October Family Activities: 10 Unique Nature Experiences
October family activities bring an enchanting experience, especially across the Midwest, when Autumn truly arrives. Pumpkins and mums start to adorn front porches, sweatshirts become my wardrobe staple, and the smell of bonfires drift into backyards on weekend evenings.
Fall festivals, pumpkin patches, apple orchards and sporting activities can fill each moment, but if you are looking to get away from an ordinary October and live intentionally, I have suggestions for you!
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Set Your October Goals
If you want to plan activities with your family this October, set a few goals on how you want to live this month. What is important to your family?
Maybe you want to eat outside more, go hiking, go camping, or get out on the water one more time this season. No matter what the goals are, living intentionally always takes planning.
Families are cooperative units, and it is important that everyone chips in on these shared experiences. If you want your children to embrace these hobbies and activities on their own, have them help with the planning and preparation.
Here are 10 October family activities that you should try this year!
10 October Family Activities
Hike Somewhere New
The crowds are all at the local pumpkin patch, now is the perfect time to hike a local park or forest to witness the display of fall foliage. The cool, crisp October air makes hiking and nature walks especially enjoyable. It is fun to witness first-hand the changing leaves and landscape. Start with hiking a place that is new to your family, it will inspire you to visit places you have already experienced too!
Take Your Homeschool Outside
October is a great month to take your homeschool outside. We like to do our morning time outside, and we love to work in our nature journals. It is a good month to let your kids do as much schoolwork as they wish outdoors. It is one of the great benefits of homeschooling – not being stuck in a classroom or desk all day!
Biking
Cycling in October can be a true delight. The comfortable temperatures and colorful scenery make it an ideal time to explore new biking routes. Whether you prefer a leisurely ride through a park or a more challenging mountain biking trail, there are options for every skill level.
If you haven’t biked in your area yet, it’s time to tune up the bikes (grab this kit to do it yourself) and research 2 or 3 places that you could take your bikes this fall. Better yet, have your kids learn to tune up bikes by watching YouTube, and let them pick the trails to explore. (Make sure they also learn to load the bikes in the van!)
Leaf Photography
In your own backyard or at a local park, let your kids try their hands at photography. My kids always love an excuse to use my phone, and love to be assigned the family photographer at any event. Letting them take pictures helps them to experience the great outdoors from a new perspective.
If any of the pictures turn out, print them and use them as fall decorations to be enjoyed year after year.
Eating Outdoors
Winter is coming and those nice evenings on the deck are coming to an end. Make a point to grill or picnic outdoors as often as possible this month.
Eating outdoors is good for families. Without the television nearby or the messy kitchen and floors, it is easier to relax and enjoy each other’s company on a beautiful fall day. Plus, there is less to clean up afterwards!
In our homeschool, my kids each lunch and snacks outside too! We love eating outside (and our dogs are a great cleanup crew!).
Camping
If you’re up for an adventure, camping in October can be an unforgettable experience. The cooler evenings are perfect for cozy campfires and stargazing. Just be sure to pack warm clothing and a quality sleeping bag, like this one, to stay comfortable during the chilly nights.
We have a travel trailer and always try to get away for one more trip each October. In the summer, we spend a lot of time boating and swimming, so the cooler weather gets my family on the hiking and biking trails. The quiet campgrounds are a balm to the busy lives we lead at home.
Picnics and Fall Feasts
Picnics take some effort, but they are always memorable. Try to pack a picnic basket with something easy but seasonal, like potato soup in a thermos and pumpkin chocolate chip cookies or apple crisp. Head to a lakeside or scenic park in your area. Enjoy the crisp air and the fun environment of picnicking with the people that you love the most.
Canoeing and Kayaking
If you have a canoe or kayak, you only have a little more time to get out on the water. It is so fun to boat in the fall, because the lakes and streams are so quiet and serene. Paddle your way through lakes or rivers, while soaking in the beauty of the season.
If you do not have a canoe or kayak, this would be a great time to get a great deal. My kids love these little kayaks, and they fit easily in our van for travel.
Stargazing
We are studying space this year in our homeschool. My kids love the fall because they have early bedtimes and rarely see stars in the summer. We do early morning chores at our house, and my nine-year-old told me today, “Mom! I finally see all the stars!” I guess that is a reward for hungry animals at 6:30am.
Look for the October constellations Aquarius, Pegasus and Cepheus. I’m hoping my astronomy students will get to see at least one of these constellations and record it in their nature journals. We like journals like these for nature journaling. If you want to read more about how my family nature journals and why we love it, check out this post!
Fall Gardening
I am tired of my regular garden by October. However, fall is a really nice time to plant a few things that will survive frosty weather, like spinach and kale. You will need to plant from seed as it will be difficult to find young plants at a nursery. Fall is also the time to plant garlic, which is harvested the following spring.
I do enjoy cleaning up my summer garden by pulling old plants, storing pots and tomato cages away, and making a designated compost pile. Just as it important to teach kids to plant, fall clean-up is part of gardening too!
Intentional October Family Activities Plan
Now it’s time to start planning your Intentional October so that you can enjoy the great outdoors with memorable activities with your family! Here is a free printable checklist for you to use to help you make your plan.
I hope that you are looking forward to many October family activities! No matter what hobby that you pursue, I pray that you have a joyful fall season!
For more nature inspiration:
A Winter Nature Study Guide: Finding Beauty in the Cold
Nature Play for Girls: 14 New Ideas
Raising Strong Daughters: 7 Benefits of Nature Play for Girls
Creating Your September Nature Journal: Ideas and Resources
10 September Nature Activities: Unique Ideas for Families
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