40 Things to do this Fall {Bucket List w/free printable}

Enjoy this bucket list of fun Fall activities -- perfect inspiration for family time together!

And there's so much to do in the fall (along with yummy new recipes to try - I'm a big baker) so we made a list of festive Fall Activities that I wanted to share with you.

I've included a free printable version below too in case you want to keep one at your home this season -- it's fun to use as a 'bucket list' or even as seasonal artwork to decorate the house!

12 Perfect Pumpkin Books for Kids

A dozen pumpkin books for kids that are perfect for Fall!

Every Fall, we love to look at beautiful leaves, enjoy the cool weather and read books about PUMPKINS!

The pumpkin patches in our area open this week and like many families, my kids are excited to hunt down the perfect orange orb. 

And today's Discover & Explore linky will feature all kinds of pumpkin fun!

Leaf Rubbing Art & Science Activity

I have always loved making leaf rubbings! 

Ever since I was a child, I was fascinated by this beautiful self-made art -- the instant 'picture' that was created just by covering a leaf with paper and running a crayon over the top.

As I grew to become a nature lover, I realized that making a leaf print is much more than just a pretty picture -- it's also a peek into the science of trees.

8 Apple Activities for Kids

Favorite apple activities for kids: apple picking, cider mills and fun STEM ideas!

Fall is apple season! 

Trees are blooming with ripe apples, ready for the picking.

There are a number of fun apple activities & outings that your kids will really enjoy during autumn.

Fall Leaf Scavenger Hunt {with free printable worksheet!!}

Free printable Leaf Scavenger Hunt Cards to inspire your kids to get outside, practice a little math and (most of all) enjoy the beauty of the season!

Leaf activities are second nature in Fall! 

Whether you're creating leaf rubbings, making leaf prints or just enjoying the color, there are so many ways to play, learn and craft with leaves.

And best of all, NO prep time!

You won't need any special supplies for many of your leaf projects -- just step outside and you're set to go :)

15 Fun Things to do Outside this Weekend

Fall is in full swing and Winter is at our doorstep but that's no reason to hibernate like many of our animal friends do at this time of the year.

There are still LOTS of ways to enjoy some time outdoors and it's especially important during these shorter days. 

So this weekend, grab your favorite sweater and hit the great outdoors with these fun ideas!

10 New Kids' Books about Fall

Enjoy these new kids' books about Fall & Autumn!

I love creating book lists and I think that some of my favorite are our Kids Books about the Fall & Autumn season!

There's just something about the gorgeous colors, seasonal changes and cozy text that make me want to cuddle up and keep reading (usually with a cup of tea for me a cocoa for the kids :)

Today's book list covers some of the newest reads you'll find out this season for your kids!  Fall colors, animal friends and inspiration for outdoor adventures await in the pages of a book ...

15 DIY Fall Garland Crafts for Kids

Fall has finally arrived in our neck of the woods! 

This past weekend, it was 90 degrees (ugh!) and then whoosh! Fall weather swept in with those cool nights and gorgeous days.  And when the weather changes, it always puts me in the mood to pull out the seasonal decorations :)

A few years back, I realized that many of our holiday decorations were either things the kids made at school or store-bought items.  As our kids started to get older, I knew I wanted to have some family-created items that would become cherished parts of our holiday traditions.

One of the perfect group crafting item is garland!  So I thought I would round-up some beautiful Autumn strands that you can make together (as a family or even in a classroom) and are perfect for Fall, Halloween or Thanksgiving.

44 Fun Fall Activities for Kids (& Families!)

An awesome list of things to do this Fall -- favorite autumn activities for families!

It's Fall! 

Time for all those great outdoor & indoor activities the kids love to do in Autumn -- and it's also a great opportunity to enjoy some time together as a family too!

With such a great mix of nice weather, holidays, seasonal day trips and changes in nature, we always like to pull together an ULTIMATE list of Fall crafts & activities each year -- some traditional things that our kids LOVE to do along with new ideas for outings or projects that might just become your next favorite family tradition!

Kids Books about Life in the Forest

Gorgeous children's books about the forest and woodland animals!

Fall is the perfect time to read these books about life in the forest & get out to explore! 

You don't need a large area at all -- even a small wooded area will do -- in order to experience a whole new world hidden among the trees. 

