patch or corn maze We've been fortunate the last few years to live in a place with an awesome corn maze, so this has become a new family favorite. Pick apples at an apple orchard I remember doing this as a school activity as a child. We've found a place to go this year and are looking forward to introducing our kids to this activity! Make your own Fall treats You can easily find recipes online for apple cider, an apple crumb pie (my favorite is here if you aren't worried about carbs; I'm going to be trying the Keto version found here this fall!), a pumpkin pie, or other delicious fall goodies. Make it extra special by delivering one to your neighbor also! Decorate the house for Fall I do not have decorations for every season, but I LOVE to add fall color to my house. You can also make it smell like fall by burning candles or diffusing essential oils (cinnamon bark, ginger, and orange bring a warm autumn scent)! Make Fall crafts together Let the kids help with decorating the house as they make their own autumn-inspired crafts! Leaf painting or apple stamping might keep them entertained for hours. Fly kites One of my favorite things about fall is the wind! Make your own or purchase one (our Dollar Tree even carries them) and enjoy the time together outdoors! Jump in the Fall leaves If you have a yard that requires raking, make the chore more enjoyable by jumping in the leaves once they are piled together. There is nothing quite like the smell of freshly raked leaves to make it feel like fall! Make a Thankful Tree Use real leaves you've found outside or cut out paper leaves and design a "thankful tree." Write something you are thankful for on each leaf. Watch football together Okay, confession time here ... I love watching football and fall means football! It stems from growing up in a house with no television and visiting my grandparents many Sunday afternoons. My grandfather would sit on the couch and watch football, and my sisters and brother and I would join him (Go, Packers!). Now I've taught my kids to enjoy the game and it's something we can do together. Eat dinner outside We love family picnics and bonfires and the festivities that go along with those events. Plan games (like sack races!) and fun activities to add to the excitement or keep it simple and just enjoy eating outdoors!