Although the steamy summer days have come to an end, that doesn’t mean we should confine ourselves indoors. The autumn season, characterized by its bright colors and refreshing cool air, presents numerous chances for families to embrace the great outdoors.
Explore local farmers’ markets
The fall harvest is an excellent opportunity for children to explore new tastes. From sweet potatoes and winter squashes to seasonal fruits like apples and cranberries, this time of year showcases some of the most delightful produce in Canada. Visiting farmers’ markets allows families to learn about these tasty seasonal offerings straight from the growers themselves.
Suggestions: Engage farmers in conversations about their favorite recipes using the fresh produce. Kids will enjoy trying their hand at cooking autumn favorites like butternut squash soup, apple pie, or pumpkin bread.
Engage in spooky celebrations
As Halloween approaches, autumn provides the perfect backdrop for some lighthearted spookiness. Numerous community organizations and entertainment venues host family-oriented Halloween events. For instance, Camp Spooky at Canada’s Wonderland features haunted rides, mazes designed for kids, and a daily costume parade.
Beyond Halloween, the Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) is celebrated in Mexico and many Latin American regions. It is believed that on November 1 and 2, the spirits of loved ones return to visit their families. To honor the deceased, families create vibrant altars decorated with colorful paper flowers, candles, and cheerful skeletons.
Suggestions: Creating an altar at home can be a heartwarming way to remember a loved one in a manner that is comforting for children. Emphasize that the altar serves as a celebration of their life. Some local centers, like Toronto’s Harbourfront Centre, offer free activities, including dance, live music, crafts, storytelling, and face painting for kids during this festival.
Head to the pumpkin patch
Visiting a pumpkin patch is a fantastic way to spend an afternoon. In October, families can pick their own pumpkins for carving jack-o’-lanterns or for culinary use (roasted pumpkin seeds are a seasonal treat).
Suggestions: Tom Pate, the owner of Brantwood Farms in Ontario, advises looking for pumpkins with sturdy, thick stems and no blemishes. While convenience stores often sell pumpkins, “searching through a sprawling pumpkin patch adds to the fun,” he notes.
Many pumpkin patches also feature activities such as hay rides, face painting, and petting zoos. For those who love art, Brantwood Farms showcases various pumpkin types, including uniquely shaped ones that can inspire creativity. “You can carve almost anything into a pumpkin,” Pate suggests.
Take a hike on Canada’s beautiful trails
Autumn turns nature into a stunning playground. The hiking trails from September through mid-October are adorned with leaves in vibrant hues of orange, red, and yellow.
Suggestions: Some of the best hiking destinations include:
- Fundy Trail in New Brunswick, just a short drive from Saint John, boasting 10 miles (16 km) of stunning coastal views.
- The Bruce Trail in Ontario, recognized as Canada’s oldest and longest hiking path.
- Lighthouse Park in Vancouver, featuring a network of trails amidst majestic Douglas firs and western red cedars, leading to breathtaking ocean panoramas.
Play in the leaves
A yard abundant with fallen leaves can transform into a playful afternoon. Have your children gather the leaves into a sizable pile and reward their efforts by jumping in!
Suggestions: For artistic children, a collection of vibrant, intact leaves makes for a fun craft. Gather dry leaves and press them between two sheets of newspaper, applying some weight on top for about 24 hours to flatten them. This way, they can be appreciated in an album or photo frame throughout the year.
Tour a nearby farm
Fall is when many farms welcome visitors for tours. For example, Brooks Farms in Mount Albert, Ontario, offers an array of child-friendly activities like a petting zoo, train rides, and hay races, providing a refreshing escape to the countryside.
“It’s a distinct experience,” says Paul Brooks of Brooks Farms, which also features apple, squash, and pumpkin picking. “It teaches children about where their food originates.”
Harvesting your own produce is not only traditional but also cost-effective and environmentally friendly, emphasizes Scott Lunau of Albion Orchards in Ontario, which invites apple pickers in the fall. “Most produce is sourced from elsewhere, but autumn is the perfect time to consume locally grown items,” he adds.
Suggestions: Research ahead to determine the best time to visit the farm. Many farms provide updated information about the harvesting conditions and available apple varieties on their websites. Be sure to ask the farm staff for proper apple-picking techniques.
“Avoid pulling aggressively,” Lunau advises. “If you yank one apple off, it can cause many others to fall and bruise.” Give little helpers their own small baskets for easy carrying and make sure to pick up some delicious apple-related products like ciders, jams, and pies along the way.
