Dear Diary,

Recently, I pulled my family’s fall wardrobes to the front of our closets and pushed the shorts and tank tops to the back corners. At first, the change saddened me. I’ll miss our weekend road trips to Lake Erie and Sandcastle Water Park. But then I thought about our favorite autumn activities. Although we must bundle up a bit, we still venture outdoors and enjoy the bright fall foliage. Here are our favorite fall activities and ways your family can enjoy the changing colors of the season.

Go on a Scavenger Hunt

Create a checklist of fall finds. Search for squirrels, chipmunks and deer. Look for pinecones, acorns and fallen leaves in every color.

Get Artsy

Pack a pack of crayons, sketchpads and a blanket. Sprawl out in the middle of an orchard or meadow, and draw what you see around you. Be sure to get creative and color outside the lines!

Take a Leap

Make a pile of leaves and dive in! Then repeat.

Click here for a list of other autumn activities.