10 September Nature Activities: Unique Ideas for Families
September is finally here! I am ready for cooler weather and jeans and sweatshirts. It has been HOT and HUMID in Kansas and we have been affected by the wildfires in Canada with a smokey haze this week. We raise farm animals (rabbits, goats, cattle, chickens, ducks and pigs) and they are all looking forward to cooler weather as well. My family is ready to enjoy September with nature activities we can enjoy together.
How are we going to enjoy the cooler days and chilly nights? Well, we are a family that loves the outdoors. Fall is still a busy time on the farm, but the beginning of every season is a cause for celebration and intentional living. Here are 10 ideas to inspire you to celebrate the season with the people you love.
10 September Nature Activities
1) Leaf Collecting: Head to a nearby park or nature reserve and collect colorful fall leaves. You can press them between sheets of wax paper or make leaf rubbings when you get home. Tree identification is a fun and useful hobby! How many trees can you actually identify? Inspire your kids and model learning by looking up species you do not know.
2) Pumpkin Patch Visit: Even though we grow pumpkins at home, we love visiting the neighborhood pumpkin patch! They have become a big business and the corn mazes, butterfly gardens, bier gardens, hayrack rides and all of the other attractions make for a wonderful fall family day. One year my boys decided to fore go buying individual pumpkins and pool their money to buy the biggest ($50) pumpkin in the patch. We didn’t carve it but it made a great fall front porch decoration!
3) Nature Hike: Summer is NOT the time family hiking. Poison ivy, ticks, sweat…..no thanks. We live in Kansas and there are three seasons for hiking (in my opinion). We love hiking in the fall with the changing leaves and the cooler weather.
4) Apple Picking: Visit an orchard and go apple picking. I love the orchards around us because it is the only time during the year that it is easy to buy apples buy the bushel. It is also fun to enjoy their apple fritters and apple cider. You can use the apples you pick to make homemade apple pies, applesauce, or caramel apples. Or just eat the apples.
5) Campfire and S’mores: Do you have fallen sticks in your backyard? Build a campfire in your backyard and enjoy roasting marshmallows. In past times, people used to sing or tell stories around the campfire. Try to leave the screens inside and just talk to each other, even if you don’t start singing in rounds.
6) Fall Picnic: Pack a picnic basket with your favorite fall snacks and head to a park or nature reserve for a relaxing outdoor meal surrounded by fall colors. There are so many cool parks in America. Try to drive to new place and enjoy it with those that you love!
7) Photography Walk: Take a family photography walk and capture the beauty of fall. Let each family member take turns with a camera or smartphone to document the day. My low-kids love it when I entrust them with the role of family photographer.
8) Leaf Pile Fun: If you have any amount of leaves in your yard or a local greenspace, rake up a pile of leaves in your yard and let the kids jump in. It’s a classic fall activity that brings lots of joy.
9) Stargazing: As the nights get cooler, bundle up and go stargazing. Try to identify constellations and watch for shooting stars. Teach your kids to identify easy fall constellations like Cassiopeia, Pegasus, Aquarius, Aries, Pieces, Andromeda, Cepheus, Cetus, Perseus and Triangulum.
10) Geocaching: Explore the world of geocaching by searching for hidden treasures using GPS coordinates. Make a favorite location new again with this interesting activity!
I hope these 10 family friendly September nature activities help inspire you to enjoy the season with a new eye for adventure, fun and intentional living with your loved ones!
For more nature ideas: A Winter Nature Study Guide: Finding Beauty in the Cold
Nature Play for Girls: 14 New Ideas
