Autumn has a peculiar powerfully attractive personality. It is the time for pumpkin spice lattes from our favorite coffee shops. Time to get out and enjoy the last rays of sun, warming our skin. And the last chance to hear the crisp sound of dried leaves underneath our feet. This year may be a bit different due to the pandemic, but here are some twists on traditions for you to enjoy with your family.
Pumpkin Anatomy. Did you know that pumpkins grow everywhere? This year, make your pumpkin carving traditions an educational experience by learning the parts of a pumpkin. Using printable drawing aids and diagrams, identify, locate, and match anatomical parts to their name. Don’t forget to harvest the seeds for an opportunity to watch pumpkin anatomy as they grow! Add a twist and make it a canvas and cookies night. Spend an hour or two to paint your pumpkin as if they are Van Gogh’s Sunflowers. Use fun art mediums like watercolor and acrylic paints.
Bake Off. The chemistry of cooking always brings family together. Whether you have a virtual bake off or are able to host your immediate family, food and love is the nurturing personality of Autumn. Have each person (or create teams) attempt creating a non-traditional recipe and take a vote on the best contender to add to your traditional baked goods list. Or take traditional recipes and add or swap a special ingredient for family members to take a guess on the traditional twist!
Leaf Hunting Hike. Once again fall is the last chance to listen to the crunch of leaves. Instead of chasing the largest boulders and waterfalls on your hike, chase Autumn leaves! Hunt for foliage- the phenomenon of leaves changing color. Collect leaves in their foliage stages to identify fall colors. Organize the leaves according to their colors and their stage in the life cycle. Here is a tip! When leaves turn brown they are dead, and so are at the end of the leaf life cycle. Collect a bag full to pile up and celebrate the success of your fall hike by crunching them underneath your feet!
We hope you have a wonderful time getting creative this Autumn season with your family! Share with us your ideas for traditional twists in the comment section below!