Fall has arrived! We’ve made it through a warm, sometimes sweltering, and active summer, and the change of season brings promise and hope, along with more unique activities. Our area boasts some of the tastiest treats, memory-making locales and miles of trails, fall foliage and activities. No matter what school looks like this year, make a point to give your children an extra dose of extracurricular fun to make up for any activities they may miss out on. A positive attitude and a bit of creativity will get us through!
A is for Apples. We are so lucky to have orchards nearby that give us the opportunity to pick our own apples and lots more! Fun fall memories can be made going on hayrides, drinking apple cider, fishing and more. Check out Cider Hill Family Orchard, Johnson Farms, Alldredge Orchards and more. Simply do a little research to find the location that suits your family. Make sure to check orchard hours before you go.
B is for Bobber. Cooler temps make fishing all the more fun and picnics a pleasant treat as you toss in your line. Pack up your bait, sandwiches, fresh water and granola bars and scout out your local stocked ponds. Catch and release or bring some home to enjoy for dinner.
C is for Corn Maze. Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead immediately pops to mind for many of us who’ve taken our children there over the years. In addition to a completely kid-friendly hay bale maze, they offer pony rides, horse-drawn hayrides and a petting zoo. And of course, plenty of pumpkins. Kirby Farm in Bonner Springs offers a kids corn maze, zip line and a spook house.
D is for Daytrip. Many historical, educational places are great to visit during the fall season. Lexington, MO, is home to the historic Battle of the Hemp Bales, and you can take a walking tour through the Anderson House and more. Restaurants in town are family oriented, and it’s a short drive through scenic countryside. Search other nearby venues to fit your family’s interests.
E is for Emu. Or eagle, elephant and Eskimo dog. Begin with this letter and learn about each animal you come up with. Then, select a letter a day and have your children think of animals that begin with that letter and research what they eat, where they live and how they play. Don’t forget the new elephant exhibit at the KC zoo!
F is for Firepit. Build your own! Search online for many do-it-yourself tricks to create your own. There is nothing better than a glowing fire on a cool evening for roasting hot dogs, toasting marshmallows and telling stories.
G is for Gardening. Plant bulbs that will come to life next spring. Scout your local garden store for such spring bloomers as daffodils, iris, tulips and wildflowers. Pick a spot and teach your kiddos how to dig with their own small shovels, then place the bulb at the proper depth. Mark the spot with a cute statue or flag, and record on the calendar when you planted and when you expect them to bloom. After the long winter, all of you will relish the surprise of watching bright yellow daffodils pop up through the earth!
H is for Hayride. Many venues offer hayrides through the fall season. Why not have your own? Little ones will enjoy filling the trailer behind your riding lawn mower with hay, then riding around the yard or street. Make sure you have a blanket to cover the itchy hay!
I is for Insect. Through the summer, we battle plenty of bugs, including mosquitos, ants, crickets and worms. Then, as fall approaches, fireflies light the sky and locusts sing in the trees. Get sticker books that feature crawlies and have your children see whether they can find the pictured insects. Discuss how bugs help us and why they appear at different times of the year. Include discussion about the honeybee and its value!
J is for Jelly. Why not take a morning or afternoon to try your hands at canning your own jelly? A wide array of fresh fruit is available now, including strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and peaches. Your children will delight in making their own special companion for peanut butter and biscuits. Recipes online are simple, and Mason jelly jars are on the shelves of your dollar stores and Wal-Mart.
K is for Kansas City Chiefs! We all hope to see our Super Bowl champs take the field in front of a live crowd, but even if they play in an empty stadium, get your kids excited! Make posters, wear your Chiefs gear and create a great home tailgate party. And if the NFL does allow crowds, go to a game!
L is for Leaves. They are everywhere! Instead of mulching them with your mower, why not do some old-fashioned raking? Your children will like making piles and jumping in them and hiding from one another. Take a drive in the country and discuss why the leaves turn gold, red and yellow in this season. It’s sort of like shedding the old coat for the new.
M is for Make a Non-Scary Halloween. We may not know exactly what kind of Halloween is in store for us this year, but we can determine to have some fun. Whether trick-or-treaters appear or not, we can dress for the occasion. This season create your own costumes. A little ingenuity will pay off; check websites for easy ideas. Looking for a scary surprise for your own kiddos? Hang up a shower curtain around your porch, then set out a bowl with grapes in Jell-O for eyeballs, cold spaghetti in water for brains and, of course, a bowl of dry ice to make mysterious night air.
