x
Breaking News
More () »

Use colorful leaves and pumpkins to create family fun in fall

Here are some great ideas for keeping children engaged and active when the cooler weather sets in.

Instead of huddling indoors, families and children can find new ways to explore outdoors when fall weather sets in.

DeNita Carani, owner of College Nannies + Sitters in Buckhead and Sandy Springs, has four ideas to make it easier:

  1. Learning with Leaves: Gather ten index cards and write a number from 1 to 10 on each card. Send the kids out into the yard to collect leaves. Have them place one leaf with the card that has a number 1 on it, two leaves on the number 2 card, etc. “This is a great counting game for younger kids. You can make it more challenging by requiring that leaves on the same card need to be the same shape or same color,” Carani said. For the older kids, send them into the yard to find as many different shapes and colors of leaves as they can. With help from a parent or sitter, kids can research what type of tree each leaf comes from. Find out how tall that tree grows and when the colors peak in the fall.
  2. DIY Pumpkin Stamps: This craft requires a paper towel tube, orange paint and blank cards. Cut the paper towel tube the long way and roll the edges inward to shape it like a pumpkin. Kids can dip it into orange paint and use it as a stamp. After drawing the stem and decorating the pumpkin, the artwork can be used as a greeting card or party invitation.
  3. Silly Sticks: Let your kids’ creativity run wild with this popsicle stick craft. Line up five popsicle sticks next to each other and glue the sides together. Kids can paint them with acrylic paint: suggest ideas like a jack-o-lantern, scarecrow, ghost or monster. These crafts also make cute gifts for neighbors, grandparents or teachers.
  4. Time for TREATS: After all these activities, kids are going to be hungry! A Halloween inspired snack mix can fill their bellies and serve as a math lesson. Here’s one of our favorite recipes: 2 cups pretzels, 1 cup peanuts (Try sesame seeds for a nut-free version!), 3/4 cup popcorn, 1/2 cup candy corn, 1/4 cup chocolate chips. “You can turn this recipe into a fun challenge. Give kids just two measuring cups: ½ cup and ¼ cup. That requires them to add up fractions as they measure each ingredient,” Carani explained. “You can create another twist by asking kids to double the recipe or cut it in half.”

Before You Leave, Check This Out