Introduction

The lazy, lethargic days of summer are over. Take advantage of the shift in energy the cooler weather brings by heading out with the kids. You don't need to go to complicated lengths. Think close-by, casual, enjoyable. Think family fall fun.

1. Take a hike. Wherever you live, nature is putting on a seasonal show. Sometimes sensational, sometimes subtle, there are changes afoot in the environment. Get out with binoculars and take the kids for a walk in a nearby park, or just an amble through the woods or open spaces on public property. Concentrate on all your senses and take in the changes that spell fall. If there's a writer in your group, make a journal of your trip. Consider picking up seeds, pods, leaves, rocks, fossils, and any interesting (and safe) "found" objects for making into art projects later -- whether it's stringing a fall necklace or making a bouquet of fallen leaves.

2. Help with the harvest. Fall is the season of bountiful harvest. So get your sweatshirt on and get out there and pick produce. Squash, pears, apples -- picking whatever's in season in your area and ready to be off the tree or vine is a blast. Lots of orchards and small farms let the public participate in their harvest. Is there a cider mill nearby? A trip to the apple orchard is a fall favorite. After picking and/or touring the orchard, you can usually sample cider for a true taste of fall. Take your bushel baskets home and get creative. Make a pie or fritters. Have your own fall party and bob for apples, or get out the double boiler and get gooey with caramel apples.

3. Find a fall festival. Though most pumpkin-patch merriment dies down after Halloween, there are all kinds of festivals going on in November. It's a big month for outdoor arts-and-crafts shows in anticipation of Christmas, but the fall theme is still alive. Check the Juried Online Arts Festivals site or Festivals.com for lists of festivals. You can also key in "November festivals" on a search engine and see the interesting things -- from reggae shows to chowder fests -- that pop up around the country. Try narrowing your search to your area for something doable in a day trip.

Juried Online Arts Festivals

Festivals.com

4. Go fishing. It's all about getting out in a boat on a beautiful day. Who cares if the fish are biting? Depending on your weather and what bodies of water you've got nearby, you could be paddleboating, canoeing, or just enjoying being water-borne with or without bait and tackle. Always check your state's licensing and restrictions.

5. Make a scarecrow. Where there are leaves on the ground, there are scarecrows to be made. Even if you don't have any crows to scare away, you can have as much fun with raked leaves, old jeans, a flannel shirt, and straw hat as you can with fresh snow, carrot, coals, and stocking cap. Do it in your own back yard or at an accommodating park. If you're unsure how to make a scarecrow, use your search engine to find information.