The chilling air of autumn brings you in from the outdoors into the cozy warmth of your home.

If you live in really cold climates, your kids will tend to spend most of their time indoors. Soccer games turn into TV sessions, while games of tag turn into hours of video games and other electronics.

Rightfully so, you worry that your children aren’t getting the exercise they need to stay healthy and strong. But despite the chilly air, Fall offers fun activities that the entire family can enjoy. So next time you’re tempted to spend a day indoors, bundle up and explore one of these autumn activities instead:

Take a stroll through the pumpkin patch
Carving pumpkins is one of our favorite Fall activities.  Instead of buying a pumpkin at the grocery store, head out to a local pumpkin patch. Spending an afternoon searching for the perfect pumpkin is a great way to get the kids moving.  In addition, most farms usually have other fun activities like hay mazes and tractor rides.

Hit the apple orchards
If you’re lucky enough to have apple orchards close-by, take your kids apple picking.  This is a Fall must! Your kids will get a kick out of frolicking through the orchard and “taste testing” all the varieties of apples. If it gets chilly, support the local farmers by treating the kids to hot apple cider to help keep warm!

Take a hike
The changing of the leaves is too beautiful to miss. Spend a day wondering through the forest with your kids appreciating the natural beauty. If your kids seem disinterested, incorporate some fun activities like collecting leaves for a collage or engaging in “tree smelling.” Have your kids collect little bits of sap from each pine tree and rub it between the tips of their fingers. Compare the natural and unique perfumes of each tree – the variety is pretty incredible!

Dive into yard work
Enroll your kids in raking leaves from the yard. To make it fun for them (and for you) build a big pile of leaves and have a leaf diving party.

Play in the dirt
Gardening does not need to be limited to the summer months. Create a little fall garden with your kids. The best crops to plant during the Fall months are leafy collards, spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, turnips, rutabagas, beets, carrots, Swiss chard, leeks, oriental greens, endive, and lettuce. You have lots to choose from! In addition to getting outside and being active, your kids are more likely to eat veggies mid-winter if they know they grew them themselves!

Have FUN!