Four of Our Fave Fall Activities You Should Try

When the weather starts to get colder and the bright greens and blues of summer start to fade, don’t fade with them, there are plenty of fun fall things to try! The staff at APN came up with some favorite autumn activities. If you haven’t done them already, give them a try this fall!

Visit an Orchard

by Amanda Johnston

Visiting an orchard in the fall is great family fun. They have activities such as apple picking, pumpkin picking, corn mazes, pumpkin painting, hay rides, cider pressing and much more. There is truly something for everyone at an orchard. My personal favorite activity is apple picking. I get to go choose the best looking apples and have healthy snacks for the next couple of weeks. I love pulling an apple off of a tree, wiping it off on my shirt then taking a bite right in the middle of the lines of apple trees. Nothing fresher than that! To find your local orchard check pickyourown.com

Cost: Visiting an orchard is usually free, but the activities usually will have an additional cost. The prices will range from orchard to orchard.

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Carve a Pumpkin

by Keely Cohen-Breen

Spice up your porch this autumn with a hand carved pumpkin. All you need is a pumpkin (personally picked), a carving utensil and if you choose, a stencil or outline of the design you want, but freehand is always an option. You should allot at least a half an hour of your day for this fun and messy project. Have fun being creative and using your pumpkin as a canvas for your fun, pretty or spooky designs showcasing your inner artist, then enjoy the tasty pumpkin seeds. They are delicious when baked and salted.

Cost: $5-$15 depending on pumpkin size and chosen utensils.

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Go for a Hike

by Sarah Trafton

Hiking is a great way to get a change of scenery and de-stress. One of the best parts about hiking in the fall is getting to see the beautiful fall foliage. As an added plus, it’s great physical activity too! There are endless options as far choosing a hike with the difficulty and distance you’re looking for. In fact, there are hiking websites specifically designed to help you search by those factors. 

Cost: Aside from gas money, hiking is typically free, which makes it an even more prime fall activity.

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Rake Leaf Piles — Then jump in them

by Angela Lince

Raking leaves is very beneficial to your health and your yard. According to WebMD writer, Gina Shaw, raking leaves can burn up to 350-450 calories per hour and Megan Bame of “Learn 2 Grow” says “fallen leaves create a barrier over the lawn,” this “traps moisture, inhibits sunlight and harbors insects and diseases that can kill patches of … grass.” If you rake with your family you can create wonderful fall memories of piling up the colorful leaves. Once they are all piled up you can experience the great joy of jumping in the piles and making “leaf angels.” 

Cost: Raking leaves with your family doesn’t cost anything but your time. An average size yard could take around an hour or two.