Just because Halloween is over doesn’t mean the second half of fall can’t be just as much fun as the first. In fact, it’s a terrific transition period between now and the holidays. Families can hunker down and spend time creating new traditions all while indulging in the crisp beauty and peacefulness that this season has to offer—all without the hype and pressure of the upcoming holidays.
No matter what part of the country you live in, Mighty Mommy has 5 cool ways to help you r family celebrate late fall:
Tip #1: Build a Scarecrow Party
Nothing says fall like an overstuffed, silly scarecrow! Most families perch 
them on their front porches or under a big tree in their yards, but another great place to prop them is somewhere inside your house, where you can enjoy them up close and personal.
Our neighborhood began a fun, fall tradition several years ago called the “Build a Scarecrow Party.” We all meet in someone’s garage and bring supplies to make our straw friends. Items like old jeans or skirts and tights, worn out men’s shirts, costume jewelry, gloves, colorful yarn or old wigs, and several bags of pillow stuffing that you can buy at your local craft store are the perfect accessories. We pool all our items so that everyone can build a unique scarecrow friend for their family. Many times we build mini scarecrows out of baby and children’s clothes, too. We serve apple cider, muffins, and donuts and make an amusing afternoon of it. Everyone leaves with one or two unique scarecrows that find a place of honor in their homes until after Thanksgiving.
Tip #2: Host a Harvest Supper
Seasonal items like tart apples, buttery squash and pumpkins, as well as hearty comfort foods like baked ham and beans, are another savory way to spend a fun fall evening with friends or family. Invite your neighbors or just host an intimate meal for your family. Kids love to help in the kitchen, so get their ideas for items you can include on the menu, as long as they relate to autumn. We have a harvest supper in our home in the second weekend of November each year. This year, my kids want to try making bread and homemade apple-cinnamon ice cream from scratch. I plan on getting lots of pictures so I can make wipe-able photo placemats that I will use for Thanksgiving dinner.
Tip #3: Play Flag Football
Flag football is another fall tradition that many communities and families participate in. The beauty of this game is that it can be an organized event that you play in a town park or an impromptu game in your own backyard. Each player wears two flags, one on each side of the body, that are attached in place. Instead of tackling, players attempt to grab the opposing team members’ flags to complete a play. In order to end a play in football, a player must remove a flag from the waist of a player on the opposite team. Flag football teaches children the fundamental skills necessary to play the game but also teaches them the value and importance of teamwork, and when parents play with their kids, it makes for an extra awesome time!
Tip #4: Make Candied and Caramel Apples
It wouldn’t be fall without sweet and juicy apples. Whether you live near an orchard and can go apple picking as a family, or can take advantage of this scrumptious fruit at a local farmers’ market or your favorite grocer, there are literally dozens of recipes available to turn a delectable apple into an extraordinary treat. You can dip it in a candy or caramel coating, then roll it in toffee, nuts, chocolate chips, or anything else that strikes your fancy. Be sure and keep your work area covered with lots of waxed paper for easy clean up.
Tip #5: Make Holiday Gifts With Fall Items
The holidays can be a crazy time for families. It’s easy to go from peaceful to frazzled in no time at all when your holiday “to do” list grows by the minute. Conversely, fall tends to be a tranquil time of year, so it’s the perfect time to think about some unique, meaningful gifts you and your kids can craft together to give to those special people on your holiday list.
As my colleague Domestic CEO said recently in her episode called Fall Décor Ideas, you can use fall furnishings to easily (and cheaply) decorate your home. Simply go to the park or take a walk through your neighborhood and gather up twigs, leaves, acorns, and pine cones. Twigs glued to a small round vase make a homey, rustic candle holder, especially when you tie it off with a pretty ribbon. An inexpensive mirror can be adorned with acorns to make a one-of-a-kind gift. Last year, my kids gathered tons of pine cones from our backyard and then we dipped them in a variety of paint we had left over from various decorating projects. While they were drying, we sprinkled them with glitter and cinnamon. They looked stunning and smelled delightful. We put them in glass bowls and gave them as gifts. People loved them!
What fun things does your family do to celebrate fall? Let me know in Comments or post them on the Mighty Mommy Facebook page. You can also connect with me on Twitter @MightyMommy or e-mail me at mommy@quickanddirtytips.com.
Check back next week for more Mighty Mommy tips. Don’t forget to check out my family-friendly boards at Pinterest.com.
I hope you enjoy a fabulous fall with your family! Until next time—Happy Parenting!