Oct
This year, there are scarier events than Halloween that we have to keep in mind. With COVID-19 still hanging in the air, it can be hard to enjoy the usual family fall festivities.
How can we keep our holiday spirit without endangering ourselves or our loved ones?
Even though things are different this year, there are still a lot of fun and exciting ways we can enjoy the holidays safely. Here are a few fall activities to help you get into the Halloween spirit this fall!
1. Share Ghost Stories
Start spooky season off right by gathering together at night to exchange some scary ghost stories! This is the perfect opportunity for everyone in the family to get creative and spend time together. Outside or inside, set the mood with the right lighting and some good snacks.
Take turns sharing your chilling tales while you gather around a campfire or snuggle under some blankets at home. Maybe even vote for your favorite story of the night.
2. Camping Away from the World
Why not grab a tent and some camping gear and get away from your worries? Plenty of campgrounds are still open for business, and with proper care, you can enjoy the outdoors safely. Make sure to keep your campsite well distanced from others in the area to stay safe.
If you decide to stay closer to home, pitching your tent in the backyard can be a great experience for everyone. With the right tools and careful planning, you can get a campfire going and still experience the adventure of camping in the wilderness.
3. Apple/Pumpkin Picking
Head outdoors and have some fun with a trip to your local pumpkin patch or apple orchard. Not only will you get some fresh air, but you can also bring home food to cook with.
If you do choose to go to a farm, make sure to bring your masks just in case, and keep hand sanitizer nearby at all times. To keep it fun, you can decorate your own masks into spooky faces and figures to make things feel more festive.
4. Pumpkin Carving at Home
After you’ve picked out the perfect pumpkins from the pumpkin patch, it’s time to start carving once you get home! With so many designs to choose from, pumpkin carving is a great activity for all ages. If the pumpkins are a bit too young for carving, then painting them can be just as fun without as much mess.
If you do decide to try your hand at pumpkin carving, once you’re finished gutting and carving the pumpkins, you can add an extra level of entertainment by teaching the kids how to roast pumpkin seeds or make pumpkin desserts. That way, the fun doesn’t stop and you can make use of the insides of the pumpkins.
5. Festive Drives
Nothing quite feels like fall until you’ve started to see the leaves change colors. Taking a drive through a heavily wooded area can get you in the fall spirit and get you out of the house for a while! Stopping to take pictures of your favorite trees or collect pretty leaves is a great way to keep your kids entertained.
You can even use it as an educational trip and explain what’s happening to the trees as they prepare for winter. There is so much to learn from nature and it’s even better seeing it in person. Make it fun by incorporating songs or games, which will also help your little ones remember the facts more.
6. Virtual Adventures
Even with many places closed to the general public, you can still explore some of your favorite locations virtually. Hop on to Google Maps or visit the websites of vacation sites, museums, and tourist locations to get the feeling of traveling. Check out your usual spots or, if you’re feeling adventurous, try new places that you’ve never been to before.
As a bonus, you can add snacks that would be found at the places you’re visiting or do little activities that you might do at each location. This will help your kids feel like they’re actually there.
7. Try New Fall Recipes
Cooking up some new fall recipes is a great way to keep yourself and your family entertained. Try using foods you’ve never experimented with before, or ask everyone what they’ve always wanted to try. There are plenty of recipes online, so take a look around and get creative with your new dishes.
A great Halloween cooking challenge would be trying to make the kids’ favorite candies from scratch. For an engaging Thanksgiving activity, you can have your kids each help you prepare one or two of the holiday dishes, or make suggestions for what they’d like to try.
Decorating cookies or cakes is another fun way to celebrate the holidays! Take your pick of any of the endless recipes that are out there. Play around with Halloween baked goods and don your chef’s hat this holiday season.
8. Fun Educational Activities
Have you ever tried teaching your kids about the various other holidays that are similar to Halloween, such as Dia de Los Muertos? Or how about the ancient tradition of carving radishes instead of pumpkins? People all over the world celebrate in different ways,
There is plenty of fun Halloween-themed trivia that you can teach your kids! You can make a game out of the information you’re teaching, like Jeopardy or charades to keep everyone entertained while learning something new.
9. Make DIY Fall Decorations
There’s nothing quite like getting your house decorated for Halloween at the start of fall. Having your kids help you create your own Halloween decorations to put up around the house can keep everyone entertained and active!
Bust out those craft supplies and get to work; whether you choose to make decor for inside or outside of the house, there are a ton of great design ideas out there that you can try out this year.
Of course, Halloween isn’t the only holiday you can start making decorations for. Feel free to make Thanksgiving decorations, and if you run out of ideas, there’s no harm in starting the Christmas decorations a little early.
Fun Fall Activities for All Ages
There are so many fall activities that you and your family can enjoy during the holiday season. Remember to stay safe, but don’t be afraid to get out and have some fun this year! And no matter what kind of activities you do, make sure to wash your hands or use hand sanitizer so that you can keep the fun going.
How have you been keeping entertained during quarantine? What activities have you done to keep you and your family sane? We’d love to hear from you! Be sure to leave a comment down below with your own ideas, and continue reading our blog for more information to keep you safe during quarantine.