September 23, 2021
It's time for apple picking, pumpkin carving and s'mores fixing — and creating new family memories.
As the temperature drops and the leaves change color, you can celebrate the season by starting some new family traditions — or keeping old ones going. These activities offer a prime opportunity for making memories that will last for years to come.
Whether it's taking a drive to take in beautiful foliage, roasting s'mores over a roaring bonfire, or signing up for a Turkey Trot, here are 10 ways for the whole family to enjoy the fall season together.
1. Go Apple Picking
Apple picking can be fun for every age, whether you're bringing tiny tots, tweens or teens or even the grandparents. Plan a trip to a nearby farm or apple orchard, and you'll be able to fill your bags with fruit for pies, sauce or just plain snacking.
Orchards often have corn mazes, pumpkin patches and hayrides, so you could easily make a day of it. Make sure you check with your local farm, so you don't end up with slim pickings or miss the picking window entirely.
2. Watch Scary Movies
Fall is the ideal time to cozy up on the sofa with your family for a spooky family movie night. There are plenty of options on Cox On Demand like Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (for tweens and teens) and Hotel Transylvania 3 (for younger audiences). Starting on October 16, you can also say, "Halloween" into your Contour Voice Remote for a collection of spooky favorites.
3. Witness the Fall Foliage
As the leaves change to every shade of red, yellow and brown, it's the perfect excuse to get outside and visit a state park or local nature center. Whether you plan a drive farther afield or a hike closer to home, you'll enjoy some stunning scenery and dramatic fall colors. Make the most of your trip by packing a picnic lunch.
4. Roast S'mores Over the Bonfire
With the nights getting cooler, you can gather family and friends for a festive bonfire and the fixings for toasting s'mores — jumbo marshmallows, graham crackers and chocolate bars. It's a fun way to connect with everyone, and the best part is that the kids will love it, too.
5. Sign Up for a Turkey Trot
Looking for a way to get fit or stay active with the whole family? Sign up for a Turkey Trot. Held on or around Thanksgiving day, these events usually combine a walk or run with a charity event — they offer a fun way to set individual or family fitness goals and help raise money for a cause.
6. Decorate Your Yard for Fall
If you love getting creative, enlist the help of your kids and decorate your yard and front porch with scarecrows, hay bales, pumpkins, wreaths, mums and other fall-themed decor.
7. Carve Pumpkins with Silly Faces
Instead of creating scary jack-o'-lanterns for Halloween, carve your pumpkins with goofy faces. It's an activity your kids will enjoy, and you'll end up with some cute decorations for your front porch. If you prefer not to carve your pumpkins, raid the craft box for paint, markers and other embellishments instead.
8. Head to a Fall Festival
Another fun family tradition is visiting a fall festival. These take place in big cities and small towns across the country from September to November, so you should be able to find one not too far from home. Events typically offer plenty to keep parents and kids happy, including live music, arts and crafts and food trucks.
9. Visit a Haunted House
Many historic homes or local farms offer spooky tours filled with bone-chilling tales and ghostly apparitions. You're guaranteed to get goosebumps and (hopefully) scream with laughter. Just make sure the attraction is age-appropriate for your family before you go.
10. Get Ready for Your (Family) Close Up
Family photoshoots are a popular fall tradition as people take advantage of the cooler weather and beautiful foliage to pose for a portrait in the park, woods or even on the beach. You can use the best shots for your holiday card, too.
Hopefully, this list will inspire you to create some family traditions of your own.
