Classes may have started, but keep up the outdoor adventures this fall

With the onslaught of back-to-school sales, the lazy days of summer are soon to be gone. Homework and textbooks will once again clutter the kitchen table, and parents will find themselves at a variety of extracurricular activities. As we transition from weekends poolside to busy schedules indoors or on the bleachers, plenty of opportunities remain to enjoy the outdoors. As a break from homework and shuttling kids to and fro, here are some gardening and outdoor activities for your family as we get back to school.

Plant Fall Vegetables

Autumn is not typically thought of as a season for vegetable gardening. After all, what else is there besides summer tomatoes and peppers? Some of my favorite crops are best grown in fall, such as leaf lettuce, butterhead lettuce, kale, turnips, spinach, chard, carrots, and so much more! The cooling fall temperatures concentrate sugars in plant tissue, heightening the flavor of vegetables. In 2016, my kids planted and harvested our Thanksgiving salad, and we have continued that tradition since.

Learn more about fall vegetable gardening 

Make Art from Natural Materials

Nature art activities get the family outside and doing something creative. The act of making something, whether it is art or functional, is incredibly rewarding for youth or adults. Use flowers to make a smiley face, or moss and pinecones to build a miniature landscape. Encourage your family to explore different textures and colors found in the surrounding environment. Use grapevines to make bracelets or crowns adorned with flowers and different leaves. During our county 4-H fair, a creative young girl made bookmarks and greeting cards out of pressed and pounded flowers. And of course, you can always send the kiddos on a scavenger hunt to gather materials for a bouquet.

Watch Illinois Extension’s video to get inspiration for creating nature art 

Go for a Hike

As summer wanes into fall, the humidity lessens, and the air takes on a crisp edge, perfect for hikes and walks. Cooler temperatures often make outdoor activities more comfortable as insect activity gradually declines. Nature puts on one more color show for the year as the tree leaves begin to turn. Pack a Sunday picnic and hit the trails. Take breaks during your walk to listen for birdsong or the rustle of leaves. Have family members pick out brightly colored fall leaves and preserve them as a memento of your weekend. Preserving a leaf can be as easy as placing it in a thick book, or go a step further and dip it in melted candle wax or beeswax. Teach kids how to identify trees by their leaves. It is especially useful when the canopy is a mix of colors. Have a question about the identification of a tree leaf? Contact your local Extension office. We are always happy to take a look.

Read about tips for spending time outdoors 

Discover areas in Illinois to spend time outdoors 

Visit a Local Orchard or Fall Festival

In my childhood, going back to school also meant crisp apples, cider, pie, pumpkins, hayrack rides, and bonfires. Visiting local orchards, growers, or fall festivals is an excellent way to get away from the house and get some exercise running through a corn maze. Bring back pumpkins, corn stalks, and other materials, and have the kids help decorate for fall. Remember to check with municipal park districts or state parks, as many offer late-summer and fall outdoor programs and events.

As our children hit the books, let’s celebrate another summer in the books by encouraging all of the family to set aside some time to get in the garden and explore the great outdoors.

Good Growing Tip of the Week: Turn family walks into a learning opportunity. Download a tree identification app or carry a simple field guide and challenge kids to identify three different tree species during each hike.