Autumn Activities to get the Kids Outside
Ah, autumn in Australia: the weather cools down just enough to make you feel like a human again, the leaves start to turn shades of gold, and it's a perfect excuse to ditch the couch and get your kids to do something that doesn’t involve a screen. Here are a few ideas for autumn activities that will get everyone outdoors, keep the kids entertained, and maybe even tire them out for a change.
Leaf Pile Shenanigans
We all know autumn is a difficult time, daylight savings ends and the long walk to winter begins. It's also about leaves—glorious, crunchy, leaf piles. Whether you’ve got a backyard full of trees or you’re hunting down the best park in your area, nothing says "autumn fun" like throwing yourself into a massive pile of leaves. Bonus points if you get the kids to help you rake them into said pile first, only to watch them instantly scatter them everywhere (it’s the circle of life, really).
Apple Picking: The Real Reason You Don’t Buy Apples from the Supermarket Anymore
Apple orchards in Australia are a thing, and they're basically the ultimate autumn activity. Drag your kids to a local orchard, let them pick their own apples, and then attempt to convince them that the apples they picked are way tastier than the ones that came from a plastic bag. Of course, after all that hard work, they’ll probably eat half of them before you even make it back to the car. But hey, at least they’re getting their five serves of fruit, right?
Bushwalks in the Great Outdoors
Autumn is the perfect time to explore the great outdoors without turning into a sweaty mess after five minutes of walking. A bushwalk is a fantastic way to show the kids how cool nature is without them asking when the next snack break is (although let’s be honest, you’ll probably need one after 15 minutes). If you’re in New South Wales or Victoria, try to find a trail that takes you through forests of golden leaves. Bonus points if you find a hidden creek for some impromptu rock hopping. Trust us, they’ll love it.
Autumn Harvest Craft Time
If the weather’s not playing ball, bring the autumn fun indoors. Gather fallen leaves, pinecones, acorns, and any other bits of nature you can find (you might want to supervise any gathering in public spaces, lest your kids think it's okay to collect a whole branch from the neighbour’s tree). Then, break out the glue, glitter, and paints for an afternoon of craft time. It’s like a full-on autumn party, without the risk of your kids becoming feral after too much running around. Just don’t let them near the glitter, or you’ll be finding it in your hair until next autumn.
Autumn Picnic (With a Side of Wet Wipes)
The weather's perfect, the kids are restless, so why not pack up the family and head to the park for an autumn picnic? Lay out a rug, bring a basket of sandwiches, and let the kids run wild while you indulge in the peace and quiet of autumn (or at least until someone spills their juice box). Just don’t forget the wet wipes, because for some reason, picnic food has a tendency to get everywhere.
Autumn in Australia is basically made for family fun. The cooler weather makes it easier to enjoy the outdoors without all the sweat of summer. So get out there, get your hands dirty, and make this autumn one for the memory books—because we all know the kids won’t remember how much you really didn’t want to go apple picking in the first place.
