3 Fun Fall bucket list ideas to enjoy with your family + Free Printable
westchester & hudson valley family and brand photographer
Sweater weather is finally upon us! And while here in Westchester (and the Hudson Valley) it doesn’t quite feel like the crisp, breezy, glorious fall we know and love, it is never too early to have some fun and create wonderful memories with your family with rituals to welcome this new season.
Fall is all about coziness and enjoying nature and eating all the apple cider donuts! I love the quiet, intentional energy autumn leads us into. This is also a busy season full of activities, rushed morning routines for school, sports and extra curricular and the list goes on.
So, I want to share 3 fun family activities I love to do with my own family to welcome the season and cultivate connection. I am also sharing a Fall Bucket List printable I created to encourage you to put pen to paper and choose your own rituals and activities to share with your family!
Take a hike - I know a lot of us like to get outdoors and enjoy nature in the hot summer months, but for me, the BEST time to walk on nature walks with the kids is spring and you guess it, autumn! My favorite places in Westchester and the Hudson Valley that I love to go to with my family are:
Rockefeller State Preserve - swan lake loop
Clarence Fahnestock State Park - pond loop
Brinton Brook Sanctuary
Teatown Lake Reservation
Cranberry Lake Preserve
Croton Gorge/Dam Park
2. See you at the Festival - Fall festivals, apple picking, corn mazes, OH MY! Fall season is harvest season so there are a plethora of farms and orchards available in New York that are hosting fall festivals and harvest festivals and they are a great way to relax and spend your day with family. Of course, this activity can be anything but slow and intentional. However, making a loose plan for your time, visiting the orchards and farms’ websites to plan for your trip, having snacks and lots of water with you, setting expectations before leaving home and giving yourself plenty of time to get ready to leave your home are simple ways we can decrease any stress associated with this kind of full day activity. Most of all, deep breaths and enjoy!
3. Carve some pumpkins - For my kiddos, any activity involving food (especially the decorating or playing with food), is a huge hit. Every fall, we get pumpkins together (this year we grew some yay!), bake some cookies, put on some music and let creativity flow. I most definitely suck at carving, but it’s just one of those moments that I want to freeze forever. Plus, I love the idea of having fall decor we made ourselves around the house.
No matter what you decide to do (or not do) this season, I hope you can create time and space to be with your littles and those you love. And that, most of all, you are documenting your life along the way. In the end, all you’ll have are your memories and photographs you took along the way.
Another awesome idea to do this fall is to get family photos! Yep! I said it LOL. But all kidding aside, I am currently hosting Fall Mini Sessions in Ossining, NY and this year I’ll be at Teatown Reserve. It is a gorgeous, hidden little secret here in upper Westchester county and I invite you to join me!
To book your mini session with me, click the button below. Can’t wait to meet you!