Favorite Fall Activities For Kids

Fall triggers a sense of wonder in all of us.

As the leaves turn and then scatter in our yard, there is the enthusiasm and joy that comes from building a big leaf pile and diving headlong into it for loads of giggles. As I pull out the basket of seasonal books, there is excitement and wonder as we read our favorites each year. And, as we make our favorite fall recipes, they want to be there with me in the kitchen.

This is a season to make memories with our children.

 Let them be little!

These favorite fall activities have stood the test of time in our home. I've included activities for children ranging in age from toddler to teenager!  (Keep in mind - I like to keep things SIMPLE, so these are all low prep, low cost, but high memory makers!)

Favorite Fall Books 

We read aloud each and every day in our home. When the children were young,I keep a basket of seasonal books on our fireplace. When I would unpack them each year it is as if an old friend has come to visit. 

It's Pumpkin Time - a very sweet book about how a pumpkin grows; includes good science information at the end. Use these pumpkin life cycle printables to reinforce learning. 

The Pumpkin Patch Parable - We used to read this one before carving our pumpkins when my kids were little - a very sweet book. 

The Little Old Lady Who Wasn't Afraid of Anything - We've been reading this one for years!  This is a silly story, and also a great example of a cumulative story. Add instruments with the reading of this book and your children will remember it for years to come! 

The Witch Next Door - This book was read to ME as a little girl. Normal Bridwell has given us a classic! 

Squanto and the Miracle of Thanksgiving - This story points us to the miracle God gave the Pilgrims and His providence in putting Squanto in their path.  Eric Metaxas has written a beautiful book which is a great read aloud for young and old alike. 

The Children's Book of Thanksgiving Stories - FREE from Project Gutenberg - perfect for older children

Favorite Fall Hands On Activities

My children remember learning better if they have DONE something. Fall provides the perfect time to DO a lot... warning: some of this involves CANDY, so be forewarned!  

Autumn Candy Mix Math - We do this activity each year! Lots of learning and sugar involved!

Create a Thankful Tree - This is so simple!

Autumn Scavenger Hunt - You can make up your own, or here is a printable toddler scavenger hunt, and for older children - an autumn leaf scavenger hunt!

Fall LEGOS - How about incorporating LEGO bricks into the fun?  Download these free LEGO Minifig Fall Writing Prompts and have your LEGO lovers hone their writing skills this fall!  

Washi Tape Pumpkins - My 13 year old has been decorating lots of these! We buy the plastic pumpkins at Target so we will be able to keep them for years to come. 

Leaf Fights/Piles - Do I really even need to include this in a list? Yes, I do. You see, I realized a few years ago that I was forgetting to just have FUN with my kids, until one day my son attacked me with a handful of leaves and I realized the fun I was missing!!

Favorite Fall Recipes

Apples, candy corn, meals in the slow cooker - these are all treats we enjoy in the fall. I hope you enjoy some of our favorites! 

{I catalog all of our recipes in Plan to Eat - an online recipe, grocery list making, and generally awesome site!}

Crock pot Applesauce - This tastes EXACTLY like Apple Pie, just without the crust - which is great for my Gluten Free daughter!

Easy Apple Cider - You will win Mom of the Year if you keep a crock pot full of apple cider for your kids while they are doing their schoolwork!

Maple Roasted Chicken with Sweet Potatoes - so easy and simple - and delicious! My teenage daughter makes our dinners about once a week, so I am always on the lookout for achievable recipes for her.

Apple Cream Cheese Bundt Cake - this is time consuming, but SO WORTH IT!  If you have a young baker on your hands, this is a great recipe to teach them a lot of culinary skills. (It's also a great way to show your husband you love him - mine LOVES this!)

Owl S'Mores - We've been making these for years - the kids love to make (and eat) them! 

What is YOUR favorite way to make memories with your kids in the fall?

Cooking With Kids: Easy Freezer Meals

My kids help a lot in the kitchen.

I like to consider it part of our "life skills" curriculum. 

Cooking with kids is such a perfect way to have my children learn alongside me.

Cooking with kids gives me the opportunity to teach them a variety of skills that go well beyond the task of cooking such as planning, mathematics, and it also develops healthy eating habits.

Take cooking with kids to the next level by teaching them how to prepare easy freezer meals! We often are making meals for people in need, and I quickly discovered it was easiest to find a great freezer recipe and cook for two families - that way my load was lightened, too!

 By throwing in easy freezer meals, we can plan and prepare some delicious meals for friends, for our busy week, or even the entire month!

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Shopping For Easy Freezer Meals

I like to stay organized by using Plan to Eat - we've been using this tool for five years now.

Plan to Eat allows me to save and store my favorite recipes online, share recipes with friends, and it also allows me to create shopping lists based on my menus. 

Honestly, Plan to Eat has been the best $5 I spend each month! 

Easy Freezer Meals

• Ravioli Casserole: I don't think meal prep could get much easier than this recipe. A real crowd pleaser with a few simple ingredients. (try this one with beef or cheese ravioli - they are both good!)
• Italian Chicken Roll-Ups: This is a great recipe to use for introducing kids on how to cook with raw meat. Not only is it an easy recipe to follow, it calls for thin chicken, which means kids will be able to flatten the chicken. Something that has always been a blast for kiddos. 
• Black Bean Taco Soup: Give Taco Tuesday a new spin with this hearty soup recipe. Make a little extra for a few easy lunch meals throughout the week!
• The Easiest Baked Mac & Cheese: You can't go wrong with kids and mac and cheese! I like this recipe because there are a few surprising ingredients that will allow you to add a little more nutritional value to the meal. This is also a great habit to pass down to your kids. 
• Orange Glazed Pork Chops: No more over cooked pork chops! This recipe shares a fool proof way to get moist chops every time. 
• Sausage-Egg Rollups: These guys will come in handy on those busy mornings. Not only are they quick and easy to grab and go, they are also a great alternative to sugary cereals first thing in the morning. 
• Simple Meat Loaf Recipe: (My kids' FAVORITE meal!) With just a few ingredients, you can have a wholesome and warm meal. Double, or even triple, the recipe to really stock up your freezer. 
• Slow Cooker French Dip: French Dip sandwiches are a favorite go to meal in my home. Warm, simple, and delicious. Thanks to this recipe, you can now freeze it for later! 
• Orange Apricot Slow Cooker Pork Chops: Using a slow cooker is a great skill to teach kids. I especially like it because it takes the danger out of using an oven and the stovetop. It also gives kids the ability to prepare a meal without any help from their parents. This recipe is great because the end result is beyond delicious. It is also gluten and dairy free. 
• Buttered Maple French Toast Casserole: Another family favorite! French toast is a great way to feed several people without the hassle. Add a fresh fruit salad (you can freeze those too) for a well balanced meal. 

Cooking with kids by introducing them to freezer meals is an idea that will help you manage your meal planning and prep time.

When you teach your kids to prepare these recipes, double them, and freeze the extra servings for an easy to make meal. You have the convenience of an easy and nutritious meal all while teaching your kids the valuable skills of cooking. 

Do you have any freezer recipes you'd like to share?  Let me know if the comments below?

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