The fall season is a great time for grandparents and grandchildren to do all the things that make this time of year special. With the changing weather and colorful scenery, there are plenty of ways for families to bond.
Here are six fall activities that you and your grandkids can enjoy together:
1. Bake or make treats
Create a caramel apple bar and use various toppings like candy, cookies, mini marshmallows and sprinkles. It’s a fun way to let your grandkids try different variations of this classic fall treat.
Other fall goodies to make include roasted pumpkin seeds, fall leaf cookies, no-bake mini pumpkin pies and apple cider.
Do a Google search of Halloween or fall treats to make with kids and you’ll find lots of ideas. You can also dig out your favorite recipes.
2. Check out a corn maze
Walking through a corn maze with your grandkids can be a fun way to spend time together while enjoying the fall weather. Corn mazes often include a scavenger hunt within the paths that allow you to put your clue-solving skills to the test.
Whether you go for a stroll or to have a fun competition, you’ll be amazed by the enjoyment this activity offers.
Spend additional time outdoors going to the zoo or sitting around the firepit to share stories.
3. Get crafty
There are a variety of simple fall and Halloween crafts you can make with your grandchildren. Some ideas include helping them create a DIY Halloween costume or painting and carving pumpkins together.
Additional crafts include making leaf rubbings, fall wreaths, pumpkin handprints, bird feeders or a thankfulness tree.
4. Have a movie night
Plan to watch a classic movie indoors or at the movie theater with your grandchildren or set up a projector outside to make the night even more memorable. Let your grandkids help choose which movie to watch and let them help make the snacks. One classic to watch is “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.” Determine other movie choices based on your grandchild’s age and whether you feel the content is appropriate.
5. Play games
Get creative and play some fun fall-themed games:
- Pumpkin hunt
Hide small pumpkins or pictures of pumpkins around your house or yard and have your grandkids search for them like they would with Easter eggs. Make it more challenging by timing your grandkids to see who can find the most pumpkins in a certain timeframe. - Halloween or Thanksgiving bingo
If you’re a long-distance grandparent, this can be a fun activity to do over FaceTime or Zoom. Find cards online and email them to your grandchild or buy some and have them shipped to them so you can play together. - Leaf blower
Place a leaf in front of your grandchild and have them use a straw to blow it across the table as fast as they can without using their hands. If you have multiple grandchildren, make it a competition with a start and finish line. - Rake ’em up
Use real or artificial leaves and place a pile in the center of the yard or room. Split grandkids into two or more teams and tell them where they have to rake their leaves. Whichever team gets the most leaves raked over to their pile in one minute wins. To make it more challenging, have someone from the opposite team use a leaf blower to keep the leaves out of the opponent’s pile.
6. Visit an apple orchard or pumpkin patch
Many cities and towns have fall festivals at their local apple orchard or pumpkin patch. You and your grandchildren can pick pumpkins and apples, hop on a wagon or hayride, and enjoy food, treats and entertainment.
Some events offer the opportunity to purchase pumpkins, gourds, straw bales and corn shocks. Once you get home with your purchases, you can decorate your indoor and outdoor spaces together.
Whatever activities you choose, the fall season is a wonderful time to grow closer while doing some of the things you love.
