Fun Fall Activities for the Whole Family
No matter where you live, autumn is a beautiful time of year (even if the thermometer in Northeast Georgia reads more like summer!). If your family is fortunate enough to have several generations living in the same area, there’s no better time than the fall to do something together. Try these ideas for intergenerational fall fun:
Visit a Cider Mill
One of the best ways to get into the fall mood is to visit a cider mill. Whether you like an adult drink spiked with alcohol or prefer the family-friendly version with no alcohol, there are plenty of great cider mills in Georgia. Enjoy friendly conversation during the drive and while you are exploring the cider mill. To enhance the experience, choose a day when the cider mill has live music or other special events.
Drop in on a Pumpkin Patch
Visit your local pumpkin farm and allow each person in your family to select the pumpkin that he or she loves the most. Farmers’ markets in the Athens and Gainesville areas are also good places to find pumpkins, gourds, and other fall decorations to spruce up the inside and outside of your home for Halloween and Thanksgiving.
Make Jack-O-Lanterns
The thrill of transforming a pumpkin into a Jack-O-Lantern never gets old. Take it to the next level and turn it into a pumpkin carving contest that everyone in your family can participate in. Just make sure you have plenty of carving tools that are safe for children to use. If you prefer an activity that doesn’t involve sharp objects, painting pumpkins is a good option.
Savor Fall Flavors
There’s a reason so many people look forward to Pumpkin Spice Latte season! Pumpkin tastes great! There are so many things you can make with fresh pumpkins, including hearty soups, pastas, casseroles, breakfast dishes, and more. This article from the Food Network lists dozens of pumpkin-based recipes.
Sit Around a Campfire
People of all ages enjoy sitting around a bonfire while sipping a warm drink, roasting marshmallows, laughing about past exploits, and planning new adventures. It’s a perfect opportunity for each family member to reminisce, talk about the present, and discuss dreams for the future.
Go Leaf Peeping
Sometimes the most meaningful conversations and memorable moments occur during a long drive. There are plenty of places throughout Northeast Georgia where the fall colors are spectacular throughout October and November. Be sure to stop and walk around a park or two just to enjoy the fresh air and kick up the leaves. Add an educational aspect to your outing by trying to identify the leaves and trees.
Walk Though a Corn Maze
Walking through a corn maze gives you the opportunity to spend time outdoors, laugh together every time you hit a dead end, and support your community and local farmers.
Explore Geocaching
Have you heard of geocaching? If not, it’s time you did. Geocaching is an outdoor recreational activity where players hide caches — waterproof containers, usually small plastic boxes — in out-of-sight spots for others to discover using GPS technology. Life Care Coordinator Robin Lacrimosa, who has done geocaching with family members, says this activity is fun for all ages. Learn more at https://www.geocaching.com/play.
Spend Quality Time Together on Fall Activities
Not all intergenerational fall activities need to be meticulously planned. The best times often happen on the fly. Visiting a loved one at home in a senior living community, for example, can turn into a spontaneous chess match or a long conversation. Recent studies have shown that children who spend quality time with adults throughout their childhood tend to be emotionally stronger, and parents and grandparents can provide children with this strength just by being a regular part of their lives. It doesn’t really matter what you do. The key is to spend that time together having meaningful conversations and building memories that will last a lifetime.
