13 Fall Traditions to Start Right Now

We had our first soccer practice tonight. When I packed the cooler and water bottles, I almost grabbed a sweatshirt. It was the first time that I had even thought about long sleeves in months. The temperature hovered around 72 degrees, almost perfection, while we all ran around the fields. When we headed home, we spoke of Halloween, soccer games, and holidays. We planned to pull out the decorations, eat dinner outside, and plan an apple picking trip next week. No matter where you live, fall is an invitation to go outside. It’s almost boot season, and once the boots are out, it’s time for fall traditions.


Hiking


The bugs are gone, the air is crisp, the leaves are changing, and the kids are old enough to walk a few miles (slowly). Throw a baby on your back, pack 1.2 million snacks and hit the trails!


Camping


The fall is the best season to camp. The ground is dry, most kids are in school, bugs are gone, s’mores taste great, you can do red or white wine, and camping is cheap. Our family of 6 knows how to camp like no other. We toss kids on air mattresses inside of our 12 person mansion tent and spend a few adult hours by the campfire with our wireless speaker filling the air with Amos Lee. It may not be the most rustic adventure, but we are under the stars – and close to a bathroom. That is a win-win, folks. We typically go fishing, hiking, exploring, and bring kids’ bikes on our camping trips. Pack some pancake mix and a griddle and head out to the nearest camping grounds, fall is calling.


The First Fire


We make the first fire of the year a huge deal. Late September is when we have a cord of wood delivered to the house, and then we wait. We wait for the perfect night. My husband has the kids help him build the fire. We all watch it roar, eating homemade desserts and sharing stories.


Apple Picking


This is a new tradition for us this year. We are heading to an orchard and will bring home a million apples. I’m hoping the kids love this, and that my apple pie tastes that much better with hand-picked apples.


Pumpkin Picking/Carving


Every family member must pick a pumpkin. That is just common sense. A day at the pumpkin patch is in order to find said pumpkins. We have done multiple things with these items – painted them, glittered them, carved, stickered, and feathered them in years passed. I think that’s half the fun, letting the kids decide what to do with them before they are declared masterpieces!


Fall festival


Corn mazes and hayrides await you. We have done the spookier rides and the non-scary (read: boring) rides each year. For some reason, kids absolutely love this tradition. I love that our farms typically serve wine.


Decorating


I go all out for seasonal décor. I actually think it’s time to pick up a few new pieces. The kids love to hang up crafts, drape fake spider webs, and run around as ghosts. I love the turkeys, pumpkins, and fall leaves!


Fall Baking


October is National Cookie month! I did not know that was a thing. Maybe that’s why I start craving my homemade cookies this time of year? It is time for soups, casseroles, mashed potatoes and gravy. Smoothies are replaced with oatmeal in our house each morning, and warm desserts are baked weekly.


Hot Chocolate


A little secret, this is MY favorite. I am not a coffee drinker, but damn it I drop some $$ at the Starbuck’s drive thru on their almond milk hot cocoa (extra hot) every fall. I think it’s laced with crack because that $4.65 flies out faster than I can drink it down. I am also guilty of buying the kid version of the drink. Yes, that means I’m spending a fortune. We also make this treat at home. (I’m not that lazy.)


Pizza


October is National Pizza Month! Cookies and pizza? Apparently so. Every Friday night is pizza night here. We make the dough and let everyone top their own pizzas. Pair this with a fire, cold wine, and a movie, and I’d say TGIF wins the week.


Sports


It’s football season in our house. My husband becomes sucked into the television and is unable to hear anything that comes from my lips. Instead of letting him watch the games in peace, we have turned it into a family tradition. My husband takes the boys to a game while my daughter and I go do something fun! As a family, we play soccer, baseball, football, kickball, etc… each weekend.


Plant Spring Flowers


It’s time to teach patience. The planting of the spring bulbs is here. Each child gets to pick their flowers, plant them and forget the exist until the snow melts and tiny green shoots spring from the ground.


Visit a Zoo


The animals are happier in the fall; everyone is happier in the fall. The zoo is also less crowded for some reason. Take the kids for an entire day and explore it all. Buy a jumbo bag of popcorn and use animal voices. It will make for an everlasting memory.



Elizabeth is a passionate writer at My Baby’s Heartbeat Bear, a pregnancy & baby showers gifts store, focused on educating those open to learning. She is also a pre and postnatal exercise specialist, natural childbirth educator, former teacher and current homeschooler to her 4 young children. Check out Elizabeth’s week by week pregnancy tips and parenting insights at her Pregnancy Blog.