Fall is here!
October is the quintessential month of fall. The weather is getting cooler, the colors are beginning to change, and the holidays are just around the corner. It’s the perfect time to get outside and enjoy quality time with loved ones.
Here are three fun and engaging activities to enjoy with your children to get the most out of the fall season.
Prince William Forest Park
1. Visit A Local Park
Northern Virginia is home to countless beautiful parks. There is hardly a better time to enjoy nature than in October as the leaves change. The beauty of many of our state parks in Virginia is nothing short of breathtaking this time of year! Whether you sit down for a relaxing family picnic or get in some exercise with a scenic hike on the trails, there are a number of parks in the area your family can enjoy on a fall day.
Some of the larger parks in northern Virginia include Prince William Forest Park, Burke Lake, Lake Fairfax, Great Falls, and Leesylvania.
Visit the parks’ .gov web pages for more information on each of their unique features!
2. Attend a Fall Festival
Even if the spookier Halloween attractions are not a good fit for your child, this doesn’t mean the holiday’s festivities cannot be enjoyed. October brings festivals with a variety of all-ages activities: hayrides, pumpkin patches, corn mazes, slides, and much more!
They are being held at countless local venues throughout the whole month of October. Be on the lookout and pick out the one best suited for you and your child.
3. Get Artistic with a Seasonal Project
Pumpkin carving is a perfect fall project for kids for various reasons. It is fun, therapeutic, and involves a number of important skills; coordination, following instructions, and creative skills are all aspects of pumpkin carving that can benefit your child.
A safe alternative to carving to consider is painting. It is just as fun and creative as carving, but may it be more suitable for younger children.
Halloween costumes are another great opportunity to help your child express themselves and be creative. A fun DIY alternative to buying a Halloween costume for you child is to supervise them in making their own.
Here are some examples of what can be done easily (and often at a low cost) at home. You could even see what you can put together from the household supplies you already have. Projects like this are great ways to spend quality time with family.
October is a month ripe with opportunities for family fun. Be sure to take full advantage of the activities this unique time of year has in store!