N is for Nest. All summer, you have watched birds flying around, collecting grass and leaves for their eggs and babies. Why not take a walk in a park and search for nests? If you want more birds around for the fall, make a pinecone bird feeder. Recipes are online and involve such simple items as peanut butter, bird seed and string. If you don’t have a pinecone, use an old paper towel holder! Hang it where you can watch the birds forage. And if you use sunflower seeds, you may see a sunflower grow up beside your feeder!
O is for Orange. Around this time of year, the leaves begin to range from golden to orange to auburn, the sun is tilted in the sky resembling an orange ball, and pumpkins dot the landscape. Why not create your own orange collage? Discuss why the leaves turn and how to grow pumpkins. Toast some pumpkin seeds and discuss planting some next spring. Try naming and eating as many orange foods as you can, from peaches to sweet potatoes to cantaloupe!
P is for Pumpkins. The timeless activity of carving or painting pumpkins delights young and old. Their bright orange color is a cheerful sight as you drive around. Select your own and make a visit to Louisburg Cider Mill, Carolyn’s Country Cousins, Weston Red Barn Farm or other festive locales to truly get into the autumn mood.
Q is for Quilts. The art of quilt making is popular right now, and KC Maker Studio owner Patti Meier welcomes all ages to learn the craft. Her home in Kansas City is ideal for learning, and she offers a Kids Can Quilt class. This four-session class will be Saturday mornings beginning Sept. 26, from 10:00 to noon, and children will learn to make a small throw or a quilted pillow. Visit KCMakerStudio.com or call Meier at 816.686.3570.
R is for Rent a cabin in the woods, or even rent an RV. Many campgrounds have RVs to rent, and this is a great opportunity to enjoy nature and the nice, crisp fall weather without breaking the bank. For active kiddos, a woodsy rental can be much better than renting a hotel room! Check websites for spots nearby.
S is for Scarecrow. Make your own! Many garden stores, even Lowe’s and Wal-Mart, have corn stalks for sale. Rummage through your old flannel shirts, scarves and hats to dress the guy. Involve your kids in the process and ask whether they want a boy or a girl scarecrow or even a family with children. Use hay to stuff the shirt, pants or skirt and tie it up with a belt. The face can be a paper plate your kids draw a face on!
T is for Taste Testing. Take advantage of the cooler temps to bake apple crisp, make hot apple cider, simmer hot chocolate and dip caramel apples. Come up with a list of treats your kids would like and make each an event. For example, when making hot chocolate, spread peppermint candy, cinnamon sticks, marshmallows, shaved chocolate and gingersnap cookies on a decorative tablecloth for your children to add in. Visit a dime store for creative mugs for everybody!
U is for Useful. In this time of caring for others, have a conversation with your children about how they can be useful in their own neighborhood. Perhaps the neighbor needs his grass mowed, or trash has accumulated along the road. Bake some cookies or fresh banana bread for the older neighbor and then deliver the goodies. Check your church to see whether they can help you begin a donation drive for a charity. The art of giving can be taught at any age.
V is for Visit. Whether via Zoom or Facetime, make an effort to visit a different person every week. Remember people who may feel alone and friends who live far away. If possible, plan a trip to see them and bring cheer with you, including pies, cookies, special drawings and fall mums.
W is for Winning! At such games as horseshoes, croquet, cornhole and dominoes. These games will get your kiddos off their computers and help them learn new skills. Make your own cornhole game featuring whatever logo you wish. You can find DIY instructions online to make this simple game. Horseshoes will amaze your kids, and again, this is simple. Put a stake in the yard and toss away. Cheer each other on, then give everyone a prize just for playing!
X is for X-ray … vision, that is! Pick items or animals and pretend you can see the insides of them. Your dog just ate food? Where does it go? Inside his stomach! Talk about what goes on inside your own head and research the areas of the brain that make you happy or sad. Let your kids pick what they want to investigate.
Y is for YOU! Discuss how important your children are in this world, even with the worry and trouble going on. Make your children feel special by writing down their strengths. For example, you are the best at coloring, you are the best friend to your baby brother, you are caring to everyone you meet, and more. Detail these special traits and hang them on the fridge or bathroom mirror so they will begin each day with a positive attitude.
Z is for Zip Line. This activity beckons at a variety of locations around the city. Check out Adventure Zip KC in Bonner Springs or Go Ape Zipline and Adventure Park in Swope Park in Kansas City, MO. You’ll find a number of zip line parks in Branson, MO, if you want to make that trip. Silver Dollar City is also on the way!
An avid outdoors girl, Judy Goppert lives in Lee’s Summit. She enjoys drawing on her personal experiences to write about the nuances of everything wonderful about life.