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By Jennifer Halter
October isn’t just about the tricks and the treats of Halloween. There are many reasons to celebrate and things to do with your family this month that don’t involve costumes or candy. Here are some ideas for
adding more fun to your plans in October.
Go on a Fall Hike
With cooler temperatures and the beautiful colors of changing leaves, getting outdoors is a great way to enjoy the new season. Find a local park or nearby hiking area to explore with your family. For added fun, turn your hike into a scavenger hunt, and look for different things such as acorns, squirrels, or certain colors of leaves. Pack a lunch for a picnic and make a day of it.
Visit the Zoo
With less crowds and beautiful fall scenery, it’s a great time to visit the zoo! Some animals become more
active in the cooler weather, which could give you more a chance to see them in action. If you are looking
for Halloween fun this month, some zoos, including the National Zoo, host “Boo at the Zoo” events in the evenings where guests come dressed in costume, trick-or-treat around the park, and enjoy other festivities.
Bake Fall Pies
Whether you’re on Team Apple or Team Pumpkin (or both!), baking fall-flavored pies can be the perfect activity for a chilly weekend afternoon. Get the kids involved with finding recipes to try, shopping for ingredients, and preparing the pies for baking. You can choose to buy pre-made pie crusts or make your own. Here is an easy pie crust that uses just five ingredients:
Ingredients (makes 1 9-inch crust):
1 1⁄2 cups of all-purpose flour
1⁄4 teaspoon of salt (optional)
2 teaspoons of granulated sugar
1⁄2 cup of vegetable oil
2 tablespoons of milk
1. Add dry ingredients (flour, salt and sugar) to a bowl. Whisk ingredients together.
2. Make a well in the center of dry ingredients mixture and slowly add the vegetable oil and milk. Mix gently
with a spoon until a ball of dough forms.
3. Place the dough ball in the center of a pie plate and press and flatten the dough with your hand until the
entire dish is filled (bottom and sides).
4. Use your fingers to press the edges of the crust along the top edge of your plate.
5. Bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.
Visit a Pumpkin Patch
Put on the cozy sweaters and make plans to enjoy a day at the pumpkin patch. Some local pumpkin patches
are small, with limited activities outside of choosing a pumpkin. But others are larger and include a variety of activities for visitors of all ages including large slides, hayrides, and corn mazes. Some even sell warm apple cider, fresh-baked goods, and other fall treats.
Bonus tip: While you’re visiting the pumpkin patch, do a family photo shoot! If you’re planning to wear your
Sunday best, make sure you bring an extra set of clothes and shoes for each child as the pumpkin patch can get a little messy.
Host a Fall Harvest Party
The next few months will be busier with Thanksgiving and holiday parties and events. Take advantage of a bit of a slower month, and host your friends and family for a fall harvest party. You can ask each guest to bring a dish to share. Or, you can create your own menu for your event. One fun idea is to have a chili or soup bar. Make a large pot of chili or soup of your choice and provide a variety of toppings for guests to customize their meal. Easy toppings could include cheese, sour cream, diced veggies, and croutons.
Provide simple fall-themed crafts or games to keep the children entertained. Have them decorate a small
pumpkin or make a fall wreath, individually or as a family. Use mini pumpkins for games such as tic-tac-toe or relay races where you balance pumpkins on your head or on a spoon. If your party is in the evening, take the fun outdoors and make s’mores for dessert.
Enjoy doing something new this month and create amazing fall memories with your family.
Jennifer Halter (jenniferh@macaronikid.com) is a contributing writer and the founder of Macaroni Kid in
Woodbridge.
