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10 Things to Do on a Fall Picnic

“Please, Mom, can we go on a picnic?” When my daughter walked into the kitchen with a laundry basket filled with plates, a bag of cookies, and a blanket, I couldn’t say no. She already had her essentials! The last time we’d tried a picnic was early in the summer, and it went south quickly. We were all sweating, the bugs were swarming, and after the cookies ran out, the kids started bickering. A fall picnic with cooler temps, though—that felt more doable and way more enjoyable. But I knew I needed to plan something other than just a menu.

Nature provides the cool breeze and feeling of coziness in the fall, but usually, Mom needs to come up with the rest. A picnic doesn’t have to mean just sitting on the ground and eating. On your next fall picnic, try one of these 10 fun things to do.

1. Play a game of freeze tag or hide and seek.

Children love to run and play with their parents. Make sure the area is safe and the boundaries are explained and understood and then let the kids run. There’s something about the crisp air in your lungs, even when you’re a little kid, that makes you feel more alive.

2. Find different types and colors of leaves.leaf identification

This is a great fall picnic activity for little ones and you might even take in nature’s beauty while you’re helping them. Besides talking about colors and shapes, looking for leaves is a great way to teach about gentle touch. The first time a leaf crumbles in your child’s hand, he or she will learn to be more careful. Take our printable Leaf Identification Guide along.

3. Have a sing-along.

Before you head out the door, have every child grab an instrument. In our house, we’ve accumulated several over the years—a maraca, a plastic recorder, a train whistle, a kazoo, and even a small keyboard. Sing songs that come to mind, or cue some up on your phone and have everyone play along. You might make some nearby dogs bark, but everyone will have a good laugh!

4. Walk around the park and talk.

Taking time to walk and enjoy nature may also open the door for a conversation. With no screens or household responsibilities to distract you and the kids, see what topics come up and then let your kids talk.

5. Go fishing.

If you have a fishing spot nearby, plan for a fall picnic there. Fishing is a great way to slow down and practice patience. If you have a son, this is the perfect activity because it’s side-by-side, which makes for easier conversation. Bonus: He can handle the bait.

6. Play a board game on the blanket.

Find a shady spot and after lunch is wrapped up and pull out your family’s favorite board game. Don’t make it about the competition. Just enjoy laughing and playing together. And maybe leave out some treats to munch on while you play.

7. People watch.

Watch other individuals and families—how they act and react to others. Use this as a time to intentionally talk about right and wrong behaviors. Spend time talking about how you want your family to be and how you can get there.

8. Pray before you eat your lunch.

When the seasons change, it often makes us more aware of the beauty around us. Pray before you eat and thank God for the time with your children, the beauty of the park, and the food.

9. Fly kites.

Flying kites is a classic childhood activity, but it takes intention from Mom. Most of us don’t just have a kite sitting in the trunk of the car. Most kites for kids are inexpensive, so swing by the store and purchase one for everyone. Then find a park or open field to fly your kites together. When everyone’s kites are in knots or broken (because you know it’s gonna happen), sit down for your picnic lunch.

10. Have a water balloon fight.

Who says water balloons are just for the summer? If you live somewhere that’s still warm in the fall, getting a little wet will be a nice relief from the heat. Before the picnic, secretly make a cooler of water balloons. Then, after the picnic, surprise the kids with an aerial assault.

What else would you love to do on a fall picnic with your kids?

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What’s something we can do in the fall that we can’t do in another season?

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