Fall Family Activities

I have been observing families for a long time.  

Over the past several years I have heard people longing to return to “the good ole days.” What does that mean? To many the good old days included more family time, less electronic devices, and an ability to not judge the success of an event by the amount of money that was spent. 

Why do we have to wish for those old days? Don’t we have the power to initiate those old traditions as part of our new traditions? 

Our children and grandchildren may never have experienced the simple pleasures of a Sunday afternoon with grandparents and everyone outside under the shade tree. They may not have experienced sitting on the side of a stream bank skipping rocks. I’ve watched a few friends post the fun they’ve had with their grandchildren playing games like tug-of-war, water balloon tag, and bobbing for apples. 

Here are a few additional ideas that won’t tax the pocket book: 

#1 – Family Apple Activities 

Even if you don’t visit an orchard, pick up a bag of apples and decide to make applesauce, baked apples, or just eat apple slices together. Allow everyone in the family to have some form of job in the process of the chosen project.  

Don’t be rigid and expect perfection. Whatever the outcome of the apples doesn’t shortchange the family time together and the memories made. 

#2 – Neighborhood Fall Scavenger Hunt 

Prior to the neighborhood walk, make a list of items that might be searched for within your neighborhood (similar to I Spy). You can collect your items in a physical bag, or use a phone camera to digitally capture the items. Once the walk is complete, have a family recap of what was the best find or memory from the walk.  

#3 – Family Storytelling 

Pick a night during the week when the T.V. is turned off and the entertainment is the stories that are told. Limit the storytelling to no more than 2 or 3 stories each time. This allows for the stories to be remembered.  

If possible, mix up the age group of storytellers. Encourage those older in age (parents, grandparents) to tell stories of their childhood. Younger family members can be more imaginative. Allow questions and conversation after each story. 

#4 – First Cold Day Family Activity 

As a family, pick a temperature that you will all consider “cold.” Then decide on an activity you will enjoy together on the day that temperature arrives. It could include any of the following: 

• Hot chocolate and board games 

• Family movie under blankets 

• Making popcorn 

All the listed family activities are only a start. Incorporate these activities on a regular basis. Make variations if necessary to enhance creativity and spontaneity. The goal is recapturing the atmosphere of family that was developed based upon togetherness, communication, and building of traditions.  

Our choices with our families can make today the “good ole days” our kids remember. Building family traditions aren’t always the things we do, it is more often spending time with the people we love.