Capture a Family Photo
Step One:
Find a tree—bonus points if it’s bursting with vibrant fall colors and not fully grown yet so you can see the progression as it and your family grow over the years.
Step Two:
Let everyone dress in their favorite duds of the moment and wrangle them in front of or around said tree.
Step Three:
Fix your DSLR or smartphone to a tripod or have a friend snap pics of the whole family together in front of or around the tree.
Step Four:
Print. Frame. Repeat next fall!
Cozy Up Around a Campfire
This one is, frankly, what fall family memories are made of. Roasting marshmallows for gooey, chocolatey s’mores. Singing songs and telling stories under a starry sky. If you don’t have a fire pit, make one, buy one, or just go camping! Trust us, this time-tested tradition is worth it.
Take a Hike
The fresh air and gorgeous views of fall are hard to beat. So, find a family-friendly hike, then head ‘em up and move ‘em out! While you’re out there, chat with the kids and decide if you’d like to do the same fall hike every year as part of a tradition, or discover a new place to explore each time. Either way, it’ll be a memory that’ll last a lifetime. Happy trails and don’t forget to pack snacks!
Give Back
As Thanksgiving draws near, conversations in the classroom and around the dinner table tend to turn toward what we’re thankful for: food, family, friends, our homes and more. One way to take those life lessons a step further is to give to those less fortunate. Find a local soup kitchen or organization in search of donations or volunteers, and organize a way to give back as a family. This is more than a sweet memory for kids—it’s a character-building activity, too.
Pick Your Own
Go apple picking, pumpkin picking or whatever else is in season in your neck of the woods. There’s just something about gathering produce with your own hands—then cooking and baking that fresh harvest at home later! Find a farm or orchard that might have other fun features such as hayrides, corn mazes or apple cider donuts. The more senses to indulge the better.