I especially love to introduce kids to the forest in the Fall because of the changing leaf colors and animal activity.  So many of our woodland friends are preparing for winter at this time of the year.

So grab a few of these gorgeous books & let's go for a walk in the woods!

40 Family-friendly Fall Activities

This Fall, we want to continue to inspire families to connect & make memories together with a great list of Fall activities you'll love! 

Do you know what I love about the Fall and Halloween season?

I adore the fact that adults enjoy it just as much as the kids!  I think so many of us are kids at heart -- heading to the pumpkin patch, the idea of dressing up, a hike in the woods and who doesn't love candy ;)

I know firsthand that it can be a busy time -- school events, sports practices, shorter days and things that need to get done around the house.  My husband & I were just lamenting that it's hard to find time to unwind as a family.  I firmly believe that you have to carve out time to connect -- otherwise those everday tasks begin to take over.

As with The $0 Summer activities that we shared over the past few months, our goal is to help you find free or low cost ideas for family fun this Fall -- and today, we have 40 fun ways you can get out & enjoy life together!

18 Leaf Science Experiments & Crafts

Fall is the season for leaf crafts, leaf science experiments & more colorful outdoor learning!

You know me -- I'm all about EASY when it comes to projects and what's easier than walking out your door and rounding up a handful of leaves ;)

And although we adore leaf rubbings and 'match the leaf' games, there's really so much more you can explore & do with leaves!

So send the kids out on a quick romp around the yard or park to grab some leafy friends, head back home and enjoy a few of these leaf crafts and science experiments.

Science & Art: The Four Seasons of a Tree

Seasonal art projects for kids that highlight the life cycle of a tree.

Fall is starting this week (yea!) so we wanted to celebrate with a fun seasonal activity!

When the seasons change, it's a wonderful time to introduce kids to the science behind nature.  For example, leaf rubbings are a great way to explore the parts of a leaf in addition to being a timeless seasonal craft.

It's also the perfect time to pull out some seasonal books like these 14 Cozy Fall Books Kids Love!

And with all the colors we experience in the Fall, it's also a great time for some art fun.

Today I want to tie all those together -- book + science + art = Awesome Autumn Activity!

Fall Learning Themes for Preschool & Early Elementary Kids

Autumn is the the perfect time to use fall learning themes to inspire learning and exploration!

Kids can have very definite likes and desires when it comes to acquiring new knowledge even at a young age.  As many people will say “they are just a sponge waiting to soak up all that knowledge”!

I love using themed learning with children of all ages but especially with kids ages 3 - 10 years old! 

Truth be told, I still use this technique with my older kids too but allow them to choose many of the resources along with the themes.

The goal of a theme-based learning is to offer your child an in-depth experience that allows them to explore a variety of areas  (science, art, sensory, reading, etc) all focused on a theme they love!

For example, if you have a child who's nuts about dinosaurs, you would focus on books, puzzles, activities and even an outing where they could expore that theme.  And during Fall, seasonal learning is the best!

If you haven't tried this yet, you'll be AMAZED at how much your kids will enjoy it!

18 Autumn Scavenger Hunts for Kids {w/free printable}

Enjoy Autumn with this awesome collection of Fall Scavenger Hunts for kids that will inspire you to get out & explore this season!

Do you know what I love most about Fall?

I mean aside from the beautiful foliage, super easy leaf activities that kids love to do and the fact that I can pull out a few of my favorite sweaters :)

I love that Fall has four mini-seasons -- it's the one time of year where I feel like there's a new start to the world every few weeks.  Think about it, many of us consider the back-to-school time as early fall -- warmer days followed by cooler evenings.  Outdoor play sessions begin to shift to the late afternoon and nighttime walks reward us with a peek into nocturnal life.

Then the weather shifts and Part 2 of Fall begins -- cooler days and nights, plus the gorgeous leaves that begin to change.  Enter leaf crafts, trips to the pumpkin patch and so many fun outdoor activities!

The next two 'seasons of Fall focus around holidays -- there's Halloween season followed by Thanksgiving.  The environment around us seems to move from cool & creepy to quiet & grateful overnight.

And with all this change, there is so much to observe & enjoy at this time of the year -- it's a wonderful time to head out on a scavenger hunt, or two, or 18!