Out with the heat, in with the changing leaves. I think I may say how much I love each season every article I write, but truly fall is my favourite. I love changing over the clothes in my closet and the kids’ closets. I love taking out cozy sweaters, socks and warm pants. I love the holidays in the fall and all the fun activities and art creations that come along with this season.

Below I will highlight some great ways to enjoy fall with your little ones. This year I also tried to think of some great . . .

social distance activities for kids to enjoy with friends. I know that when our children are in the same class as friends, we feel like they’re part of the same bubble and less anxious when they play together outside of school. However, some of us may have children who are not in the same class or school as their friends. Keeping that in mind, I have included some great social distancing ways for our children to still hang out with friends they don’t see at school.

Fall fun

1. Jumping in leaves ­— this literally never gets old and added bonus of raking for your parents.
2. Nature art — we recently made small natural wreaths; we went out and collected any of the things that appealed to us (flowers, hay, leaves, acorns, pine cones, rocks) and then stuck them to a paper plate to create a wreath shape. You can set this up well for social distance by having the activity happen on the deck. Give each child their own materials and they can create together, safely.
3. Biking/wheeling — Go on a bike scavenger hunt, follow clues or directions and head out for a bike ride. Change it up from a bike to roller blades, scooters or skateboards! Perfect for keeping a distance, and the fresh air of fall will make it a perfect way to keep warm!
4. Putting up fall décor — I love decorating for fall so much. Putting up scarecrows, pumpkins, fake fall leaves … it’s all so pretty and even more fun to get the kids involved.
5. Cooperative games —games like Simon says, red light green light, what time is it Mr. Wolf? etc, are so much fun in this weather and great for social distance play.
6. Apple and pumpkin picking — I can’t seem to find any orchards or farms where you can pick pumpkins nearby, but there are a few in the cities near us. This is a super fun fall activity whether you go apple picking then use the delicious fruit to make applesauce or apple desserts together or pumpkin picking to then carve for Halloween – both are super fun for kids of all ages. These places usually allow for a wagon ride to get to the orchard or fields and some have other outdoor activities to enjoy. If you get the chance and are looking for something to do, I promise you wont regret it. We have always enjoyed our time picking apples and pumpkins.
7. There is so much you can do with pumpkins — you can paint pumpkins, carve them, eat their seeds even decorate them. Again this is a great activity that can be individualized based on age. Little ones can paint and sparkle the pumpkins, preschool children can decorate the pumpkins with markers and the older children can carve them. You can also walk around town or your neighbourhood trying to find other pumpkins and talk about your favorite ones and why.
8. Have a scarecrow making contest with your friends — gather up the materials and work on making your very own scarecrow. Do it together outdoors in your own space or at your own homes. When the scarecrows are complete and put up, visit each other’s homes.
9. Make up fall goody bags and deliver them to your neighbours or friends. Surprising people you know with treats at their home is one of the best ways to get a smile out of someone. It might just be exactly what makes their day. Have a porch visit while you’re there.
10. Chalk games — Chalk fun is great all year round. It’s also a great way to play safe with friends. You can do hop scotch, make sidewalk art, play tic-tac-toe or hangman or even play a great game of snail hopscotch. If you haven’t taught your child how to play snail yet, Google “snail hopscotch” for directions and images. We recently discovered it and it’s super challenging and fun. Sure to make a lot of laughs for your little ones!

    We all know our lives have changed. Everything we do is a little bit different (or a lot) since COVID hit. It’s important and 100 per cent necessary for us parents to try and maintain some normalcy in our children’s lives. We may not see it all the time but these new times are very hard on our little ones.

    I hope that some of these socially distant ways to play with friends give you some piece of mind on how we can continue to allow our children to maintain friendships and enjoy life.