Fall adventures for your kid and the kid in you

As fall approaches, we’re welcomed by familiar routines, back-to-school fun and the chance to make incredible memories. With a little thought, you can maximize your weekends and make the most of the season with your family.

Get out there this Saturday and spend a day trying on new hats and exploring new interests. Pretend you’re a chef, an athlete or a professional photographer. Your child will experience more of the world around them—and maybe a passion within.

Here are 7 adventures to spark your imagination this fall.

Fall’s food-filled holidays are a great excuse to level up your whole family’s cooking and baking skills.

Search online for culinary classes. You can browse and book family-friendly food experiences in cities across the globe, including your own hometown. 

Want to take the fun outdoors? Test your family’s cooking chops over an open flame. Hot dogs and s’mores are easy favorites, but there are plenty of refined recipes that work well over fire, too.

Fall gardening can bring fresh produce to your kitchen and gives you a great reason to spend time doing something other than raking leaves outside. 

As your summer garden yields the last of its bounty, consider working with your kids to put in some fall plants. Do some digging and plant some delicious fall edibles, decorative plants like mums and other fun fall favorites. Depending on where you live, you may be able to grow a ton of fresh fall veggies (or find a local farm) to enjoy.

Sure, kids can be picky eaters, but you may be surprised by what they’ll try when you make it a game. Pretend you’re food critics, and explore your city’s culinary gems.

You can help your kid start a food critic’s notebook, or keep one together and describe in mouthwatering detail the amazing meals and restaurants you find.

For an easy path, follow the footsteps of local restaurant reviewers. Try their favorites and see whether your family agrees. Or set out to explore new cultures through food, sampling cuisine from a new country each time you dine out. You could start in Europe or Asia and work your way around the globe.

Dealing with the pickiest of eaters? Every kid can discover a favorite fall treat. Find theirs and head out in search of the best in your city.

Need to relieve some stress? Exercise is a great way to bring some calm into your life and make time for play with your kids.

Fall’s littered with 5K races, and many are geared toward family fun. If your child is 5 or older, it’s a good time to get them in on the excitement. You can find a race in your city or in a nearby town you’d like to explore.

And when the weather turns dreary, there are athletic adventures to be had indoors. Just find a nearby climbing gym, and call ahead about lessons and access for kids.

Your kid doesn’t have to be a fan of sports to enjoy tailgating and cheering on a hometown team. Dressing up is half the fun. So go all out and cover your family in team colors from head to toe.

If your child is young enough (or has a good sense of humor), you can take things up a notch with face paint and temporary tattoos. Look for them online or at your team’s local store.

Brilliant fall foliage and clear blue skies make autumn an artist’s paradise. You can use the colors of the season to inspire your child’s creativity.

A box of crayons and sheets of white paper are all you need to make colorful leaf rubbings. For other easy ideas, look for sites with kid-friendly crafts that’ll strengthen your little one’s creative muscles.

Want something more structured? Check with local museums and community art centers about classes for kids and families.

Enjoying fall foliage is an incredible way to ignite the imagination and spend some time away from the city.

Try cruising down one of these scenic highways and stop to capture photos as you go. Once you’re home, work with your kids to make a photo album to house their memories or get one of the photos printed to add a new portrait to your home decor.

As you’re on your road trip, you can also work on your food journal or take a break at a park to capture the beauty of the season with some leaf rubbings.

Fall is fleeting, but taking the time to be mindful and spending time with your family always pays dividends. Tap into those cherished memories of cozy hot chocolates after playing in leaf piles, or sitting by the fire making s'mores, and bring them to life again with your family.