Autumn Activities for Families

While the sweltering days of summer have come to a close, the arrival of cooler weather doesn’t mean families should retreat indoors. Autumn, with its vibrant hues and brisk air, provides numerous opportunities for parents and children to engage with the great outdoors.

Explore Farmers’ Markets

The fall harvest is a great way to introduce children to a variety of new tastes. With seasonal offerings such as sweet potatoes, radishes, winter squashes, and fruits like apples and cranberries, the autumn months bring some of Canada’s most delicious produce to the forefront. Visiting farmers’ markets allows families to engage with the growers and learn about these exquisite seasonal items.

Suggestions: Encourage your children to ask farmers for their favorite recipes. Enjoy preparing seasonal delights like butternut squash soup, apple pie, or pumpkin bread with the family.

Join Spooky Celebrations

As Halloween approaches, many find it an ideal time to embrace the spooky spirit of the season. Numerous community centers and amusement parks host family-friendly Halloween events. For instance, “Camp Spooky” at Canada’s Wonderland features haunted attractions, miniature mazes, and a daily costume parade for children.

Additionally, the Day of the Dead (or Dia de los Muertos), celebrated in Mexico and various Latin American regions, takes place during this season. This tradition involves the belief that the souls of deceased loved ones return to visit their families on November 1 and 2. In honor of those who have passed, families create altars decorated with vibrant paper flowers, cheerful skeletons, and candles.

Suggestions: Crafting an altar at home can be a meaningful and uplifting way to remember a departed family member. Explain to children that this tribute celebrates their loved one’s life. Many community centers, like the Harbourfront Centre in Toronto, also offer free events featuring dance, music, crafts, storytelling, and face painting for children.

Explore a Pumpkin Patch

Spending a day at a pumpkin patch can be a delightful experience. In October, families can select a pumpkin to carve into a jack-o’-lantern for Halloween or to roast its seeds, a seasonal treat.

Suggestions: According to Tom Pate, a pumpkin grower from Brantwood Farms in Ontario, choose a pumpkin with a robust, thick stem and ensure that there are no blemishes or soft spots. Although grocery stores typically carry pumpkins, “searching for one in a field presents a much more enjoyable adventure,” says Pate.

Pumpkin patches often include additional activities like hay rides, face painting, and petting zoos. For those who enjoy artistic endeavors, Brantwood Farms offers an array of pumpkin types and sizes, including warty pumpkins and white pumpkins perfect for creating ghosts. “The possibilities for carving pumpkins are endless,” Pate remarks.

Hike Scenic Trails

Fall transforms nature into a stunning playground. Between September and mid-October, hiking trails are adorned with colorful foliage dressed in shades of pumpkin orange, candy apple red, and golden yellow.

Suggestions: Explore some of Canada’s top hiking trails, such as:

• the Fundy Trail in New Brunswick, just under an hour from Saint John, stretching 10 miles (16 km) along breathtaking coastline
• the Bruce Trail in Ontario, recognized as the oldest and longest hiking trail in Canada
• Lighthouse Park in Vancouver, a network of paths winding through majestic Douglas fir and western red cedar, culminating in stunning ocean views

Have Fun in the Leaves

An abundance of leaves in your yard waiting for raking can transform into a playful afternoon. Encourage children to gather the leaves into a large pile and then reward them by jumping in together!

Suggestions: Creative children can also delight in collecting colorful, intact leaves. After gathering, ensure they are dry, then press them between two sheets of newspaper. Adding some heavy books on top for about 24 hours will help flatten them perfectly for display in an album or frame throughout the year.

Take a Trip to a Local Farm

In the fall, many farms welcome visitors for tours and activities. For instance, Brooks Farms in Mount Albert, Ontario, features various family-friendly attractions, including a petting zoo, train rides, and hay races. Experiencing the countryside allows families to breathe in fresh air and explore a different way of life.

“It’s a memorable experience,” says Paul Brooks of Brooks Farms, which also allows visitors to pick apples, pumpkins, and squash. “This is a fantastic way for children to learn where their food comes from.”

Picking your own fruits is an affordable, traditional, and eco-friendly activity, notes Scott Lunau of Albion Orchards in Ontario, which invites guests to apple-pick in the fall. “While much of our produce is imported, autumn is the perfect season to support local agriculture,” he explains.

Suggestions: Plan your visit by researching the ideal times for picking at various farms. Many farms provide updates on their websites regarding what is available for harvest and the best time to come. Don’t hesitate to inquire about proper apple-picking techniques from the farm staff.

“Avoid just tugging at them,” Lunau advises, explaining that vigorous pulling can cause additional apples to drop and bruise, making them unfit for consumption. “Allow little ones to carry small baskets to hold their apples and feel engaged in the picking process.” Be sure to also sample some delicious apple products like ciders, jellies, and pies.